Designing Your Courtyard

Accents can be used to supplement the courtyard theme

Courtyards are becoming a popular choice among many home owners and they come in all ways to suit the needs of the home owner. These outdoor solutions are also no longer confined to warm climate regions like California and Florida but have become increasingly commonplace across the country. Many look upon courtyards as mini outdoor rooms which allow the family and guests to congregate from public view. It is common to find walls, arbors and plantings and even hedges used as choices to provide relief from the hot summer sun and noise pollution.

The decision to set up a courtyard will very much depend on your tastes, budget, the architecture of your house and the time allotted. Most look upon courtyards as private areas for enjoying the outdoors. The courtyard is a place for relaxing after a hard day’s work, a place for reading the newspapers and can be even a spot for dining and entertaining your guests. Some house owners even include a water feature within its confines since the sound of water and light can add to a pleasing effect.

Designing Your Courtyard:

Add Colored Plantings To Soften the Look of the Courtyard

When designing your courtyard, think about how it will serve your purpose and ensure there is enough room to enjoy those activities. Those who enjoy having walls made of stone, brick and wrought iron as a way of screening your privacy, should consider if such structures will reduce the amount of sunlight coming to your space. One way to check on this is to create some tall stakes with string tied between them to match the expected height of your walls. Sit back and see how it feels. Imagine the views. Move your wall stakes if needed and change your string height to make any adjustments. But of course, the cheaper solution to all this would be to create hedges but even a fast growing hedge can take several years to happen.

When designing the flooring, a good rule of thumb is to ensure that the materials chosen would complement the surrounding elements of the courtyard like the ceiling and the walls. You would not want the materials used to compete with the other and result in the courtyard looking too hyped and busy. Choose plants to complement the look of the courtyard since they come in all colors and can be used to soften the look of the hard surfaces like the walls and the flooring. Vines are also a popular consideration since they can be used to add character to a wall or trellis. A water feature is also a perfect solution towards making your time in your courtyard a relaxing one since water can distract surrounding noise and offer a calming way of screening undesirable sounds.

The Importance of the Front Entry to Your Home

The front entry to your home is the place where your visitors should feel comfortable and remember the kind of reception given to them. And so, the front entry should be warm and inviting with details placed like a pot of flowers and a shiny brass knob to complement the front door so your visitors can appreciate them and feel more welcomed. Some homes even provide a shelter to wait at the front door. These can be expanded as gathering places depending on the space and act as an open invitation for your guests to commune with you over a conversation or two.

Add Front Door Hardware Which Communicate a Theme

Create your front door as part of your landscaping project. Where the front door does not appear to be obvious as part of the landscape as could happen with homes that are not designed to bear architectural symmetry, include strong visual points like the lighted pathways or include statues and potted plants lining the path to the front door. If your entry is small, you can create more attention by upgrading your front door hardware like its door knockers and handles or setting aside potted plants to add attention or better still, resurfacing your landing and steps with thin stone or brick pavers. You can also add character by adding vine covered trellises and hanging basket planters to accentuate the front door.

The bottom line is the front door is the gateway to your house. It is the place where you meet your guests and family, and where you set them off after the visit. You will want the best impressions made at such times and so it is important for the entry to your front door designed as a warm and inviting place. Small detail always add a lot more towards building the character of your front door and promotes the degree of hospitality expected once the visitor gets past the front door.

What Your Front Lawn Should Do for You

Statues like the Nakoma add Character and Structure

So many of us design our front lawns and hope that it will work for us but what should it really do? Well, a front lawn should be designed for those who will enjoy it the most and this usually means it has to work for the family who lives with it. For instance, it must work for the homeowner who needs to park and have the space to haul the bags of groceries to the front or back door of the house. And it must be designed safe for young children who use it during playtime. In short, a lawn must be functional and also aesthetically appealing.

Every home has its own set of cues which need to be addressed in the landscaping process. One of those is of course parking and finding extra room and space to house newer cars which can be larger and in need of wider driveways. If your home is close to a busy road, you may then consider designing walls and hedges to lessen the noise and hustle which comes from passing traffic.

