Small gardens don't have to be one dimensional. With some well thought out design, there's no reason why you can't make them a flexible space for the whole family to enjoy. Follow our small garden renovation story.
Recently when I judged The 68th Chronicle Garden Competition, preceding Toowoomba’s Carnival of Flowers, I chose ‘Terrara’, a garden growing mainly Australian native plants as Gra…
Native grasses, towering gum trees and panoramic views help draw the award-winning Elemental House into its natural surrounds.
Stilla Group, an Australian based manufacturing company, specialises in Modular DIY storage and outdoor products. View our Cedar and Keter Sheds here.
Making the switch from exotics to natives completely transformed this garden and both the owners and local wildlife are reaping the rewards. See more.
Private yet permeable, defensive yet decorative, this lively new addition on a constrained Melbourne site both enriches family life and animates the neighbourhood.
Sorting out a multi-level garden with beds sporting vibrant, low-growing plants has made this coastal patch in Torquay a standout.
% White garden: The best plants to create a white border %
When you step inside Bec Berrell’s family home it’s hard not to immediately feel relaxed. From the wide hallway to the high pitched roof, gas strut window and views to the pool and garden, this home exudes the “holiday at home” vibes Bec laid out on her vision board.
The speedy house renovation of Elise Cook and her husband Domenic Palumbo. Turning an old 70s brick house into a white weatherboard dream home. Before and Afters and home styling tips.
Native plant expert Digby Growns shares his favourite trees to plant in your own garden.
An English country house with bags of charm.
Transforming an unruly garden was top priority for winemaker Ed Swift and his wife, Emily, at their country property in Orange, NSW.
Jake Arnold's The Expert list includes Cortney Bishop, Tiffany Duggan, Lauren Caron and Monica Stewart – who impart their wisdom here
There are many ways to go with glazing at the back of your home. Let these ideas inspire you
The Surrey Hills project is the ultimate in outdoor entertaining. The space features an alfresco kitchen, wood fireplace and laser-cut steel pergola.
Learn how to create your ideal outdoor living space with help from the experts. Discover 12 tips for creating a backyard barbecue area, covered patio and more.
Paul Bangay created this exquisite garden to befit the architecture, historical value, and scale of the residence.
A covered deck linking every part of this coastal home has kept a Sydney family close.
Rural Retreat - Sinuous lines of box hedging and bold swathes of perennial planting define the garden spaces and unite this contemporary barn conversion.
Be inspired by the dramatic makeovers these gardens have had, and get ideas on how to boost your own outside space
Creating the illusion of a bigger garden in London Brief Michelle and Jonathan wanted to create the illusion of a bigger garden in London. They also wanted to extend their kitchen into the garden, so when the bifold doors opened, it's the
This Brunswick East project is a practical space that maximises area with minimal waste.
Making the switch from exotics to natives completely transformed this garden and both the owners and local wildlife are reaping the rewards. See more.
