Small House Gardens founder Iliyana Ilieva was born and raised in Sofia, Bulgaria, and has fond childhood memories of countless hours spent in the gardens of her grandparent’s country houses.  Her secondary education gave her technical training as a Water Systems Technician.  She began her university studies in Civil Engineering, while simultaneously engaging her passion and talent for Ballroom Dancing. By1999, Iliyana had made a name for herself as a competitor and teacher on the international Ballroom Dance circuit and decided to make the US her permanent home. She continues to teach Ballroom and competes with her students to this day. In 2014 Iliyana began to pursue her love of gardens and design as a dual career path. In 2018, she completed a strenuous training curriculum at the NY Botanical Gardens, earning a certificate as Landscape Designer. Her skills include hand drawings, DynaScape computer drawings, 3D models, and construction details. Iliyana's philosophy is that a successful garden design combines function, beauty & sustainability. She sees a garden as an ever-changing living system that requires the proper selection of plant materials for the site, as well as proper care and maintenance. Her holistic approach is valued by her clients, who benefit from the ample knowledge and experience, as well as the great care and professionalism she brings to each of her projects.