4 Steps to Building Adventure into your Garden

May 6th, 2013 No Comments

If you’ve ever read Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic story, The Secret Garden, as a child, you’ve probably wished for a hidden garden getaway of your own. Now that you’re grown, why not create one?

We’re sharing our tips on how to build your garden into a space where you can escape to—with friends and family or all on your own.

Fairy houses

Fairy houses are a fun activity to share with children. Teaching kids to appreciate and engage with nature while they are young will encourage them to protect nature as they get older.

Here’s how to make a fairy house:

Location, location, location. Use your imagination to look for places in your yard where fairies might settle in. The base of a tree, among gnarled roots, is a great place to start.
Using all-natural materials like fallen branches, leaves, and moss, start to build the house, incorporating the location into the design.
Build out elements like porches or stairs as you are inspired. Remember to use natural materials and respect the integrity of the living plants in your yard.
For an added touch, leave tiny notes near the fairy house for children to find.

Walls, Paths, and Doorways

Garden Arch Covered Walkway In Burnett’s story a wall, overgrown with vines, surrounded the garden. You don’t need to build a full-height wall, but you can use a short rock wall or picket fencing to create visual interest and boundaries. Use trellis arches or old doors and allow garden plants to grow up and around it.

Winding paths, paved in your favorite way, add visual interest and let visitors meander through your garden enjoying all the sights.

Paving materials are limited only by your imagination, but here are some ideas to start:

Mulch
Stone
Brick
Sand
Mosiac tiles
Shells

Add a few steps up or down, where appropriate, and consider leaving a space on your path for a bench, especially if the path is long. Bridges—over streams or flowerbeds—are another fun piece to consider.

Where the wild things are

Nurture a sense of wonder in your garden by introducing visitors to the local wildlife. Feeders and baths, along with colorful, pleasantly scented flowers, provide visitors with a glimpse of birds they may not see every day. Some gardeners enjoy a small pool filled with goldfish—or a pond for frogs, for the more ambitious among us.

Hiding places

Garden Tee Pee Covered in Greens No garden adventure is complete without a place to hide. This can be as simple as the space between your house and a hedge of bushes, or as intricate as a tree house or garden teepee. The important part is that it has a secret element—something special you need to know in order to enter:

A trap door
A entrance behind a bush that doesn’t quite touch the wall
A door with a rope latch.
A window from which to peek out at the rest of the world.
A mailbox to pickup and leave secret messages
A plain-looking tunnel of bushes that opens up to a seating area with lanterns
A way to call home. Remember tin-can phones? Walkie talkies?

With the right balance of structure and whimsy, incorporating these elements as they suit your space, your garden will be a lasting source of delight, full of adventure for generations to come.

Tricks to Building a DIY Backyard Fire Pit for Next to Nothing

April 17th, 2013 No Comments

One of the greatest additions to your yard for the spring is a fire pit. They simply can’t be beat for the ambiance and functionality that they provide. Because they are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles there is always a place for a fire element on your deck, patio, grass or porch. It’s true that you can find very elaborate fire pits that are professionally created and installed that will cost you quit a bit of money- but we propose you take a look at some of our do-it-yourself versions that will add just as much flare to your space for a whole lot cheaper. And with the onset of the nicer weather- it’s the perfect excuse to get outside, get your hands dirty, and breathe that new spring air!

First up and with the least amount of effort required is the corrugated metal fire pit. By using a metal bucket or even the old bucket metal liner to a washing machine, you can get a small fire going in no time! Often you can dig up a busted washer at your local dump station or keeping an ear to the ground for those getting rid of one. Once you have obtained your bucket and are ready to add it to your yard- think about taking a can of fireproof spray paint to the metal to add a pop of color and personality. Be sure to place a cinderblock under the bucket to safe guard your deck or patio from the heat.

If you happen to have access to a few large boulders, and a way to get them pushed into your desired fire pit location, you can put together a pit that can be substantially large in size- for those with the space to dedicate to the cause. Typically surveying the land will produce large enough boulders to contain the flames, and you can’t beat free resources! Once you have your boulders aligned, fill the interior with gravel for a modern, sleek look. Before you begin all of this grunt work- be sure you are not building your fire under low hanging trees.

