“As a Colorado native and an avid outdoorsman, I deeply appreciate the beauty of this state, and I understand what kinds of landscapes work here. Our designs are made for Colorado. Our work matches and enhances the natural beauty, and our work thrives here,” said Zach Averill, owner and lead landscape designer for Oak & Stone Design.

Zach grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Even when he was young, he preferred the outdoors —working with his hands and helping in his family’s yard. He moved to Fort Collins to pursue a degree in Landscape Architecture at Colorado State University. Zach put himself through school by working at local nurseries and landscaping firms, getting crucial hands-on experience. 

After college, Zach spent the first six years of his career working as a landscape designer and project manager for a local landscape design and build company. It was in this role that he honed his skills and fell deeper in love with the work.

 

“Eventually, I just found myself ready for more,” he said. “I wanted to have more control over the quality of work and the level of design.” In 2020, Zach founded Oak & Stone Design and began offering hardscape and landscape design across the Northern Colorado region.

 

“The name is meaningful to me,” Zach detailed. “Oak trees are a symbol of strength and are some of my favorites. Stone is a sign of consistency. Together, the name means strength and permanence. It speaks to what the company stands for – beauty, strength, and longevity. That’s what we aim for with every job we complete.”

 

Oak & Stone is known for its attention to detail during the design process. “We want to make sure that the finished product is what our clients envision, and it’s something they’ll love for years to come,” Zach said. “We design unique, personal, and functional spaces that our clients love.”

 

The team specializes in outdoor hardscapes, including walkways, patios, retaining walls, driveways, and outdoor cooking and living spaces. Their work is built to last and created with an eye for design. “I love the outdoors, and it’s always my goal to build spaces that encourage my clients to get outside,” Zach said.

 

Oak & Stone Design also specializes in xeriscape, a landscaping style requiring little water and maintenance. “We do this through native design,” Zach detailed. “We use plants and design styles that are made to live in Colorado’s dry climate.”

 

“Water is only getting increasingly scarce – and expensive – we find ways to help people maximize their outdoor space with native design without compromising on beauty or livability. People always think that xeriscape is boring or colorless, but that is far from reality. You can save water and have a beautiful, colorful yard year-round.”

 

Zach still loves spending time outside. He’s an avid biker and enjoys hiking, fishing, and paddleboarding. He is a trained chef and a big foodie. Zach cooks often and is always trying something new in the kitchen.

 

He is passionate about supporting our community. Zach works with Be the Gift to provide single moms with home repairs so that they can focus on raising their children. He looks forward to doing even more of this work in the future.

As spring dawns, now is the time to plan the outdoor space of your dreams. Zach and the Oak & Stone Design team are here to help you design and create a functional and beautiful space that you will enjoy for years to come.

 

Schedule your free landscape consultation with Zach at oakstonedesign.com or by phone at 719-244-5017.