My name is Anna Kullgren. I grew up in Sweden, and eventually settled in the US. As a Scandinavian, my aesthetics reflect clean visual and functional practicality paired with environmental responsibility. I experience the world around me as space defined by color and contrasting textures. I am a functional Tetrachromat with a degree in architecture, and spent years designing interiors before I began designing gardens. I may very well tell you that optimizing your dream for a livable, enjoyable outdoor space will involve changes to your house. I may, and I have.

I am grateful for my time at the Scandinavian Color Institute in Stockholm, and the formative years that followed. First at CCAD (the Columbus College of Art and Design), and later at UC DAAP (University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning). After moving to Oregon in 2005, I immersed myself in Pacific Northwest horticulture and general plant nerd revelry. Whether inside or out, I enjoy guiding clients to see and pursue the full potential of their surroundings. Best of all is when I can help them fuse inside and outside space into a cohesive design that celebrates the spirit of place and reflects its owner’s personality.

Professional Memberships
WA Master Gardeners
Hardy Plant Society of Oregon

DESIGN MATTERS

In our urban, increasingly crowded lifestyles, the ongoing trend is shrinking access to outdoor living spaces. It shouldn’t have to be that way. I specialize in small space utilization and urban privacy issues. Our urban landscape is changing. Buildings are getting taller and urban lots are getting smaller. Baby boomers are downsizing, and “first house” have been supplanted by “first apartment” or “first condo”. Even if you are renting, and your only outdoor space consists of a balcony, or a small patio, you can still enjoy and reap the benefits of a beautiful green space. I find the challenge of gardening in tight spaces fascinating, and am constantly devising interesting ways to do it.

Beautifying and improving the functionality of whatever surroundings you DO have, should be fun, exciting, stress free, and ultimately reward you with a higher quality of existence - at work or in life. Homeowner status or size of space is less important - everyone deserves access to their own sanctuary. Whether at home or at work, it is a well known fact that experiencing nature makes us happier, healthier and more at peace. It motivates, improves productivity, mental acuity, and encourages exchanges of ideas and interactions.

"I don't divide architecture, landscape, and gardening; to me they are one."

- Luis Barragán

BEAUTY

Optic Verve offers a holistic, comprehensive approach to transforming and optimizing space. I help clients reimagine their live- and work-environments, and offer outstanding design and creative space planning to realize their dreams. Design should tell a story of place, personality, and preferences. Every effort is made to fashion efficient and timeless solutions, promoting honest expression of place. I believe a truly beautiful space reflects the personality and the spirit of its inhabitants, while resting easily within its surroundings.

I believe in treading lightly, and I am a creative proponent of conserving, reusing, recycling, reclaiming, and repurposing. The Pacific Northwest has so very much to offer - especially for gardeners. There are abundant specialty growers in our region, that specialize in plants for our specific climate, and also local and regional manufacturers of other building components. Within the practical boundaries of budgets and time constraints, and in order to minimize environmental impact, I strongly support sustainable, ecologically conscious choices for materials, services, processes, and systems. I’m a proponent of working with nature - not against it.