NS Stoneworks

Nicholas Tomkins and NS Stoneworks were the only stoneworkers we could find who were willing to take on our very ambitions project we had envisioned to create a 20 foot high stone arch to grace the entrance of the Milwaukee Rotary Centennial Arboretum for the Urban Ecology Center in Milwaukee. It was a one-of-a-kind project that required intense collaboration with engineers, difficult budget projections, focused engagement in searching out native glaciated rocks from across the state of Wisconsin, precise placement and construction under the watchful eye of the public. NS Stoneworks nailed it in every way. The finnished Arch is now a tourist attraction in Milwaukee gracing so many a wedding album as a beautiful back drop to that special day. The nearly perfect end product is the result of a combination of skill, courage and passion, the latter of which was a joy for all involved. I have since been involved with other projects that Nicholas and his team have been involved in and know from first hand experience that they approach every project they get hired for with the same level of passion, creativity and quality.

Nicholas and his team designed and executed a series of beautiful stone installations around our property including a large patio, an artist ice outdoor firepit, and various walkways. The garden was in total disrepair when we purchased our home and his vision and execution transformed the outdoor spaces with sensational, quality hardscapes.

We have hired NS Stoneworks for several different projects, the biggest of which was a complete re-do of our backyard. It's a tiny space, and we were hoping to just make it a bit more useable. NS Stoneworks didn't just slightly improve/remodel it-they completely transformed the space into a spectacular outdoor room where we now spend most of our time in warm weather. Nicholas listened to our needs for the space and then designed it with attention to detail and functionality that was amazing. We have worked with multiple companies doing remodels and NS Stoneworks is by far the best at communication and follow through. Nicholas himself is great, and his employees are also just as good. When the project is done, they still follow through months later to make sure that things are still as they should be. I really cannot recommend them highly enough.

We chose Nicholas Tompkins and NS Stoneworks for our project because they offered a landscape and hardscape design that would be compatible with our historic city home and would have artistic interest of its own. Before the project could begin in earnest, there was significant "groundwork" to be laid. Old soil, clay and tree roots were excavated and removed and a tons of gravel and top soil were brought in and graded. The front yard includes a blue stone mosaic walkway. The step from the sidewalk to our walkway is flanked by two stunning hand-carved limestone pillars that mimic the lines of our house with texture that is similar to the stucco. The front yard was graded to create a curve garden area on either side of the front porch, which are edged with large field stone to match the foundation. Our backyard has both linear and curved elements that, again, are inspired by the architectural lines of our house. There is a blue stone mosaic patio area, similar to the front walkway. There is a beautifully crafted, curved limestone path from the patio to the lakefront. Though a small yard, the design has three garden areas, as well as a lawn area that abuts the patio. One of the side garden areas has a curved border of field stone boulders. The other side garden area has a stacked border of large limestone bricks. The gardens, while not yet mature, will offer a lovely variety of trees, flowering shrubs, grasses and perennial plants and flowers. We couldn't be happier with the work that NS Stoneworks did for us. Their design expertise and craftsmanship are impressive. The team was wonderful to work with--hardworking, professional and friendly.

NS Stoneworks was hired to design and install a 4' tall dry-stacked free-standing feature wall, a 10' gabion privacy wall using and a limestone patio all within a 3,500 SF private courtyard, to which three restaurants are connected. The company was hired because of their excellent portfolio from projects over the past several years. This project was intended to be a notch above anything that currently existed in the greater Madison area, and they did not disappoint. Professionalism in working both with the development team and all subcontractors, attention to the smallest of details in all phases of the project, and a genuine interest in the courtyard's overall role played within the redevelopment and community-at-large all contributed to what should be one of NS Stoneworks' greatest achievements to date, and what is already our project's greatest point-of-pride. We have received countless compliments on the space created by Nicholas and his crew over the first 5 months in business. The development team is excited in doing many more projects with this company over the coming years.