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Monday, June 29, 2015

Making a Wrought Iron Decorative Fence into a Plant Trellis

Something that can make a very attractive and practical type of trellis in a garden is a wrought iron fence. These decorative fences are strong and easy to use. They are simple to install and will support a wide variety of plants. It takes just a few steps to turn a wrought iron decorative fence into a plant trellis.

Firmly Place the Fence into the Ground

The first thing that needs to be done is placing the fence firmly into the ground. Choose a spot a few inches away from the plants that will be climbing up the fence. This prevents the stakes or tines from piercing the root system and causing problems. Compact the soil a bit. Push the fence down until it is solidly in place and not wobbling loosely. If the soil is very loam or soft, then add some support to the fence with a wooden stake or a piece of rebar. Tie the fence to the support. Using multiple fences will create a much more stable trellis in the end. This is important because if the fence falls, then it could harm the vines or plants.

Training the Plants or Vines

The next step is to start training the plants or vines so that they naturally start to grow up the wrought iron fence. This requires a little patience and potentially some ties. Start by trying to weave or wrap the plant around the metal bars on the fence. If the plant does not stay in place, then use some twine, twist ties or plant ties to secure it. Be certain not to make the ties too tight since that could hurt the plant or open up pathways for diseases. Watch the plant and repeat this process as it grows until it is firmly in place and wrapping around the fence automatically.

Routine Maintenance

A wrought iron decorative fence is very durable although it still needs a little maintenance when used as a trellis. Keep the fence free of debris and dirt to prevent problems. Try to water just the roots of the plants instead of blasting the fence with a hose every day or two. Remove any dead or dying pieces of the plants at the end of the growing season so that they do not damage the fence.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Tips For Using Metal Artwork For Gardens.

Metal artwork is popular for a long time in the home decor industry. People really grew to admire this modern art form for its texture and metallic colors used on them and overall rustic look. In recent years, it is widely used in landscaping industry too.

You can create a gallery of art using these eye-catching, and whimsical metal artwork in your gardens. The metal artwork for gardens is both weather-resistant and durable. All the outdoor metal artwork are sprayed on a coat of weather-resistant paint so they can be enjoyed by the family and neighbors for years to come. This outdoor metal artwork is mostly done in designs relating to the nature and elements of nature like birds, butterflies, sundials, dragonflies, animals, etc. These metal artwork come in many sizes and shapes to suit your landscaping design. They are made out of scrap metal and sheets of metal and get powder coated to last long.

You can really get creative in incorporating them into your landscape as decorative pieces or functional pieces of art. Some of the pieces you can use in the yard are weathervanes, wind spinners, wind chimes on the trees, solar lanterns along the walkway, etc. You can also decorate outdoor walls like porch walls, deck walls, and patio walls, with the wide variety of beautiful wall metal artwork available in the market. You can also use metal sculptures in the flower beds on the porches and decks to make them more inviting. Place these metal sculptures, like a pair of birds under a dwarf ornamental tree to make it look like they belong there. Some of these metal artworks are made to be either staked into the ground or hung from trees. You can get a wide variety of metal artwork for gardens mostly online and also find some of them in the home improvement stores.

The metal artwork in your garden enhances the beauty of your landscaping and also curb appeal of your home.

Friday, June 19, 2015

The Beauty of Wrought Iron Pergolas

Wrought iron combines the toughness and durability of iron with the delicate beauty of fine lace. Tendrils, webbing and even wrought iron leaves, flowers and vines gives wrought-iron pergolas a particularly Victorian look. They are ideal for any backyard or garden area.

Of all the large structures in a garden like gazebos, trellises or arbors, pergolas have flat, open and are often attached to the house. Thus, they often frame the view from the inside of the house and serve as another room.

