This column first appeared in April 2011.
Traditional, contemporary, primitive, or country cottage, the decor of our homes make a statement about who we are. But what does your home say to those who never come inside? What is your yard saying about you?
No longer content with a lawn chair and a pot of geraniums, homeowners are taking their creativity outdoors. The results are beautiful gardens and porches that extend our living space and enhance the value of our properties.
With warm weather just weeks away, this is the time to get started. So let’s go shopping.
Lawn and garden shops abound and are the simplest way to find everything you need to beautify your outdoor space. But on the downside, they can be pricey and since they sell in bulk you may very well look over the fence and see your neighbor has made the same purchase. Feeling adventurous? Read on.
To individualize your yard I recommend a trip to an architectural salvage yard. Trellises, urns, statues, bird houses and bird baths, fountains, lattice work and unusual architectural pieces found here have been reclaimed from demolition sites and tend to be one-of-a-kind.
Antique malls abound with ideas for your porches and gardens. Throw away the rule book on this one. What about an old iron gate for a trellis, a bridge lamp skeleton to hold a hanging plant, or a small wheelbarrow turned on its side and filled with dirt to use in place of a flower bed? Working on a budget? Porch pots, wicker and iron furniture, old porch swings, rockers, and screen doors in “gently used” condition can often be found at antique shops for a fraction of the price you will pay for new.
The hardest part of yard decor can be finding a place to start. The experts at HGTV recommend starting with a center piece. From the serenity of a Victorian angel to the gothic appeal of a gargoyle, statuary makes an excellent centerpiece and sets a theme for your outdoor space. Ever money conscious, I keep an eye out for old concrete statuary at local estate sales where, due to the difficulty in moving them, they can often be had for a few dollars.
The best gardens are those that are shared. Years ago I sat an old park bench out by my backyard garden area. Now surrounded by shrubs and blooming plants, my husband retreats to that old bench with his latest novel. It has been the resting place for several young men while they waited for my daughter to finish her make-up. And my grandsons love to sit on Grandma’s bench to watch for the bunny rabbits and butterflies that visit the garden. Benches, gliders, and small iron bistro sets incorporated into your yard invite others to stop and enjoy the beauty of your handiwork.
In this area of decorating there are few rules, but do be aware of the size of your yard and decorate it to scale. Several years ago a friend of mine spent a small fortune on a retaining wall and gardens for her front yard. About half way through the construction she realized her error in judgment. While the same landscaping worked beautifully in the brochure set on a 1 1/2 acre lawn, it overwhelmed her small yard and actually made her charming bungalow look as though it had shrunk. No matter what you may have heard, I am here to tell you — size does matter! Until next time . . . Linda
Linda Kennett may be reached at 317-258-7835 or lkennett@indy.rr.com