Exterior Home & Garden Design
in St. Pete, Florida

Your Self-Care Sanctuary Awaits

We design vibrant outdoor spaces that fuel your spirit, calm your mind,
and make you come alive.

Explore Our Design Packages

Zen Mediterranean Front Yard Xeriscape design

Fl woodsy backyard regenerative landscape design

When you close your eyes, you can see it.

Your dream space. Your sanctuary.

Your very own corner of the world, filled with growth, wildlife, native species, and inspiration.

A meditative & holistic experience where you can…

Entertain friends and family in a backyard that feels wildly, proudly you
Practice your morning sun salutations among the flowers and in the sun (with your loyal companion lapping up fresh water from his doggie water fountain)
Savor your afternoon tea or matcha
Harvest your own fruits, veggies, and herbs for home-cooked meals

Become known as “the house with all the butterflies”

Just observe and enjoy the magical little world around you — the sustainable ecosystem YOU helped bring to life
And refocus on what really matters

It's all possible with the right guidance.

That's where we come in.

Meet your Garden Consultant

Sara Toftegaard

Woman with short reddish hair wearing a beige T-shirt and black pants, sitting on the ground in a plant-filled outdoor setting, surrounded by large green banana leaves and various plants.

I believe nature is the best medicine and our greatest teacher —
so transformative that it can enrich every aspect of our lives, from our physical and mental health to our relationships with ourselves and those around us. Whether you’re in need of a complete outdoor transformation or you just need an outside corner figured out, I can help make it unique to you and your lifestyle. My purpose is to help you turn the land you steward into a corner of the world that impacts you and the environment for the better.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Let’s bring your wildest ideas to life.
There are 3 ways to work with me:

For the DIY-er

GARDEN DESIGN PLAN
You’re ready to get your hands dirty … you just need a step-by-step plan and a list of exactly what native plants to buy and where and how to plant them. With a drawn-out plan and a visual for your space, you’ll be ready to start growing in no time.

Let's Grow
No time? I’ve got you.

FULL-SERVICE GARDEN & EXTERIOR HOME DESIGN
You’re ready to update your home exterior and bring that “dream yard” to fruition, but you don’t have the time or know-how to bring it to life and manage all the moving parts. This isn’t just a garden makeover. It’s a complete curb appeal transformation.

Transform my home
Have specific questions?

HOURLY GARDEN CONSULTING
Learn to grow your own veggies, flowers, and herbs. We’ll walk through your space and I’ll share best practices and products for natural gardening, and tell you what grows best in our Florida micro-climate.

TEACH ME YOUR WAYS

Kind Words From Clients

"My condo hired Sara about a year ago to help us redesign the landscape sections of our Courtyard… from scratch! Sara guided us to not just consider the usual palms, but also to include native flowering trees, shrubs, plants and groundcover. Our Courtyard is now thriving with an elegant design and contains gorgeous color at every turn. Our whole community loves the new look made possible by Sara’s vision and expertise…she’s a gem! Highly recommended!!"

– Dee J. | Madison Condominium in St. Pete, FL
"Sara was incredibly patient and thoughtful throughout the design process. She listened to how I use my garden space, what I'd like to change, and designed a beautiful and unique space I could never have imagined myself. I really enjoyed how she incorporated elements unique to a very dog-friendly environment where the pups can equally enjoy their time outside. I'm so happy I took this step and sought her help with designing my yard - it was well worth the investment and will add so much value to my life (and property!)."

– Amy G. | Front yard Transformation & Project Management
"Hiring Sara to customize the plan for my landscaping and garden design was a great decision. From start to finish, she was easy to work with and accommodating to both my vision for having a creative and unique space, as well as keeping things moving at a consistent pace. I really appreciated her attention to detail and the time she spent with the landscapers on-site, ensuring the design was implemented on budget, time, and with quality too. It’s rare to get everything you want sometimes but I feel like that’s really what resonates in hindsight from this entire experience."

Brian J. | Front Yard Landscape + Project Management
"Sara was hired to completely re-do our large condo courtyard. She has been professional and kept to the timeline as well as coordinated with our landscaper who provided her chosen plants and materials. Sara filtered all of the input from our committee to provide us with a beautiful, lush, Florida landscape with touches of Tuscany. She provided us with environmentally friendly plants that will use less water, be non-invasive to our waterproof membrane and also attract pollinators. We recommend her highly!"

– Leona P. | Madison Condominium in St. Pete, FL
“Our experience working with Sara and Toftegaard Design was an incredibly pleasant process — from her unique creative talent, to her attention to detail and her ability to give and receive feedback — we couldn’t have asked for a more trusted person."

— Don C.
“Sara helped me with the details to paint the interior and exterior of my home. I struggled to describe the look I was going for, and with the right questions and talking through different options, she somehow was able to interpret exactly what I wanted. Her knowledge of the paints is impressive and so helpful — thank you!”

– Lisa H.
"I am beyond thrilled with the transformation of my backyard into a stunning tropical oasis, all thanks to the incredible landscape design by Home & Garden by Toftegaard. Sara Toftegaard carefully crafted a comprehensive 12-page landscape plan that perfectly captured the essence of the British West Indies Tropical design style, drawing inspiration from Sunken Gardens Botanical Gardens as I requested. Sara’s attention to detail was impeccable. She meticulously considered my needs, ensuring the space was pet-friendly for my home-based pet sitting business and a tranquil environment for family gatherings"

- Jennifer M. | Backyard DIY design

Dream it

• Plan it

• Design it

• Install it

• Dream it • Plan it • Design it • Install it •

We do things differently.

We prioritize the environment. And we mean everything, from the larger vision down to every little decision and design element. By integrating native plant species, organic materials, and sustainable furnishings and design practices, we create environments that harmonize with the natural world.
We design for wellness. We go beyond yard design; it’s about cultivating a space that fosters your happiness, health, and curiosity. We incorporate the practices of Ayurveda, Feng Shui, and Yoga.
We think local. We partner with local St. Pete and Tampa businesses that share our passion for sustainability and want to bring a little magic into your life.
We have a network of trusted partners. We wholeheartedly trust them to do quality work you’ll love.

We believe the aesthetics of your yard should mirror the conscious decisions you make every day. That’s why, when we approach your outdoor living design, we dig much deeper (pun intended) than traditional landscape design. Here’s how:

EXPLORE OUR APPROACH