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Scott Freres

Principal/Professional Landscape Architect
“The Creative Director”


With over 30 years as a practicing landscape architect, Scott is affectionately referred to as the Picasso on a napkin. Favorite tools of his trade include a 1997 Pentel Rolling Writer and a 20 oz. can of orange Rustoleum spray marking paint.

Vital Signs

  • Gardens without gloves
  • Bleeds Badger Red
  • Can’t believe he found his career passion before college
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Andrea Freres

Principal/Business Operations
“The Energizer Bunny”


There’s no limit to Andrea’s outgoing nature and people skills. This energy keeps the Red Spade train on track, constantly evaluating our services, effectiveness and cost structures.
Yes, she’s always been this way……….

Vital Signs

  • Likes to garden…with a glass of good wine
  • Great eye for color
  • Constantly overwhelmed by technology
  • Generally doesn’t get out of workout clothes ‘til dinner
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Margaret Lamason

Director/Client Services
“The Air Traffic Controller”


Margaret’s no-nonsense straight talk, years of project management experience and infectious smile keep the Red Spade team, our vendors and clients in perfect balance…… a form of Red Spade Zen Project Management.

Vital Signs

  • No pie please, just cake
  • Visits job sites on her bike
  • Legendary KWBA team mom and world’s biggest fan
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Zac McConnell

Field Operations Manager/Landscape Architect
“Indiana”


Made in America. An original Red Spader, Zac is constantly honing his fine production skills in the garden, deep into a home restoration project or crafting a new seasonal microbrew. Ask Indiana to sample his seasonal collection of fine ales….there’s always a private reserve leftover for the growing season.

Vital Signs

  • Italian Beef with hot peppers/dipped
  • Understands the proper direction to plant fall bulbs
  • No cake or pie... just a rack of baby back ribs, please!
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Bev Ingle

Partner and Designer for Contained Spaces
"Hardy in all Zones"


Bev is inspired by nature from the tiniest bud to the largest of vistas. Having grown up on a farm in the Midwest, connection with all things growing is simply part of her DNA. When designing arrangements and container gardens, she especially loves experimenting with new varieties that provide unexpected composition. Her vision is to provide each client with a unique aesthetic created just for them.

Vital Signs

  • Delighting a customer is at the TOP of her list.
  • No manicures please... too busy weeding and transplanting her garden
  • If she’s not in the garden, she’s snuggled up with a good book
  • NEVER chocolate cake, unless it’s molten!
Locally Grown...Locally Sourced.
Red Spade Imagery Red Spade Imagery Red Spade Imagery Red Spade Imagery

Let us help your vision grow


Red Spade Environments provides professional
Landscape Design Construction Management  Design-Build

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Core Principles


Our Process


01.Coffee & Conversation

It starts with a conversation, not a consultation, over a cup of coffee, a drink, or a piece of pie. It’s about listening to what you want, need or hope to achieve.

02.Napkin Thoughts

Our creativity and lateral thinking are not confined by a conventional process, but rather come to life on a blank canvas: a napkin on the table, a can of marking paint in the field or a computer rendering. Each home and site reveals unique clues to developing the best design approach.

.03Sticks & Stones

We’ve tackled all types and sizes of hardscape and softscape projects from pools and pergolas to patios and green roofs. But we’re sure there’s another challenge out there…and we want to find it. Let us bring our team of seasoned designers and craftsmen to your project to create a special environment.

.04Unplug & Unwind

Time to sit back and relax. Your home is not a museum, but a living space for you to use every day. Enjoy what you have created—we’re just happy to have gotten you here.

Meet the Core Team


Passionate, Creative, Committed…Neighbors.

Our Work


Come on in and take a look at our work.
  • "Everyone stops and asks who designed it for me ..."


    "My landscape speaks for itself. Everyone stops and asks who designed it for me. I tell all my friends about him (Scott Freres) and everyone uses him (Scott Freres). Not just landscape, he has designed everything and always has resources to help with everything. I'm his biggest fan"

    Genie and Rich Bindler
    Hardscape, landscape and pool design and installation

    See Project Details

  • "We could go on and on ..."


    “Red Spade was beyond a contractor, they were consultants, consistently making valuable suggestions...We could go on and on with praise for Red Spade, but the bottom line is they exceeded our expectations every step of the way, (and) we are delighted with the finished product..."

    Richard and Kate Laible
    Home exterior and interior renovation

    See Project Details

  • "So much more than we'd hoped for..."


    “The result was so much more than we'd hoped for...an exciting and beautiful renovation of our property. We were extremely impressed with the patience and attention to detail of the Red Spade crews. We love Zac. Throughout it all Margaret never lost her sense of humor and never stopped returning my phone calls and emails --many almost immediately-- and Scott never stopped listening and suggesting and spot checking, and the crew never stopped giving it their best."

    Jan and David Bawden
    Hardscape and landscape redesign and installation

    See Project Details

Let's Dig In


Give us a ring or shoot us a note. Conversations are always free.

Winnetka 903 Green Bay Rd.
Winnetka, IL 60093
Get Directions 847.271.9857
Chicago One East Wacker Dr. Ste 2700
Chicago, IL 60601
Get Directions
Hours Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm
or by appointment








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