| Garden Design: How to Choose and Place Garden Art | | | | some emotional attachment to your garden art. |
| in Your Backyard | | | | Tips for placing Garden Art |
| Your backyard should relax and refresh you, but it | | | | In the garden, art becomes a focal point. Your eye is |
| should also delight you! | | | | naturally drawn to it and it commands your attention. |
| Choosing garden art that reflects your personality | | | | So where you place it is important. Put garden art: |
| and makes you feel good is an important key to | | | | - In a boring, bare part of the yard to add interest |
| creating the ultimate backyard. | | | | and stimulate conversation |
| Art can mean many things to many people but | | | | - At the end of a path to add drama |
| basically there are 3 types: | | | | - In any area to add comic relief. I have a cute |
| 1. Formal Art | | | | bronze frog lying on a back on a lily pad beside my |
| Think larger stately pieces that you see in more | | | | waterfall and pond. |
| traditional backyards, like a classic sculpture of a | | | | - In front of an ugly spot to hide dead patch |
| Greek goddess or a stone angel. Heavy iron garden | | | | - Directly in line with an unwanted view of the |
| ornaments like obelisks and sundials also work well | | | | neighbour's yard to create privacy |
| with most backyard landscape designs. | | | | - On a wall or fence to visually break up the long |
| These pieces create an old-world feel and lend a | | | | monotonous line. I have a beautiful concrete painted |
| sense of drama to the yard. Others might include | | | | face hanging on one part of my fence and a mirror |
| columns, carved fountains, birdbaths, and classical | | | | hanging on another to add interest. |
| architectural salvage. | | | | - In front of a colourful burst of foliage to punctuate |
| 2. Semi-formal | | | | the space. My classical white bird bath looks gorgeous |
| This is the most popular type because it suits so | | | | just in front of my huge pink rose bush |
| many styles of backyards. It's more relaxed in | | | | - Hidden behind some greenery so it just peeks out a |
| theme, a little more nostalgic and decorative. | | | | little to create a feeling of antiquity. This will put |
| For example, light hearted sculptures of animals or | | | | plants in the spotlight. |
| children in concrete, resin or bronze, contemporary | | | | - Within the frame of a beautiful view to enhance |
| metal sculptures of flowers and insects, stained glass | | | | the view even more. My backyard is on the lake and |
| stepping stones, artistic birdhouses, and hand painted | | | | the view is made even more beautiful by a large |
| garden pots, copper wind chimes. | | | | fountain of Poseidan the sea God that we have |
| 3. Informal Art | | | | made part of the view. |
| I call this art "your imagination gone wild". Everyday | | | | - In a rock garden to create feeling of garden gallery. |
| objects are placed in the garden to create art that is | | | | The rocks are natural pedestals for the art and |
| fun, whimsical, and even campy. | | | | create a wonderful playground for eye to bounce |
| I've seen all kinds of items used as garden | | | | around in and land on art. |
| décor like: old rubber boots planted with | | | | Don't forget about the view from inside. Take a look |
| flowers, a nostalgic wire bedroom headboard , an | | | | out your window to see where you might place art |
| antique window frame, an old-fashioned bathtub, a | | | | so that it draws you out into the backyard. |
| dressmaker's dummy, and fancy china plates. | | | | Finally, less is more. Too much garden art will make |
| Remember that the type of art you choose should | | | | your backyard look junky. All you need is a few |
| be in keeping with the feel of your backyard but it | | | | interesting pieces to personalize your backyard and |
| should also be an expression of you. | | | | give it a sense of place. |
| The most important thing is that you should feel | | | | |