Water is an important component of the classic garden, be a fountain or a garden lake
Water in the garden
Archives
Winter garden
The beauties of the winter garden
Flower decorations
Flower decoration always makes a cheerful mood in the home. We can bring in the nature to our home with it.
The most effective way is to use seasonal flowers for decoration, this way the actual season can be seen in the interior also without the need of complicated changes. The cut flowers can be put in a jar covered with color paper or fabric, in an old metal kettle or those with shorter stems in a decorative mug or glass also. If the present bouquet is wilting, untie it and place the flowers one by one in soft drink or beer bottles which are already washed. The sight will be stronger using color bottles if they are rowed on the mantelshelf, dining table or windowsill. The flowers with soft stem can be strengthen with a thin green wire rolled over the stem, this way they will keep their poise. Let’s cut off the flat or smaller flower heads (campanula, daisy, marigold etc.) at their base: they will be a nice table centerpiece putting in a glass bowl full of water, even combined with floating candles. Inner doors can be decorated with door wreaths as well. Potted succulents, ornamental cabbages and topiaries fit to every interior thanks to their moderated colors.
In case of some flowers, care should be taken to the stamens because pollen can stain the cloth under the vase. For example: lily or tulip. Lily never should be put in the room of a pregnant lady, an ill person or babies because its strong fragrance might cause headache or feeling of sickness. On the contrary, the fragrance of lavender and chamomile not only calming but they are perfect moth hunters also.
Instead of flowers, catkins and budded branches can be collected in spring, grasses and big leaves in summer and berried branches or color leaves in autumn. In winter, the patio, the place around the front door or the garden itself can be decorated by frozen flower heads or berries in ice. Only an ice cube tray and water are needed for this. They freeze in the freezer in an hour or two. Put in a pyramid, they will be vivid dash of colors on the top of the outdoor table, under the bold trees or near the stairs. Ice wreath can be made in the same way in a tube-pan. The ready pieces should be tied with a ribbon on the branches of trees, the garden gate or the stair-rail.
If you wish a classy flower decoration in your home, ask for help of a style adviser for implementing your ideas.
Treehouses
Treehouse for every kids!
Winter
It’s winter again, the season of snow, clod and ice. The garden and the nature is not dull this time neither, since we can get inspiration from them.
Most plants and animals are having rest now. The amount of colors is limited and we can see muted hues. Nature is like an elegant lady in white coat. Characteristic winter colors are black, white, cold greys and browns, pine green, steel blue, cold red, ice blue and silver.
In our home, we can realize a really spectacular atmosphere by these colors. We can balance their coldness by the fire blazing in the fireplace and lots of candles. Use mood lighting instead of general lighting (standing or table lamp, hidden LED lights). Cover the couch with fur or polar blankets. Silver framed mirrors reflect the light of candles. Let’s use curtains made of light, monochrome or patterned material fabric with silky shine. Use middle hue paint on the walls, e.g. steel blue or gray-brown, which provide the background for the romantic and elegant mood. When purchasing decorations and accessories, choose the ones made of glass, shiny metallic or crystal. Using a muted red cushion, painting or vase, we can control the view of our guests creating focus points. Wooden floor, upholstered chairs, christal chandelier and wardrobe made of dark wood is a perfect combination for a winter style interior. White on moldings, doors and mantel can provide freshness in the view.
These colors have to be used with care, since the result can be very rigid. For an elegant winter home, ask help from an interior designer.
Bird feeders
A choosy bird feeder gives food for winter to songbirds and nice view to us
Pergolas
We can configure a cool resting place or a shady esplanade in the garden with a plant covered pergola
Outdoor stairs
Steps leading to the house must be not only nice but also safe
Autumn
Autumn is here again, the weather turns a bit colder and rainier. The nature prepares for winter time but before this, it provides a colorful sight. Almost everybody likes the warm, inviting colors of autumn landscape. The leaves of plants have thousand shades of yellow, orange, red and brown, beside the green spots. Claret, dark purple and ochre can be also found among the ripe colors of fruits. Walking on the soft leaf-litter feels good. The blue color of the sky becomes a bit grayish but bold colors flash under the autumn sunshine.
This season is the easiest to bring into our home. The mellow, warm colors aren’t hard to harmonize and making the space cozy. The brightness can be well blunted with beige or off-white walls, furniture get big emphasis at the front of it. If a daring total effect is desired, let’s paint the walls color mustard, brown or even claret or deep purple. In this case, furniture can be lighter, for example coffee brown, grey or darker beige. Brown leather sofa, wooden floor and natural wooden furniture are perfect choice for an autumn interior. Wool, chenille, velvet and thicker woven textiles can be used. Leaf, tartan, damask and paisley patterns fit for this very well. Woven baskets, glazed ceramic vases, wrought iron or wood decorating objects in the mentioned colors look good as accessories. Put autumn flowers (e.g. rose, lily, aster) or berries (e.g. wild rose, cotoneaster, sorb) or leafy branches in the vases. Put a bowl full of chestnuts and walnuts in the middle of the table. The luckier can lit the fireplace also, which light gives additional warmth to our home. Rather table and floor lamps and mood lights should be used instead of central lighting.
Resort to skills of an interior designer for implementation if you like such a friendly, cozy mood in your home during the whole year.
Orangery
A cleverly designed orangery built to the house will be usable all over the, which increases the value of the house also.
Firstly the purpose of the additional „room” has to be decided. It can be useful for anything else beside keeping and wintering plants: reading nook, playroom, additional dining room or living room. It is practical to build in a French door in its garden side for opening it up with the garden in good weather, this way creating an airy but covered outdoor seating place.
The building can be ordered from professional companies, which deliver it in the desired size, color and material after on-site survey. The frame can be made of metal or wood. The first one is the most common because it needs less care and sturdier. Any other color can be chosen beside the classic white, which matches to the house. The advantage of green is fading into the garden view. Black gives a more characteristic look, and also a beloved color for a long time. As far as possible, the roof should be made of the same glassed framework as the walls. Not only for the sake of a more uniform and beautiful appearance, but also for the plants to get more light.
It’s practical to choose a kind of tile or hardwood covering for the floor. These don’t warp by moisture which is important because of the plants kept here. If carpet is preferred, let’s choose one made of coir or sisal. They are nature-looking and easy cleanable. It’s worth to lay a smaller carpet on the tiled floor in winter for improving comfort.
The cooling-heating question has to be solved during the building phase for the sake of all-year usage. Floor heating is the simplest way. If the frame is put on a lower parapet wall, long but narrow radiators can be placed also which will be almost invisible. The proper shading is a must against sunshine and over-warming. Roll-up or roman blinds are the best fitted solutions. They highlight the beauty of the structure with their simple and clear lines. An UV-proof fabric should be chosen for it which looks good with the furnishing also. Don’t forget the roof! It’s practical to make more glass panels openable for the better ventilation.
Attention should be paid to the problems linked to the room’s special features while furnishing, e.g. moisture and strong sunshine. That’s why garden furniture with metal or bamboo frame are good solutions which are more resistant than upholstered indoor furniture. Lighting is important if the room will be used in the evenings also. Let’s treat the orangery as an ordinary room and use floor lamp, chandelier, table lamp and wall scone. The frame commonly suits for hanging a chandelier but it should be discussed with the professional when ordering.
This room is transparent on all sides because of the glass walls. So, pay attention to safety by proper locks and alarm system. During the holidays, it will be a spectacularly decorated room to enjoy from the garden.
If you are not sure about what kind of orangery fits for your house or just want to furnish the present one in style, ask for help of an interior designer.
