Rustic Winter ~ Our Fairfield Home and Garden
There’s a chill in the air, fall leaves are on the ground and it’s time to bring some rustic winter cheer to the outside of our home. Windowboxes, planters and our vintage potting sink are my favorite spots to decorate for the changing seasons. Natural, low-cost and garden-related are my preferences when it comes to outdoor decor. Here’s what I’ve come up with for this year!
Painted by our Dad, these Canada Goose decoys are the perfect touch nestled amongst holiday greens. Usually they are in a protected spot on the porch or in the house, but I brought them out especially for this windowbox construction.
Since the decoys are vintage and precious memories of our father, they won’t stay outside all winter. After dressing up the windowboxes for a while, I’ll change them out to something that can last a few winter months regardless of the weather. Garden accents such as watering cans, birdhouses and wreaths can be tucked in the greens that will last the whole winter season.
Create rustic windowboxes using branches, dried perennials and greens gathered from your own plantings. Then dress them up with garden items you already have. This twig star, birdhouse and watering can were garage sale finds.
Flanking the driveway are two large blue planters that I plant or decorate for the seasons. I don’t trim any bushes or evergreens until these winter arrangements are created, using what is growing on our property. Holly, Red Twig Dogwood branches, Arborvitae and White Pine make a lush container. This year I added glass globe plant waterers found at garage sales for a pop of extra color. I rather like it!
For now, I’m keeping it simple on the potting sink this winter, just a few touches of evergreen and pinecones. Terracotta pots and vintage garden tools keep it natural and rustic.
so lovely Barb! Natural trumps glitter every time!!
I so agree, Anne! I am just not a glitter kind of gal! :)
Beautiful!
Many thanks, Helen!
Everything looks so beautiful, Barb! I also love to use what’s in my yard for pretty winter container arrangements, but I hadn’t thought of adding garden elements like watering cans, etc. I love it!
Thanks, Jen! If they are going to stay out, I’d use the watering cans that already leak or have rusted holes. Sometimes water freezing in them will break their seals.
Barb, in the big, blue planters do you have floral foam? I was wondering if the greenery needs to be moist.
No. Jaine, no floral foam is used. The big blue planters are filled with soil which I plant annuals in from spring through fall. In winter I take them out and insert the evergreen branches. I keep the soil watered so they are kept moist.