Pergolas are also ideal for climbing plants like climbing roses and clematis. Their wrought iron frames make them strong enough for wisteria, a plant that has been known to defeat structures made of a less sturdy material. At the same time, the delicacy of the pergola complements the leaves and blossoms of the plants. Another benefit of wrought-iron pergolas is that they remain objects of beauty even in the winter, when leaves and flowers are gone. The very shadows cast by the wrought iron on the ground as the sun shines through the open roof are esthetically pleasing in and of themselves.

Pergolas also lend height to a garden that its owner might feel to be too flat, and can link up different areas of a large space. It is a good idea to have them tall and wide enough to be walked through with ease. Indeed, if there's space, pergolas can even have seating within them.

Two things the homeowner should consider are to make sure that the pergola complements the style of the house and that the components of the structure be proportional, both to itself and to the house. The pergola, after all, will be seen both from the inside and the outside.

One of the best things about these beautiful pergolas is that they can bought in affordable kits and put together by a homeowner with even modest handyman skills. Shouldn't every homeowner consider having one?

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Tips For Adding A Backyard Wrought Iron Gazebo

Wrought iron gazebos have an ageless beauty that make them an excellent structural accessory for your garden or landscape design. They can become a stunning focal point and entertainment spot in your landscape design or be the ideal place of retreat in your garden.

Decorative accessory

An unadorned iron garden gazebo is a magnificent structure that can enhance the beauty of your lawn. They are available in a diverse selection of styles and sizes. It doesn't matter whether you select a gazebo that features intricate detailing or one that features a more simplistic design, the structure itself is sure to garner compliments from people passing by or visiting your home.

Although, the gazebo alone is a piece of art, there is often an irresistible desire to decorate a gazebo. Decorations can be added to the gazebo to keep it current with the changing seasons and holidays. In the warm months of the year, a gazebo is an ideal place for climbing vines, hanging baskets and planters filled with colorful flowers.

Entertainment space

A gazebo can be furnished with outdoor living and/or dining furniture making it a comfortable place to entertain a small group of friends. Weekend brunch, afternoon tea or after dinner drinks can be enjoyed in a gazebo. As you browse through garden and landscape photo galleries, you'll see that you can add a tile floor to a gazebo area, place the gazebo on an elevated foundation or let the lush green grass serve as a carpet for the interior of your gazebo.

A private retreat

Few things could be more relaxing than spending some quiet time in peaceful solitude inside the gazebo you've placed in a semi-secluded area of your yard or garden. Occasionally, you might want to share your retreat with the kids or grandchildren. This would be a good place for story time.

The versatility of iron gazebos and their diverse designs make it possible for you to include one of these beautiful structures in almost any landscape design. A gazebo is a garden or landscape design feature that encourages you to enjoy its presence.

Saturday, June 13, 2015

What to Know About Purchasing Metal Lawn Decorations

From a log cabin to a more modern style home, metal lawn decorations are the perfect way to enhance the beauty of your yard. They can be found to match almost any color in your garden and can actually create a link between certain aspects of your home that you would like to highlight and the natural landscape surrounding your home. Choosing the right metal yard art may seem difficult at first, but as you consider your expectations, the task will become easier.

Color    
For many homeowners, the vision of their outdoor space includes vibrant colors that showcase the various colors of their flower gardens. It could be a bright orange metal flower that goes in the middle of the garden or a cheerfully painted bird of blue and yellow that will hang from a tree branch. On the other hand, if you prefer the more rustic look, you will find metal decorations of all shapes and sizes in both black and the rusted vintage look.

Size
Before purchasing any decorations for your lawn, you will want to take some measurements. You need to surround your lawn with items that are not going to overwhelm your home or the natural landscape. For example, if you own a small ranch home and you place a metal rooster that is over three feet tall on it, it will definitely look out of place. On the other hand, if you owned a large log cabin in the woods and set a six-foot tall black bear on your lawn, it may look perfect. Always keep the size in mind before purchasing your decorations.

Ease of Installation
It is also necessary to consider how easy the decorations are going to be to install. Sadly, many manufacturers make it almost impossible actually to install the decorations you purchase. If you want simple, look for those that do not require assembly and those that can easily be manipulated into your own landscape.

