Garden style projects ~1

Wherever you are
Be all there ~

Gardening helps you to slow down, unwind and take time to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Who doesn't like to sit outdoors and enjoy a hot cup of tea/coffee first thing in the morning surrounded by flowers or greenery, while going through the newspaper. Whether it's a garden or a balcony , some time outdoors is definitely good for our nerves.
No matter which part of the globe you reside in, there will always be a lull period in the year as far as gardening is concerned where the weather will not be favourable for your flowers and push gardening into the background . Whether it's snow , pushing the crocus bulbs deep into the ground or the terrible heatwave resulting in total destruction of seasonal plants, there will always be that dull garden period where there will be no colour at all to enhance your outdoor space.
For all of us, who love to garden or simply love spending time outdoors, garden styling and decorating erases the lines between the seasons, between outdoors and indoors to quite an extent.
You can do innovative things in your garden adding a burst of colour here and there and changing the entire look.
Wouldn't a painted metal chair , a window frame, a brightly coloured fence, a watering can on a stone bench add the much needed charm to the garden ? Soon your balcony/ garden/ deck will become your favourite room and you'll find a nice comfortable rocking chair with a few cushions , a small table and a few books find it's way there to add to it's appeal :)
So why wait for the crocus bulbs to push their way out of the snow or the heatwave to subside till you can get back to planting your favourite plants. Start your own fresh air decorating in your garden, porch, terrace, balcony or deck with simple touches. Think about re-purposing everyday objects like adding old metal chairs with your patio tables, filling an old wooden ladder with plants, planting old watering cans with seasonal flowers and Ivy. The best thing about outdoor styling is the more weathered and worn your objects are , the more appealing they will look :)
Sharing some pictures of my own home and garden ( over the months and years ) in different seasons.  Take a look !

Grab a bunch of flowers from the florist ( if you don't have them in the garden) and fill up whatever containers you can lay your hands on. Different sizes and shapes of jars, bottles, buckets and cans are charming containers. I love to re use jam bottles and hang then at the main door with a few stalks of flowers. They welcome guests and look pretty too :)

An old lantern sits pretty right in the middle of my garden. It's rusty, worn look adds a lot of character and makes it an interesting center piece  :) I can even group together a few plants and elevate the lantern placing it on a stool right in the middle. Will try that out soon :)

Borrow textures from nature to enhance your pots and flower beds or surroundings. Natural wood and fibers along with dried flowers , all contribute in their own ways to a serene , back-to-earth decorating scheme. Choose the elements with care and strive for simplicity. Pebbles are a simple, inexpensive way to decorate . Painted pebbles add that dash of colour to the pots and here, a pebble holding the name of the plant is helpful in identifying the saplings just when they sprout.

My Sweet potato vine looks prettier just because it springs out of some pebbles arranged closely in the pot .

Bird houses make charming garden accessories. By including them in your outdoor space, not only are you adding a decorative piece but also helping the visiting birds feel comfortable and 'at home' in your garden. This bird house in my balcony entertains the birds providing shelter to them and at times,  acts as a plant holder too. Well, most of the time, it acts as a bird house :)

You can shop at flea markets, fairs and antique shops for the vintage birdhouses or otherwise pet shops for the more newer ones. A dash of paint will add to it's beauty and make it look more inviting :)










Introduce simple elements like wind chimes to add not just beauty but also a chiming, tinkling sound every time the wind rustles through your garden or balcony. I can assure you, the sound will make you smile :)

Terracotta pots, all shapes and sizes, seed packets and even tools like trowel, forks and shears are bargains of garden style decorating. Left in the elements, old tools have the worn and rusted finishes that bespeak their own hardworking past. You can group them together and stack them with old weathered pots to make a great decorative corner :)




When you dine outside, decorate your garden, terrace, balcony or deck with all the comforts of the indoors. Cover the table with a colourful cotton cloth, throw in some cushions, make sure you include your favourite flowers ( any container would do ) and define your space with a nice sisal rug along with other things. If it is alfresco dining at dusk, then do make sure you include some candles and lanterns too :)

When you decorate in this friendly style, then imagination, not budget is the key to a pretty, inviting outdoor.

Dress up your basic terracotta pots with a touch of paint. Choose your own colours to fit your own garden decorative scheme. Sporty stripes or cool stencils bring out a breezy shady retreat. Here, I just used a maple leaf stencil...dreaming of fall but it can only be a dream because fall is not for us . Autumns and Springs are just a sliver between the too hot or the too cold days . Sigh ! But dream I will :D

Another bird cage which was lying in a corner, unnoticed and neglected suddenly got noticed by a stray creeper that took over the cage and now I am waiting to see what it is. I do hope it's a lovely blue bell or a morning glory sort of thing .Imagine blue and white blossoms all over and inside this cage :)

Little butterfly sticks form an exciting decorative piece. These butterflies were from my daughter's previous birthday where we used them as accessories. Now they have a permanent place in one of the pots adding the much needed dash of colour there :)

Old cane baskets look cool and earthy outdoors. Fill them up with your favourite flowers and place them on tables, near the entrance or any place of your choice. They make beautiful decorative pieces especially when you a hosting an outdoor party. Your guests will love to be greeted in a flowery sort of way :)

So, that was just a small window to your outdoor world. There are numerous creative and stylish ways to incorporate garden elements and vintage furnishings, re purpose all manner of furniture and finds to make your garden, terrace, balcony or deck a happier place , no matter what the size is. I will be continuing this post so stay tuned for the concluding part where there are lots of  re purposing ideas as well . Do share your own ideas and thoughts connected with gardening to make it a happier affair for all of us . Have you ever used your regular household items as garden accessories ? Have you used ladders, doors and window shutters to lean against your outdoor walls or indulged in DIY projects to enhance the look of your outdoor space ? If yes, then I would love to hear it from you :)
Part 2 coming up soon !  Stay safe and keep those dreams alive :)