Your yard does not have to look like the others. With a bit of creative style and a reasonable budget to lean on, you can design a project plan for your lawn and garden that works with the style and architectural inclinations of your home. Consider different approaches and get feedback from your family members when designing your project plan. Think through the changes you make. It is always better to erase and start anew with another project plan than to dig out a plant and move a walkway.  

Basics of Front Lawn Landscaping

Front yards boost the character of your home by giving your house its own personality and distinction. Where at one time, front yards or lawns were seen as utilitarian concepts, the front yards of today are now given a fresh impetus and seen as a way of adorning the home and giving it a fresh personality. The yard also boosts the warmth of your home and should be seen as a place for the family to congregate its own social activities.

Budget for Statues Which Convey the Character of Your Garden

Imagine landscaping a bare patch of land. With a little bit of creativity and imagination, you can adorn the garden the same way you would decorate your room. Give it a sense of style with an emphasis on shape, texture and a move towards your favorite colors. But before you purchase the plants and supplies, think about the following as a way of guiding you in the landscaping process:

The Lawn:

Study its physical terrain and the space you will work with and the general landscape it will work with as part of your neighborhood. Even though you may be anxious to start digging, do not rush until you are able to assess the situation with a critical eye. Pen a list of questions to ask as you study your front yard from all points of view. And always pen your observations for review later. Make a scale drawing and a site plan as needed.

The Money:

You have to know how much time and money you will put into your yard projects and the amount of time and money you will spend to keep the landscape maintained. This means you have to know whether you will do the work yourself or include hired help to do the job. Budget constraints occasionally may cause you to scale back your landscaping plans to what the budget allows. But this does not mean that you have to design your landscape all at once. Think about it as a long-term plan so you can better manage your expenses. What’s to say that a long-term plan would not allow you to appreciate the way your landscape is forging over time? In fact, a good plan stretched over time will only allow you to appreciate its results.

The Time:

You have to study the time frame, whether short or long-term, needed to realize your project goals. Trees and certain landscaping features like walls and patios may be installed first before the garden can be landscaped.

Landscaping is a practical and creative process. When you have reached a good solution, it simply means you have been able to combine your family’s needs and interests to create a garden that reflects the character and architectural elements of modern day living.

Changing Trends in Residential Landscaping

Fountain Statues add Character to a Landscape

Over the last century or more, the development of homes has become so familiar. For instance, the front yards have been made to look familiar with a lawn, a few shrubs and a tree or two which could be set up affordably and quickly. However, all this has done nothing to boost what we would call residential landscaping since the look of one house is now no different from the other. Additionally, many families now spend less time in their manicured lawns than they have ever done before.

There has also been a greater dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides with frequent irrigation used to ensure the plants and trees are continually watered. What it has done is to remove the manner gardening was engaged in back in the old days when compost and marsh sludge were applied and weeds were manually pulled out by hand. Today, we put up with fewer weeds with more dependence on chemicals to treat our lawn and garden landscaping projects. It is little wonder why rainwater has become so intensified with chemicals that it has now caused pollution in our waterways.

However, homeowners are now finding creative and environmentally friendly ways to develop their front yards. Many communities are now keeping their neighborhoods cooler with tree-lined streets while natural drainage swales reduce the amount of water carried away by storm drains. There have been pathways built with shared green spaces to support neighborhood activities in communities from basketball to outdoor activities like potlucks and community affairs. All these increase the diversity of plantings thereby boosting the development of more unique lawns and gardens to admire.

Rearing a Greyhound as a Pet

Greyhounds are powerful sprinters known for their graceful bodies

Greyhounds which are tall and graceful dogs, are known to make good pets and are popular choices for racing events and coursing games. Due to their size and strength, most recommend that greyhounds should be kept on a leash when taken outdoors. Because they are known to be powerful sprinters, large fences are preferred in housing them.

When reared as a pet, the greyhound is said to be quiet and loyal, often enjoying the company of people and are gentle with their fellow canines and even little cats. In general, these dogs are said to be loving dogs which are happy to co-exist with other animals. However, they are sensitive to treatment. Most greyhounds like to be treated well and gentle commands are usually employed with professional training methods.

