Friday, January 24, 2014

Before and Afters (with a little Photo Wizardry)


A view that's pretty enough...

Private Garden, near Port Dover ON

but has the possibility of being so much more! 

It is amazing the impact a few carefully chosen, well-placed objects can have. In this post, I look how simple design moves can really effect the way we experience a garden.


Here we have a nondescript corner of a country garden. Now add in a simple ceramic pot.

Private Garden, near Port Dover ON

Before you might have walked straight in, stood there a moment, glanced around quickly and then turned on your heels and left.

Now that a big pot has been added, I think you are much more likely to stroll in a circular fashion around the pot and slowly take in the plantings.


A second look at how a well-placed object can really add that little bit extra.



It is not a clutter of things, but a single ornament that makes the best place for the eye to rest.


In this shot, there is a lawn.

Private Garden, Mississauga, ON

In this version, there is a pathway and a clear invitation to come, sit and relax.


It is always nice to send visitors down a garden path with a destination; a place to sit 
and appreciate the journey.

Larkwhistle Garden, on the Bruce Peninsula 




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Have a wonderful weekend!

25 comments:

  1. Jennifer - I think this post is one of your best yet. These simple objects positioned properly in a garden are both achievable and realistic in designing a garden. These before and after photos are amazing! I hope you have a great weekend too!

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  2. These little changes make such an enormous difference, Jennifer, and they are really wonderful differences.

    Have a great weekend!

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  3. Oh how I love Larkwhistle Garden - I have a book on that garden, so gorgeous!! Lovely demonstration, too. Your images are perfect!

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  4. Jennifer, you've really opened my eyes to the art of tasteful ornamentation. It is time for me to put the pink flamingos out to pasture. I love that carved stone column....

    I am going to have to do some research on Larkwhistle Garden, it looks beautiful.

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  5. I'm a firm believer in focal points in a garden, just one well placed item can lift an area of planting and make it so much more exciting. One of my pet hates is when a garden is crammed with artefacts and the eye doesn't know where to rest, less is definitely more!

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  6. A perfect day to dream up some focal points in my own garden. This is a great inspiration Jennifer, and something easily incorporated with some thoughtful planning. The photos are so well done too! Have a great weekend. Wendy x

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  7. I love this post, Jennifer! I am hopeless at design, and I read all these books on garden design, but these simple before and after photos show exactly what one change can do better than detailed explanations. I have an app on my iPad called "IScape" that allows you to design your garden, but it's not very sophisticated. I might just try some simple changes like this to get some ideas. Thanks!

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  8. This really made me think. We have a very large garden - 2.5 acres, with about 1.75 in rock and forest - still a lot to care for. I am always trying to make the garden inviting and to draw the visitor deeper into it. This was so helpful and easy to follow.

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  9. What a beautifully executed post. I love how simply and perfectly you illustrated the impact a focal point can make. Pretty, pretty pics too.

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  10. What a great eye you have for seeing the possibilities. This is another great design post - more please.

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  11. A nice post with some great nuggets of wisdom. I often say that: a good design is working best when you don’t notice it, a bad design is one you get hit in your face with. I think that principle works regardless of what you design; a garden, a dress, a car, a baby toy or a town centre.

    Your photos show that when a design is good, it works well and for me that’s really what good design is in a nutshell – not necessarily what the latest trends say we need to have!

    I hope you have a good week-end, and better weather than we have!!

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  12. A beautiful post Jennifer. I love to see the bright photo's during the grey days we have overhere.
    Have a great sunday.

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  13. lovely.images.certainly.given.me.something.to.think.about.

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  14. Oh how I wish you could come over and help me with my garden. It is indeed amazing how the placement of one thing changes everything!

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  15. Hello Jennifer girl !
    Yes ! ... "less is more" with tweaking ... simplicity in focal point and accessories for garden views.
    This is perfect ... I have to keep this in mind so I don't go over the top with what I do ... especially with the new water feature .. I want to play with it but now I have to make sure I don't "stuff" it too much.
    This was great !
    Joy : )

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  16. Jennifer, I love this post. Such a great job with the photo editing. you really brought home the idea how a single focal point can change a garden so easily.

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  17. Wizardy indeed! Yes, a focal point and a place to rest certainly add interest and encourage the visitor to pay more attention. A very clever post.xxx

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  18. It's so true how one focal point can change everything. I think the plants pop more when there's something non-vegetative to contrast with. :o) Great idea for a post!

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  19. Great illustrations! Often when we can't decide on just the right plant, the answer may not be a plant at all. I remember someone who was hurt by criticism from visitors that her wildflower garden was too wild.If she had added a path with a bench or a beautiful pot, she would have instantly appreciated what her garden had been lacking and no doubt the criticisms would have stopped.

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  20. Brilliant job friend! I just love how these objects/ornaments add just enough to these spaces! You really have a strong design eye and this post just shows that! WOW! Your photos are always so beautiful...every single one of them! A very happy week to you lady!!!! Thank your for inspiring!! Nicole xo

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  21. I keep going back to study this whole post. I understand how adding a focal point or a path is important, but seeing the "empty" shot and then the transformed shot with a pillar or path added is so informative. One simple addition and the whole feel of the space is different. Amazing. Your pictures make it so easy to see.

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  22. I love these ideas....I try to incorporate ideas like this in my garden...these will spark me as I work on plans for my gardens this year.

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  23. I love the difference the big pot made to the circular grassy area! Great job on this. :)

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  24. Jennifer, Thank you for having fore thought of showing a lovely space and a return of the same space with the addition of an object that stops the eye of the garden visitor to allow a slower pace to enjoy the whole area..very good..well done!!!!

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  25. Ahhh..... the art of the well placed object. I'm still learning this but I think I'm getting the hang of it. It's not as easy as it looks.

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