I am trying to find local designers, the challenge is finding one that also speaks English so that I can avoid potential misunderstandings (as you say, there is ongoing discussions with myself and the designer). I also feel a local designer has a better understanding of local styles and available materials. Perhaps I can work with a designer to help provide a vision and work with someone local on the details and execution.

Where are you located? IME, it is usually the landscape contractor and/or crew that has English as a second language (if at all) but many - if not most - designers are native born. So just the reverse of your situation......... :-)

I am located in US. House is located in Hungary. One challenge in Hungary is that many skilled labourers go elsewhere in Europe because they can make more money. I was very successful at hiring an interior designer that was in Hungary and willing to travel to the house. She spoke English and communicated with contractors as necessary. Interior is almost done!

Hungary!! Well, that would make a difference. Perhaps an online designer IS your best bet :-) And in that case, I'd look for someone with a European base, if not exactly located close by.

I've worked with an interior designer for two homes (including this one). I think I get the design process. For the yard I'm not sure if I can find a singe designer. Does a landscape designer help design a structure for a garage or summer kitchen?

This happens to be my friend's summer kitchen (in the same town). The contractor can build me something like this (for under $10K!) but I still don't have an idea how to organize the yard. Contractors want me to point and tell them exactly what I want. They are good at building from a picture. I want someone experienced to help create the designs and select locations for structures and paths.

I'm waiting for a response from one local designer and will see how it goes. In the meantime I'll do searches for a virtual designer.

What’s your plant zone in Hungary ? I have an Hungarian dog Komondor , that’s a lovely country. Can you grow roses there? You can post a question on the rose forum, we will be happy to help you.

Do you have photos of your yard? Love the red roof!

I'm not sure what the zones mean, but I googled and it says Hungary is 6a to 8a. The town I'm in is 7a. Give your god a hug for me :)

" Does a landscape designer help design a structure for a garage or summer kitchen? "

They can, but it depends on the designer - the skill sets can vary widely

You can grow all kinds of roses in zone 7a! It would be so lovely living in a rose garden. How often do you go there? Do you have anyone there to maintain a garden? How much rain do you get during the growing season?

There is so much more to a landscape design plan than just roses....or any other plant selection :-) That is one of the very last things that happens, after everything else has been worked out! Just saying..........

I am usually there 3 times a year, but have built a home office so I can work from home and be there more often and for longer stays. Original plan was for my parents to live there but things didn't go too well after my father started to make design decisions (taking out interior walls, buying tiles and bathroom fixtures without my agreement) so I "fired" him and hired a designer, lol. No hard feelings... he was stressed about the renovations and that tainted his experience of the house. I think he'll change his mind once he sees it next.

As for maintenance, I'd likely hire a gardener to help. A rose garden sounds nice... I'll have to google how they look. But biggest design dilemma is where to put all the design elements.

Good on you to want a plan! Often folks here want a quick sketch for curb appeal and don’t consider needed functions. While you are looking for someone, the more info you can bring to the table is good. For instance, in addition to the four outbuildings listed, think about access, maintenance, and other functions you may need to consider.

A few examples-

If your parents may perhaps be living here, will you want to consider access for walkers or wheelchairs as they age, and so want ramps vs. steps in some areas.?

Will you want to eat outdoors, and so how does the placement of the outdoor kitchen vs. the indoor kitchen need to relate to outdoor and indoor dining areas?

Are there places you will want certain types of plantings such as an herb garden near one of the kitchens or a sunny area for flowers or trees to shade one of the buildings?

Will you need to provide shade via structures or plantings for outdoor sitting or dining areas?

Are there particular sports or activities such as a putting green or bocce court you might want to include?

Are their views of things outside or within your property you would like to block or enhance?

Locations of driveways and walkways?

Storage of trash cans and lawnmowers?

You also want to think about and perhaps collect pictures online (and/or old-school analog) of styles and structures you like for the outbuildings, patios or other paved areas, and fencing, gates and shade structures. Consider both the materials and how the style will work with your house and the surrounding area.

Having some general ideas will help the designer create a yard plan that works for you both functionally and aesthetically for you.

@NHBabs I could not agree more :). In fact, I actually have a "share the vision" document I created for the interior design and doing the same for the garden. I outlined much of my wish list and lifestyles, including accessibility :)

I'm only good at doing a scaled diagram and creating cutouts of structures and moving them around the drawing to see how I like the layout. Actually, I have an engineering background and capable of doing it in CAD but prefer working in sketches on paper at this stage.

I can help you.

Thanks Doug. That is my friend's yard, mine is the one at the top of the post.

Sorry, my mistake. However, I can still design for you if interested.

Do you have a website? I can send you a bit more detail as well. FYI, I'm in RVA.

Still a work in progress. Here's a bit more background about the project.

http://brianerdelyi.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Share-the-Vision-Hajduszoboszlo-Garden-Edition.pdf

Looks like a great project.