On this grey and rainy morning in Charleston, I am really enjoying the photos of Sonoma in this month’s issue of House Beautiful; specifically the photos that feature the outdoor spaces. Although I am an east coast girl at heart, I spent four years of my childhood in California and that time definitely had an impact on my appreciation of California style, temperatures, and flora. Last year I had my husband plant bougainvillea in our garden, but this is a plant that requires good drainage and a drier climate … how do you think those plants are doing in my tropical Charleston garden?  Looking through the photos of this Sonoma property, I was reminded of Ellen Degeneres’ beautiful Hidden Valley ranch that was featured in Elle Decor. The majestic trees and the casual and rustic nature of these outdoor spaces are absolutely magical.One of my  favorite California outdoor spaces has to be the terrace at Reese Witherspoon’s Ojai, California home. Also featured in Elle Decor, this wood topped table with cream colored legs combined with the wicker and iron chairs was definitely an inspiration for our Charleston garden. Seems silly because California and South Carolina’s flora and climate could not be more different, but I loved the mixture of materials and furniture types.Right down to the hanging lantern.

Photos of the Sonoma, California house via House Beautiful, Degeneres’ and Witherspoon’s houses via Elle Decor, and my garden via Southern Living.