Inside, not a drop of red wine is allowed on the herringbone floor, but outside the lawn Your best friend. It is there for your lazy summer afternoons and it is the place where you park that way too expensive lounge set. But let's not pretend that green carpet appears by itself. If you think a little rain is enough, you end up with a collection of dandelions that is too much even for the local beekeeping association.

A good mat is like a good concealer: it hides the imperfections of your garden design. It provides that soothing base that makes your messy planters suddenly look 'eclectic' instead of 'neglected'. The secret is not working harder, but choosing smarter. No one has time to trim the edges with scissors daily; after all, we also have a social life that needs to be maintained.

Once that green base is laid, you can go back to doing what you're good at: buying accessories. Throw down some outdoor cushions that aren't really rain-resistant (but look really nice) and turn on the mood lighting. The grass does the heavy lifting and makes the whole thing look like a 'hidden gemsfrom an expensive magazine.

It is the art of omission and the art of pretense. Your garden is supposed to look as if it cost you no effort at all, while we both know that just that morning you were frantically picking away dead leaves. But hey, as long as your lawn looks pristine, everyone believes you have that maturity completely under control. Cheers to your own little oasis, with or without sun.