As summer turns to winter and you want to continue to enjoy those garden accents you purchased over the season let us suggest some creative, unexpected and interesting ideas. 

Decorative ironwork in any form is a beautiful interior accent.  Create tabletops, door or window inserts, headboards or canopies, fire screens or table trivets or placemats. 

Display everyday items such as bathroom towels, essentials, kitchen spices, fruits and vegetables in a wall-mount or hanging basket. 

Turn a freestanding planter into a unique serving piece holding bottles or cutlery.  Arrange a display of indoor tropical and blooming plants for seasonal splashes and impact.  

Give your guests and family a reason to smile.  Use your garden “creature” as a doorstop, paperweight, table centerpiece with plants or candles, shelf-sitters, bookends or fireplace mascot. 

Birdbaths and feeders are versatile containers for all manner of display ideas.  Consider filling them with salt or sand and display candles, fill with water and float flowers or tea lights, make an indoor fountain with ice and serve chilled seafood or dip, hold soaps or essentials in the bathroom. 

Decorative lanterns cast a warm glow in a living room corner or on a dining table. 

There are so many uses for decorative accents intended for the garden.  It would be a shame to merely store these in the garage or shed until spring and summer once again returns.  So be creative and have some fun finding other uses for your outdoor items.

 For any questions you have on this article, or any topic of concern, email us—or better yet, come by and talk to one of our professional staff members.  Remember, Phelan Gardens is open year-round!