Three weeks ago, I found myself walking barefoot along the cenote-dotted coastline of Tulum, notebook in hand, completely mesmerized by the effortless elegance that defines this magical corner of the Yucatan. As the principal designer behind Lavender Landscape Design, I've spent years perfecting outdoor spaces across the Phoenix area, but this research trip opened my eyes to a design philosophy that feels perfectly suited for our desert climate—and I knew I had to bring it home.
A Personal Design Journey
After years of building Lavender Landscape Design from the ground up, I'm thrilled to announce a shift that brings me back to what I love most: the intimate, hands-on design process. Starting with our Tulum Summer 2025 Collection, I'm launching quarterly curated collections where I work directly with a select group of clients on an unlimited basis. This isn't just about creating beautiful spaces—it's about crafting experiences that transport you to another world, right in your own backyard.
The Tulum Aesthetic: Raw Luxury Meets Desert Serenity
Walking through Tulum's most stunning properties, I was struck by how the design philosophy mirrors what we can achieve here in Phoenix. The Tulum aesthetic isn't about perfection—it's about authenticity. Think weathered limestone walls that tell stories, natural travertine floors that feel cool underfoot, and native plantings that seem to grow wild but are carefully curated.
The textures are everything in Tulum design. Rough-hewn wooden beams, often sourced from local Parota or Tzalam trees, create dramatic ceiling features that cast beautiful shadows throughout the day. Natural fiber textiles—think undyed cotton, jute, and henequen—add softness without competing with the architectural elements. And the color palette? It's pulled directly from the landscape: warm sand tones, deep jungle greens, cenote blues, and the golden hour light that makes everything glow.
What captivated me most was how Tulum designers embrace imperfection. Walls aren't perfectly smooth—they're meant to show the hand of the craftsperson. Furniture pieces are beautifully weathered, as if they've absorbed years of coastal air and sun. This organic, lived-in quality creates spaces that feel like retreats rather than showplaces.
Why Tulum Works Perfectly in Phoenix
Here's what struck me immediately: Tulum's climate challenges mirror our own. Both regions deal with intense sun, minimal rainfall, and the need for outdoor spaces that remain comfortable year-round. The design solutions that work in Tulum—like deep overhangs, natural ventilation, and materials that age gracefully in harsh conditions—translate beautifully to our desert environment.
The plant palette is surprisingly compatible too. Many of the succulents, agaves, and architectural plants that thrive in Tulum's coastal conditions are perfectly suited to our desert climate. The key is creating the same sense of lush abundance while respecting our water-conscious approach to landscaping.
Perfect for Tuscan Renovation Projects
If you're living with a Tuscan-style outdoor space that feels a bit dated, the Tulum aesthetic offers the perfect evolution. Both styles celebrate natural materials and earthy tones, but Tulum brings a more relaxed, coastal sensibility that feels fresh and contemporary. Instead of formal symmetry, think organic curves. Instead of heavy stone work, consider lighter travertine and natural wood accents. The bones of your Tuscan space—the hardscaping, the scale—can often be beautifully transformed with the right material updates and softened plantings.
Sourcing the Perfect Materials
One of the most exciting aspects of developing this collection has been working with local Phoenix vendors to source authentic materials. I've been collaborating closely with specialty stone suppliers to bring in the right travertine—not the polished varieties we typically see, but the honed, natural-edge pieces that capture Tulum's organic feel.
For wood elements, I've found incredible reclaimed options that give us that weathered, coastal look without the environmental impact of shipping materials from Mexico. Local artisans are helping me create custom pieces that honor traditional techniques while meeting our desert durability requirements.
The plantings are where I'm most excited. Working with native plant specialists, I've identified varieties that give us that lush, tropical feeling while thriving in our climate. Think architectural agaves, flowing grasses that move in our desert breezes, and carefully placed specimen trees that create those magical filtered light moments I fell in love with in Tulum.
A Limited, Curated Experience
This isn't a mass-market approach. For the Tulum Summer 2025 Collection, I'm working with just a handful of clients who are ready to embark on this design journey with me. Each project receives my unlimited attention—from initial concept through final installation and beyond. We'll work together to understand how you live in your space, what draws you to the Tulum aesthetic, and how we can create your own personal retreat.
These quarterly collections represent my commitment to staying connected to the creative process that made me fall in love with landscape design in the first place. After years of growing the business, I'm excited to return to the hands-on collaboration that creates truly transformative spaces.
Ready to Bring Tulum Home?
The Tulum Summer 2025 Collection launches this month, and I'm accepting consultations for the few remaining spots. If you're dreaming of morning coffee in a space that feels like a cenote-side retreat, or evening entertaining that transports your guests to a coastal paradise, let's talk.
This is landscape design as it should be—personal, authentic, and completely tailored to how you want to live. After my time in Tulum, I'm more convinced than ever that the most beautiful spaces aren't just designed—they're felt.
Ready to transform your outdoor space into your own Tulum retreat? Contact Lavender Landscape Design to schedule your consultation for the Summer 2025 Collection. Let's create something extraordinary together.
For more information about our quarterly curated collections or to schedule a consultation, visit our website or call our Phoenix studio directly.