Purchasing metal lawn decorations should not be tough. Once you find those that are aesthetically appealing to you, you will know that it just a simple matter of time before you find your yard filled with them. 

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Decorate Your Home With Antique Interior Shutters

If you would like to redecorate your home, then an understanding of the principles of design will help. You can design spaces that are comfortable and functional with a little planning. Start with one room at a time to make the project easier. Keep a notebook of photos of rooms you admire to give you inspiration for your decorating project. Visit online furniture showrooms to get more decorating ideas.

Antique interior shutters are a popular way to emphasize windows. Consider the elements of color, furniture and accessories and window treatments when designing a room. The best way to make a small room look larger is to declutter. Get rid of furniture and accessories that you do not want anymore by donating them to your local charity. The easiest way to accomplish this is to remove everything from the room and bring back only items you love.

If you have a photo of your favorite room, it is easy to duplicate the look. Clutter makes it impossible to see the beauty of a room. Antique interior shutters can be the focal point of the room. Do not install draperies or curtains over these shutters since this will distract the eye from the shutter’s beauty. You can decorate any room in your home even if you are on a budget. Painting a room will give it a new look that cost less than $100.

Other focal points in a room include fireplaces, wall hangings or furniture groupings. Place a large rug under your conversation area to emphasize the space. Accessories such as pillows should coordinate with the colors in the room. Light colors make a room look larger while dark colors make it look smaller. Consider traffic patterns when grouping furniture together in the room.


Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Using An Urn Planter Pedestal in Your Decor

There are many ways to incorporate annuals and perennials in the home landscape. These flowers can be planted directly in the ground in garden beds. Another option for an easy, quick update to porches and decks is using an urn planter pedestal. Raised planters are an ideal solution for homeowners looking to beautify their property. Urns placed on pedestals on either side of the front entryway makes a lovely welcome. Multiple pedestals can be strategically placed on a patio to create an attractive barrier between neighboring yards. Additionally, a few planters on pedestals can be used to divide the patio seating area into garden rooms.

Choosing the plants to include in the planter is quite simple. Once the location for the pedestal has been determined, decide whether this area will be in full sun, part sun/part shade or full shade. A trip to the local plant nursery will offer the greatest selection of appropriate flowering plants to fill the planter based on the amount of sun it will receive during the day. Potting soil should be used in the planter. Topsoil is not a good choice because it does not have the proper nutrients for the flowering plants that will be placed in the urn.

A rule of thumb for selecting the flowers is to choose one plant that has height such as an ornamental grass or fern; this will be placed in the center of the urn. Then choose pretty flowering plants that will bloom throughout the growing season to place around the tall center plant. Finally, choose trailing plants that will spill outside the urn. Good options include sweet potato vine, sedum or ivy.
An urn can be planted differently depending on the look the gardener is trying to create. An evergreen boxwood shrub, surrounded by cascading ivy, is a classic look. Billowy Queen Anne’s Lace will create a cottage garden feel. For a formal design, clipped topiaries placed on an urn garden pedestal, is a perfect choice.

Friday, June 5, 2015

Welcome Guests With Reflected Light

Antique tin ceiling tiles can make your home stand out from the crowd. Artistic, independent and creative personalities might want to purchase these tiles to replace the boring, artificial, standard ceiling tiles. Here are the benefits of antique tin ceiling tiles.

"Welcome Guests With Reflected Light"

Many housing developments simply reuse the same home style over and over again. In some boring developments, people get lost ending up at a neighbor's house that looks just like theirs. The same dull and boring building materials are used for all of the houses on the block.

The most exciting homes offer their own unique designs. Tin is a natural metal that will fit in with your natural surroundings. Using tin tiles will show that you are more eco-friendly. You don't have to worry about hazardous chemical run-off or disposing of hazardous ceiling tiles.