◾ Add this Wacky Sun to any space inside your home or outdoors on your porch or patio for the perfect finishing touch!🌞 This unique Sun will also make a memorable wedding, housewarming, birthday, Mother's Day or 'just because' gift!🛍 ◾ Precision Fiber LASER cut "Wacky Sun - The Original", artisan crafted from 14 gauge steel, in other words, our cut-lines are smooth & clean and our metal is thick.👍 ◾ Available in the following overall diameters...**see measurement explanation below: (accurate to within about a 3% tolerance < or > of the stated sizes) ◽ 10" ◽ 12” ◽ 18" ◽ 24" ◽ 30" ◽ 36” 🔆 The Wacky Sun has an irregular shape and is measured by the overall dimension. For example, a 36” Sun will fit inside a 36” diameter circle…please see the example of a 36” Wacky Sun from our drafting software in the picture gallery. Most of the visual mass is in the center of the Sun so if you'd like your Sun to 'appear' as large as possible for your space you will want to order 1 size up. ◾ This item comes with MOUNTING HOLES!✨ ⚜ You get so much more for your money by choosing RapidArc! We use the most sturdy sign steel in the industry, our 14 gauge steel is thicker (without being too heavy) than the 16 or 18 gauge steel used by our competitors and once you hold your beautiful sign, you will feel the superior quality of our premium steel.✨ ◾ WHAT'S INCLUDED: ◽ 1 EA (Metal sun like the example photo) ◽ Mounting hardware is NOT included.🛠 ◽ Finished in durable indoor or outdoor POWDER COATING...all finishes rust and fade resistant!🌦 ◽ 9 - Standard Powder Coated Colors and Finishes to choose from!🎨 (Add'l UV/Chemical/Corrosion Resistant Sealant available for extreme desert sun🌵☀ or salty air conditions⛵🌊, scroll down for details) ◽ Lettering will be in all uppercase with all 'typeset' styled fonts (ie. Split Letter Monogram) the exception of 'accented' names, instructions are located in the "add personalization" box. ◽ Cutout stencilized font styles (ie. Campsite Lake Scene Name Sign) may be lettered either upper or lower case so please enter your personalization info EXACTLY how you would like it to appear on your sign.👀 ◽ Graphics & Font are not customizable for this listing BUT Please contact us through the Etsy messaging system for custom design request. ◽ All items are custom-made to order and cannot be canceled, returned, or exchanged. 🚨 All sales are final. 🛒 Please be sure to DOUBLE CHECK that your information and size/color/personalization choices are correct and that your address is accurate before placing your order. All items are handmade, custom to order and go directly into the production process once they enter our system, therefore we CANNOT make changes or cancellations once your order has been placed. NO CHANGES OR CANCELLATIONS PLEASE. Thank you for understanding!! 📦 ---Free Professional Packaging and Fast Shipping to the continental United States. --- *If ordering from Alaska or Hawaii please message me for a shipping quote before placing an order. --- We do not do offer expedited shipping or shipping holds/deferment at this time. 💯 MADE IN THE USA🇺🇸! All of our superior quality Metal Art is laser cut from premium 14 gauge American steel and handcrafted with pride by skilled Artisans in our family owned and run Michigan based shop. Our durable, baked on Powder Coated finish will resist rust for years in normal outdoor conditions and we are an ORIGINAL maker of the Wacky Sun.🌞 ◾ Note: The pictured item is an example of a finished item that uses this graphic image. Your actual item may vary in a format based on your specific personalization details and any needs that your text may require. Thank you for shopping with RapidArc Designs!🛍 ◽◽◽◽◽◽◽◽◽◽◽◽◽◽◽◽◽ ▪▪▪ RapidArc SHOP POLICIES and IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURES and INFORMATION ▪▪▪ 🔎 PLEASE take a moment to review the detailed information on SHOP POLICIES, SHIPPING, POWDER COAT FINISHES (disclosures, care & maintenance), MOUNTING IDEAS below which address our customers most FAQ's...You will find them most helpful, thank you!!👇👇👇 ---POWDER COAT FINISHES and RAW METAL--- 📎 All of our items excluding the raw metal options are powder coated. We use a high-grade powder coat finish to color our items. Powder coating provides a beautiful long-lasting finish but like most household items, it will require proper care and maintenance. All items should be handled with care. 📎 Our powder coat manufacturer recommends that a clear coat sealant be added over the powder coat at least once every 1-2 years for any products that are used in ordinary outdoor conditions in order to extend the life of the finish. 