If you want to put a little more effort into building your pit you can gather several cinderblocks (or buy them for very cheap at your local home and garden center) and stack them to your desired height and circumference- this is directly related to how large a fire you typically plan to have so coordinate accordingly. You can also paint the blocks to a desired color with a fire resistant paint if you are so inclined to add some interested to your project. Be sure before you begin stacking that you are starting with level ground.

Don’t forget to finish your fire pit area with functional seating that is comfortable. Imagine that you and your guests will likely want to settle in for an extended period of time to relax- be sure your furniture is conducive to this. Don’t leave the space looking unfinished- add a few items that command the senses, like chimes for soothing sounds, lighting for mood and aromatic plants for a pleasant smell.

A fire pit serves many purposes; for starters it can add a touch of warmth for guests on those chilly nights. While your enjoying the heat, you can add snacks to the party by roasting marshmallows, making S’mores or cooking up some hot dogs. Besides the functionality a fire pit serves, it also is simply a very calming and aesthetically pleasing element for any yard. You will enjoy cozying up to the warm glow and relaxing, and even better you can tell your guests that you made your pit yourself for next to nothing!

Tips and Tricks to Finding Your Perfect Wind Chime Style

April 10th, 2013 No Comments

Why is it that you are looking to purchase a wind chime? If you can answer this question easily then you are on your way to narrowing down which is the best chime for you. If you are having a little trouble answering the question, start by considering the multiple aspects of a wind chime: the sounds they make, the different looks of each and whether they serve a specific function, and then decide which of those seems most important to you. To aid you in your search-let’s further explore these factors.

Consider These Factors When Narrowing Your Choice

Capiz Shell Indoor Wind Chime Blue Depending on the material used to create the chime- a multitude of sounds can be produced. You may desire the deep resonating tone of a church bell or you may prefer the light, tinkling of a pewter chime. Consider the space in which you plan to hang your chime when factoring the loudness of the chime. You won’t want to hang a very loud bell in a small, indoor room where it will be distracting to conversations or compete with the volume of the television or radio. Conversely, hanging a small, quiet chime outdoors and too far away from the action would be a waste of the musical sound of the bells. Getting the right pitch and tone appropriate for your space and preference can be a bit like Goldilocks and her search for the perfect temperature porridge- but just like Goldie, once you try a few out you are sure to find one that is just right.

With a multitude of styles of chimes you will find that this aspect of choosing the right chime is probably the most fun. When browsing wind chime sites you will likely find yourself drawn to certain styles whether it be the way the light reflects through the beachy Capiz chime, or maybe your prefer the Bamboo chime for its natural, organic tubes that give a feeling of being connected to the Earth. Pewter and glass chimes can be manipulated into nearly any favorite shape and can be an excellent addition to any specific motif. Buoy bells with their whale, shell and boat windcatchers are the perfect fit for any seaside home or for those that would like to be pretend that they are on the coast!

What Is Your Chimes Function?

Grace Note Chakra Wind Chime MultiColor Lastly, chimes can serve all kinds of functions. Take the Chakra chime for example- the seven tubes correspond to seven chakras of the body and aim to clear negative energy while instilling peaceful energy. There are any number of beautiful chimes that can be memorialized to commemorate the loss of a loved one and placed in any space that you see fit to celebrate ones life. Personalized chimes are an exceptional gift for weddings, anniversaries, births and more that can be hung indoors or out to make a creative statement about your special occasion. Chimes can also be used for very practical reasons too, you can hang them in your garden to ward off pests that seek to damage your vegetation!

At least we can say that you will not be at a loss for options when choosing the right chime for you. Take inventory of the above factors and that will really help you get a sense of where to focus your attention. The experts can help walk you through your purchase as well if you still need a little direction. Check out online dealers as well as they will help you make a more informed choice by organizing the products by feature- this will less over whelming than browsing the shelves at your local gardening store!

Musical Art for Your Home

March 22nd, 2013 No Comments

Wind chimes are an artistic expression that add musical ambience to your home, patio and yard.

Capiz Shell Indoor Wind Chime Blue

The sounds resonating from your chime are as important as the decorative aspects of your chime. They can be crafted in a multitude of materials, and while each textile will certainly change the tone of the chime, purchasers should be aware of all of the ways in which a chime can contribute to the décor of the home.

