My Garden Retreat

My Garden Retreat
photo Gridley Graves for Country Living

Topiaries in Tinker

We are now 14 days away from the Christmas Open House at Horton's!
Everyone has been so busy wrapping up last minute details ...we can't wait to share them with you!
But today...

I spent the morning out in Tinker House!


Do you notice anything different?
 a few weeks ago we installed a new window over the  sliding doors...
Creating an awning!


 Then added some reclaimed brackets and finials.


Years ago I bought 3 vintage brackets that had been taken off of an old house.
2 were installed on the cottage...


And when we found this wonderful old blue window ...
I asked my hubby to cut the third one in half to support the new window awning on the front of Tinker.



On the back side ...we added another reclaimed window over the sill.


This was a perfect fit!


Almost as if it were meant to be!

The weather was absolutely perfect so I took the opportunity  to plant some of the mini ferns and ivies I took from the pots on  our deck.
I try every year to do this....But don't always have the time!


I decided to use galvanized pots because they will look great in my utility room which is where they will be moved in a few weeks.

These pots and mini buckets do not have  holes  in the bottom so I put a layer of packing peanuts at the base of the pot to help with water drainage. I don't want my roots to be soggy!



I then added the potting soil...
The Ivy plant and a wire form I made from an old coat hanger.


I then gently wrapped the ivy around the wire frame.


Finished off by adding additional potting soil and in some of my pots...
Added  a really cool moss!


I love this little pot from IKEA. It reminds me of eyelet. I thought this one would be great in my little bathroom window in the cottage.


I watered and fed them with miracle grow and left to sit in the sun for a few days!

Now,where's my misting bottle?


I hope you find some time to do something outside during this glorious season too!

Until next time....

29 comments

  1. What a beautiful post. I love the window as an awning...it is just gorgeous. I'll bet you are getting so excited for the show that you can hardly stand it.

    I love the peace that I feel like you are surrounded with when you are there potting! xo Diana

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  2. How creative! Love what you did with the awning windows, and the finials finish it off. What a wonderful space. I'm thinking that hanging scale is pretty cool too. Thanks for sharing your little world out there...wishing I had one too!

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  3. Tinker looks good in any season. I love the new additions too!

    How exciting to be just days away from the Christmas Open House at Hortons. I know it will be spectacular and can't wait for photos!

    Enjoy your weekend. Come visit me at my new blog when you get a chance.

    www.alice-dreaming.blogspot.com

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  4. Oh how I adore Tinker and your newest additions. The window awnings do look just like they belong. Ferns and ivy and your little wire shapes in sweet little pots are simply wonderful. It is good to see you puttering around and enjoying your spaces.

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  5. Donna...oh I how love Tinker...the new trim and glass awnings do look like they were custom made for your sweet folly.

    I wish you a lovely weekend! We are going to be in the rain, so inside projects shall prevail!

    ~Lynne
    [w/L]

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  6. Omg, i'm madly in love with Tinker House, i want to live there. And... your little pots with ivy and the coat hanger and moss is the best idea ever in the world. Your window awnings are so clever. Will you and your husband adopt me... so i can live in tinker house, and plant pots of ivy and stuff?

    Cindy

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  7. This post felt like you and I just chatting. Love it.

    Can't wait to see Tinker in the winter and snow again.
    14 days YIKES!
    xx
    z

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  8. I love Tinker house and what a wonderful idea of using windows for awnings and those brackets are great.

    Have a lovely weekend ~ FlowerLady

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  9. Do you take overnight guests? What a beautiful cozy picture perfect place that Tinker House is. I want to show it to my hubby and ask him to build me my own on my property...you must so enjoy spending time there. I love what ytou did with the brackets/window! Just beautiful!

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  10. Oh my gosh....I had to pin a few of these images before I could comment this morning Donna! This is the best ever of Tinker!! I love seeing how smart you are with making the awnings and then you top it off by showing us how to make sweet topiaries in your tinker house. I am madly in love with tinker (as you know). This made my day! I can just see you out in that space doing your thing~how fun. Someday I am coming out and having a tour in person!!

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  11. I love the addition of the awning! I would love to come to Horton's, not sure if I can swing it or not!
    tot

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  12. I know you think that the 'it-was-meant-to-be-fit'items are just luck. But these treasures found their way to you because they would be loved once again.
    I love the images taken inside Tinker looking out, it gives the view you have when you are enjoying your time tinkering.

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  13. Owwwww...i love that house !! enjoy a happy weekend...xxx...

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  14. Hey sweetie! I love the new additions to Tinker. You two are really amazing, you know that? The awnings look like they are meant to be.
    Leave it to you to make a cute heart out of an old hanger!!!
    Love for the day!!!

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  15. Oh Donna, everything is wonderful, I'd love to be there with you playing inside "Tinker"! xoxo

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  16. you are phenomenal! Just gorgeous! Happy halloween.
    Leslie

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  17. Every time I think you can't make tinker any better you do make it better.

    good luck with the show prep!

    x
    Carole

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  18. Quel post ravissant ! Chaque photo est un enchantement ... j'adore venir vour voir car la beauté est là toujours ...
    Merci encore une fois et bonne préparation du show !:!
    Belle journée
    Solène

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  19. That window as an awning is just over the top fabulous! Tinker is incredible! Love the use of the coat hangers to make the flower forms for the ivy, too. Thanks for all the great ideas. Can't wait to see what's happening for the big reveal!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  20. The awnings! The topiaries... oh girl! LOVE IT ALL!
    I wish I could see it all in real life!
    Hugs!
    Have a pretty day!
    Kristin

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  21. Tinker house is just lovely...the ivy climbers you made are great !
    Gail x

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  22. I love this little house. How awesome. It is so cute.

    Ruth

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  23. I have loved your little house from a-far for sometime- what a wonderful place to day dream in-
    Thanks for sharing your talent.
    I'm going to pin this.
    Happy day

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  24. Wish I could spend the morning in Tinker House!!

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  25. As always, LOVE Tinker House! The awning is a purrfect addition! And I learned something new - packing peanuts in the bottom of pots with no holes! Ha! Wait til I tell "her". Bet "she" will be impressed at how smart I am ;)

    Purrs!

    Romeo

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  26. your holiday open house is sure to be a huge success! and the window awnings?... genius!

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  27. So pretty...love what you did with the brackets...what a wonderful spot!

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  28. whoops... missed this one. Cute post and I love the awnings.
    See you soon
    Love ya
    RE

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  29. The Tinker House is just amazing. The windows are such a great addition. Topiaries are one of my favorite things and they look so good in the buckets. Have a great evening.

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~Donna Reyné