| Dress up an entrance to the backyard with an iron section from a fence or heating grate, easily mounted with screw eyes and wire. Lattice beware! | | Late-19th-century iron beds were often made with botanical motifs, so theyre an ideal accent for the garden. Transformed into a gate with a few pieces of hardware, an antique headboard helps soften the impact of stark, new fencing, while a footboard blends naturally into the garden as a support for climbers and a backdrop for coneflowers. | | Glamming up the garden is an easy way to expand your living quarters without bothersome building permits. For instance, hang a picket-framed mirror on a fence or a brick wall. Enhance the look with an iron or marble-topped console table placed below it; a ménage of plants in terra-cotta pots perched on top will complete the tableau. | | Before adding to the pile in your garage, or worse, the landfill, consider using banished household items in the garden.
A favourite piece of china with an unfortunate chip can live on as a plant tray (chip to the back), while a bit of imagination and some simple soldering can transform renovation material such as copper piping into an artful obelisk.
Flea markets and garage sales are always well stocked with bargain items calling out to be re-purposedwith the added bonus of being fun destinations for family outings.
So stand back, squint your eyes and picture that unloved piece of iron fencing thriving somewhere in the garden.
THE FIX IS IN Before deciding on whether to paint, stain or strip an item, clean it first with a strong cleaner such as TSP (trisodium phosphate). Its surprising how different objects can look with all the grime and buildup removed.
After cleaning, allow furniture to dry completely before sanding.
Instead of a harsh chemical paint stripper, try one of the gentler, citrus-based formulas that dont contain methylene chloride.
Exterior paint for metal: There are many on the market available in spray or for paint-on application to seal metal and retard rusting.
To keep antique wicker in good condition, vacuum regularly with a soft-brush attachment and protect it from the elements: sun will dry out the natural fibres while dew, rain and snow will lead to warping.
Marble is porous so it can stain quite easily. Try applying Future, a floor-wax product, as a sealant for marble tables used outdoors.
PICKET FENCE MIRROR HOW-TO: Materials & Tools Pickets, mirror, 1/4" plywood, handsaw, tape measure, screwdriver, screws, clear exterior silicone caulking, picture hanger and nails for hanging.
Instructions Cut pickets, rails and stiles to length. The outside dimensions of the finished frame should be about 1" bigger all around than your mirror.
Place pickets face down, position stiles as shown and screw stiles to pickets.
Position rails snugly against top and bottom stile edges and screw to pickets.
Apply a generous bead of silicone around the perimeter of the front of the mirror, staying within 1/4" of the edge. Turn mirror face down and press onto back of frame.
Cut plywood backer board (not shown) to match finished frame size. Screw backer to frame, being careful not to overtighten or damage glass. Attach picture hanger.
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