Generally, the greyhound welcomes a quiet environment and may be suitable as family pets. They seldom bark and enjoy the company of children as long as the child is taught to respect and handle the dog appropriately. These gentle animals are known to have powerful legs and chest, the built of which can take them in speeds of about 45 miles per hour. However, these dogs may take up to 18 hours of sleep each day and do not require as much care as they are thought to need. It is also said they do better as dogs for apartment dwelling than smaller toy breed dogs since they do not require much space to move around.

See greyhound statues to celebrate the beauty of these powerful dogs.

The DIfference Between a Dog and a Wolf

A wolf has penetrating yellow eyes

It shouldn't come as a surprise that dogs and wolves may look alike although at first glance, it would be impossible to ignore the penetrating yellow eyes of a wolf which is distinct from the typical brown eyes of a dog. But common lore presupposes that dogs are descended from wolves and so, both share a keen sense of smell and almost look alike when they become submissive.

However, there are differences between the two and many reasons why dogs may continue to remain as man's best friend. Dogs are easily domesticated and have been reared for centuries by mankind. They take easily to humans while wolves continue to live in the wild. One reason could be that dogs develop to only the mental abilities of a young wolf aged about 30 days. This means that dogs do not develop the aggressive nature of a grown wolf as they continue to adopt the behavior of a baby wolf even as an adult. Wolves on the other hand,

Greyhounds have graceful bodies and long legs

mature mentally reaching maturity to about 2 to 3 years of age and become aggressive as an adult making it impossible to be retained as pets. They tend to think independently and show aggression almost immediately when something is in their way. By the time a wolf matures, its owner may find that it becomes difficult to control.

Such aggression may come about because of the maturity of the wolf. As a wolf matures, so does its brains. In all, wolves tend to have larger brains than dogs. Hence, it shouldn't be a surprise that wolves have bigger heads than dogs. Wolves also have the ability to travel great distances at high speeds because of their long legs and graceful body. Dogs however have short legs in comparison to their body size and tend to look clumsy as they run.

Visit for Wolf Statues and Dog Statues

Wolves Can Howl and Howl…..

A Lost Wolf Will Howl and Howl So It Can Be Tracked....

Wolves have been constantly used to express the subject of fairy tales. For instance, no one can ignore the story of the Little Red Riding Hood and her encounters with the big, bad wolf. But wolves aren’t really as bad as you may think and they are facing extinction because people kill them out of fear and mostly because of the belief they would attack livestock. However, like dogs, wolves too belong to the Canidae family. Little wonder why they look so alike! The thing to remember though is dogs have been long domesticated by mankind while wolves continue to live in the wild. Like dogs, wolves too can feel threatened by human presence and are most likely to run when someone approaches them.

Ever wondered about the way wolves express themselves though? Many will remember a wolf based on the way it howls and a wolf can howl for long durations. It is true that like dogs, wolves too sound themselves in other ways. They bark, whine and whimper too. Yet, man always remembers the wolf based on the sound it makes and most often it is the howl that captivates us. However, have you wondered why the wolf howls?

It is said that howling keeps the wolf pack together. While wolves may track large areas for food, it is the howling that binds the pack together when one wolf gets lost from its kind. When a wolf howls, it is said that the sound travels across a wide terrain and works to keep lost wolves aware of where their pack may lie. Howling is also low-pitched and sounded over a long time. It is the best means used for communicating in forests and across a large terrain. As such, howling can be viewed as a social means of binding wolves in a pack and now, you know that when a wolf sounds a howl, there may be a reason. There just could be more waiting to save it nearby….

Getting Nostalgic with Children Statues

A little girl reads her book with enthusiasm

For a home that hears the sounds of a child, nothing can equate one’s imagination than to the timeless voice of a young child making himself or herself heard to mother, sounding the first approval for attention and expressing joy at the sight of Grandma’s and Grandpa’s arrival. All this should be no wonder because children are our resource and the reason for our future. They make up the next generation who will usher in progress and on a personal level, carry the pursuits of his/her parents to the next phase in life.