📎 AN ADDITIONAL CLEAR-COAT SEALANT WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ITEMS BEING DISPLAYED IN EXTREME OUTDOOR CONDITIONS - All of our powder coat finishes are weather resistant for normal indoor/outdoor use, but if your item will be in prolonged, intense direct sunlight (ie. desert type conditions☀🌵), or if you live within 75 miles of a marine (salt) body of water (ie. beach/coastal type conditions☀️🌊), you will need to apply an additional clear-coat sealant to your Metal Art to extend the life of your powder coat finish and protect it from premature weathering/chalking/rusting/corroding if your item will be displayed outside in either of these extreme climatic/geographic conditions. PLEASE NOTE: Saltwater/salty sea air is known to be quite corrosive even in a matter of months and it will require a periodic application of a clear-coat sealant at least once per year to maintain the integrity of the powder coat finish. (Possibly more often in some cases***) 💥 WE OFFER an additional UV/Chemical/Corrosion resistant Clear Powder-Coating Add-On! If your Metal Art will be exposed to intense conditions (mentioned above) or if you simply want to extend the longevity of your finish, we will coat your item with UV/Chemical/Corrosion resistant Clear Powder-Coating 'in house' for a flat-fee...you can get more information or order by clicking the listing link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1209295761/add-on-uv-clear-powder-coating 📎 If your powder coat chips be sure to IMMEDIATELY touch up the spot with a clear coat sealant to reseal the raw metal underneath to prevent rusting. 📎 Raw Steel is bare un-coated steel. RAW STEEL CAN RUST even if kept indoors. If the metal is exposed to moisture or humidity it will rust, even inside the shipping box. Refunds/replacements will not be given for rusting or scratched raw steel items. 📎 FOR RAW METAL ONLY SIGNS - Raw Metal without a clear coat WILL rust and/or weather, even indoors. The clear coat sealant will protect the sign from rusting and weathering. If you ordered a Raw Metal Only sign and would like us to add a clear coat to your item, please order the UV Sealant Add-On within 24 hours of placing your original order. ALL RAW METAL may show flaws and imperfections that naturally exist in the metal. This may include scratches, flecks, gouges, burns, rings, dark spots, etc. This can give the metal a unique, rustic, or rugged appearance that very popular in the 'Modern Farmhouse Décor' style. If you would like these characteristics covered, we recommend selecting a colored powder coat finish. Raw Metal also varies in color from light silver to black depending on the mill lot...we have no control over the color of raw metal. ----CANCELLATIONS, RETURNS & EXCHANGES---- 📌 Due to our exceedingly rapid turn-around time we DO NOT offer cancellations or changes. (ie. By the time most customers decide to cancel or make a change to their order, their item has likely already been cut) 📌 Items are custom made-to-order therefore I DON'T accept returns or exchanges BUT please contact me if you have any problems with your order. --------DAMAGED OR INCORRECT ORDERS-------- 🏷 If the item you ordered arrives defective or incorrect, PLEASE contact me through the Etsy messaging system to discuss. Please allow me to respond to your issue before leaving feedback on your order, my goal is for my customers to have a positive experience and I ask for the opportunity to make things right if my shop is at fault. 🏷 Items DAMAGED BY SHIPPING---In the event that your item is damaged during shipping we offer two options: 1.) 50% refund if the customer is willing to straighten the item themselves (applies to metal art, metal is malleable and often can be bent back into place) OR 2.) We will replace the item with a new one. {{The customer MUST send me pics through the Etsy messaging system so I can verify the damage and activate this process.}} ---------CUSTOM/PERSONALIZED ORDERS--------- 💠 Due to our rapid turn-around time, once an order is submitted it goes to production in a very short amount of time, therefore, WE CANNOT MAKE CHANGES ONCE THE ORDER IS PLACED. 💠 If ordering a custom or personalized item, it is your responsibility to READ THE PERSONALIZATION INSTRUCTIONS and please clearly & accurately provide the information required, with in the stated parameters, for us to complete the order correctly. **A good example of a clear personalization submission would be: Top line: 36082, Bottom line: OTTAWA DR, Initial: S, Name: SOUTHWORTH (example for entering personalization info for an Elaborate Monogram) **Please carefully proof-read your personalization spelling, monogram letter(s), your finish selection, size, and quantity before you submit your order because we cannot make changes once the order is placed. 💠 We do not provide free "PROOFS" or "MOCK-UPS" for custom/personalized items, excepting custom design projects, this keeps our our production rate fast and costs low so that we can offer extremely competitive prices and short lead-times. 💠 All designs are the sole property of RapidArc Designs™. -------SHIPPING AND DAYS OF OPERATION--------- ⚠️ Once the shipping provider has confirmed an order status as being "delivered" in tracking, we are not responsible for any lost, stolen, or missing packages. It is the customers responsibility to ensu
Renovations and house stuff are never as quick, easy or cheap as you think. I'd expected all of the work inside our house to be completely done so we could focus on the garden this year. But we've not finished the bathroom in our house. Or even started on the garage renovations. So it got
We speak to designers Abigail Ahern and Miria Harris, who share their tips on how to make the most of your garden over winter.
