From the Editor’s Desk to the Earth
As the Garden Design Editor for Southern Living, I was a gatekeeper for the "Southern Aesthetic" during its peak era under the late Editor-in-Chief John A. Floyd. Alongside a legendary staff, I learned that a garden isn't simply a collection of beautiful horticultural wonders— it is a narrative of space, resilience, and legacy. I know what works, what endures, and what is investable. I learned that a landscape is a narrative, and every element— from the sweep of a driveway, to the transition from a porch to the patio, the landscape needs to serve the story of the people who live to profit from the investment.
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My Approach & Design Philosophy
At SoulBlue Living, I approach clients with a "Stewardship Forward" philosophy.
I operate as the Master Plan Designer & Collaborator to bridge these gaps. From small-scale gardens to complex estate projects, the vision must come first from the client’s goals and a realistic budget.
Whether it’s a small boutique project or a master plan installed in stages, I work with those who understand that elevated properties require a cohesive master plan before the first shovel hits the dirt.
Troy Hardy
My Work
Enduring. Architectural. Rooted
"There is a moment in every great garden when the light catches a stone pathway, a majestic oak, or a climbing hydrangea on a pergola, just right— and the world feels for a second, completely... soulful"
-- Troy Hardy
As the Garden Design Editor for Southern Living, I was a gatekeeper for the "Southern Aesthetic" during the magazine's authentic editorial direction under Editor-in-Chief John A. Floyd. Alongside that legendary staff, I knew that our outdoor spaces aren't simply a collection of plants— they are a narrative of place, sustainability, and legacy. I know what works, what endures, and what is investable.