Because of the way we regard children, it is little wonder why the marketplace is filled with so many types of children statues and sculptures. Browse the internet and you will find the child who loves a good game of basketball to the child who loves a good read, the child who loves being with Grandpa and the child who loves horse riding and so forth. With so many types of statues available to choose from, it is little wonder then why children statues tend to preoccupy us. They find a place in our garden and salute us to a promise for a new beginning each day we look at them. 

You can visit us for more choices in children statues and sculptures.

Introduce Feng Shui as a Way of Ushering Wealth and Prosperity

Feng Shui is an ancient form of Chinese belief that utilizes the five elements in ushering health, wealth and happiness. This ancient art of decorating has become a guiding principle for many new home owners and businesses eager to usher in positive energy into their lives and for initiating wealth and good direction into the business.

Here are some ideas in Feng Shui you can follow in aiding some of the positive energy flow your way:

1. Introduce the 3 legged moon frog. This piece comes with a coin in its mouth and is associated with wealth and prosperity. Place such a statue facing the front door.
2. In Feng Shui, plants are thought to introduce positive energy or “chi”. For instance, Chinese love to introduce the money or bamboo plant as they are thought to bring wealth. Keep the plants healthy and located in the southeast section of your home to attract wealth.
3. The golden dragon turtle symbolizes a long prosperous life. Place this in the southeast section of the house preferably facing the door.

   

   The Kirin also Known as the Qilin is said to bring luck

4. The Chinese value the use of windchimes and bells to usher in good vibrations. Best locations for the wind chimes lie in the north and west.
5. The placement of the statue of the golden cat will surely bring in abundance and protection. This cat is a 2 sided statue. One side highlights a smiling cat with a paw up suggesting good fortune while the other side shows a cat that frowns holding a broom. This is said to symbolize protection and prevent obstacles and unforeseen trouble.
6. Introduce the 3 star Gods for wealth, health and a long life.
7. Introduce a metal bucket filled with coins and place this in a northwest section away from view. This is designed to introduce wealth.
8. Introduce three goldfishes in a bowl for wealth. The gold fish and koi imagery are said to create wealth.
9. Introduce the Qilin, a mythical and dragon like creature said bring in wealth and prosperity. The Koreans revere a similar mythical creature known as the “Kirin” that is depicted as mostly deer-like and which is considered one of the four divine creatures.

The Fascination with the Cherubs

A little boy cherub holds two hands and prays

Many people cannot resist adding a cherub or two in the home or garden. Walk into a garden and you might find a cherub figurine nestled amidst the greenery. Sometimes, they serve as candle holders and even as fountain statues. Other times, you might see a cherub bird feeder or a sculpture designed as a set of cherub bookends for the shelves. The fascination with all things cherubic is expected because people associate cherubs with all things heavenly. 

Cherubs, sometimes known as cherub angels, are beautiful winged celestial beings 
associated with the Kingdom of God. Although there is a dispute as to how they might look, cherubs are most often thought to be child like with a pudgy body, a child like face and seen with two wings. Often noted to be guardian spirits, cherubs or cherubims as they are also known by, have been widely represented in all religions. In the Book of Ezekiel, cherubs hold the throne and chariot of God while in the Book of Exodus, cherubs are placed at specific points of the Ark of the Covenant. In other Christian literature, these celestial angel beings are noted to be guardians of the Garden of Eden and were placed at the gates of the Garden to prevent humans from re-entering and gaining access to the Tree of Life. 

Because cherubs are often depicted with wings, they are occasionally associated as angels. The depiction of the cherubs in Roman and Greek art abound. Cherubs in the 14-15th century Greek and Roman literature relate to a beautiful, pudgy and rosy winged child figure with wings known as a putto and have formed the basis and motif for many of the beautiful paintings and works of art we admire today. 

We invite you to explore all things cherubic at MyGardenGifts.com.

