Bio & Firm Profile Kentucky native, Jon Carloftis, award-winning garden designer, garden writer, television guest, author, and lecturer, is a great American gardener. His 23 year career in gardening begin far from home in New York City where he become one of America s pioneers in rooftop / small space gardening. The Lauder family (of Estee Lauder fame); actors Julianne Moore, Mike Myers, and Edward Norton; producer Jerry Bruckheimer and wife Linda Bruckheimer; Google New York headquarters these are a few of Jon s recognizable clients. But whether you have a rooftop or balcony in the city, a small backyard in the suburbs, or 100 acres in the country, he explains, its that small space right outside the back door that everyone uses most. Editors and producers of America s favorite garden publications, and home and garden programming agree; and look to Jon as a constant source of inspiring ideas for readers with diverse backyard challenges. Jon regularly contributes to national garden and lifestyle publications, contributing to more than 200 feature stories throughout his career. His garden designs and editorials have been featured repeatedly in Architectural Digest, Better Homes & Gardens, Country Home, Country Living, Garden & Gun, Garden Rooms, House Beautiful, Martha Stewart Living, Metropolitan Home, Oprah at Home, Outdoor Rooms, Renovation Style, Rodale Organic Gardening, Southern Living and Town & Country. Jon s television career includes appearances on The Style Channel; The Home and Garden (HGTV) Channel (The Secret Gardens of New York); ABC's Good Morning, America; and Martha Stewart. In 2004 / 2005, Jon was selected by HGTV as a member of HGTV s Trend Advisory Board designed to direct their future programming. Jon has written a wide variety of garden books: First a Garden (published 2005); Beyond the Windowsill (published 2007); and Beautiful Gardens of Kentucky (published 2010). Jon speaks regularly to garden and landscape enthusiasts from coast to coast. As a speaker, Jon charms audiences with his elegant down-home manners, soft Kentucky accent, and good humor. Jon shares common sense solutions to some of the most common garden problems. His spirited presentation leaves guests of all ages with a can-do spirit. 1
Jon s garden designs and installations continue to attract national attention. In 2005, he partnered with Alice Waters (owner of Chez Panisse) to re-create on the mall in Washington the Edible Schoolyard, a one-acre garden at the Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Berkeley, California. This installation was part of their collective efforts to improve the eating habits of schoolchildren and promote sustainable agriculture. In 2009, Jon partnered with 21C Museum / Hotel to design and install a rooftop garden atop their maiden Louisville hotel. Conde Nast awarded their efforts as Louisville s 21C Museum Hotel was named best hotel in the United States in 2009 (#6 in the world). Later this year, Jon was honored by President Obama and Better Homes & Gardens, as he was asked to decorate the Blair House courtyard garden for the holidays. No other gardener has been so honored in the history of this institution. In 2010, Jon was selected by Alltech and the Governor of Kentucky to design and install the Alltech Experience and Kentucky Experience gardens, to be featured at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky. Before 2010, this event has never before been held outside of Europe. In 2011, Jon designed and installed gardens at Mount Brilliant Farm in Lexington, Ky; at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, PA; and at Google s new New York-based headquarters, the third largest building in New York City. Jon grew up on the banks of the Rockcastle River in South Central Kentucky, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It was there he began a love affair with nature. He attended the University of Kentucky, graduating in 1986 with a B.A. degree in communications. He returned to study horticulture, landscape architecture and art history. Jon is the owner of the Rockcastle River Trading Company, a popular home and garden store located on his family s property in Livingston, Kentucky. The beautiful gardens, designed by Jon, that surround the Carloftis home and store have been featured in BMW Magazine, Country Home, Garden & Gun, Outdoor Rooms, and Southern Living. In 1988 Jon moved to New York City to start his business. His first clients were noted art collectors Barbara and Eugene Schwartz. Word of mouth became his advertising vehicle, and demand for his services grew. In 1993 Jon moved to picturesque Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It s here he restored an 1850 s farmhouse to become his home & gardens, and office. His Pennsylvania home and gardens have appeared in Country Gardens, Country Living, Garden Design, Martha Stewart Living, and Metropolitan Home. For over twenty years, Jon Carloftis Fine Gardens has designed and installed 2
beautiful and functional, residential and commercial outdoor living spaces. For larger projects, we follow an easy and effective five (5) step design and installation process. We provide general contracting services to coordinate services from our staff garden/landscape experts, to the finest local irrigation experts, brick and stonemasons, plumbers, electricians, and carpenters. To ensure the beauty and wellbeing of your garden, we also provide a maintenance and seasonal planting program once your garden is installed. Jon Carloftis Fine Gardens expanded to include a second home and office in Lexington, Kentucky. In 2012, renovations to historic Botherum (1851) located in downtown Lexington began. This property will be dedicated to a growing business in his home state of Kentucky, and contiguous states. Visit www.joncarloftis.com for more information. 3
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