I created Golden Yarrow to capture a feeling: the moments you feel you're exactly where you're meant to be. You stay present to drink in every moment so you can sip on it later. 

This is the feeling we’re after for this backyard project.

We're not in search of magazine-worthy, perfectly styled garden but a place to land. A space that invites you to rest, to daydream and reconnect with yourself.

Your sanctuary can be simple and, of course, we believe it all begins with a hammock and includes some plants to amplify the energy and ritual to make it intentional. 

Start with the Anchor: A Hammock as Your Centerpiece

Every sanctuary needs a place to settle into, and nothing holds that role quite like a hammock.

There’s something deeply calming about the gentle sway, the way it mirrors the rhythms of the body and encourages you to let go. What begins as “just a few minutes” often turns into an hour of drifting, reading, or simply watching the light move through the trees.

If you can, hang your hammock between two trees or in a quiet corner of your yard. Let it feel slightly hidden, like something discovered rather than placed. (Side note: What other Secret Garden fans are here? Imagine that feeling of tapping into discovering something magical.)

This becomes the heart of your space that everything else gathers around.

Layer in Living Beauty: Herbs, Flowers & Wild Edges

A sanctuary should engage the senses, and herbs are one of the simplest, most beautiful ways to do that.

No need for a formal garden. Grab a few clay pots and pick herbs that match your vibe:

• Lavender – long associated with calm and protection, lavender has been used for centuries to soothe the nervous system and invite restful energy. Its scent lingers in the air, especially in the warmth of the afternoon.
• Rosemary – a plant of memory and remembrance, rosemary has deep roots in folk traditions. It’s often thought to sharpen the mind while also offering a sense of grounding and clarity.
• Mint – bright, abundant, and a little unruly, mint brings freshness and vitality. In many traditions, it’s associated with hospitality and welcome—perfect for a space you’ll return to again and again.
• Chamomile – soft and unassuming, chamomile carries a quiet kind of magic. Known for its calming properties, it invites rest, patience, and gentle unwinding.

Let things grow a little wild in your sanctuary and let go attachment of controlling. 

Create Comfort with Textiles

This is where the space begins to soften.

Drape a blanket over the edge of your hammock. Add a cushion or two and maybe a folded quilt that you bring out in the evenings when the air cools.

Textiles have a way of transforming outdoor spaces—they hold warmth, invite you to stay longer, and make even the simplest corner feel considered and cared for.

Choose pieces that feel lived-in, nostalgic, and easy, with everything meant to be used.

Build Ritual Moments into your Space

Now turn your beautiful space into a meaningful one with some intention.

Bring your morning coffee out here and sit quietly before the day begins. Return in the evening with a journal. Pull a tarot card. Watch the sky shift colors as the sun lowers.

These small rituals become the true foundation of your sanctuary and an invitation to return over and over.

A Place to Return To

Your backyard sanctuary doesn’t need to be finished. In fact, the ebb and flow is part of the joy.

It will shift with the seasons, and grow and soften over time.

What matters is that it’s there waiting for you at the end of the day, or in the quiet of the morning, and all infused with intention.