Cranes are Symbols of Love and Peace

Life Size Bronze Cranes

Cranes are held in high regard by many. They are symbolically associated with love, harmony, peace and longevity. As an instance, the Celts believe the cranes are messengers of the Gods while the Chinese see the cranes as an auspicious symbol next to the phoenix. The Japanese also hold the cranes very dearly as symbols of loyalty, love and peace. The story of Sadako Sasaki who contracted cancer after the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima, Japan in 1945, has held a marked influence in the Eastern heritage. According to the story, Sadako created 1,000 origami paper cranes as a wish that she would be well again. Though she died in 1955, her perseverance in creating these beautiful cranes became an inspiring factor for many Japanese children who raised funds to create a park in her memory.

Cranes in Love

In all, the crane with all its magnificence and glory has been widely celebrated for its loyalty towards its mate across the world. Cranes hold a symbolic representation in many cultures including the eastern cultures which worship these birds for their love, peace and harmony. Cranes are said to mate for life and because of the symbol of love and peace that it holds, crane statues oftentimes make enduring gift ideas for a wedding or anniversary. They represent a symbol of love for two people who are bound to the other through the ties of marriage. Because of this symbolic meaning, it is little wonder why sculptors tend to portray cranes in pairs. Many people also view crane statues as offers for goodwill and longevity, so giving cranes really sends a positive message to your recipient. When we give a pair of cranes as a gift, we are really bestowing a long and happy life to the recipients. That is a truly nice gesture and statement to make.

Visit our crane statues catalog for choices of cranes sold in pairs.

Children Statues Can Make Inspiring Additions to the Garden Landscape

Boy and Girl Nature Lovers

Many of us like to add children statues in the home or garden because it appeals to our personal side. Look around and you will find that there are many kinds of children statues available in the marketplace from the determined little boy who enjoys a quiet read to the garden girl reading statue, to whimsical and romantic statues of children for a wedding or an anniversary. Children statues are certainly inspiring selections to add to a garden landscape and we are not limited to simply a given set of children statues with specific styles and designs, but a myriad of garden statues that relate to our personal experience from the school girl reading statues on a bench to whimsical statues like the boy and girl sharing a quiet retreat together or the young mother who spends her time nursing and nurturing her young child.

Reading Boy and Girl Sculpture

Finding the right statue to add makes a notable statement in the home or garden. Also, the sentimental effect of children sitting on a bench enjoying company or sharing a read, seem to be popular choices for many libraries and schools. Children statues are after all one of the most endearing additions to make to a garden and many home owners love the enchanting addition of a child statue to the lawn and garden décor. Surely, it is because each of us loves the feeling of innocence that a child represents. And it could be that a child statue in the garden speaks so much about the way we personally feel like the reading children statues that communicates one's thoughts about being a good student in school or the sweet addition of two children on a bench that adds a romantic statement.

Our children statues add beautifully to the garden landscape and if space prevails, adding them to the home can also be a beautiful thing. You can visit our children statues catalog and discover choices for accenting the home or garden. Please email us if you need more information.

The Beauty and Significance of the Tang Horses

Bronze Chinese Tang Horse in Verdi Finish

Tang horses continue to find a high value among many antique collectors looking to gather horse figurines from the tombs dating to the Tang dynasty (AD 618 – 907). The dynasty was also known to bring peace and prosperity with traders venturing to the far west. It is said that these traders, upon returning, would bring western fashions which were embraced by the wealthy Chinese and members of the nobility. Art flourished during this time because of the peace and prosperity, and sculptures of Tang horses acquired attractive symbolic meaning and designs.

Small Bronze Tang Horse

In ancient China, the horse was used by the nobles and high ranking families as a sign of leadership and prosperity. Horses in China were also used in military warfare and military expansion efforts. As such, the importance of horses as a symbol of peace and prosperity was given a great deal of emphasis in Chinese artistic achievements. Notably, the horse was second in importance to the Chinese dragon. It was supposed to possess magical powers which the early Chinese were eager to explore. For instance, many believed that the horse would carry the dead to the next life. Some also believed that the number of horses

one owned in his lifetime would provide the assurance that the dead would continue to maintain the same status in the next life.

One cannot but help admire the beauty of the Tang horses noting their graceful and arched necks, heavy torsos and pricked ears. In fact, Tang horses are widely popularized in Chinese art. For those who are interested in having Tang horses as part of their collection, our bronze sculptures of Tang horses will surely remind any collector of the way the Chinese treated their horses – with plenty of love and lots of inspiration!