Some of the most beautiful architecture in the world uses shining domes or ceilings to gain the attention of onlookers. The Versailles Hall of Mirrors is full of light due to the combination of light and metal. Homeowners can now purchase affordable tin ceiling tiles to show off their own panache. This beautiful art will add plenty of resale value to a home also.

Restoration of old buildings can be difficult when people try to match original materials. Antique tin ceiling tiles fit in nicely with older buildings. This classical interior will create a more comfortable living space. These antique tin ceiling tiles could be used for a bar or restaurant. Patrons will spend plenty of time talking about the great reflective ceiling.

Antique tin ceiling tiles are difficult to find. Purchase your tin tiles before they are gone. Make your classical home or business full of light and give it a touch of style with antique tin ceiling tiles.

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Adding a Small Wrought Iron Gate to Your Home

Wrought iron has a timelessness that can add long-lasting beauty to your landscape. Wrought iron fencing is an enduring, attractive way to define your entire property or a specific portion of your property.

A small wrought iron fence is an excellent way to outline a garden. A simplistically styled fence can function as unobtrusive framework for your flower garden. The beautiful collection of colorful blooms will still be visible through the fence. Small wrought iron gates are available in various designs. A gate that features a smooth curved top would complement the simplistic theme. If you prefer, you can select a more decorative gate that will add elegance to your fenced area.

Whenever you think of a gate, you probably visualize it as the entry way into an enclosed area. If you put that vision aside and let your creativity take charge, there are other ways a gate can be used. A free-standing small wrought iron gate can be used as an accessory in your garden. You can lean it against a tree and use it as a support for a climbing vine. A small gate could be used as a "headboard" for a raised bed filled with colorful flowers. You can add a sense of mystery to your garden by placing a gate between two trees that stand near each other in the garden. The gate will make people pause to ponder what wonders await those who walk through the gate.

In addition to using wrought iron fencing as a way to define a boundary, you can incorporate the beauty of wrought iron into your outdoor decor in numerous other ways. A wrought iron gazebo would be a stunning focal point for your landscape design. A wrought iron arch or trellis would also be an attractive addition to your outdoor space. A garden screen would add charm and character to a herb garden. Whether it's a large area you want to fence in or a small garden space you want to attractively frame, wrought iron creations are a durable, timeless and attractive way to accomplish your goal.

Monday, June 1, 2015

How To Install Metal Gates And Fences

A metal fence gives your yard or garden a nice, tailored look that allows you to see past the fencing for a better view of the landscape. Metal gates and fencing require regular maintenance to ensure it stays safe from the elements. Calculate the number of fence panels you need to get started. Call a utility company to come out and mark your gas, water, and other utility lines before you dig.

Metal Fence Tips

Measure the area where you want to fence with a string and stakes. Ensure the area is straight and level before you dig your fence posts. You will need fence panels, posts, brackets, concrete, and gates. Posts that are secured with concrete are not difficult to dig using a post digger that you can rent or buy. Mark the post locations with spray paint to ensure the correct location. Posts that are topped off with caps or finials make a beautiful addition to your yard. Mark the screw holes for brackets below the top of the posts.

A drill and masonry bit is required to install brackets. The fence panels are pushed into their correct position using a helper. Dig the post holes at least two feet deep and eight inches wide. You can rent an auger that is powered by gasoline to speed things up. Pour concrete into your post holes according to the manufacturer’s directions. Let the concrete dry for at least 24 hours before proceeding to the next step.

Install fence panels using brackets, nuts and bolts that you purchase with your metal fence. Use more concrete when setting the posts for the gate. This will ensure the gate and surrounding posts are strong enough to handle extra wear. The hardest part of installing your own metal fence is the post hole digging.

Rent an auger from your local hardware store to simplify this step. A metal fence adds beauty and warmth to your landscape while keeping pets and children inside your fence. It is not difficult to install your own fence, and you will save hundreds of dollars by not hiring an expensive contractor.


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