Take a cue from one of the West’s boldest designers, and turn your backyard into an exotic retreat.
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“There’s something calming about being in a space that’s a little wild,” says Justina Blakeney while standing in her Los Angeles backyard, an evergreen tangle of rose bushes, tropical plants, and jade. “You just feel a bit like—” as she takes a deep yogic breath and exhales with a satisfied aah. “It’s how I want people to feel in a space that I’ve decorated.”
A prolific designer, artist, blogger, and author (of the bestselling book The New Bohemians), Blakeney gave us her best advice for transforming a boring backyard into a lush retreat.
Hair & Makeup: Tami K. Shirey; Prop Stylist: Merisa LIbbey; Wardrobe Stylist: Megan Kelley/Artist Untied
A rug and canopy that came with the house define the area while a pendant lamp allows lounging to go into the evening. Isle Collection rug, from $169.
Oversize ravenea and tetrapanax suggest a sense of enclosure; a philodendron dangles overhead. “Hanging plants create a lush vibe in a patio,” she says.
The brass planters and shaggy pillows play against the rattan chair. “I love the look of rattan,” she says. “Even as it gets weathered over the years, it becomes more charming with age.”