Horses Will Continue to Hold an Importance in the Modern World

Graceful Horse Bronze Sculpture

Horses are one of the most graceful animals known to mankind symbolizing power, beauty, nobility and freedom. They have played an active role across the world for centuries serving well in ancient kingdoms for use in combats and wars. Their grace and beauty have been providing artists much inspiration throughout the centuries. These animals which can be domesticated with training, are important in the farm world, have served as a means of transportation across rough terrains and continue to be used by police officials as a means of transportation across the city where cars may find it hard to thread.  Horses are also used in sporting games like polo and leisure activities. Most of the horses are known to exist in the Americas and Asia with a significant number also populating the European terrain.

In sports, horses play an active role in offering entertainment and promoting good horsemanship. Equestrian sports as it is popularly known as, comes in many forms with sports such as show jumping, eventing and rodeo. In most instances, horses are usually ridden with a saddle on their backs to help the rider acquire balance and positioning. Horses can also be driven with a harness or some kind of vehicle. Another popular horse sporting activity is horse racing which is a specialized form of sports involving the rider and the horse. It is because of man's continued interest in the horse that the art of sporting with horses has been well preserved over the centuries.

Horse Door Stop

The significance of the horse is obvious. For centuries, the horse has been symbolized highly in many cultures. For instance, in the Celtic world, the horse is a symbol of war and longevity while the Greeks and
Romans looked upon the horse with honor, using them in their wars against enemies and as cavalry to monitor the borders of contentious statues. The Chinese additionally include the horse on their zodiac calendar. According to the Chinese, those born in the year of the horse are said to be discerning and determined people, empowered with the gift of deciding between good and bad.

Horses will continue to play an importance in our modern lives. It is because of their importance in war and cavalry that they continue to be used in other ways in our modern world, occupying a profitable use in the world of sports and leisure. Many people also add horse statues to their garden landscape to remind them of this powerful animal. Riding schools exemplify the powerful horse by displaying statues and sculptures of horses as part of the look of their landscape. Those who enjoy a touch of the Western culture will of course continue to invest in tabletop sculptures of horses for the desks or den.

Visit our Horse Statues catalog for choices in bronze horse sculptures including tabletop horse statues for adorning the home that loves all things equestrian.
 

Saint Michael is Revered and Used as Protection Against Evil

Saint Michael

Catholics and Christians have called upon St. Michael the Archangel for protection on several occasions. When a great plaque struck Rome in 590, Pope St. Gregory the Great led a procession through the streets as an act of penance, seeking forgiveness and atonement of the sins of man. At the tomb of Hadrian (now Castle Sant'Angelo near St. Peter's Basilica), Saint Michael is known to have appeared and brandished his sword, thereby ending the great plaque. Today, a chapel is built in honor of St. Michael and within it lies a formidable statue of the revered archangel.

Throughout the centuries, Christians have always depicted the great Archangel Michael as a saint warrior who wields a sword of fire or spear, while standing triumphantly on a serpent or other representation of Satan. The archangel is also known for the power he guides in saving the souls of the faithful from the power of Satan especially at the hour of death. Occasionally, St Michael is also noted to be holding the scales of justice or the Book of Life, both symbols of the last judgment.

Saint Michael maintains the higher order of angels and represents together with Saint Raphael and Saint Gabriel, as God's messengers to man in matters of graver moment. Saint Michael is also the protector of the church and invoked to be "our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil". Being the warrior saint, St Michael is oftentimes shown brandishing a sword, battling or standing in victory over a snake, dragon or Satan. If you are seeking statues of Saint Michael for use as part of monuments or memorials, consider choosing statues made of granite or solid marble for long lasting use.

