Honestly, if I could spend my days at a beautiful estate full of statue gardens and stone patios and reflective looking ponds (with a pool nearby), I would. The east coast is full of these estates with gardens open to the public (Krystal from This Time Tomorrow takes the most stunning estate photos — see some of my favorites here and here). But our pickings are slim over here on the west coast. In the Bay Area, Filoli remains the best option, and there are several in the LA area that are stunning, including the Huntington Botanical Gardens (which I’ve been to twice and LOVE) and the Greystone Mansion. The Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades would also count in my book! I’ve only been there once as a teenager, but would love to go back.

In the meantime, I’ll be channeling all the estate vibes I can muster with some choice pieces and props. Now just give me a garden pool!