Gardening and the love thereof is something that tends to be passed down through the generations. That’s certainly the case in my family – whilst appreciating the beauty of the gardens my Mother created in my youth, I never really had a passion for the actual craft, that is, until I bought my first little cottage and discovered the joys that various plants could bring and indeed that feeling of nurturing and crafting something unique. For me it’s trial and error and I tend to act on aesthetic impulses, however, one of the most exciting things about a garden is, it is in effect a whole other room. The Stylish Stuff guest writer, Michaela Twite explains how you can bring so much more to the space – other than plants that is, and explores all those gorgeous little extras that make a garden special and a something to engage with. All that old junk that you have no use for; rickety wooden step ladders, mirrors that don’t tell it like it is, ornate birdcages you thought were a good interior idea once upon a time. Well, they can all look rather ‘wonderlandish’ in the garden. Here’s a little inspiration for you. Over to Michaela;
“There are many things I’ve learnt since having a garden but, for me, these are the most important: Firstly – a garden is like having another room, and that requires time and work. Luckily without the need for a vacuum. Secondly – gardens can be expensive (“I’m sorry, I can’t do drinks this week – I’m off to the garden centre on Saturday…”) but in a very rewarding way. Finally – there is simply no better feeling than watching your garden come to life every spring. It makes me smile every morning. Unless the foxes have used my lawn for digging practice. Or as a toilet. Or rubbish bin. But hey, you take the rough with the smooth.
There are so many utterly gorgeous, unique and inexpensive hacks you can use to make your outdoor space look stunning, starting with these ideas right here:
Bird cages
I’m totally not in to caged birds, but I love ornate old metal bird cages in the garden. They look lovely with ivy growing over them, trailing petunias cascading down the sides or bunched together with candles inside as a table centrepiece. And they can adorn so many places in your garden – on stands, hung up, on the ground or on a table. Just be aware of where you place them if they have burning candles inside.
Wooden ladders
Not just for reaching the handbags you’ve stored on top of your wardrobe, ladders work perfectly in gardens. You can treat them first to prolong their life, or leave au natural to weather with the seasons. Pile them high with herbs in terracotta pots, lean against a fence and train clematis up, or even remove the back to create a single ‘shelf unit’ that can be attached to a wall and then adorned with trailing plants. Ladders are especially great if you have a small garden as they can create a stunning ‘vertical’ display in a small space.
Old chairs
Reclamation yards and shabby chic shops are full of metal or wooden chairs ripe for a garden makeover. Rickety old metal chairs can be set up with a table and draped in plants and candles, and old wooden chairs (think old school chairs or children’s stools) can be set up on patios and decking as quirky plant tables. Or put a cushion on top and create a cosy summer sleeping place for a cat.
Mirrors
Such a favourite of mine! People are clocking on to how stunning – and practical – mirrors can be in the garden, so much so that you can now buy styles specifically designed for outdoors. But you can also pick up a huge selection of metal and wooden-framed mirrors from the high street, ebay or antique/shabby chic shops. Mirrors are also perfect for smaller gardens as they reflect light and open spaces up. But there’s no other reason to want one (or 10) in your garden than they create an ethereal, romantic setting. And encourage fairies. Honest.
Ornaments
Thankfully we’ve moved on from gnomes these days. Instead, surround a stone horse’s head or Victorian bust with wispy grasses, or shade it under a tree; arrange a group of metal chickens pecking in the vegetable patch, or hang wooden birds from branches.
And here’s a tip for giving stone ornaments a perfect, aged look: Slather in live yogurt using a paint brush and cover the whole thing with a plastic bag for 2-3 weeks. This will allow the cultures to grow, creating the greeny black patches that give that delicious antique look.
Candle holders
What’s not to love about soft, flickering candelight? Lanterns and old silver candelabra bring the inside of your home right out to the garden, and again, left in the elements, these age gorgeously. Jam jars make pretty and practical tea light holders. Once you have a collection of different-sized jars, use flexible craft wire wound round the top to create handles and then hang them in trees and bushes. Just add Pimms and friends…
Fairy lights
Laced through bushes, wound round a tree stump, flickering in tree branches or enveloping a stone statue, fairy lights can transform a garden and highlight your favourite areas. And best of all, they offer all-year-round beauty. A garden must-have.
Bird feeders and baths
Keeping our feathered friends fed and watered is so easy to do in style. A stylish hanging ceramic or metal pot or bowl with a lip – allowed to fill with rainwater – makes a beautiful bird bath. Hanging alongside a metal lantern (that has had the glass carefully removed and the base filled with seed), you’ve just created the prettiest-ever bird service station.
The possibilities are endless in your outside space, regardless of its size. Metal watering cans, wooden wheelbarrows, bird boxes, insect houses, gardening tools, wooden shutters and doors, or even an old leather boot or welly… let your imagination run wild. But mostly, enjoy!”
The Stylish Stuff Weekly Shop
Inspired? Well here’s the temptation part. Some simply great sites and markets that will help you track down those rustic finds. Don’t forget your local charity shops – they can be a good source for old chairs, tables, chests of drawers that given a lick of paint, will look wonderful in the garden. A chest of drawers once treated is the perfect place to store old terracotta pots, your gardening tools etc…HAPPY SHOPPING.
www.gardentrading.co.uk – a great go-to for the less shabby, but equally chic buys. The Stylish Stuff loves the Large Malmesbury Planter £50, Aldsworth Pot Ladder £75 and Orkney Squirrel House £32.
http://www.coxandcox.co.uk – if you don’t have the time to trawl the markets and antique shops, this site offers a treasure trove of ideas for home and garden. My favourite buys? The Rusty Red Hens, from £18.75 each (currently on sale), the Fabulous Extendable Festoon Lights £45, the Two Aged Metal Bird Cages £95, and the Elegant Metal Bistro Set in Taupe £225.
www.marksandspencer.com – for well-priced metal garden-ware, M&S brings this verdigris hued bench to the table. Pile it high with comfy rustic cushions – or – let it age in the garden decorated with different sized terracotta pots. Rosedale Bench Sage £119.20 (on sale), This Mini Bird Bath £22.50, will look great on a table or atop a log in a quiet corner of the garden. Fill with water or birdfood but ensure you keep it well away from prowling cats…
…and the others;
http://www.sunburyantiques.com – best known to those in the KNOW as simply ‘Kempton. This is a mecca for those seeking the wild and the wonderful. Well worth a visit. Visit website for dates.
www.notonthehighstreet.com – always worth a scour. These caught my eye; Felbrigg Hanging Lantern £33.50 and Hanging Metal Bird Feeder £21.90.
Style Director Shelly Vella
Garden Editor Michaela Twite
Collage images via Pinterest