In 2019, Io had the opportunity to donate our design services to two deserving families on HGTV’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” Series. Episode 2 Told the story of the Barobi family who lost everything, including their parents and a baby sister to ethnic cleansing in the Congo. The children ages 12 and younger managed to escape, and along with their aunt, were able to come to Ogden, Utah as part of a refugee resettlement program. It was inspiring to see the community come together to support this family, by building them a tropical-inspired home and garden. We hope the landscape that we helped to create for them gives them a place of respite and a place for many happy family gatherings for years to come.

“On every Extreme Makeover: Home Edition project, landscaping is such a huge part of the transformation and the beauty of the final house. It was such a great pleasure working with Shalae and Io LandArch on not only one, but two EM:HE builds! She was able to listen, and hear, our needs as the client, quickly turn around a clear, cohesive plan, and execute that plan and vision during the install of the landscape. The final landscaping product truly complimented the architecture of the house and successfully blended traditional garden motifs with contemporary styling and modern amenities. Thank you Shalae and Io LandArch for not only your guidance and time, but for donating these services to two very deserving families!”

Andy Monaco, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Design Architect