Tucked away with a view across an Oxfordshire lake. This garden contains a music studio, treehouse, a hidden hut with fire pit area
Rosemary Coldstream’s planting design is bespoke to reflect each garden owner and their lifestyle. We serve London, Harpenden & Hertfordshire, call us today to discuss the best plants.
Marian Boswall will be giving a number of talks this year, here are all the details.
Early last fall I had the opportunity to visit and photograph a gorgeous garden in SW Portland, in fact it was so wonderful it took me two days to share all the photos (you can see them here and here). As I worked my way through that garden I discovered something fabulous around every corner. Spiky Yucca rostrata shared a garden with some of my favorite Agaves as well as big leafed Colocasia, Palms, and even a few Passion Flowers and an amazing Restio. I was never sure what I would discover next. What surprised me most though was this… I’d never seen anything like it. At first my thoughts came close to wondering “what were they thinking?” The lines were so strong, I didn't really get it. Plus I was still feeling pretty strong about not putting rocks in the landscape "just because." However the longer I stood there and stared at it the more I liked loved it. But then I forgot about it. That is until a recent post by Mark and Gaz at Alternative Eden took me back. They had visited the RHS garden at Wisley and posted several photos of their visit. This one in particular struck a chord with me… And this one too (photos used with their permission)… Then just a little over a week later I saw this… On Prairie Break, the blog of Panayoti Kelaidis (photo used with his permission), he was writing on the topic of Rock Garden Design and included the above photo of Sandy Snyder's crevice garden which he said is now 15+ years old. Are you sensing a pattern here? Later that same day I got an email from the owner of the original garden (up top) and an invite to come see his garden and take some follow-up pictures. Yes of course I did! (sorry, you’re going to have to wait a bit longer to see all those photos). However this time I approached the crevice garden expecting it, anticipating it and heck I had a name for it now too! And it looked amazing, the plants had grown in quite a bit and the lines created by the stone were not quite so harsh. I asked about the inspiration behind this part of the garden and the owner/gardener credited Sean Hogan with the vision, adding that the material is basalt, salvaged from the previous home owner's landscaping. Hmm, even better that they didn't truck in loads of rock to create this, but rather used what was on hand. I’m inspired. Ideas are percolating. I’m not sure exactly where this will lead but I’m enjoying thinking about it.
