Private Gardens of Santa Barbara

Private Gardens of Santa Barbara is an invitation into eighteen distinctive private gardens: large estates, modest homes, and surf retreats run the gamut from sublime and naturalistic to bold and urban. What they have in common, however, is what makes them truly great. These gardens are a response to the unique character of each site, the existing architecture, and the larger environment; and adapted to the lifestyle, personality, and practical needs of the people who live there.

Twice named International Landscape Designer of the Year and with an impressive career spanning over three decades, Margie Grace has joined an elite echelon of garden and landscape designers whose work is celebrated both locally and internationally. Whether designing gardens for historically significant estate properties, relaxed bungalows, or coastal family retreats, Margie takes her cues from her clients, their lifestyle, the architecture of the property, and the land itself. By applying the principles of design to create the framework of each project, Grace Design Associates sculpts the terrain to mimic nature and layers on essential elements – organic materials, stone and plantings – to create a dynamic, living ecosystem that supports the local biome and utilizes water in the most efficient and considered way. With more than 350 projects – designed from concept to completion – under her helm, Margie’s work has been featured in top publications throughout the world including Garden Design, Traditional Home, Better Homes and Gardens, Veranda, Luxe, Sunset, Los Angeles Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Holly Lepere is a California-based photographer of both structural and landscape architecture. Her creative editorial style inspires an intimate visual experience, allowing viewers to place themselves in the spaces photographed. Lepere’s photography aims to narrate the story behind the built design. Her award-winning work has been featured in numerous publications, including Garden Design, The New York Times, Gardens Illustrated, Sunset Magazine, and Architectural Digest.