A covered arbor or pergola that offers privacy, shade, and fragrance is a captivating project for many of us as we head into the 2026 spring and summer seasons. Actress Anne Hathaway and her husband, jewelry designer Adam Shulman, clearly share this sentiment. The couple's outdoor living room, designed by the renowned Pamela Shamshiri of Studio Shamshiri, represents the quintessential patio garden dream.
I have adored pergolas since childhood; they always felt magical when adorned with scented blooms or twinkling lights – almost as if I had been transported to an enchanted forest. Decades later, I value them just as much for their practical ability to provide shade and serve as an effective garden privacy idea. I'm not alone in my admiration. This feature has roots in the Ancient Egyptian high courts, dating back over 3500 years – and, today, they epitomize summer in California.
