We are Jeff and Jenny Ragatz, the husband-wife team behind Oak & Stone. Today, we're sharing this Q&A, discussing our backgrounds, inspirations, and what makes our company unique.
Can you tell us a little about your background and how you got started in home finishes?
Jeff: I come from a long line of creative craftspeople. My paternal great-grandfather was a blacksmith, and my maternal grandfather was a master woodworker who handcrafted items like bowls, salt & pepper shakers, and coat trees. One of his creations, a loom, is still proudly displayed in my parents’ home. Growing up, I was inspired by my father, who built things himself—even constructing a ski boat! When I was 10, he gave me my first woodworking tool, a small jigsaw, and introduced me to a range of other equipment, from table saws to hand tools. From my grandfather, I learned the finer aspects of woodworking, like how to use a lathe.
Jeff: I also took woodworking classes in high school, working on fun projects like making a crib for a classmate’s Cabbage Patch doll, speaker boxes, and skateboard ramps. As an adult, I explored different careers, initially running my screen-printing business and later entering corporate and luxury sales. In 2014, Jenny and I moved to California, where we purchased a fixer-upper that allowed me to work with my hands again. Here, I met a lead carpenter named Jose, who taught me a lot about carpentry. We became good friends and worked together on a series of house-flipping projects out west.
Jeff: After returning to Wisconsin in 2021, Jenny and I remodeled another home. During this time, I reconnected with a college friend and talented designer, Clark, who recently passed away from cancer. When we weren't on the golf course, Clark introduced me to furniture-making and other advanced techniques, enabling us to craft a custom range hood and fireplace surround that are now features in our current home. The year before he passed, we had fun crafting dozens of bourbon Old Fashioned smokers on his CNC machine that we gifted to friends and family.
Jenny: I developed a genuine love for home design after building and renovating several homes. I can lose myself in selecting the right materials and finishes to balance color, texture, and style. It's such a creative process. With each project, I increasingly realized how important it is for a space to reflect who you are. No matter where we live, I want our home to feel comforting and meaningful.
What inspired you to start Oak & Stone, and what has the journey been like?
Jeff: I've always had a creative eye and passion for making old things look new again in cost-effective ways. After successfully remodeling several homes, we started taking on projects for family and friends. This gradually grew into Oak & Stone, allowing us to share our love for design and craftsmanship with a broader audience.
Jenny: Oak & Stone took off when we met interior designers Kim and Dani from Linen & Clove. They were looking for contractors for specialized home finishing projects, and working with them made us realize there was a niche market out there. Boutique interior design firms often have detailed, small-scale projects that big contractors don't want to touch. Since then, we've teamed up with several local designers, offering custom solutions for unique projects that make a significant impact without needing a full-scale renovation.
What are some of your favorite projects you’ve worked on and why?
Jenny: We love working on feature walls because they let us get really creative and collaborate closely with designers and homeowners. It's always exciting to envision unique elements like slats, shelves, and fireplace surrounds that transform an "eh" wall into a "wow" wall.
Jeff: One of our favorite feature wall projects was in our home, where we created a feature wall with vertical wood slats that mirrored the pattern of our staircase's newel posts. Another favorite project was for a homeowner in Madison who wanted a custom design inspired by a tree trunk and branches. More recently, we worked with a family in New Glarus to craft and install a beautiful wood slat feature wall that perfectly complemented the color and look of their floating TV cabinet. It always amazes me how one wall can completely transform a room, turning a simple space into a focal point that enhances the entire home.
Explore our latest feature walls:
Can you describe your design philosophy and what makes Oak & Stone unique?
Jeff: Our design philosophy is all about making luxury accessible. I've had the privilege of working on high-end homes in California and Arizona, and we love bringing that touch of West Coast luxury to projects here in Wisconsin, no matter the budget. Our exposure to extraordinary projects, including those led by world-renowned designers, has dramatically shaped our approach. We blend luxury-inspired yet budget-friendly design ideas with a down-to-earth Midwestern attitude.
