Joseph Colao Sr.'s first truck in White Plains, New York

Colao Stone and Design, Inc. is a full service landscape design/build firm that specializes in custom pools, hardcapes  and plantings in MD, VA, DC, and the Eastern Shore. From pools, to outdoor BBQs, patios, decks, walkways and pool houses, Colao Stone ensures the correct materials are used and installed to the highest construction standards, while always maintaining the vision of the client and architect/designer.

The management team of Colao Stone and Design bring very specific skill sets that allow for the success of even the most complicated projects. Fusing an understanding of architecture and creative design, combined with the ability to specify and install the right stone, ensures the completion of projects within their specific parameters.

Our Team

Joseph Colao III, President

With fourteen years experience in the stone industry, Mr. Colao has worked and consulted on all types of residential and commercial stone projects. Fluent in English, French and Chinese, he regularly goes oversees to inspect factories, quarries and do quality control testing to ensure complete adherence to the specifications of the project he is working on. With his language skills he is able to communicate directly with European and Asian suppliers streamlining the fabrication process. Being involved in the installation side through his company Colao Stone & Design, Inc., he not only understands the materials but also the parameters associated with quality installation done at a reasonable pace.

Through his close relationship with his design team and partner, J.R. Peter, Mr. Colao is able to offer consulting services, design work, shop drawings, cut tickets and installation at the highest standards of the industry. With his quarry level knowledge of local materials as well as international materials (incl. but not limited to all materials from France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Turkey, Israel, India, China and Brazil) as well as the installation process, Mr. Colao is able to assist in successfully completing even the most complex of stone projects.

“He not only understands the materials but also the parameters associated with quality installation done at a reasonable pace.”

J.R. Peter, Vice President, Registered Landscape Architect

Mr. Peter’s background is in exterior design. He holds a degree in Landscape Architecture from Virginia Tech and brings with him 10 years of design experience in the landscape industry. He has worked in design only firms, as well as spent most of his years with a Design/Build company creating award winning projects for his clients.

Mr. Peter has quickly gained a reputation for being extremely passionate about his work with a unique ability for making his clients always feel part of the design and installation process, regardless of the project size. His projects have been in “Home & Design” and “Spaces” magazines and he has won the Grand Award for design from the Landscape Contractors Association of MD, DC and VA. As a Licensed Landscape Architect Mr. Peter’s projects have ranged from a small urban patio of $5,000 to large estate landscapes over 2 million.

“We believe it is most important to work together with our clients to help them create their dreams. A client’s home is so personal, and they interact with this space every day. As a designer, we have the ability to transform these daily life experiences to something more functional and beautiful, making our clients happy…and that is what drives me.”