This Millennial Pink-Inspired Backyard Makeover Is What Outdoor Living Is All About

On a recent visit, B+C's VP of Content, Ali Ives, and I wandered into Somme and were instantly smitten. Imagine cottagecore with depth, where antique treasures meet bold, layered styling that feels both timeless and unexpected.

Francesca is a master at crafting vintage-inspired spaces with a distinct, modern POV. Here, she shares insights on her design philosophy, her latest collaborations, and her stunning transformation of a $24 million estate now on the market.

B+C: How would you define your aesthetic?

Francesca: I’d define my aesthetic as eclectic, nostalgic, and unexpected. It’s about mixing eras, textures and patterns in a way that feels curated and collected over time — like stepping into a space with history and soul.

B+C: How do you make a space feel one-of-a-kind?

Francesca: I love designing spaces that have depth and a bit of tension, whether it’s a balance of feminine and masculine, vintage and modern, or soft and bold. To make a space personal, I lean into unique, one-of-a-kind pieces — antiques, art with a story, textiles that feel lived-in. I want it to feel like someone’s life has unfolded there, not like a staged set.

B+C: What's the strangest or most surprising source of inspiration you've ever drawn from?

Francesca:I love wandering through European flea markets, where every object has a history, or getting lost in an old city and noticing the way time has shaped its architecture. Even something as simple as the tilework in a tiny café or the way laundry hangs between buildings can spark an idea. LA still influences me in the way it blends so many cultures and eras, but traveling pushes me to see design through a different lens — less polished, more lived-in, always with a story to tell.

B+C: What is your design pet-peeve?

Francesca: Anything that feels too sterile or overly "designed" with no personality. I’m also so over the idea that everything has to be beige to be timeless — give me color, give me texture, give me something with character!

B+C: You recently staged and styled a 6-bed, 9-bath Spanish-Mediterranean Bel Air Estate that just hit the market for $24M. What were your design goals for this Bel Air project, which leans into the more neutral territory?

Francesca: Our goal was to use our furniture and décor to enhance the home’s Spanish-Mediterranean elegance while introducing a sense of modern livability. We wanted every piece to feel intentional — respecting the architecture while making the space feel fresh, inviting, and effortlessly luxurious.

Francesca: To achieve this, I partnered with home decor brand Olive Ateliers and leaned into organic textures and warm, neutral tones. Soft linen upholstery, sculptural wood accents, and vintage-inspired statement pieces brought depth and a sense of history, ensuring the interiors felt collected rather than staged.

Francesca: In spaces like the living and dining areas, we focused on balancing grandeur with intimacy — placing oversized, plush seating to emphasize comfort while layering in antique and contemporary elements to create visual intrigue. The use of ceramic vessels, textured textiles, and aged metals further complemented the home’s natural materials.

Francesca: For the bedrooms, we aimed for elevated serenity, incorporating soft, layered bedding and curated accent furniture to create a retreat-like atmosphere.

Francesca: Overall, the staging was designed to bridge the past and present, celebrating the home’s timeless craftsmanship while making it feel approachable and effortless for modern living.

B+C: You recently worked with designer Amr Samaha of Samaha Studio on his latest project, an eco-conscious ranchette in Beverly Hills. He said he pulled heavily from his Egyptian background, citing the mashrabiya-inspired front door as an example of the textures and tones of historic Cairo. "Every decision, from materials to layout, was made with the intention to tell a cohesive story," he said. How did you stage the home to complete the story?

Francesca: For the Beverly Hills project at 1300 Shadybrook Drive, our aim was to stage the home in a way that accentuated its contemporary architecture and designer fixtures while creating an inviting and aspirational atmosphere for potential buyers.

In the living room, we placed a plush, earth-toned seating arrangement to complement the home's incredible steel fireplace and built-in cabinetry. To add a little extra warmth and character to the living room I added these gorgeous Myrtle Accent Chairs from Arhaus that I felt really elevated the space.

Francesca: In the dining room I wanted it to feel really funky and eclectic so we added some really fun sculptural dining chairs from Neue Maison. We brought in some incredible art by CLEW and Kader Boly that really amplify the appeal of the home.

Francesca: For the bedrooms, we aimed to create serene retreats by using soft, layered bedding and understated decor while still infusing some pops of color. I wanted the bedrooms to provide a sense of luxury while still feeling like cozy and warm.

Francesca: Throughout the home, we utilized accessories such as ceramic vases, greenery, and area rugs to add depth and cohesion to the overall design. Our goal was to present a lifestyle that potential buyers could envision themselves enjoying, thereby enhancing the home's appeal.

