Old Westbury Gardens:
Best Historic Gardens to Visit
When it came time to photograph our September Style Guide, we chose Old Westbury Gardens, a historic American country estate set on 200 acres on the north shore of Long Island not far from our store in Locust Valley.
Originally the home of John S. Phipps (the son of steel magnate Henry Phipps) and Margarita Grace of England, the Carolean Revival-style mansion, designed by George Crawley, took three years (1903-1906) to complete. Inside the mansion, there are many notable English antiques and works of art, including John Singer Sargent’s iconic Mrs. Henry Phipps and Her Grandson Winston, (fun fact: Winston Guest was the grandson and his godfather was Winston Churchill).
Old Westbury Gardens formal gardens enabled us to observe social and physical distancing guidelines while staying close to home, plus its elegant architecture and serene landscapes provided a lovely backdrop for our new palette of pink, camel, chestnut and gray. We couldn’t recommend it enough for a day trip in the autumn months, dressed in sophisticated J.McLaughlin layers of cashmere and silk. Below: the best gardens to visit and explore in Florida, Pennsylvania, and California
Gardens to Visit This Fall
The former villa and estate of James Deering, an industrial executive from his family’s company the Deering Harvester Company in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami. Vizcaya’s architecture was inspired by the Mediterranean Revival style, and landscape and gardens are reminiscent of the Italian Renaissance with touches of Baroque.
Kennett Square, PA
In 1906, American businessman and entrepreneur, Pierre du Pont purchased 1,077 acres of land in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania and transformed it into a true work of art. Woodlands, fountains, botanical gardens, meadows, green spaces, and more, du Pont later opened Longwood to the public in 1921. Today the garden is considered a leader in horticulture research, it's also a perfectly picturesque spot to visit this fall and learn about gardening, landscape design, and breath in the crisp autumn air.
Woodside, California
Prominent San Francisco couple (who gained their wealth through the Empire Gold Mine in Grass Valley) Mr. and Mrs. William Bowers Bourn II, chose eclectic architect Willis Polk to design and build their California estate. The Bourn’s also worked with Bruce Porter, a man who wore many hats (stained-glass artist, painter, muralist, landscape designer, and art critic), to layout the garden that was built between 1917 and 1929. Now, Filoli’s 125 acres, formal gardens and house are open to the public after being donated to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Shop our new arrivals, perfect for public garden trips and beyond!