Welcome to the Team: Knoxville Landscape Designer Kate Jolly

Carex Design Group is excited to welcome Kate Jolly to the team as a full‑time Landscape Designer in Knoxville. After joining the company during her externship, Kate quickly proved to be a natural fit for Carex Design Group’s collaborative approach to residential landscape design in Knoxville.

Kate brings a thoughtful, materials‑driven design sensibility shaped by her background in Geology, and her recently completed Masters of Landscape Architecture from The University of Tennessee Knoxville. Her design approach blends structure with a love for naturalistic, ecologically rich landscapes — a combination that adds to the breadth of Carex Design Group’s capabilities as a leading landscape architecture firm in Knoxville.

A Designer Drawn to Texture, Materiality, and Place

Kate’s design inspiration comes from the quiet, often overlooked details in the world around her — the texture of weathered stone, the way plants reclaim forgotten spaces, the subtle shifts between ecoregions. She’s especially drawn to post‑industrial landscapes, where history, materiality, and ecological renewal intersect.

“I love the moments of unplanned beauty you find in nature,” Kate says. “Those small discoveries — a plant growing through a crack, a pattern left by time — are what spark my creativity. I’m excited to bring that sense of curiosity and care to the work we do here.”

A Natural Fit for the Carex Design Group Team

During her externship, Kate quickly became known for her thoughtful design process, her collaborative spirit, and her ability to balance creativity with technical precision.

“Kate has an incredible eye for detail and a genuine passion for the craft,” says Carex Design Group Owner Bob Graves. “She brings a fresh perspective to our team, and we’re thrilled to have her continue her journey with us full time.”

Beyond the Studio

When she’s not sketching, modeling, or exploring new materials, Kate can usually be found making something with her hands — whether that’s woodworking, silversmithing, or experimenting with new creative mediums. She’s also a dancer, a photographer, and an adventurer at heart, often accompanied by Leo, her energetic Aussiedoodle.

Looking Ahead

In her new full‑time role, Kate will support a wide range of landscape design projects in Knoxville, bringing her curiosity, craftsmanship, and love of place‑based design to each one. The Carex Design Group team is excited to see how her perspective continues to shape the work ahead.

If you’re ready to start your next Knoxville landscape design project — or want to work with Kate and the rest of the Carex Design Group team — contact us today to begin the design process.