~ Arbor Built with Architectural Finds ~

I don't know about you but I love vintage architectural pieces.and I especially love the hunt to find them. Vintage pieces are getting harder to find and they are getting very pricey.

The idea for this huge arbor has been dancing around in my head for some time. I can explain my ideas to James Baxter, carpenter extraordinaire, and he builds what my heart desires. James gets me!!! I wanted a beefy sturdy arbor embellished with my salvaged architectural pieces that had been stashed in the garage. So I used plinths, gingerbread, corner pieces, corbels, spindles, cool screens, and a old Mexican light fixture from my Dad's stash. Yes my Dad is 91 years old and he has stashes too. I guess the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree. The arbor itself is built out of treated lumber and cedar.

This arbor is located in my Secret Garden under multiple trees providing a lot of shade. You can see the arbor in the background. Asparagus ferns, Begonias, Creeping Jenny, and Mini Petunias are so happy in this calm shaded space. I used thick flagstone for the flooring and vintage cast iron seating which I have collected through the years.

The mantel over the settee is made from a vintage dresser mirror frame and two salvaged wood pieces nailed together for the ledge. The Ball jars, round table bases, mantel, and the lamp parts used as plant holders are all painted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® which I am the Stockist for in McKinney, TX. at Lady Butterbug Shoppe. Annie's Chalk Paint® is an excellent paint to use in the garden...no need to wax... just the paint.

My garden and home will be one of the eight gardens and homes

on tour presented by the McKinney Garden Club.

I hope you will join us on Sat. June 9th from 10 - 4.

I will be selling tickets at the shoppe...$20 early purchase.