Garden Charm ….5 weekend projects on my list

 

 

The other day I came home with 96 feet of outdoor café lights.

Here they are, still sitting in the boxes waiting for us to catch up with our landscaping in the backyard. But have you seen these at your neighborhood Costco yet?

 

1. hanging café lights

I checked online and saw they had great reviews so I didn’t hesitate. Because ever since I stumbled on this tutorial I’ve been wanting to add these lights to our new outdoor space.

The best part of this project is realizing you don’t have to have an outdoor structure…

…or a giant tree to have twinkling lights hanging in your backyard.

 

2. getting creative with solar lights

Speaking of lighting I saw some creative ideas for using inexpensive solar lights. I haven’t used solar lights before have you?

But tucking them into planters looks like a great idea.

 

So does this. Taking dollar tree solar lights apart and putting them into Tiki torches.

 

One project we did complete recently was to plant 4 huge palm trees as anchors for a future dining area. And we plan on wrapping them with white lights like this.

I’ll keep you posted on this project but first we still have to finish the surrounding area around them.

Right now were planning on using pavers with either regular grass or a ground covering between the pavers. Something like this.

If so, this would be the only grass in our little backyard. Because we’re in the middle of a serious drought in California our landscape decisions have been very conscientious of water usage.

3. collecting green bottles for outdoor tablescapes

Here’s something else on my mind. Saving our green wine bottles! Look how pretty they look when they’re displayed en masse…

 

Looks like I’m going to have to find a new favorite wine inside this shade of green though..which is not so easy to find. Any recommendations?

4. transforming a birdcage into planter

And finally.

Here’s something I can do with my old birdcage I just couldn’t let go of….

add some succulents to it and hang it outside.

I recently discovered a local garden designer---literally down the street--- who creates beautiful displays of succulents. You can see some of her ideas HERE.

 

 

And now that we’ve gotten rid of a very oddly placed door—

we actually have some outdoor wall space for a rustic mirror.

Molly Wood Garden Design

5. adding a mirror outside

Something similar to this one but at a great price, of course.

Which means I’ll probably be scouring flea markets and quirky shops for awhile.

(but you know me. I consider that the fun part)

 

Have a wonderful Father’s Day weekend my friends!!

 

xo

Leslie

 

 

partying at the French Country Cottage 

 

 

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