STYLE YOUR GARDEN FOR FALL

Whether you’re in a climate like California, where you can enjoy your garden year-round, or have to batten down the hatches for winter, here are tips from landscape designer Margie Grace on how to style your garden for fall.

1. FIRE. A fire pit extends your outdoor season and lets you stay out at night, despite the darkness and chill. Margie says there are many backyard-fire pit options, such as tabletop, prefab, portable or built-in fireplaces.

2. BETTER WITH BLANKETS. Add throw blankets to your outdoor seating areas that coordinate with your outdoor throw pillows. Store them in a basket that you can easily move into the shed or garage to protect from weathering. Margie likes to use inexpensive down lap blankets because they’re extra cozy.

3. LET THERE BE LIGHT. Mix in candles, lanterns and market lighting to warm up the outdoor atmosphere in addition to bringing in light.

4. LIBATION STATION. Serve hot toddies on cool evenings to warm your guests inside and out. You can do fun fall-themed variations, like cinnamon tequila hot chocolate or apple cider mulled wine.

(opposite top) Asphalt used to cover this area as part of a long, circular driveway. Margie added the fence and gate, which separates the garden space from the gravel motor court. “I wanted vehicles out of the garden,” she says. The gate was an estate-sale find, which Margie modified to be taller to keep cars both physically and visually out of the garden.

(right) When Margie saw this fabulous antique faux-bois (sculpted concrete that mimics wood) dining set comprised of a table, chairs and “tree stump” stools, she knew she had to have it. “I bought it years prior to moving to Sycamore Canyon,” she says. “And now we finally have just the place for it.” The set is a striking counterpoint to the sculptural form of the grand old live oak.