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Outdoor Decor

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Have you noticed that items that you would traditionally use indoors are finding their way into your garden?

Items such as wall ornaments, sculptures, benches, swings and unusual containers all create interest and a homey atmosphere. Outdoor decorations have to be of durable construction, so select displays of lasting metals, stone, baked clays or simulated woods to survive the elements.

Much outdoor interest is also generated through the landscape designs that often include vignette gardens full of unusual plants and ornaments displayed within easy view.

Some design Asian themed gardens with flowering plants, tropical foliage and brightly glazed containers. To capture even more attention, you might include a water feature of a carved stone mortar from Java that’s ideal for floating blossoms.

What types of items have you begun to use outdoors that you would never have thought of using outside 5 or 10 years ago?






Wrought Iron Garden Decor

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I just came across an online store that I think my fellow gardeners might enjoy, and well, anyone who likes wrought iron pieces in or outside of the home. The company appears to specialize mainly in indoor wrought iron works like Metal Wall Hangings, wine racks, wall candle scones or candle holders and kitchen accessories.

When I discovered that Wrought Iron Decor also carried a line of items for the garden I was especially pleased. I was looking at two different types of welcome signs – one is a horse, and one is an oval welcome sign. I think I like the oval one best. Take a peek and let me know if you prefer one of these over the other. As I browsed through the site it didn’t take too long before I discovered that they also sell wrought iron flower boxes. I particularly like the Lindsay Ornate flower box.

Am I wrong in thinking that all gardeners enjoy pieces made of wrought Iron – indoors and out? Or is it just me? I always stop and look at metal art work when I come across it.

Gnomes in the Garden

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My poor husband. I’ve been having fun torturing him with the thought of our garden being filled with gnomes – everywhere! LOL Don’t get me wrong. We both enjoy the cute little fellows but I’ve been teasing my poor man with the idea of hundreds of gnomes placed throughout our garden beds.

I think he might be starting to dream of gnomes.

To back up my little trick on my unsuspecting husband I went looking for sites about gnomes and I found a really good one. There’s quite the assortment of garden gnomes and information at PhenomeGNOME. I love this site! It’s chalk full of everything gnome.

There’s a Gnome forum where you can chat with other gnome lovers and collectors, Gnome Gallery that you can send photos of your gnomes to, perhaps with a story about your gnome. Another interesting feature of this site is the Gnome guide where you can learn the history of gnomes- both fact and fiction. For example did you know that by most accounts, gnomes originated in the icy vastnesses of Scandinavia.

There’s even a brand new Gnome blog called MissGnomer’s Blog. MissGnomer used to hate Gnomes until she discovered ceramic gnomes. She purchased a few of them and her fascination grew until she wanted to know everything there was to know about gnomes from their history to lore.

Vintage German gnome If you love gnomes you must visit this site. You can read about the history of german garden gnomes along with the story of one of the first garden gnome creators August Heissner. If I were to start collecting gnomes, and I’m just saying, I think I’d want to collect some of the vintage beauties like I saw at PhenomeGNOME. There gorgeous!

Naughty Gnome I quite enjoyed the Naughty Gnome page on this site. My husband has a wicked sense of humor and I think he might go for one of the naughty gnomes. Perhaps we’d be able to move on from there and get one or two more “tasteful” gnomes if we got a humorous one first. I’m sure some of you have seen naughty gnomes or perhaps you even have one or two of your own. They just make me laugh.

I’d love to find a bobble head gnome. Now that would be cool. It would also be a gnome that could travel with you if you kept it in the car. You could travel from place to place and take pictures of it at famous or scenic location just as some people do with their garden gnomes.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention PhenomeGNOME welcomes visitors to submit stories about their passion for gnomes, how they got started with gnomes, and stories about what you do with your gnomes – such as keeping one at the office or taking one on trips with you. You’re also invited to share photos of your gnomes or collection. I think they’d eventually like to have a photo gallery of gnomes from all over the world.

So, should I stop torturing my husband with the thought of hundreds of gnomes throughout the garden or should I let it rest for a while? I think I might bug him for a little while longer.

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