| Before moving to my current country home I lived in | | | | This focus on structure and art creates the formal |
| the busy downtown of a thriving metropolis with the | | | | settings beauty. |
| typical urban courtyard garden. However, I | | | | The magic of a well-placed ornament is its ability to |
| transformed this postage-sized parcel into an oasis of | | | | help create the ambiance you desire in your garden. |
| calm and elegance through the usage of | | | | If you desire a formal setting, then, the placement of |
| ornamentation. My eclectic mix of old stone urns, | | | | a graceful stone sculpture or a pair of detailed |
| large garden finials, aged looking sculptures and | | | | Grecian urns, will aid your design. In a Japanese style |
| composite stone benches, created a true "outdoor | | | | garden, a large simple stone lantern will create a |
| room" effect. It was the perfect setting for summer | | | | stunning visual, while in an informal setting or English |
| parties or family gatherings as it was in effect, an | | | | garden, a fleeting glimpse of an object is all you |
| extension of my home. | | | | require. Be careful of using an eclectic blend of |
| Ornamentation can give a flavour of excitement, | | | | pieces, making sure to focus on creating unity in your |
| innovation, formality or comfort, depending upon | | | | ornaments style, color and usage. |
| your design. Objects, sculptures and other pieces | | | | I personally enjoy mixing both beautiful objects and |
| work best in a garden if they are "permanent" in | | | | "found" objects into my gardens. The sight of my |
| their placement. This consistency creates both visual | | | | plants intermixed with urns, sculptures, fountains, |
| interests in the winter months, as well as providing a | | | | columns, obelisks and tuturres, brings both pleasure |
| stage for your summer entertaining, while allowing | | | | and interest. Ornamentation is a completely personal |
| you to monitor your gardens constant evolution and | | | | matter. Be guided by the scale, inspiration and mood |
| flux. | | | | of your garden. |
| Ornaments are particularly well suited to create a | | | | Tips |
| focal point in both a formal and informal garden | | | | One significant (large) sculpture or architectural piece |
| setting. However, we all need to remember, myself | | | | is usually enough for a very small garden. Centrally |
| included, that a garden could become overwhelmed | | | | positioned, it will become your focal point (i.e. a large |
| by too many, or too large of an ornament. In an | | | | stone ornamental urn on a raised bed). |
| informal setting, you should integrate your ornaments | | | | Smaller, "curiosity" pieces should be hidden throughout |
| with your plantings. This is achieved by matching | | | | your garden to create a "surprise glimpse" effect. |
| colour tones, and by corresponding the size and | | | | Soften sculptural and architectural pieces by training |
| density of an object to your planting. In a formal | | | | vines, or growing moss on them. |
| setting, ornamentation usually takes center stage. | | | | |