“When it comes to creating beautiful, maintainable and environmentally-sensitive gardens, landscape designer Margie Grace takes her cues from the Earth itself. After spearheading Grace Design and Associates for more than three decades, and curating 350-plus gardens, Grace conceived Sycamore Canyon, a verdant, 0.86-acre terraced garden landscape. With its whimsical, low-water, low-maintenance, fire-resistant design, it garnered her Designer of the Year in 2018 from the International Assn. of Professional Landscape Designers. It also happens to be her home.”

ARIELLE PAUL, LOS ANGELES TIMES

“Landscape Designer Margie Grace of Grace Design Associates knows beautiful gardens—and designing a successful one is about more than charm and elegance. An industry expert, Grace’s newly released book, Private Gardens of Santa Barbara: The Art of Outdoor Living showcases outstanding spaces she’s created.”

ANNA KERR, VERANDA

“In Private Gardens of Santa Barbara, Margie Grace, Principal of Grace Design Associates, takes readers on a journey through 18 gardens on properties that run the gamut from luxury estates to modest homes and even a few surf retreats. Their common thread is the practicality with which Grace approaches her work, realizing outdoor spaces that support the lifestyle and personalities of her clients.”

MAILE PINGEL, LUXE INTERIOS + DESIGN

“What makes this book so special is Grace’s personal commentary on each project. Each showcased garden is distinctive and has its own charm whether the garden enhances a large estate, a modest bungalow, or a beach retreat.”

KATHY BRYANT, CALIFORNIA HOMES

“Private Gardens of Santa Barbara features luscious images of 18 local gardens created by her firm, Grace Design Associates. Of special interest is a custom garden from 2004 that was devastated by the Montecito debris flow. The firm beautifully restored it to its original glory.”

LORIE PORTER, SANTA BARBARA MAGAZINE

“The sumptuous, sun-drenched landscapes of Margie Grace are an artful inspiration to any gardener, no matter where they live. I have long been a fan of Margie’s inventive use of light, water, rocks and plants and now, for the first time, her California gardens are showcased, all together, in a stunning coffee table book! Margie Grace possesses that rare combination of artistry and skill that every great landscape requires. I recommend it highly.”

JAN JOHNSEN, AUTHOR OF GARDENTOPIA

“Private Gardens of Santa Barbara offers an intimate look at 18 distinctive gardens set on the grounds of large estates, modest homes, and surf retreats. With beautiful photography by Holly Lepere, the book is packed with inspiration and takeaways for sustainable home garden designs with all-important, water conscious, maintenance-friendly, and fire-safety priorities in mind.”

LESLIE DINABERG, 805 LIVING