The Darlington Design Team

Simon Darlington | Katie Darlington | Gee Cantagallo | Denise Casey | Justin Lobb

Simon Darlington, Owner & Landscape Designer

Simon is a graduate of the State University of New York with a Bachelor of Plant Science Degree and a concentration in Landscape Design. Simon also received an Associates Degree in Agricultural Engineering from the State University of New York. He is a licensed New Jersey Irrigation Installer, is a Certified Weathermatic installer, is ICPI & NCMA Certified, an active member of PLANET, a board member of the NJNLA, graduate of the Entrepreneurial Training Institute (ETI), and a licensed Home Improvement Contractor.

Born in Boston, Simon eventually ended up in Woodstown, NJ to live with his father on a family dairy farm. From a young age he learned about hard work and a good work ethic while learning the workings of a dairy farm. He was infatuated with the inner workings of machinery, loved working outside with his hands, and enjoyed having a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. After High School Simon pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Design and performed internships at two leading companies in North Jersey, just outside of New York City. Through the university he traveled the country on academic trips visiting and studying many of the top Design/Build Firms. He developed a concise understanding of what true Design/Build encompasses and nurtured his desire to push the boundaries of creativity through landscapes. Simon’s entrepreneurial spirit and a developed feeling that he could “do it better”, is what drove him to taking the leap into self-employment. For Simon it was a true testament of determination and fortitude. With not a penny to his name and no financial support from anyone, he started with only his pickup truck and some basic tools. Simon took a business plan class available through the New Jersey Economic Development Association (EDA) called the Entrepreneurial Training Institute (ETI). It was through this class that he created a sound business plan, presented it to a committee, networked with commercial lenders, and eventually acquired the start-up capital needed to really get going.

Today, Darlington Designs represents a symbol of personal achievement and opportunity to Simon and others. He prides himself on having paved his own road. His continued efforts to foster a business, driven to success by only a dream and a desire to achieve greater, is what makes the journey meaningful each and every day. Simon thrives on the opportunity to be creative and to inspire those around him for personal betterment. He thrives on the appreciation he receives for positively changing a client’s quality of life. Essentially, that is the goal and we look forward to the opportunity to impress your family with our ability to improve your family’s quality of life!