Meet Jeff West of Stem and Stone Design

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff West.

Hi Jeff, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For nearly twenty years, my life revolved around makeup artistry. It wasn’t just a job—it was my identity. I built a career working in creative, high-pressure environments where details mattered and trust was everything. Makeup taught me how to really see—faces, proportions, light, texture—and how small decisions could completely change how someone felt about themselves. I loved the artistry, the transformation, and the connection with people.

Then the pandemic hit, and everything stopped.

Almost overnight, my entire industry shut down. Sets were empty, productions were canceled, and work simply disappeared. Like many creatives, I found myself suddenly untethered from the career I had spent two decades building. It was unsettling, humbling, and honestly frightening at times. For the first time in years, I had to sit with uncertainty and ask myself who I was without the work that had defined me.

During that quiet and uncertain time, something unexpected happened. With no jobs on the calendar and nowhere to be, I finally had space to listen to myself. I realized that design had always been at the center of my life—long before makeup. I had always been drawn to spaces, materials, composition, and how environments shape emotion. The more I reflected, the clearer it became that this wasn’t the end of my creative path—it was a redirection.

I decided to go back to school and enrolled at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, pursuing Landscape Architecture. It was a leap of faith, but from the very first classes, it felt right. Landscape architecture combined everything I loved: art, structure, nature, storytelling, and human experience. It allowed me to think big, design with purpose, and create something lasting.

I stood out in the program almost immediately. My background as a working creative and business owner gave me a different perspective than many of my peers. I wasn’t just designing for critique—I was designing for real people, real budgets, and real lives. I approached projects intuitively but strategically, always thinking about how a space would actually be used and felt over time. For the first time in a long while, I felt completely aligned.

That alignment is what led to the creation of Stem and Stone Design.

Stem and Stone Design started organically, almost instinctively. I didn’t set out to build a brand—I was simply responding to a pull to create meaningful outdoor spaces. The name itself reflects my philosophy: stem representing growth, life, and softness; stone representing structure, permanence, and grounding. Every project lives somewhere between those two forces.

At its core, Stem and Stone Design is about intentional outdoor living. I design landscapes that feel grounded, timeless, and deeply personal—spaces that don’t just look beautiful, but support the way people actually live. I believe outdoor spaces should feel like a natural extension of the home, not an afterthought. Every plant, material, and pathway has a reason for being there.

My process is highly personal and collaborative. I spend a lot of time listening—how clients use their homes, how they want to feel in their space, what they’re missing. Many people come to me overwhelmed or unsure of where to start, and guiding them through that uncertainty is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. My background taught me that trust is built through clarity, communication, and empathy, and I bring that same approach to every project.

Stem and Stone Design is heavily influenced by Southern California’s climate and lifestyle, with an emphasis on drought-tolerant planting, layered outdoor rooms, and designs that age gracefully over time. Whether it’s a front yard reimagined, a backyard retreat, or a full estate master plan, my goal is always the same: to create spaces that feel effortless, elevated, and authentic to the people who live there.

As the studio has grown, so has my vision for what it can be. Beyond traditional landscape design, I’ve begun developing strategic tools and planning documents that help homeowners and real estate professionals understand the true value of landscape design—not just aesthetically, but emotionally and financially. I’m deeply interested in the intersection of design, strategy, and education, and how thoughtful landscapes can transform how a property is experienced and perceived.

Looking back, the pandemic forced a pause I never would have chosen—but it ultimately led me to work that feels more honest and more aligned than anything I’ve done before. My journey may look like a pivot from the outside, but to me it feels like a continuation. Every chapter—makeup artistry, creative direction, returning to school, launching a business—has sharpened my eye and strengthened my voice as a designer.

Stem and Stone Design is a reflection of that evolution. It’s built on resilience, intuition, and a deep respect for design as a way of shaping not just spaces, but lives. I’m grateful for the path that led me here, and excited to continue growing a studio that feels true to who I am and how I see the world.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road at all, and I don’t think it’s supposed to be.

One of the biggest challenges was starting over—emotionally, professionally, and financially—after nearly twenty years in a completely different industry. Letting go of an identity I had built over decades was difficult. I went from being established and confident in my work to being a student again, learning a new discipline from the ground up. That shift required humility, patience, and a willingness to be uncomfortable.

I had gotten married to my beautiful wife about a year before the pandemic, so when COVID hit, we were still in the early stages of building our life together. Suddenly, everything felt uncertain at once. The industry I depended on disappeared, and the responsibility of providing stability for my family became very real. That pressure was motivating, but it was also heavy.

Returning to school during the pandemic while beginning to build Stem and Stone Design added another layer of stress. There were financial challenges, long days, and constant mental juggling—balancing coursework, early client projects, and the behind-the-scenes work of starting a business. I often felt like I was learning everything at once, with very little margin for error.

Toward the end of the pandemic, my wife and I welcomed our son. Becoming a father during that period changed everything. It was exhausting, emotional, and overwhelming in the best possible way. The timing wasn’t easy, but it gave me a deeper sense of purpose and perspective. Suddenly, the long nights and hard decisions weren’t just about career growth—they were about building something meaningful and sustainable for my family.

