Yard Art Today

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Yard Art - An Introduction To The Many Forms of Yard Art

Yard art means different things to different people. To some yard art is whirly gigs and garden gnomes. To others it is high end patio furniture and designer outdoor rooms. To us Yard Art is anything that you place in your yard that adds to its visuals (or audio) appeal. If it makes you feel good looking at it or hearing it, it is a good thing. There is a couple of key areas when you will find a concentration of yard art; the patio, the lawn and planting beds and in the garden.

The Garden: The garden is the home of sundials, gazing balls, rain gauges, weather vanes, garden stakes and much more. A popular trend has been to make the garden a destination place by providing garden furniture, garden benches and even garden swings.

The lawn and planting beds: From flags, bowling balls, statuary, yard signs and more. The edges of lawns and planting beds are fun homes to many types of yard art. Just be sure to keep it tasteful and not over do it with too many items.

The patio:The patio is home to outdoor patio furniture, kitchens, lighting, wind chimes, outdoor speakers, potted plants, patio cushions, table decorations, candles, etc. Patio furniture comes in a variety of weather tolerant to weather resistant materials; wicker furniture, aluminum, wrought iron and wood such as teak outdoor furniture. In fact, teak outdoor furniture is a great choice due to its beautiful warm wood looks and its great weather resistance.

Other areas: Front porch, fences and gates, walkways, trees (bird feeders), doorways (door mats, plaques and signs), mailboxes for mail box covers. These places have their own unique style and functional needs.

In addition to specific areas of the yard, there are other variations around seasons and holidays. Big yard art holidays include Halloween and Christmas with 4th of July, Easter and Flag Day coming in together as a slightly less intensive group.

Creating your own yard art can be very satisfying. Project range from simple one like decorating pre-made stepping stones to building a gazebo to a full on re-landscaping project. Scale the projects to you time, skill and enthusiasm. Little projects can go a long way.

As you can see, the world of yard art is quite large but well worth exploring. Finding just the right piece can make your yard a place that brings you pleasure every time you enter it. Come explore the world of Yard Art with us as we embark upon our own adventure of discovery today!

Metal Yard Art

The grass is mowed, the garden is planted, flowers are blooming and birds are singing, but something seems to be missing. A touch of whimsy, a hidden surprise, or structure that seems to tie it all together–a piece of metal yard art may be just the thing you’re missing in your garden or landscape.

Metal Yard Art is available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, materials, and colors. It can be as simple as a welcome sign or your street address, a structural element such as an arbor or trellis, or, it can be purely ornamental like a stand of cattails, or a blue heron poised in a sea of flowers. Whatever you prefer, there are a few practical things to know and consider:

1. Would the addition of a structural element finish off your landscape to your liking? A trellis or arbor is a great addition if you have vines or climbing plants. Or, if your yard is fenced a decorative metal gate could provide just the right finishing touch. It’s a good idea to finalize structural elements in your yard before adding purely decorative touches.

2. How big do you want the art to be? Metal yard art can be miniature, or it can be life size - such as a six-foot metal sunflower. It can also be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. If the art will be viewed from all sides, you’ll want to look for a three-dimensional piece. Two-dimensional pieces are great against walls, fences, hedges, etc.

3. Is your style formal or informal? If you have a formal style, you’ll most likely prefer art that is fashioned from sheets of steel, rolls of copper, or another metal that is cut into a desired shape, welded together and finished to perfection. On the other hand if your yard or garden is more informal–art constructed of reclaimed metal objects could add just the right touch of whimsy. That’s not to say, however, that you can’t find more formal pieces made of reclaimed or recycled metal objects.

4. Do you like lots of color or do you prefer more muted or natural finishes? You can find metal yard art with a natural or rusted patina, painted black like a silhouette, or painted with bright colors that stand out amongst the other colors in your yard.

Whatever your preferences, metal yard art is a great way to add just the right finishing touch to your yard.