Bringing Nature Home with Molly Wood Garden Design
When Molly Wood approaches a project, she does so with respect, not only for the client’s vision, but for her most valuable coworker: nature.
An accomplished landscape designer with over 500 projects under her belt, Wood has been named amongst the most influential landscape designers on the West Coast and has been featured in countless national magazines. Every day, whether it’s designing a gorgeous backyard or picking a one-of-a-kind piece to give a garden the pop it needs, she enjoys working alongside the flora and fauna that are so essential to what she does. “I see my job as being responsible for bringing the glory of natural elements into the lives of my clients,” she explains.
“From the soft sound of water in an entry courtyard to the warm glow of a fire pit or grasses blowing in the breeze, my main goal has always been to get people outside.”
It’s that rich understanding that destined her for mastery in her field, thanks to a passion that originated from youth. “As a child, I loved building forts and creating environments,” Wood remembers. “Growing up in Oregon with a hippy mom, I wasn’t allowed to watch TV if it wasn’t raining. Playing and creating with nature is a part of who I am.”
Inspired by nature’s resilience and resourcefulness, Wood has found a way to put her green thumb to use beyond aesthetics, leaning on the notion that nature is the true example of the design term ‘function first.’ “Everything has a reason and a part to play in the grand scheme,” says the designer. “A pattern of sand underwater can be repeated in a cloud pattern, or a deer antler shed can look like a piece of driftwood.”
Wood’s eye for rustic, intentional, and beautiful pieces with aptly placed greenery needed a home base to flourish -- somewhere she could showcase her work to clients, locals, and visitors alike. So, taking a gamble in the middle of the 2008 recession, a leap was made, and Molly Wood Garden Design was born. Situated in a charming 1940’s cottage off of 17th Street in Costa Mesa, the design space boasts an outdoor area ideal for showcasing her expertise and impressive talent.
With her dream for a brick and mortar shop achieved, Wood set off to fill the shelves and outdoor areas with curated, hand-picked delights that are as visually enticing as they are illuminating for the home.
“Our intention is to help people live with nature,” shares the shop owner.
“We hope that we are able to provide our clients with the perfect pieces to make their home and garden comforting, offering a reflection of who they are. We have a constantly changing selection of plants for inside and out, pottery, fountains, and vintage treasures.”
Wood’s criterion for merchandise is extremely thoughtful. Customers love her picks, as she is adamant about only selling items she would buy herself, as well as those that support fair trade co-ops and who give back to other communities. “A couple of my favorite items right now are paper mache bowls and sculptures made by hand from recycled materials in Haiti by artisans that were recruited from refugee camps in Port Au Prince,” shares Wood. “I also love the line of handmade African baskets and wall hangings created by women who are now fed, clothed, and housed by the company I buy from.”
From the aforementioned pieces to custom goods like themed gift boxes to bell strands made out of leather cording, recycled bells, and locally made beads (with 100% of proceeds going to organizations like CASA and National Charity League), Wood seriously delivers when it comes to getting clients exactly what they need to create their own sanctuary -- which is especially important as COVID keeps us all closer to home.
So when the time comes to setting up a piece of Eden in your backyard (or to simply infuse your space with a little more life) Molly Wood Garden Design is beyond ready to guide you through the process of brightening up your abode -- equally planting the seed for a loving reunion with nature.
Visit Molly Wood Garden Design on Instagram at @shopmollywood or @mollywoodgarden, or via her website at ShopMollyWood.com or MollyWoodGardenDesign.com.
Charlotte Farrell is an Orange County-native, editor, writer, and editorial content strategist who finds a thrill in telling stories about the marvelous things humans have accomplished, in addition to topics such as wellness, food, climate change, sustainability, clean beauty, fitness, mental health, and travel. She has a particular interest in globe-trotting, finding the best matcha latte in each destination she visits, and petting every dog she meets along the way.
Photos by Madeline Javier.