Treasure Hill Cottage

Traditionally gardens are thought of landscapes to be viewed and appreciated during the daylight hours.  However, with an outdoor lighting system, you can appreciate your garden in the early morning or evening hours as well.  Outdoor lighting systems can include simple fixtures like the garden lantern, but also ground lighting or outdoor lamps.  The goal is to accentuate the different types of flora in your garden with light to be viewable and also appear different than during daylight hours. In addition, you will be able to see and hear the nocturnal insects and animals that live in your garden but are inactive during the day. 

Is your garden looking a little plain?  Have you got the flowers, the shrubs, even a couple trees, but still can’t figure out what’s missing?  Adding stonework to a garden can soften the landscape and bring a more natural feel to a setting with extensive vegetation.  Amongst garden stonework, there are dozens of options including statuettes, chiseled rocks and boulders, fountains, and garden stepping stones. It doesn’t take an expert to place these kinds of stonework in an attractive manner.  Treat them just like plants, clear out a space, note the height and girth of the stonework (ensuring they don’t dwarf or become hidden behind the surrounding vegetation), and simply place them to your liking.

1. Go through your cupboards and drawers to find items that can be used as props in your fall display. If you find that warm throw you forgot about, bring it out and toss it over your couch. Try layering fabrics on your tables. Pretty blankets and quilts with oranges, yellows, greens and browns can add to your fall theme.

2. Take a nature walk. Gather organic elements like acorns, pine-cones, seed pods, bark, even stones can be used as display in bowls around the home. Wildflowers and dried grasses can be displayed in pitchers or a vase. Press leaves and strew them on tables and around centerpieces.

3. Bring out the candles! If you put away your candles for winter, now is the time to bring them to center stage. Gather groups of inexpensive votives and tie together with scraps of raffia.

4. Simmering apple peels and cinnamon sticks on the stove will add the scent of the season to your home, or invest in a scented candles. They are relatively inexpensive and they come in a wide variety of scents.

5. Celebrate the tastes of the harvest season. Keep apples and pomegranates out in bowls, store squashes on counter-tops, pick up a pumpkin or two and use as a centerpiece, or pile a couple next to the kitchen door. Gourds displayed in a basket make a great centerpiece

Most of all, we should take the time to celebrate this special season with our families and appreciate the comforts our own homes have to offer.