Audrey Hepburn Transformed a Tranquil Garden Corner

a split screen with audrey hepburn's outdoor table on the left and audrey hepburn on a white background on the right — (Image credit: Henry Clarke/Bettmann via Getty Images)

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Shop Audrey's Look

In Audrey Hepburn's garden, no corner goes unused. An archival image from 1971 shows how the actress transformed a forgotten, shady spot into a gorgeous outdoor entertaining area – it's a timeless design moment that continues to inspire our approach to outdoor living in 2026.

The secluded garden idea is part of Audrey's 'La Paisible' (meaning 'The Peaceful') property in Tolochenaz, Switzerland, where she lived from 1963 until she died in 1993. La Paisible was always about escape for Audrey, serving as a tranquil site to raise her family, and her beautiful outdoor dining space is no exception.

It features a luncheon table covered in a flower-patterned tablecloth with swirling iron outdoor chairs. The table features a collection of modern glassware, including a green carafe and glasses (like these chic glasses from Anthropologie), with a grouping of pink and yellow roses in a silver vase brightening the look.

audrey hepburn's garden corner — A corner of the garden at actress Audrey Hepburn's residence "La Paisible", in Tolochenaz, Switzerland, 1971

Shop Audrey's Look

Daisy Pattern

Vinyl Rectangle Tablecloth Cover

Audrey adorns her table in a blue and white daisy-covered tablecloth. This vinyl one is water resistant for long-lasting gatherings in the outdoors.

Great Deal

4 Piece Outdoor Seating Set

This pretty four-piece set features a table, two chairs, and a loveseat. The antique green material feels naturally aged and charming, just like the one in Audrey's garden.

Woven Handles

Handled Vase Silver

From its charming, twisted handles and rim to its aged silver finish, this vase exemplifies the traditional elegance of silver decor. Style this on a bookshelf – with flowers or without – for a characterful look.

Intricate Bubble Detail

Savannah Juice Glasses, Set of 4

Green glasses are incredibly elegant with a blue tablecloth, and these ones from Anthropologie are especially beautiful. The simple pattern is casual enough for summer entertaining, but elevated enough for dinner parties.

Elegant Green Detail

Glass Carafe

A carafe is the chicest way to serve wine in the summer sun, and this understated design makes it even cooler. When you're not using it for entertaining, it would be adorable next to the bedside.

Fragrant

Natural Lavender Plants

If you're thinking of recreating Audrey's planting technique, you'll need lavender plants, and this is one of the best deals we've seen. At just under $7.50 a plant, it's a steal.

As bright colors and personality-filled patterns re-emerge as one of the biggest interior design trends of 2026, these same impulses are translating to our outside spaces. Design expert Lena Gierasinska explains: 'A garden party theme is the perfect opportunity to embrace colour and creativity. Playful prints, vibrant florals, and unexpected combinations bring energy and joy to your tablescape.'

Lena advises: 'You can also look into pattern play, which adds personality. Try layering striped runners, checked napkins, and colour-blocked plates to give a curated but eclectic look. Spring and summer are all about colour confidence, don’t be afraid to experiment with vibrant hues, contrasting patterns, and bold statement pieces. The key is to strike a balance between playfulness and elegance.'

Audrey’s outdoor dining area is a masterclass in atmosphere, demonstrating how tactile textures, confident color, and thoughtfully chosen accessories can create a seamless indoor-outdoor aesthetic. With the right set-up, an alfresco dining space becomes more than functional – it becomes a defining design moment.

For more inspiration, be sure to explore our round-up of the biggest table decor trends for 2026.

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Sophie is a writer and News Editor on the Celebrity Style team at Homes & Gardens. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly passionate about researching trends and interior history. She is an avid pop culture fan and has interviewed Martha Stewart and Hillary Duff.

In her free time, Sophie freelances on design news for Westport Magazine and Livingetc. She also has a newsletter, My Friend's Art, in which she covers music, culture, and fine art through a personal lens. Her fiction has appeared in Love & Squalor and The Isis Magazine.

Before joining Future, Sophie worked in editorial at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens brand. She has an MSc from Oxford University and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.