Create An Outdoor Oasis

Photography by William Dickey / Styling by Yukie Mclean

Turn your garden into an extension of your home by creating an outdoor oasis with comfortable seating and worry-free flora.

For some, enjoying the great outdoors includes hours of digging, fertilizing, planting, and pruning. Others find pleasure in an easy, breezy backyard haven that offers a perfect place for alfresco dining and relaxing.

These homeowners designed three such living spaces in their charming yard. One tucked-away area features a fountain  overlooked by a table and chairs. In the evening, the setting is enhanced by the soft glow of outdoor lighting and candles. The gazebo is another favorite hideaway, with cushy chairs, a gentle fan, and lush jasmine ensuring a great spot for enjoying an afternoon in the shade. For larger crowds, an eight-top table on the
deck offers supreme seating for cocktails and conversation. The couple continues their low-fuss philosophy in the garden, choosing native selections like ferns and host as that require minimal maintenance and afford maximum enjoyment.

For more garden stories, be sure to check out Cottage Gardens.