Elevated Landscape Design for Modern Homeowners
Where thoughtful design meets effortless outdoor living.
Your outdoor space should feel like an extension of your home—not an afterthought. At Stem and Stone Design, we create thoughtful, modern landscapes for homeowners who care about design, comfort, and long-term value. From front yard curb appeal to full backyard transformations, we help you see what’s possible before any work begins.
1 hr
240 US dollars
Concept Drawing
Before
After
For Homeowners Who Want More Than Just “Landscaping”
If you’re like most homeowners, you already know your yard could be so much more—but it’s hard to know where to start.
You might be thinking:
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“I don’t want to waste money on the wrong plants or materials.”
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“I want a cohesive look that matches my home’s architecture.”
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“I’d love a space for entertaining, relaxing, and enjoying evenings outside.”
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“I want low-maintenance and water-wise, but still lush and beautiful.”
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“I need a clear plan I can hand to my contractor or installer.”
That’s where professional landscape design comes in. We help you make confident decisions up front, so your investment looks intentional—not pieced together over time.
What We Can Design for You
We specialize in complete exterior concepts for high-end residential properties in Southern California. Every project is custom, but often includes:
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Front Yard Curb Appeal
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Entry experience, walkways, driveways, planting, lighting, and address features.
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Backyard Retreats
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Patios, outdoor dining, lounge areas, fire features, and cozy nooks.
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Planting Design
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California-appropriate, water-wise plant palettes with year-round interest.
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Hardscape & Materials
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Paving layouts, boulders, walls, steps, and modern details with clean lines.
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Outdoor Living Features
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Built-in seating, pergolas, BBQ or bar areas, shade strategies, and focal points.
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Lighting Concepts
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Path, accent, and ambient lighting to extend the use of your space into the evening.
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Practical Details
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Flow, privacy, screening, views, pet-friendly considerations, and storage zones.
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We bring together bold ideas, clean lines, and natural materials to create a space that feels like it truly belongs to your home.
How the Design Process Works
Step 1 – Discovery Call
We start with a brief call to learn about your property, your goals, and your timeline. This is where we determine if we’re a good fit and what level of design service you need.
Step 2 – Site Visit & Consultation
We visit your home to walk the property, take photos and measurements, and talk through how you actually live and move in the space. We’ll listen, ask questions, and start shaping the vision.
Step 3 – Concept Design
From there, we create a conceptual design that may include:
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Base plan of your property
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Preliminary layout of patios, pathways, and garden areas
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Rough plant and material direction
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Mood images or inspiration to align on style
You’ll see how the spaces connect and how the whole property can work together.
Step 4 – Refined Master Plan
Once we’re aligned on concept, we refine the design into a master plan that clearly shows:
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Hardscape layout (patios, walkways, edges, and structures)
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Planting zones and key specimen placements
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Boulders, focal points, and feature elements
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Suggested lighting locations and effects
This becomes your roadmap for installation.
Step 5 – Collaboration with Your Installer
You can use our plans with:
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Your preferred contractor or landscaper
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A recommended installer from our network
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A phased approach if you want to build over time
We remain available for design-intent clarification, so the final result stays true to the original vision.
What You Get as a Homeowner
What You Receive
Depending on the scope of your project, your design package may include:
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Scaled Base Plan – A clear drawing of your existing property layout.
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Conceptual Site Plan – Big-picture layout of spaces, flow, and zones.
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Refined Master Plan – Detailed plan showing planting areas, hardscape, and features.
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Planting Direction – Recommended plant palette and general locations based on sun, soil, and style.
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Material Suggestions – Guidance on stone, pavers, gravel, wood, and other finishes that fit your look.
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Lighting Concept – Suggested fixture types and placement for mood, safety, and drama.
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Digital Files (PDF) – Easy to share with contractors, architects, or HOAs.
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(Optional) 3D Views or Renderings – When appropriate, we can create 3D visuals or photo-realistic views to help you fully understand the design before it’s built.
Our goal is to hand you design-driven, build-ready plans that give you confidence at every step.
Why Work with a Designer Instead of “Just a Landscaper”?
Design First. Install Smart.
Installing a yard without a design is like building a house without a set of plans. You can do it—but you’ll likely spend more, change things mid-project, and feel less satisfied in the end.
Working with a dedicated landscape designer helps you:
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Avoid expensive changes and re-work during installation
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Get a cohesive look instead of a patchwork of ideas
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Understand what your project will feel like before breaking ground
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Make smarter decisions about where to invest and where to keep it simple
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Increase curb appeal and long-term property value
Stem and Stone Design focuses exclusively on design-intent—not selling plants or materials—so every decision is made in service of the bigger picture.
FAQs for Homeowners
Q1: Do you also install the landscaping?
We focus on design only, which means you get an unbiased, creative plan that any qualified contractor can install. We’re happy to coordinate with your installer or recommend professionals we trust.
Q2: Can you work with my existing pool, patio, or structures?
Yes. Many projects involve tying new planting and hardscape into existing features. We’ll work with what you have and improve the flow, views, and usability.
Q3: What if I want to phase the project over time?
That’s very common. We design with phasing in mind so you can complete your landscape in stages while still ending up with a cohesive final result.
Q4: Do you help with HOA or city requirements?
We can provide conceptual plans and supporting visuals that you can submit to your HOA, architect, or contractor as part of their approval process.
Q5: How do I get started and what does it cost?
Everything starts with a design consultation, where we walk the site, discuss goals, and outline the appropriate design scope for your property. From there we can provide a clear proposal based on your project size and complexity.
Ready to Rethink Your Outdoor Space?
Whether you’re updating a single area or reimagining your entire property, a clear, thoughtful design will save you time, money, and stress—and give you a space you actually want to spend time in.
1 hr
240 US dollars