Francesco Saltarelli’s career didn’t begin with a bold business plan. It began quietly, in a backyard garden in Montreal.
As a child, he spent long afternoons with his grandfather, tending grapevines and herbs. The work was slow. Repetitive. Honest. “That’s where I learned patience,” Francesco says. “Plants don’t respond to pressure. They respond to care.”
Years later, that lesson would shape how he built his career—step by step, with intention.
Early Life and Influences That Shaped His Path
Growing up in Montreal, Francesco watched the city change. Homes grew taller. Outdoor space became harder to find. Yet his connection to nature stayed strong.
“I noticed how people felt better when they had even a small green space,” he says. “A balcony. A corner of a yard. Something living.”
As a teenager, he began sketching outdoor layouts. Not for school. Just out of curiosity. He imagined how spaces could feel calmer and more useful. That curiosity led him to study horticulture and landscape design at a local college.
There, he learned the technical side of plants, soil, and sustainability. But he also learned something else. “Design isn’t about impressing people,” he says. “It’s about supporting real life.”
Education and Early Career Experience
After graduating, Francesco joined established landscaping firms across Montreal. The work was demanding. He learned construction methods, site logistics, and how projects actually come together.
These years were critical. They showed him what worked—and what didn’t.
“I saw spaces that looked great but didn’t get used,” he explains. “They photographed well, but they didn’t fit daily routines.”
That gap stayed with him. He began to think differently about success. For him, a good space wasn’t finished when it looked complete. It was finished when people returned to it every day.
Launching Saltarelli Outdoor Design in 2014
In 2014, Francesco founded Saltarelli Outdoor Design. He started small, focusing on residential projects in neighborhoods like Westmount and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
From the beginning, he worked differently. He asked clients how they moved through their day. Where they liked to sit. When they wanted quiet.
“If I don’t understand how someone lives, I can’t design for them,” he says.
This approach took more time. But it led to better outcomes. Clients noticed that the spaces felt natural and comfortable, not staged or forced.
Redefining Rooftop and Urban Outdoor Spaces
As Montreal grew denser, Francesco leaned into a growing challenge: how to make rooftops and compact outdoor areas truly usable.
Rooftop terraces became a major part of his work. Each one came with constraints. Weight limits. Wind exposure. Harsh winters.
“Every rooftop is a system,” he says. “You have to respect the climate, the structure, and the people using it.”
His designs often include integrated lighting, custom planters, and materials chosen to last through Quebec winters. Native plants and eco-conscious drainage systems play a key role.
“I don’t believe sustainability has to be complicated,” he says. “It just has to be thoughtful.”
Lessons Learned Through Challenges
Francesco is open about mistakes along the way. Early in his career, he took on a rooftop project that exceeded his experience level.
“I didn’t slow down enough,” he admits. “But I asked for help. That saved the project.”
The experience taught him a lasting lesson. Growth doesn’t come from rushing. It comes from learning when to pause.
“Being honest builds trust,” he says. “With clients and with yourself.”
A Career Built on Listening and Consistency
Over time, Saltarelli Outdoor Design became known for maximizing urban outdoor spaces without overdesigning them. Francesco also made a point to collaborate with local artisans and suppliers.
“It keeps the work grounded,” he says. “And it strengthens the community around you.”
He credits much of his progress to listening. Listening to clients. Listening to sites. Listening to early feedback.
“Small choices add up,” he says. “That’s true in gardens and in careers.”
Staying Inspired Outside of Work
Outside of work, Francesco cycles, takes photographs, and explores Quebec’s national parks. He still tends his own garden at home.
When work feels overwhelming, he returns to basics. “Plants don’t care about deadlines,” he says. “They respond to consistency.”
That mindset continues to guide his work.
Building Ideas That Last
Francesco Saltarelli’s career isn’t defined by fast growth or dramatic moments. It’s defined by steady progress. Careful decisions. Respect for both people and place.
From a grandfather’s garden to Montreal rooftops, he has brought ideas to life by staying patient and paying attention.
“Good things grow when you give them time,” he says.
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