Jenny: We aim to fill the gap for designers and homeowners with projects that are too small or specialized for a general contractor like feature walls, media walls, fireplace surrounds, etc. This type of home finishing work can transform a space without requiring a significant time or money investment.
Can you tell us about your workshop and the tools you use?
Jeff: Most of the magic happens in my workshop. It's where I do all the cutting, sanding, staining, and some of the assembly. I have a fully equipped space with everything I need: a table saw, router table, planer, belt sanders, and more. Each tool plays a role in bringing our designs to life. Whether crafting custom wood slats or building a unique piece of furniture, having the right tools makes all the difference.
How do you stay current with industry trends and new home techniques?
Jenny: We look forward to attending the Madison Area Builders Association Parade of Homes each season to stay current with industry trends and home finishing techniques. It's always inspiring to see fresh ideas up close. I also love following nationally recognized designers like Studio McGee and Amber Lewis, though we're fortunate to have so much local talent in Madison. Like many, we are also HGTV junkies, but we have to moderate our viewing as it inevitably inspires yet another new home project!
What do you enjoy most about working with clients and bringing their visions to life?
Jeff: I’ve always loved working with people. I genuinely enjoy a free flow of ideas and being flexible enough to make changes as we go. There’s nothing better than seeing the excitement when a job turns out just right. I remember one project where we revealed a wood slat feature wall—the designer and homeowner's jaw-dropping reaction and high-fives made all the hard work worth it.
Can you share a memorable story or experience from running Oak & Stone?
Jeff: One project was restoring the woodwork in a historic 1890s house. I loved blending modern elements while preserving the home's original charm. Another unforgettable experience was working on a mid-century home in Oregon. We updated almost every inch of that house, from the fireplace to the kitchen and bathrooms. The transformation was so impressive that the realtor was blown away when she saw it. The house sold for $80K more than expected, an incredible feeling for everyone involved.
What do you see as the future of Oak & Stone?
Jenny: We're excited about the direction we're heading. We've found our niche with small, specialized home finishing projects that many general contractors tend to avoid. It's been fantastic partnering with local interior designers and homeowners to establish creative collaborations, demonstrating how even minor details can make a huge difference. With many homeowners interested in small investments that have a significant impact, we plan to continue focusing on these types of specialized projects in the future.
How do you balance the creative and business aspects of running Oak & Stone?
Jeff: Jenny and I pool our talents to make a great team. We draw on our combined business, sales, and marketing expertise and our shared love for design. We both see the potential in any space and get excited brainstorming and bouncing ideas off each other. I tend to focus on the logistics and refinement of the designs and doing hands-on work while Jenny oversees quoting, scheduling, and communications. Together, we balance the creative and business sides of Oak & Stone, putting everything we have into ensuring every project is thoughtfully crafted and well-managed.
What are your favorite materials to work with, and why?
Jeff: I enjoy working with oak and stone (naturally!). White oak is a favorite of mine because of its beauty and versatility. It can adapt to many styles and finishes, making it ideal for many finishes, including live edge projects. I also enjoy selecting and working with tiles, especially for walls and backsplashes. With so many textures, finishes, and colors, tiles can add a unique touch and completely transform a space.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time when you’re not working on projects?
Jeff: Besides spoiling our poodle mix Leo, we love riding our e-bikes together on various trails around Wisconsin and Illinois. We also enjoy traveling back to Southern California, where we used to live, to visit friends and family.
Jenny: Recently, we’ve branched out to visit other states like Texas and South Carolina. We visited Magnolia in Waco last year and enjoyed architecture tours in Charleston this year. Newport, RI, and Savannah, GA, are also on my travel list.
Jeff: I also enjoy golfing, and there are many great courses in the area, like Pleasant View, UW Ridge, and Edelweiss in New Glarus. In California, I was lucky to golf year-round, but now I use a simulator in the winter to keep up my game. The best course I’ve ever played on is Shadow Creek in Vegas, designed by Tom Fazio. As a golf lover, I've been lucky enough to attend the Masters (twice), the Ryder Cup, and other PGA tournaments.
