The Creative Type
While their business began organically, this creative duo has grown Sticks & Stones Landscape Design from seed to thriving success.
Julia Levitt and Fiona Ericsson of Sticks & Stones Landscape Design share the highlights on their path to success.
Did your childhood influence your choice of career?
Julia: My mum always encouraged us to appreciate nature and spend time outdoors. I was always climbing trees, picking flowers or building forts in the garden.
Fiona: I was always making a mess! Painting, experimenting with ceramics, cooking, sewing, exploring the local bush and tearing around on my bike. It was later that I developed an interest in landscaped gardens in rural NSW. I admired and appreciated what could be achieved in challenging elements.
How did Sticks & Stones come about?
J: Fiona and I met at Ryde TAFE while studying Landscape Design. Just prior to graduation, we collaborated on a project and realised that our strengths and skill sets were complementary. The business formed organically.
How does your average working day unfold and what does it look like?
J: Every day is different, which is what keeps it so interesting. There is one constant in my day though: coffee.
F: It definitely starts with coffee! Then the way it unfolds depends on whether it’s a site day or a design day. We encourage collaboration in our business and team up on designs so it’s creatively challenging. We meet with clients and architects, chat with the construction teams, source materials and locate the best plant stock.
What do you love about your work?
J: Creating spaces that connect people with the outdoors. Working with plants is by far my favourite part of what we do as well as having the opportunity to encourage people to have an appreciation for them too.
F: I love designing outdoor spaces and enjoy the process of landscape construction. The best day is plant-out day! Once all the plants are in, you get to admire and experience the sanctuary that you have envisioned.
Do you listen to any music or podcasts while you work?
J: I love hip-hop, but I can’t say the rest of the office agrees!
F: I love listening to the best of the 1980s… Occasionally some ’90s as well.
The biggest challenge of your career?
J: Building our brand. Establishing a design studio with minimal industry experience was very ambitious of us – and more than a little daunting. It took a lot of perseverence to get where we are today.
An achievement you’re most happy with to date?
F: Winning the 2018 Allan Correy Award for design excellence, judged by the Landscape Design industry body (AILDM).
Strategies for achieving good work-life balance?
J: Disconnecting work emails from my phone has been very helpful. When I am home with my 16-month-old twins, there is not much time for anything else!
F: I stopped trying to achieve a good balance. Some weeks are better than others. I try to appreciate the days when I’m not spinning.
What nourishes your creativity? J: Taking walks and getting outdoors. F: Art and architecture.
Who are the creatives you admire?
J: William Dangar [of Dangar Barin Smith] has been a wonderful and supportive mentor to us. We absolutely adore his work and creative use of plants.
F: Piet Oudolf in the Netherlands, Fernando Martos in Spain and Ground Studio Landscapes in the US. We like to seek inspiration for our gardens from similar climates such as California and countries in the Mediterranean. The drought-tolerant plants and natives used there are perfect for the Australian climate.
What’s on your reading list at the moment? J: This One Wild and Precious Life by Sarah Wilson. F: He’ll Be OK by Celia Lashlie.
A favourite plant? J: It changes all the time, but I really love the Japanese anemone ( Anemone japonica).
F: Tractor seat plant ( Ligularia reniformis). It can be used in a broad variety of plant palettes.
Your idea of true luxury? F: Travelling, hands down. How special it is to hop on a plane and explore the world!
A travel destination that has inspired your work? J: Morocco and Italy.
F: New York, Palm Springs and Portugal.
Your dream landscaping project?
J: Any project where the client appreciates the garden and has full trust in what we do. That, for me, is a great project.
F: Yes, the dream project is a collaboration between the client, the construction team and us. The result always exceeds expectations.
Favourite cafes and bars in the neighbourhoods where you live and work? J: Bart Jr. in Redfern, Mensch Bagels in Surry Hills and The Hive Bar in Erskineville. # Sticks & Stones Landscape Design; sticksandstonesld.com.au.