A view that's pretty enough...
Private Garden, near Port Dover ON
but has the possibility of being so much more!
It is amazing the impact a few carefully chosen, well-placed objects can have. In this post, I look how simple design moves can really effect the way we experience a garden.
Here we have a nondescript corner of a country garden. Now add in a simple ceramic pot.
Private Garden, near Port Dover ON
Before you might have walked straight in, stood there a moment, glanced around quickly and then turned on your heels and left.
Now that a big pot has been added, I think you are much more likely to stroll in a circular fashion around the pot and slowly take in the plantings.
A second look at how a well-placed object can really add that little bit extra.
It is not a clutter of things, but a single ornament that makes the best place for the eye to rest.
In this shot, there is a lawn.
Private Garden, Mississauga, ON
In this version, there is a pathway and a clear invitation to come, sit and relax.
It is always nice to send visitors down a garden path with a destination; a place to sit
and appreciate the journey.
Larkwhistle Garden, on the Bruce Peninsula
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Jennifer - I think this post is one of your best yet. These simple objects positioned properly in a garden are both achievable and realistic in designing a garden. These before and after photos are amazing! I hope you have a great weekend too!
ReplyDeleteThese little changes make such an enormous difference, Jennifer, and they are really wonderful differences.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Oh how I love Larkwhistle Garden - I have a book on that garden, so gorgeous!! Lovely demonstration, too. Your images are perfect!
ReplyDeleteJennifer, you've really opened my eyes to the art of tasteful ornamentation. It is time for me to put the pink flamingos out to pasture. I love that carved stone column....
ReplyDeleteI am going to have to do some research on Larkwhistle Garden, it looks beautiful.
I'm a firm believer in focal points in a garden, just one well placed item can lift an area of planting and make it so much more exciting. One of my pet hates is when a garden is crammed with artefacts and the eye doesn't know where to rest, less is definitely more!
ReplyDeleteA perfect day to dream up some focal points in my own garden. This is a great inspiration Jennifer, and something easily incorporated with some thoughtful planning. The photos are so well done too! Have a great weekend. Wendy x
ReplyDeleteI love this post, Jennifer! I am hopeless at design, and I read all these books on garden design, but these simple before and after photos show exactly what one change can do better than detailed explanations. I have an app on my iPad called "IScape" that allows you to design your garden, but it's not very sophisticated. I might just try some simple changes like this to get some ideas. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis really made me think. We have a very large garden - 2.5 acres, with about 1.75 in rock and forest - still a lot to care for. I am always trying to make the garden inviting and to draw the visitor deeper into it. This was so helpful and easy to follow.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautifully executed post. I love how simply and perfectly you illustrated the impact a focal point can make. Pretty, pretty pics too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great eye you have for seeing the possibilities. This is another great design post - more please.
ReplyDeleteA nice post with some great nuggets of wisdom. I often say that: a good design is working best when you don’t notice it, a bad design is one you get hit in your face with. I think that principle works regardless of what you design; a garden, a dress, a car, a baby toy or a town centre.
ReplyDeleteYour photos show that when a design is good, it works well and for me that’s really what good design is in a nutshell – not necessarily what the latest trends say we need to have!
I hope you have a good week-end, and better weather than we have!!
A beautiful post Jennifer. I love to see the bright photo's during the grey days we have overhere.
ReplyDeleteHave a great sunday.
lovely.images.certainly.given.me.something.to.think.about.
ReplyDeleteOh how I wish you could come over and help me with my garden. It is indeed amazing how the placement of one thing changes everything!
ReplyDeleteHello Jennifer girl !
ReplyDeleteYes ! ... "less is more" with tweaking ... simplicity in focal point and accessories for garden views.
This is perfect ... I have to keep this in mind so I don't go over the top with what I do ... especially with the new water feature .. I want to play with it but now I have to make sure I don't "stuff" it too much.
This was great !
Joy : )
Jennifer, I love this post. Such a great job with the photo editing. you really brought home the idea how a single focal point can change a garden so easily.
ReplyDeleteWizardy indeed! Yes, a focal point and a place to rest certainly add interest and encourage the visitor to pay more attention. A very clever post.xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's so true how one focal point can change everything. I think the plants pop more when there's something non-vegetative to contrast with. :o) Great idea for a post!
ReplyDeleteGreat illustrations! Often when we can't decide on just the right plant, the answer may not be a plant at all. I remember someone who was hurt by criticism from visitors that her wildflower garden was too wild.If she had added a path with a bench or a beautiful pot, she would have instantly appreciated what her garden had been lacking and no doubt the criticisms would have stopped.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant job friend! I just love how these objects/ornaments add just enough to these spaces! You really have a strong design eye and this post just shows that! WOW! Your photos are always so beautiful...every single one of them! A very happy week to you lady!!!! Thank your for inspiring!! Nicole xo
ReplyDeleteI keep going back to study this whole post. I understand how adding a focal point or a path is important, but seeing the "empty" shot and then the transformed shot with a pillar or path added is so informative. One simple addition and the whole feel of the space is different. Amazing. Your pictures make it so easy to see.
ReplyDeleteI love these ideas....I try to incorporate ideas like this in my garden...these will spark me as I work on plans for my gardens this year.
ReplyDeleteI love the difference the big pot made to the circular grassy area! Great job on this. :)
ReplyDeleteJennifer, Thank you for having fore thought of showing a lovely space and a return of the same space with the addition of an object that stops the eye of the garden visitor to allow a slower pace to enjoy the whole area..very good..well done!!!!
ReplyDeleteAhhh..... the art of the well placed object. I'm still learning this but I think I'm getting the hang of it. It's not as easy as it looks.
ReplyDelete