Angelique Robb
When Stephen Schultz of OuterSpace Creations first stepped onto the property, he was greeted by an all-too-common sight: outdated pavers, overgrown shrubs, and retaining walls that were slowly failing. The home, built in 2006, had been given little attention in the years since. What the owners envisioned was not just a facelift, but a transformation—something timeless, cohesive, and expressive of their love for thoughtful design.
What followed was a two-month, $220,000 project that not only redefined the front entry, but also exemplified Schultz’s design philosophy: balancing structure with natural beauty, while ensuring that every material, plant, and light fixture worked in harmony.
From Hodgepodge to Cohesion
The original landscape was a patchwork of mismatched elements. Colonial pavers on the front stoop had never been sealed and had begun to deteriorate. Retaining walls made from natural limestone boulders were uneven, improperly backfilled, and slowly washing away with rain. Ground squirrels and chipmunks had taken up residence in the gaps.
The homeowners initially hadn’t planned to replace the walls. But Schultz recognized the urgency. “They were going to fail eventually,” he explains. Rather than patching the problem, he saw an opportunity to create something extraordinary.
Inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright
When the homeowner mentioned she admired Frank Lloyd Wright, Schultz’s mind immediately turned to Fallingwater, the architect’s masterpiece where strong stonework and nature intertwine. That reference became the guiding inspiration.
Schultz selected Rosetta Kodah walling in a crisp limestone tone—structural, yet elegant. The choice wasn’t only aesthetic. The Rosetta system offered clean geometry, strength, and ease of installation compared to natural stone. Its texture echoed the home’s existing stone veneer, while providing contrast against the greenery of the hillside.
“This wall wasn’t just a functional fix,” Schultz notes. “It became the feature—the grand entrance they didn’t know they needed.”
The Art of Material Pairing
For the walkways, Schultz turned to Broadmour pavers from Rochester Concrete Products, a brand he has trusted since 2005. To finish the edges, he chose Unilock coping with a rounded bullnose profile in a soft limestone color, tying the walls and stoop together.
Installation came with challenges. The coping material was brittle, prone to chipping if not handled with extreme care. Schultz and his crew had to tear out and reinstall sections—twice. “It was a learning curve,” he admits, “but worth it. The finish defines the edge beautifully.”
Texture repetition was also crucial. Schultz incorporated Tungsten Ledgestone veneer on the stoop, echoing the tones of the boulders strategically placed throughout the site. This design consistency, he argues, is often overlooked by contractors eager for quick jobs. “Continuity is what makes a landscape feel intentional, not piecemeal,” he emphasizes.
Planting with Purpose
Though hardscaping dominated the project, Schultz’s horticultural background guided his planting strategy. He layered in Parkland Pillar birch trees for four-season interest, their peeling white bark brightening the winter landscape. Globe-shaped boxwoods added structure while deterring deer, and a Gladiator crabapple introduced seasonal bloom and texture.
Grasses like prairie dropseed, Karl Foerster feather reed grass, and switchgrass softened the stonework, while also providing drought tolerance and resilience. Schultz deliberately avoided high-maintenance or fragile varieties. “I’ve replaced enough dead plants over 15 years to know what thrives here,” he says with a smile.
Lighting brought the design alive at night. Uplighting on the crabapple highlighted its winter branches, while in-light, core-drilled fixtures illuminated the pavers. For Schultz, lighting wasn’t an afterthought but an essential layer of design.
Managing the Build
Executing such a complex project required collaboration. Schultz partnered with Retaining Wall Specialists to handle the structural wall construction and Johnson Landscaping for the walkway, plantings, and lighting. His role was design lead and project manager, ensuring every element aligned with the vision.
The work unfolded over two months, with one hiccup: The stone veneer installation on the stoop had to wait until the following spring. In the meantime, Schultz maintained communication with the homeowners and personally oversaw adjustments like fine-tuning the water feature to prevent splash-off.
Even after completion, Schultz returned regularly to check on plant health, irrigation, and lighting. During a brutal 104-degree heat wave, while the clients were traveling, he watered the new plantings twice a day to protect them from stress. “It was nerve-wracking,” he admits, but his diligence paid off—everything rebounded the next season.
A Philosophy of Craft
For Schultz, projects like this are more than transactions. He rejects the “in-and-out” mentality of many contractors chasing quick turnover in a short seven-month working season. Instead, he invests deeply in each design, taking the time to study the house, the site, and the client’s lifestyle.
“It’s about creating an experience, not just solving a problem,” he explains. Charging design fees allows him to work with clients who are equally invested, seeking transformation rather than cost-cutting. His use of Uvision 3D Landscape Creator software enables clients to visualize options, compare materials, and feel confident in their decisions.
This dedication stems in part from the mentorship of his former instructor, Pete Bemis, who encouraged him early in his career and even referred him to his first Uvision design project during the pandemic. Schultz remains grateful. “Whenever I see a house like this, my mind goes crazy with ideas. I’m thankful for the clients who trust me to bring those visions to life,” he says.
Elevating the Industry
Beyond the beauty of this single home, Schultz sees projects like this as a way to raise the bar for the landscaping and hardscaping industry. By combining structural expertise, artistic vision, and client collaboration, he demonstrates what’s possible when design isn’t an afterthought, but the driving force.
The result is a home that not only looks stunning but feels timeless—where every stone, plant, and light fixture works together in harmony. For the homeowners, it’s a transformation they hadn’t fully imagined but now can’t imagine living without.
For Schultz, it’s another step toward building not just landscapes, but legacies.
Photo: Outerspace Creations
Learn More: Stephen Schultz
Outerspace Creations
La Crosse, WI
outerspacecreate@gmail.com
www.outerspacecreationsllc.com
Read the article in the digital issue here.