Professionally, one of the ongoing struggles was earning trust in a new industry. Even with a long creative background, I still had to prove myself as a landscape designer. That meant over-delivering, staying disciplined, and allowing the work to speak for itself. There were moments of doubt and uncertainty, but each completed project reinforced that I was on the right path.

Looking back, the challenges shaped both me and the business. The stress, the uncertainty, and the rapid life changes forced me to mature quickly—not just as a designer, but as a business owner, husband, and father. Stem and Stone Design was built during a time of transition, and because of that, it’s rooted in intention, resilience, and long-term thinking.

It hasn’t been easy—but it has been deeply meaningful. Building a business, returning to school, navigating a global pandemic, and becoming a parent all within a few short years tested me in every way. It was stressful, humbling, and transformative—and without question, the best thing I’ve ever done.

We’ve been impressed with Stem and Stone Design, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Here’s a thoughtful, confident, and personal Voyage-style response that clearly explains Stem and Stone Design, what you do, and why it’s different—while still sounding human, not salesy.

Stem and Stone Design is a landscape design studio rooted in intentionality, clarity, and long-term vision. At its heart, the business is about creating outdoor spaces that feel grounded, elevated, and deeply personal—spaces that truly support the way people live.

I specialize in high-end residential and estate landscape design, with a strong focus on cohesive outdoor environments rather than isolated features. I don’t just design a patio or select plants—I design the entire experience of a property. That includes how you arrive at a home, how you move through it, how spaces connect, and how the landscape evolves over time. My work often begins with a master plan that gives clients a clear, strategic roadmap, even if the project is built in phases.

One of the things I’m most known for is my ability to translate complex ideas into clear, approachable design solutions. Landscape design can feel overwhelming for many homeowners, and I take pride in making the process understandable and collaborative. Clients aren’t just handed drawings—they’re guided through the “why” behind every decision, from plant palettes and materials to layout and flow. That level of clarity builds trust and results in landscapes that feel thoughtful rather than trendy.

What truly sets Stem and Stone Design apart is the combination of creative intuition and strategic thinking. My background outside of landscape architecture—working for years in fast-paced creative industries—taught me how to listen closely, read between the lines, and design with intention. I approach landscapes the way a creative director approaches a brand: with a strong vision, attention to detail, and an understanding that every element contributes to the overall story.

The studio is also deeply informed by Southern California’s climate and lifestyle. I specialize in drought-tolerant, climate-appropriate planting, layered outdoor living spaces, and designs that age gracefully. Sustainability isn’t treated as a trend—it’s built into the foundation of the work. I focus on plant communities, material longevity, and designs that feel natural to their environment while still feeling refined and elevated.

Beyond traditional design services, I’ve developed specialized planning tools and design reports that help homeowners and real estate professionals understand the real value of landscape design. These offerings bridge the gap between design and strategy, showing how thoughtful outdoor spaces can increase usability, emotional connection, and property value. I’m especially proud of this aspect of the brand because it reflects my belief that good design should be both beautiful and practical.

Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is the integrity of Stem and Stone Design. The studio has grown organically, through relationships and word of mouth, without chasing trends or compromising on values. Every project reflects a commitment to quality, honesty, and intention. I’ve been very deliberate about building a brand that feels calm, trustworthy, and enduring—both visually and philosophically.

What I want readers to know is that Stem and Stone Design isn’t about flashy transformations or one-size-fits-all solutions. It’s about creating outdoor spaces that feel right—spaces that support daily life, bring a sense of ease, and stand the test of time. Whether I’m working with a homeowner, a real estate professional, or a collaborator, my goal is always the same: to design landscapes that feel meaningful, livable, and deeply considered.

At the end of the day, Stem and Stone Design is an extension of how I see the world—thoughtful, balanced, and rooted in purpose. And that’s what I hope people feel when they experience the work.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that surprises most people is how different my roots are from what they see today.

I grew up in Haysville, Kansas, which is a world away from the coastal, design-driven spaces people associate with my work now. There’s a side of me shaped by small-town life—the cowboy boots, the hat, the grit, and the work ethic—that doesn’t always show up in the polished, business-facing version of the brand. Most people see the strategist, the designer, and the creative director, but they don’t always see where that resilience and independence came from.

I also had a pretty rowdy chapter earlier in life, something I don’t hide from because it shaped me. Choosing sobriety was a turning point that changed how I show up in my work, my relationships, and my life. It brought clarity, discipline, and a deeper sense of purpose that carries into everything I build now. That decision is a big part of why I’m so intentional about my time, my values, and the kind of business I run.

That contrast—the Kansas roots, the cowboy side, the creative career, and the calm, focused life I live now—probably surprises people the most. But it’s also what grounds me. It reminds me to stay humble, work hard, and build things that last.

In many ways, that mix of grit and refinement is exactly what shows up in my work: grounded, honest design with a thoughtful, elevated edge.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stemandstonedesign.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/stem_and_stone_la
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559947507441
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/stem-and-stone-design-los-angeles

Image Credits
Photographs by: Jeff West & Tali West, Artwork and Design by: Jeff West