I’m Tommy Smith, a designer with a lifelong connection to the landscapes of the Intermountain West. Growing up riding horses among the mountains, deserts, and fields, I developed an early appreciation for the landscape and the quiet experience of being immersed in it. Those rides were where my interest in nature first took root, eventually leading me to gardening, landscape design, sustainability, and the intersection between the places we inhabit and the way we live.

I have had the amazing opportunity to work across a wide range of projects, from small residential spaces to larger and more complex landscapes, and with clients across different income levels and ways of life. These experiences taught me that good design can have an impact at any scale—but that access to thoughtful design is often limited to those with greater resources.

Living in New York City deepened my appreciation for how design impacts the way we live. I spent several years designing and maintaining spaces for private clients, including some of the city's wealthiest residents. Working in these highly considered spaces taught me a great deal about craftsmanship, detail, and what is possible when design is given the time and resources to truly respond to the people who use it.

In returning to the West, I wanted to bring those experiences with me to the landscapes and values that first drew me to design. Canter & Clay is, in part, a reflection of that journey. The name is a nod to my horse, who was a part of my life when I first began to develop my love for nature and the landscape. From those early rides to gardening and eventually design, my work has always been rooted in a curiosity about the places around us and how they shape our lives. Canter & Clay grew from that idea: a design practice focused on creating thoughtful, personal spaces while making professional design more accessible to the everyday person. I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to live in a space that works well, feels like their own, and enriches the way they live.

Whether you want your home or landscape to function better, feel more like you, or simply make everyday life a little more enjoyable, reach out to schedule a free consultation. I’d be happy to hear what you’re thinking and explore what might be possible together.