THE CONFIDENTIAL

What's your claim to fame?:

I wouldn’t call it fame, but if there’s one thing people remember us for at Kate Anne Designs, it’s turning everyday backyards into places that feel like a quiet escape. Warm, inviting outdoor rooms where families actually want to linger. My wife Kate and I have built our reputation on blending that old-world Mediterranean charm (rooted in her Italian heritage) with the easy California lifestyle we live with every day. It’s less about showy features and more about creating spaces that just feel right where the design disappears and the living begins.  

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Tell us the story behind what you do—how did your journey begin, and what motivates you today?:

Kate started Kate Anne Designs over a decade ago, fresh out of interior design and falling in love with landscapes. She was working insane hours, bootstrapping the whole thing, when I happened into her life. I came from architectural design and construction management, and within weeks of us dating, I was all in—as we blended our creative visions. What started as two people figuring it out together turned into a real partnership, in business and in life. Today, the motivation is the same as it was then: watching a client step outside for the first time and seeing them just exhale. In a world that moves so fast, there’s something deeply satisfying about giving people a beautiful, functional backyard where they can slow down, gather, and actually enjoy their home. That never gets old.

 

How have your surroundings or lifestyle shaped your creative process, mindset, or brand ethos?:

Southern California is basically our muse. The light, the climate, the way everything feels a little bit like the Mediterranean, we’re so lucky to live it every day. Kate's Italian roots add another layer; growing up, family was everything, and it always happened outside—long dinners, loud conversations, kids running around. That’s baked into our ethos at Kate Anne Designs: design that invites connection, not just what looks good in photos. Our own lifestyle keeps us honest too. We’re outdoor enthusiasts, we travel when we can, we spend weekends tinkering in our garden or exploring nurseries. It reminds us that the best spaces aren’t perfect—they’re lived-in, layered, and full of life. That mindset shapes everything we do.  

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What’s something about your work or approach that might surprise people?:

A lot of people assume landscape design is just picking pretty plants and calling it a day. What surprises them is how much of our job is actually project management and problem-solving. At Kate Anne Designs, we act as the client’s advocate from day one—tightly coordinating budgets, anticipating the headaches that come with any build, and making sure the process feels collaborative instead of chaotic. We’ve been on the homeowner side ourselves, so we know how stressful it can be. The beautiful finished product is the reward, but the real craft is making the journey feel good too.  

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What's currently inspiring you—whether it's a person, a place, a project, or something totally unexpected?:

Lately I’ve been inspired by how nature keeps showing up with smarter, more resilient solutions. We’re deep into a project now that has layers of drought-tolerant planting, with water features woven in to create a soothing ambience, and it reminds me that beauty and function can (and should) go hand in hand. On a more personal note, watching our client's kids discover the garden has been unexpectedly motivating. They don’t care about the “design”—they just want to climb the olive tree or chase lizards. It keeps me focused on creating spaces that feel playful and welcoming, not precious. And honestly, a good old-fashioned trip to the nursery on a Saturday morning still sparks more ideas than anything else.  

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What are your favorite rituals, spaces, or hidden spots that bring you joy or spark ideas?:

My favorite ritual is the first cup of coffee in our own backyard—sitting with that early morning quiet time while the light hits the plants and the day feels full of possibility. It’s where half my best ideas come from. I also love disappearing into some of the smaller, family-run nurseries around Los Angeles. The owners know every plant by name, and the conversations always lead somewhere interesting. For a change of scenery, there’s a hiking trail in the hills near us that’s become my go-to thinking spot—nothing fancy, just views, fresh air, and the chance to clear my head. I’m really stuck, I head to the grill and throw on some steaks. Something about cooking outside with family around always resets me and brings the joy right back into life.  

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www.kateannedesigns.com