Ordered shed

Feb27

Spring is here soon, it’s the opening season of garden jobs. Starting and keeping the time schedule is much easier if all the needed tools are ordered in their place. The required space for this is defined by the size of the house and the garden, such as the number of persons living there.
The most practical solution is a separate shed with enough space for smaller jobs if it would be rainy. Put a table in it which is tall enough to work comfortable on it standing nearby (plant transplantation, labeling, cuttings etc.). Probably less closed storages are needed, the open shelving is more practical usage of space. Hang hand tools (clippers, scissors, small shovel etc.) to hooks, this way they air better after accurate cleaning and they will be close at hand. Let’s row cords, ropes and thin wires to a kitchen paper towel holder for easier handling. Make custom storage without doors for the bigger machines like lawn mower and garden grill where they can be easily pushed in and pulled out when needed. This way the space above them is free to use because they don’t balk us to reach that wall. Put the bigger tools also on hooks fixed to the wall for the ordered sight and not to bump into them. Choose a shed with window if it is possible but proper lighting has to be ensured anyhow.
If there is no possibility for a separate shed, create the place of garden tools in the garage. Broom, rake, spade etc. can be hung on the side wall. If the building is wide and tall enough, closed cabinets can be built in above head height where pots and other accessories can be stored. Nothing will accidently fall to the car standing there, thanks to the doors.
If there is enough space only in the basement or in the attic for storing garden tools, we can still follow the ideas before, it will be just more tiresome to take down and put up the needed things. Cozy working corners can be also created here with proper lighting. If there is a greenhouse, „workstation” can be organized in one of its corners too. If we have no any other chance, put a cupboard inside the house, near the backdoor leading to the garden, with doors below and open shelves above, this way the most necessary tolls will be at hand going to the garden.
An interior designer can help in creating a functional and decorative place related to the garden also.

Festive outdoor lighting

Nov14

It already gets dark early in the middle of November, so we can begin to decorate our balconies, houses and gardens with light garlands. The simplest method is to fix the tensed fairy lights to the rail or the drip, or wrap it around trees, shrubs and the pergola. It will look nice, however, we can be more creative.
Let’s buy glass or plastic LED luminous globes in different sizes. These fit very well in an urn shaped pot and a bird bath. But they can be also placed alongside the garden path. We can even make them by ourselves using old globe lampshades. Put the lights in it and seal it with a proper sized tin can at the socket. This latter can be used as a stand for stability, but we can transform it to a huge Christmas ball ornament by turning it upside down and fix a bigger hook in it.
Let’s use the hanging wicker baskets which held flowers in the summer. Pad it with light garlands with pulling out the small lights on the holes of it. Cover it with cotton wool and maybe fill it with glass ball ornaments. Hang it to its place where it was in summer. It will be a cozy sight.
If there is a human or animal shaped sculpture in the garden, it can be decorated with light garland. The garland should be formed spherical by looping it throughout itself for keeping the shape. Place it in the hands or at the feet of the statue as if it was played with.
Let’s make artificial icicles until there are no real ones. Cut the legs of some nylon stockings. Fill it with cotton wool with placing the light garland among it. Sew it at the top. Hang it under the roof, near the front door or on the patio, preferably protected from rain because cotton wool sucks water quickly.
It’s important to use only outdoor, waterproof light garlands for safety! Ask for help of an interior designer for planning the festive outdoor lighting.

Garden fire pit

Sep19

Although autumn is here, we don’t have to give up the daily relaxation in the garden. Though the air is already cooler after sunset, the patio and grass might be wet because of the more frequent rain, there are some tricks with which a pleasant atmosphere can be created.
Let’s make a fire pit near the house. Even we can build one DIY made of bricks, quarry stones, concrete etc. Complete it with an easy-cleanable garden path leading to it. If its form, color and shape fit to the house, it will be a perfect accessory which fades into the environment but it can be the integral part of the patio also.
Enough seating place will be needed around the fire pit. In the case of it is sunken in the ground, the rim can act as a bench. Cover its edge with stone or treated wood. Covered with cushions, it will be comfortable for everyone. If the fire pit is standing alone, armchairs can be put around it. Thick blankets should be put on them also beside cushions against cold. Since these can be slippery on plastic, it’s better to choose furniture made of wood or metal.
The portable fire pit is mostly made of metal, it can have open or closed firepot, in several colors and shapes. With this, it is easy to transform the summer breakfast corner to an autumn warming place. Its advantage is that it can be placed anywhere if there is enough space or where the view is beautiful.
Don’t let the autumn rain discourage us! If the wind is not blowing, we don’t have to go inside: parasols still do a good service this time also. Stand some of them above the seats and the fire. The smell of the rain and crackle of logs will be a pleasurable addition to chats.
Ask for help of an interior designer for making the outdoor cozy.