Follow Francesca Grace Home for more design inspiration!

Castello Teak 3-Piece Sofa + Coffee Table

This stunning cushioned set comes complete with one long sofa, an individual seat, and a coffee table so everyone can gather 'round. You can also shop it in three other colors so you get the perfect fit for your space.

Ventura 7-Piece Combo Dining Set

Everyone will have a seat at the table with this luxe dining set. It seats 6 total and ensures the utmost comfort with breezy PVC slings to sit on and weather-tested materials to last you years and years.

Stainless Steel Gas Patio Heater

Chilly nights are no match for this patio heater. Heating up to 250 square feet with gas power, having this tower on your patio or in your backyard means you don't ever have to sacrifice comfort to get outside. Our fave feature is the built-in wheels that make rearranging easy!

Farmhouse 3-Piece Sofa + Coffee Table

This farmhouse-style soft + coffee table set is just oozing comfort and class. Made of durable recycled high-density polyethylene, this set gives the look of painted wood without all the maintenance of painting or staining. All the while, this set resists any food and beverage stains it may come across.

South Beach Chaise Lounge

Who doesn't love a good chaise? This adjustable and stackable lounge chair is fitted with a breathable material suitable for all seasons. It'll be your BFF for springtime outdoor reading sessions, summer afternoons spent tanning, and scorching-hot pool days.

Terrafab Faux Stone Gas Fire Pit

For cooler temps, fire up your very own fire pit! This piece takes the hard work out of starting a fire so you can expedite your way to total comfort. It comes ready with a durable PVC cover and lava rocks for a fun, real feel.

Chateau 3-Piece Bistro Set + Table

This adorable set just whisked us away to the whimsical terraces of Paris! If you're looking to make a magical escape out of your outdoor space, this trio will be perfect. The cast aluminum is lightweight, making any rearranging you want to do super simple. The circular bistro table is even fitted with an umbrella hole that's compatible with any of Fortunoff Backyard Store's umbrella models.

Sonoma Husk 7-Piece Outdoor Dining Set + Table

This 7-piece set is ideal if you wish to seat larger groups for outdoor brunches, lunches, dinners, and more! Each piece is expertly constructed to withstand weathering and UV rays so it looks just as great as they day you bought it. We love that the chairs are also easily stackable for off-season storage!

Tivoli 5-Piece Swivel Bar Set

If a high-top is where your heart lies, you've gotta check out this 5-piece set. It's one of Fortunoff Backyard Store's sturdiest, thanks to the heavyweight sand cast aluminum frame. Decorative by nature, you'll adore just looking at this set just as much as you adore sitting in it!

Espresso Wicker Gas Patio Heater

Delivering even heat with a cylindrical design, this patio heater does it all in style with a sleek wicker tank cover and pyrex glass chamber for visual effect.

Tulum 3-Piece Sofa

Prepped and ready with a one-seater, two-seater, and three-seater, everyone at your family gathering or friend-filled party will be able to enjoy the plush cushions on this sofa set! You can snag it in this calming blue hue or opt for a more neutral tan color.

San Lucas 3-Piece Cuddle Beds Contour Sectional

As a cozy hybrid between a chair and a bed, this sectional is perfect for daytime naps or lounging out by the pool on a summer afternoon. The cushions are resistant to UV rays, fading, mold, mildew, and stains, so they'll always look super stunning.

A source recent spoke to Page Six, giving everyone a behind-the-scenes look at on what's really going on between Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, and John Miller right now. While this trio isn't exactly in a love triangle, there are some complicated emotions flying at the moment.

The source explained that John "has always been supportive of Ben and Jen’s co-parenting relationship, but feels Ben crossed the line." This comes after the recent — and very cozy — paintball pictures of the ex-spouses.

“John knows there’s nothing going on between Jen and Ben," the source continued. "But he doesn’t think those photos are a good look and feels it’s disrespectful to their relationship.”

Apparently, John “gave Jen an ultimatum” recently, explaining that “he doesn’t want to see anything like that again or he has no choice but to walk away.” Yikes!

According to PEOPLE, Jennifer Garner and John Miller have been linked together since 2018 — with a brief break apart around 2021. However, a source told PEOPLE that Jen was "very happy" with John back in December, and that she "sees him almost every day," intimating that things were just fine between the couple.

Do you think these two will make it? Or will Ben actually find his way back in (another) Jen's good graces? Only time will tell I guess!