Adding Religious Statues to the Garden is a Personal Preference

Saint Michael the Archangel Statue 24"

For many, adding religious statues to the garden landscape is a must. There are many homeowners who believe in adding a Saint Michael statue for protection or a saint statue like Saint Francis of Assisi to add a peaceful look to the garden. Some also add statues of Jesus and the Virgin Mary believing that such statues will protect the home and prevent evil. For centuries, Catholics and Christians have called upon St. Michael the Archangel for protection. When a great plaque struck Rome in 590, Pope St. Gregory the Great led a procession through the streets as an act of penance, seeking forgiveness and atonement of the sins of man. At the tomb of Hadrian (now Castle Sant'Angelo near St. Peter's Basilica), Saint Michael is known to have appeared and brandished his sword, thereby ending the great plaque. Because of the belief that they will be protected, people often place statues of Saint Michael the archangel in the garden or in private areas of the home believing that the archangel’s power and powerful wars against Satan.

Jesus the Good Shepherd

Sometimes, saint statues are also celebrated and placed in the garden. Some of the more common saint statues held dearly is Saint Francis of Assisi, the co-founder of the Franciscan Order. Because of the saint’s closeness to the animal kingdom having protected a village once from a ferocious wolf, statues of Saint Francis are often seen with
deers, birds and sometimes, a wolf. Sculptures of Saint Francis are also seen holding a bird bath to welcome the feathered friends to the garden. Many add the saint statues for the symbolic peace and love he symbolizes. Other saint statues which are used include Saint Anthony of Padua, Saint Fiacre (for the saint’s love for his garden) and Saint Joseph.

Placing a religious statue in the home or garden is a personal preference. Not everyone will choose to add religious statuary to their garden. However, if you are someone who believes in the importance of adding religious statues to the garden, you will realize there are a number of religious statues available in the marketplace today to choose from. Those who are adding these statues as memorials may consider options available in granite and marble that would last a long time. Visit our religious statues catalog for choices in decorative statues and sculptures suitable for use in monuments.

Welcome the Garden with Saint Francis of Assisi Statues to Add Peace and Serenity

Large Saint Francis with Cross Statue

Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) is the co-founder of the Franciscan Order who was born into riches but decided to relinquish his wealth when he received a message from Christ. Born in 1182 to a rich and prominent trading family, the young Francis was known for his worldly charm often being the center of attention in Assisi for his material comforts.

In 1201, young Francis chose to engage in battle but ended as a prisoner of war. His father raised the ransom to get him out of prison in 1203. In 1205, he again armed himself as a soldier but this time, he received a vision from God that made him change the course of his life. Francis was 23.

His change in attitude towards life provoked resentment with his father who could not understand the sudden change in his son's behavior. His family grew embarrassed with him as his change for a life of simplicity and generosity seemed suddenly unacceptable to them. In 1206, Francis renounced his wealth and armed himself with a brown cloak with a cord that became his trademark.

St Francis Discoursing with God in Marble

In his pursuit of the Gospels, the kindly Saint Francis of Assisi, as he came to be known, lived his life very simply. He attracted followers including the rich Bernardo da Quintavalle and preached the necessity of a poor, simple life-style based on the ideals of the Gospels. His followers were called Friars Minor by Francis, that is, the lesser brethren. Together with Saint Clare of Assisi, St. Francis founded the order for women called the Poor Clares and performed generous care for the lepers. In 1221, he set up the Third Order, another branch for lay men and women. His experience with the Stigmata on his hands, feet and side allowed St. Francis of

Assisi to understand the deep sacrifice Christ had made and rekindled his love for God.

Our lovely Saint Francis statues are depicted in their immaculate beauty and reflect high craftsmanship and life. While they make great gifts for the home, these fine St Francis outdoor Statues can also be used to symbolize the gentleness of this great Saint who gave much and took very little. We hope our Saint Francis statues will offer a divine grace to your home and garden.

Create a Balance Using Garden Statues in Your Landscaping Projects

Eagle with Wings Outstretched - 31"H

Off recent years, there has been a heightened demand for garden statuary and many of these come with price tags which are affordable. Along with statues and sculptures, the interest in supplementing the garden with decorations like lighting sculptures such as a golf caddy (for someone who likes all things golf) to the inclusion of small accents (eg. birdbaths) that set up character, are also growing. The garden is after all a place of refuge for the homeowner and adding decorations and statuary will only supplement a pleasing element to the garden landscape.

