I've been working with Kim for the last 5 years or so. She has helped transform my garden into a truly beautiful, serene spot. While I thought it was in pretty good shape 5 years ago, I knew it needed a tune-up. Wow - the changes Kim suggested at that time, and the subsequent incremental additions, have really made a difference. It helps that I have really good maintenance people - they keep it all thriving - but Kim has a natural talent for taking 'ho-hum' and making it into something really special.Read More

I had a large boring lawn on my corner property and a minimal back yard. Kim helped me with great suggestions to turn the property into a place filled with plants, flowers, shrubs, several new trees, and a new patio design in the back. Kim works very fast, and has fine contractors at her disposal. This was a major project that wound up taking less than three months.Read More

I've done 3 garden projects with Kim from Inviting Spaces by Kim - front and back yard improvements and a driveway border that she turned into a beautiful area of its own. She is creative, knowledgeable, flexible, and has a great eye for how a space might be enhanced. She listens to you and together you fine tune a plan. Using materials and plants that are available from her extensive network of sources, your garden will be uniquely yours with her creative touches. She has energy and enthusiasm for each project and works with a great crew to bring it all together.Read More

Our front entry needed a full redo, hardscape, landscape and lighting. Kim brought fresh ideas that we had never thought of and transformed the space in a few weeks to a beautiful, more functional and welcoming entry to our home. Kim and her team are all great, creative and fun to work with.Read More

Love the space that Kim has created for us! She has passion and energy matched with a creative approach. We now enjoy the cozy corner, the beautiful patio, and colorful flowers everyday.Read More

We finally finished our extensive house remodeling project in early 2016, felt our front and back yards were in such bad shape after the construction. We searched and found a number of garden designers including Kim on Houzz.com, and left messages to all of them. Surprisingly Kim called back within a few hours and attentively listened our situation and concerns. Her kind and full of energy personality immediately connected us, so we decide to schedule a consultation appointment with her. During our 1st meeting, she shared so many great design ideas on how we could improve our outdoor space so that we quickly decided she is the right designer for our landscaping project. Kim brought in years of her design experiences as well as implementation team to fulfill her ideas into reality. From space to plant selection, Kim is so hand on and handpicks every element of the project. The most memorable experience is THE fun plant and accessory shopping trips with her. I learned so much about landscaping, plants and most importantly, her. By the end of 3 month project, I feel I know Kim for very long time. What makes her particular special is when it comes to project budget, Kim is very honest and upfront on all conceivable costs on her fees and charges with detailed accounting reports and receipts. Now, as the spring comes after long wet CA winter, we appreciate even more of her works as my plants are either happily blooming and showing off their flowers or produce beautiful leaves on corner of my neighborhood. Our new landscaping designed by Kim definitely draws attentions from our neighbors, not to mention that we come out more and more to enjoy the beauty and peace. After all, it's indeed an Inviting Space by Kim that we all love so much!!! Thank you very much, Kim!Read More

Kim Perlmutter of Inviting Spaces by Kim was working on a project in the Palo Alto area; a classic Georgian style home needing an update and new focal point. Kim decided on whitewashed Italian terra cotta rectangular planters that echoed the design of pillars framing the front door. Kim was a pleasure to work with, a consummate professional knowing exactly what would complement the home and the taste of her clients and she found what she was looking for at Eye of the Day. We look forward to a long relationship with Inviting Spaces by Kim.Read More

For the better part of a decade I sat at my dining room table, shades drawn, trying to avoid my backyard. My interior designer recommended I meet Kim and within 20 minutes she had my entire landscape planned out. The transformation was literally from Kalahari to Shangri-La, a truly remarkable metamorphosis !Read More

I tried for more than a year to design a plan for landscaping the yards and had to face the fact that I could not do it without professional help. I remembered that 3 years ago, Kim, owner of Inviting Spaces, helped me freshen up a small front yard that I shared with a neighbor. Within a week from contacting Kim, we were able to design a landscaping plan that included synthetic grass for the front and back yards, and new plants all around the property. Kim works with a great team. The entire project was finished within 3 - 4 weeks. I could not be more pleased with the outcome of this project. Kim’s conscientiousness, dedication and her knowledge of plants are outstanding.Read More

Kim masterfully designed a drought tolerant yard for me to replace my lawn. She was easy to work with and took into account that I wanted plants that provided nectar and pollen for my bees as well. She listened to what I did and did not like and rest is history.Read More

Working with Kim was an amazing process. I had some ideas, but she "read" me and my family in such a creative way. She lead me to plants, design elements, and space configurations I could never imagine. We ended up with an urban-suburban-chic backyard and patio. Friends call it the Zen garden. The project was fast (less than a month) and right on budget. Kim is fantastic!Read More

I asked for a resolution of a big black bamboo problem plus I wanted plants for pots, for the arbor, along the perimeter fences and in the front of the house all on a small lot. Kim accomplished all that while complying with my "I don't like/want" preferences, with the general theme (oriental) of my existing landscape and with my budget. She took me with her to select plants and pots and conferred with me on all selections plus giving me an education on what, where and why. The really big plus--she gave me a plant list with photos of my landscaping. I know little about plants. Now I can see the names of the plants and their locations, enabling me to see which plants do well in specific locations so I can manage the garden (with Kim's help and advice) for years to come.Read More

Our new home has a small patio that was surrounded by overgrown grass when we moved in. I have never done any landscaping and had no idea what to do with it. A friend of mine used Kim to design her landscaping from scratch and recommended her unconditionally. In addition to being very professional and efficient, Kim makes the whole process a pleasure. She is just like the gardens she creates.. cheerful and calming. I always felt great spending time with her. And! it's hard to find someone like who works efficiently to help keep the bill reasonable. I do not have unlimited funds! Our patio is now a whole new living area in our home. It is a beautiful and quiet place to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine at night.Read More

We hired Kim to help bring our townhouse patio garden back to life again. She instantly recognized how important the "vista" from our kitchen and living area was which helped us realize how our garden lacked color and interest in every way. Kim and her team easily recognized plants and pots that could be relocated and transformed to promote growth and how to add color and interest to every part of our yard. She added amazing roses and perennials of complimenting colors all around the yard. An important part of Kim's service is the education she offered us on how to maintain the garden for many years of enjoyment - no gardener had ever informed us of the dos and don'ts for each plant. She also integrated many other artistic elements that we already had but weren't utilizing - huge difference and so fun! We are truly loving looking out our windows at a beautiful "extension" to our living areas - they are much more "inviting spaces" now!Read More