"Dear Tara, This portion of Meadow Talk follows your writing of gardens as sacred and redemptive landscapes. Joel Salatin is the editor of Stockman Grass Farmer and writes the column." LD . Began a letter, above, mailed with a stamp, from a post office, last March. . Knew Joel Salatin, and his PolyFaceFarms, not his column for Meadow Talk in the newsletteer for Stockman Grass Farmer. . Salatin included in his column, concerns of MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, professor, Otto Scharmer: "...we're in a civilisational crisis involving three issues: economy, democracy, and education. As a trend predictor, he finds universal agreement on three things: 1. The old civilization is moving in the wrong direction and 2020 was when we hit the wall. 2. I want to participate in a new story. 3. I don't know how. He says the new economy starts with agriculture, including taking city people to the country in order to offer living ecosystems to connect with soil and farms. He envisions future farms being a nexus of university, church and factory. In other words, farms will be hubs of intellectual, social, spiritual, and physical development. He sees that as the solution to the three areas of crisis: environment, economy, and spirit." . Ca. 1987 I discovered Tara Turf, touring historic gardens across Europe. No lawns there. . Tara Turf is local. Providential to each locale. Evolved with soil, trees, flora, watershed, fungi, bacteria, fauna. Your serotonin & dopamine? Your mental outlook? Not in your DNA, in your microbiome, fed by soil microbes. Formed across millions of years before humans. . Lawns were created post WWII, they had to sell their bomb making chemicals somewhere new. Pouf, mothers with young children were their target, to keep their babies & children safe from 'bugs'. . Tara Turf, below. Nearer a house, mowed lower, yet keeping majority of its benefits to soil, watershed, flora, fauna, YOU. No need to travel to a regenerative farm to experience redemptive agriculture. Site it, Providentially, around your home. Tara Turf is your micro-realm of Earth ministry. Given to you. To be given by you, with the gift of discernment. Tara Turf, for most, is something you will have-to-do. Once you have Tara Turf it something that happens-to-you. In goodness, love, Nature, health mental/physical, transcendence. . Understanding backwards, Rainer Maria Rilke: "Living the questions embracing uncertainty allow for intuition." . Hence, you've read this far, your intuition. Tara Turf was pure intuition for decades. LD, sending the real post office mail to me, above? I designed Tara Turf into her acreage 8 years ago. Two years into the process, we learned together, Tara Turf is maximum pollinator habitat. Tara Turf, is life given from Providence. . If you dare go a step further, Tara Turf is your stewardship. "In the course of creative endeavors, artists and scientists join fragments of knowledge into a new unity of understanding." Vera John-Steiner, Psycholinguist. . What is your narrative now, in your landscape? Describe it to me. The elevator narrative, floors 1-10. "We are constantly being invited to be who we are." Henry David Thoreau. Adore her hose reel, above. Easy watering. "....only the ego can blind an artist to the recognition that all creative work begins with imitation before fermenting into originality under the dual forces of time and consecrating effort." Maria Popova . "There is no love without truth, there is no love without discipline, there is no love without responsibility both from the one loving and from the one being loved." B. Mosquito. . What I know about love, and my garden. I love my garden, my Garden loves me. Slow down. Let that sink in. You love your garden, your garden loves you. . "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely, in all your ways be mindful of Him; and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6. . Yes you can create your garden, the one abiding in your soul. Put words to it. Plenty of word soup here, and you'll make it better than mine. Why do you think I have to share? I love it so dearly, and know you want it too. . My hunt has been, life Pastoral, its bucolic idealism and sentimentalism removed. And what did I find, decades later? Love. . Man #4, did not flinch. Those 3 men fleeing my request for Tara Turf? Tara Turf did not suit their economic foundation for nice trucks, trailers, mowers, weed-eaters, payroll, chemical & fertilizer applications, irrigation system. AKA, industrialized landscaping. Why tell you? I'm an 'expert' and ran into this dystopian nightmare of industrialized landscaping. It's not you, it's your wanting Nature in your garden. . Industrialized landscaping is monetized to take away everything we gain from our Garden: power, justice, wisdom, truth, grace, forgiveness, epiphanies, health, redemption, righteousness, discernment, stewardship, beauty, love. . Everything in my life, is in my Garden. . Garden & Be Well, XOT . All pics, above, here. Man #4 said to me, "No client has ever told me they love their clover, much less want it tall." . Tara Turf is a wall of division, or pure excited love, in my life, with others. . Question I asked in my Commonplace Book, maybe a year ago, "Why the agrarian garden? It's God AMPLIFIED." Below that, I wrote this prayer, Let me act toward impossibilities you see in me God, do not let fear win. . More from the same page of my Commonplace Book: Agrarian began with the Divine. Agriculture began with the profane.
Private yet permeable, defensive yet decorative, this lively new addition on a constrained Melbourne site both enriches family life and animates the neighbourhood.