Some statues add movement and stillness to a garden while accents like birdbaths and trellises add breadth and depth to a garden space. Trellises and arbors can segment your garden space and add character to it by helping to create continuity or to break up the space into private or public quarters. It all depends on the way they are used in the garden. Using the right statues and sculptures will also shape the drama for your garden. Garden statues may create a desired focal point and add a sense of character that we can happily relate to. They can add humor, romance and may be set up to even tell a story.

Before you choose your sculpture, try and decide the kind that you want to have which will fit in well with your garden landscape and garden decor. The sculpture should be in scale with its surroundings - do not choose a garden sculpture that is minute in comparison to its surroundings nor one too large that it draws

Children statues may add innocence and drama to a garden

attention away from the surrounding landscape. We suggest using a large statue for a focal area as such statues command a presence and attention. You can set up a large statuary at the end of a long pathway as an instance to draw attention to what lies around the corner such as a deck or a pool. Garden statues, when placed in strategic locations, offer a break to what lies ahead. They should be placed to create an impact and figurative garden sculptures can add considerable drama to a landscape. They add whimsy to the garden while telling a story. Choose a good piece for the garden - even a pair of lion statues will add a desirable completion to your garden projects. However, draw a line as to what works to make a balance. When you use too many statues, the individual impact of each will be lost. The net result is you will have too many garden sculptures competing for attention and crowding the beauty of the landscape.

You can discover our choices in garden statuary and decorations by visiting MyGardenGifts.com.

The Garden Statues You Use Defines Your Style and Character for Your Home

Frog Saxophone Player - Bluetooth Speaker

The garden is a place of refuge for many homeowners who enjoy relaxing in their garden and including a choice of garden statues and statuary as part of their landscaping projects. There are so many types of garden statues you can add and develop the character of your garden with a choice of such statues as gnomes to gargoyles to animal statues and even children sculptures. It is true that garden statues can be used to add character to the home and the garden landscape. The fact is garden statues communicate the person you are and tells someone who steps in the garden about what you like and do not like. So yes, the garden and what you place in it really defines you, the homeowner.

Most statues depending on what they are and when properly chosen, will spruce up the look of the area in which it is located and will direct attention to a specific area of the lawn or home. There are so many types of statues and sculptures you can

Visit Our Children Statues Catalog for choices in resin and bronze

add to spruce up the look of your garden and communicate the theme you want. After all, garden statues create drama and interest for your lawn and garden décor pursuits. They add a certain dimension to the garden by creating an interest that the home dweller can relate to. Some homeowners may choose to nestle the garden statuary amidst the greenery and woods while others choose to highlight their garden statues in bold visibility, perhaps drawing an element of surprise from their guests and friends. Supplement your garden statues with other unique garden decorations as well to adorn your garden walls and add to a decorative and pleasing effect to the overall garden landscape.

You can visit MyGardenGifts.com for some ideas on what statues and sculptures can work for your garden.

Dolphins Supplement the Look of the Coastal Home

Bronze Dolphins Fountain Spitter

Dolphins have been widely portrayed in many stories and are often discussed and credited for being gentle and friendly animals. They belong to the whale family, the larger species of which bear lengths of up to 20 feet. These high spirited animals are most often found in oceans and large rivers such as the coastal regions of Hawaii.

Dolphins are aerodynamic and are noted for their prowess and exceptional speed in the waters and because of this trait, many of our dolphin sculptures capture the robust and yet gentle acrobatic movements of these lovely creatures. Some of our dolphin statues also appear to feature these beautiful creatures leaping from the water. This behavior actually increases the speed of the dolphins in water. And dolphins love to travel in schools meaning they enjoy being in the company of other dolphin members. We have

11 Dancing Dolphins Sculpture

therefore portrayed many of our dolphin sculptures and dolphin figurines captivating this need to belong to family units. Some of us may reference these creatures as a family of dolphins, others view the dolphins as a "school" of dolphins or even as a "pod" of dolphins.

Our dolphin statues catalog features many prominent dolphins in some of the most captivating postures they are known for. Explore our bronze dolphins for lasting sculptures that stay a lifetime.