No matter how stunning your house is, it won't show its full potential unless the land around it is well-kept and thoughtfully designed too. In fact, great landscape design can make the simplest house look like something spectacular. An easy way to give character to your yard and add that extra wow factor is to use metal garden art.
Garden art is a way to give your personal piece of paradise an instant face-lift. It can be small, simple pieces or something huge and intricate. With the movement to recycle more, pieces made of found objects such as broken gardening implements or parts from old washing machines or car engines are quite popular. There is almost nothing that can't be changed into an artwork and metals such as iron, bronze, aluminum and copper will last a long time.
If you want to make something yourself, it's best to start with a simple project such as signs made of wire. Use wire that is quite thick and then simply bend it into words or phrases written in cursive lettering. These can be fixed to outer walls and used to show the street number, for instance. Another option is to fix the finished words to pieces of wood or even to trees. A functional way to use them is to make signs that indicate which flowers or herbs you've planted.
For larger projects such as sculptures, you'll have to be able to weld. This is why many people opt for buying sculptures instead. However, with some basic welding skills and lots of imagination you'll be able to create striking pieces, from realistic-looking animals to fantasy creatures. The most important thing to remember is that the sculptures should be in harmony with the natural environment. A bronze cat curled up in a flower bed or a cut-out woodpecker fixed to a tree are some examples.
If you have a flair for engineering, you'll enjoy making kinetic artworks. These pieces are designed to have moving parts. Some people use batteries to power their kinetic sculptures but you can also utilize the energy created by the sun, the wind or even the rain. Weather vanes and wind spinners are among the simplest kinetic pieces to create.
A great thing about garden art is that it doesn't have to be without function. Use it to embellish gates and fences, for instance. Create sculptures that can double as trellises, plant holders or even bird baths and feeders. They may even become the place where discerning birds build their nests. To turn your roof gutters into instant water features, make rain chains. These are so simple that the kids can help make them too.
After some time being exposed to the elements, your metal art pieces will start rusting. You can prevent this by treating the pieces with special rustproofing paints or sprays. However, many people prefer the rusted look because it blends so well with the plants.
You don't need to despair if you don't have the skills or the time to create your own pieces. Most landscaping supply stores sell metal artworks designed for the outdoors and you'll also be able to order stunning pieces online. If you want something that nobody else has, though, your best bet is to commission a skilled artist to make you a masterpiece or two.
Garden art is a way to give your personal piece of paradise an instant face-lift. It can be small, simple pieces or something huge and intricate. With the movement to recycle more, pieces made of found objects such as broken gardening implements or parts from old washing machines or car engines are quite popular. There is almost nothing that can't be changed into an artwork and metals such as iron, bronze, aluminum and copper will last a long time.
If you want to make something yourself, it's best to start with a simple project such as signs made of wire. Use wire that is quite thick and then simply bend it into words or phrases written in cursive lettering. These can be fixed to outer walls and used to show the street number, for instance. Another option is to fix the finished words to pieces of wood or even to trees. A functional way to use them is to make signs that indicate which flowers or herbs you've planted.
For larger projects such as sculptures, you'll have to be able to weld. This is why many people opt for buying sculptures instead. However, with some basic welding skills and lots of imagination you'll be able to create striking pieces, from realistic-looking animals to fantasy creatures. The most important thing to remember is that the sculptures should be in harmony with the natural environment. A bronze cat curled up in a flower bed or a cut-out woodpecker fixed to a tree are some examples.
If you have a flair for engineering, you'll enjoy making kinetic artworks. These pieces are designed to have moving parts. Some people use batteries to power their kinetic sculptures but you can also utilize the energy created by the sun, the wind or even the rain. Weather vanes and wind spinners are among the simplest kinetic pieces to create.
A great thing about garden art is that it doesn't have to be without function. Use it to embellish gates and fences, for instance. Create sculptures that can double as trellises, plant holders or even bird baths and feeders. They may even become the place where discerning birds build their nests. To turn your roof gutters into instant water features, make rain chains. These are so simple that the kids can help make them too.
After some time being exposed to the elements, your metal art pieces will start rusting. You can prevent this by treating the pieces with special rustproofing paints or sprays. However, many people prefer the rusted look because it blends so well with the plants.
You don't need to despair if you don't have the skills or the time to create your own pieces. Most landscaping supply stores sell metal artworks designed for the outdoors and you'll also be able to order stunning pieces online. If you want something that nobody else has, though, your best bet is to commission a skilled artist to make you a masterpiece or two.
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