One of my clearest memories of my house growing up was a statue we all universally referred to as “the solitary imp”. The imp was a squat, grey gargoyle-like creature that sat and squinted across the fishpond. This statue has fixed itself more firmly in my mind than other part of the yard. In my opinion no garden is complete without something of the kind. Big or small, centerpiece or accent. Whether it’s a stunning museum replica or a fairy crouching among the roses, statues lend an air of mystique. They are a great way to bring your decor style into the outdoors.
Statues in the Garden
Have a taste for a certain era in art? Need a guardian to stand watch over your daffodils? Try a classical hewn stone statue like this pan with pipes from AFD. Wooden and marble statues are also popular. If you aren’t quite ready to take the plunge into full-scale museum territory, Toscano has a whole line of gorgeously rendered, lightweight statues that won’t break your budget. Whether your aim is elegance, a statement, or something more playfully whimsical, there is a statue for every garden.
Get Ready For Resin: Lighter Materials for Easier Installation
The word statue may bring to mind worries at the implications of the materials. Marble and metal are heavy and cumbersome. You might recall Michelangelo’s famous David, which required a wall to be knocked down in order for it to be set up in the museum. But most garden fountains and statues are made of modern materials–fiberglass or designer resin. Both are lightweight and highly durable. Resin is great for detailed rendering, so it’s easy to mimic old world styles and intricate carvings. Many resin statues are finished to resemble marble or stonework, and I challenge you to pick the imitations out of a lineup. Best of all, resins are quite easy to clean. They can be wiped down with warm, soapy water and a wet cloth.
Add a Little Splash to your Statuary
Fountains are statues too! A water element is perfect for a backyard. The sound and sight of running water fit right in to a garden, and can really add to the mood no matter what the theme. The possibilities are endless and the choices imaginative. Many statue fountains are made to mimic nature. There are fallen logs, trailing vines, animals on the prowl, water falling over rocks. The majority of these fountains range in height from 2 to 4 feet. Again, many of them are made of resin, which makes them lightweight. Even better, resin fountains hold up extremely well against all types of weather, and won’t erode beneath the constant flow of water.
Light It Up
What’s the point of putting up a fancy statue or fountain if you can’t see it? It’s cold now, but spring is only a few short months away, and with it comes windows open to the elements and nights spent outside in the yard. Luckily, many fountains come with lights built right in. I particularly like this tiered fountain by Toscano, with its wide bowls lit up from the inside, putting me in mind of candles or old-fashioned braziers. The choices range from a warm golden tone to a ghostly blue or purple.
Pull the Place Together
Whether it’s the delicate filigree of designer resin or the solidity of marble, the imposing snarl of a gargoyle or welcoming arms of an angel, statues are unlike any other accent. They add decoration and intrigue while still blending in as part of the scenery. With stone and marble and a little creativity, you can bring your garden to life.