There are options ranging from wood to shell to glass wind chimes and more and each one breathes its own life into a room. For your lake cabin you might want to consider the rustic look of a Buoy Bell. These chimes are typically shaped from steel, making them an excellent choice for year round outdoor use- plus they can add a stroke of whimsy when the sail is in the shape of a boat, lobster or whale. A chime built from glass might be too fragile to have outdoors, but when placed indoors by an entry or window the playful reflections, colors and musical notes will carry through the space adding a sense of life that is great for bedrooms or sunrooms.

Each Wind Chime Breathes Its Own Life Into a Room

Nothing says you’re at the beach quite like a chime made of shell hung in your living room for guests to get the full vacation experience- these chimes come in several colors and are usually made from a shell called Capiz. It is the outer layer of a marine mollusk and is a flat, semi-transparent pearlescent shell with a striking appearance when light shines through. Bamboo is a popular material for chimes that sends a beautifully haunting tenor, and when paired with the organic simple lines of hallow wood it is a hardy, musical decoration that completes any garden. Pewter is a material that easily lends itself to the elements of both indoor and outdoor spaces and is moldable enough to create a work of art. These chimes can feature nearly any design and also often feature stained glass- making them a conversation piece in any room, garden or deck. New England Wind Bell

It seems the options are endless for choices when it comes to finding the wind chime that suits the motif of your space. It is really a matter of deciding where you would like to showcase your chime, then surveying your own personal style, while also factoring in that this piece of art is an instrument – so be sure to choose a tone that pleases you. Happy shopping!

Adding Zen to Your Green Space

March 7th, 2013 No Comments

Simple Suggestions for Calmer Green Space

backyard fire pits offer a great warm, cozy retreat for spring and summer nights Transforming your outdoors into livable space is becoming increasingly popular. Your patio, deck and yard can also be utilized in much the same way that your living room is used for relaxing and unwinding. If you would like to spend more time al fresco but are not sure where to begin, we have a few suggestions to get your area ready for reclining.

Our first favorite item is the element of fire. The warmth, glow of the flame, smell of the wood burning, and possibility of marshmallow roasting make adding any type of fire to your space a win-win for all of your senses and all of your guests. This can be accomplished by purchasing a fire pit, chiminea, or outdoor fireplace, and the variations inside of those options are limitless as far as size, price and style. No matter what type of area you have to work with you will find a fit and it will be so worth the purchase.

Relaxing backyard patio decor Seating selection is another favorite and is key to bringing the comforts of home to your green space. A look around your neighborhood gardening center will reveal the limitless possibilities for seating; goodbye to those hard plastic chairs-the industry has come far in offering couches, sofas, chaises and more that are of indoor furniture quality. This is a great place to let your personal taste shine by choosing the textiles, colors and patterns that speak to you. Want a great seating idea on the cheap? String up a hammock for the ultimate in relaxation. Don’t forget to add pillows and throw blankets for comfort and warmth on those chilly nights.

Water is well known for its calming effects and, just like our above two items, you can find any number of sizes, purchase points and styles that are bound to compliment your space. If you have sufficient area to dedicate to the cause you might consider adding a pond to the space. There are several kits available and for a reasonable price if you fancy yourself a do-it-yourselfer. You can also check out water fountains. They can range from large, grand structures to humble, tabletop sized but no matter the dimensions you chose the sounds of gurgling water resonating in your green space makes for an instant chill zone. Another purchase to consider is a bird bath – if you are an avid birdwatcher you will take great joy in spending a lazy afternoon spying on the wildlife in your natural habitat.

To truly complete your canvas accessorizing is an important finishing touch. Candles, lighting and yard art are a great start, but we simply can’t find a better product than a wind chime or three! You can find chimes to suit any motif by simply browsing all of the options. Keep in mind the size of your space- you will not want to drown out your thoughts with chimes that might be too large, or conversely choose a chime that is too small and is lost in the green. Consider placing several chimes throughout your yard: like a small pewter chime by your intimate seating area and a large cooper Corinthian bells wind chime in a tree at your property line. The tones of the chimes have been a staple in relaxing for centuries and is an absolute must for ambiance and visual interest. Once you have thoughtfully placed your chimes into your new garden of Zen, kick up your feet and unwind indulging in all of the comforts of home!