| When you look out into your backyard or bare | | | | avoided because of it's ability to absorb heat and |
| garden, are you instantly taken to a more tranquil | | | | bright colors are too busy and will distract you. |
| place - where the stress and worries of the | | | | Use a color scheme to unify your space. Cool |
| workday disappear before your eyes? If not, | | | | colors like blue, green, gray and white are known |
| then you need to create a personal retreat | | | | to have calming effects. You can easily add this |
| where you can unwind, relax and enjoy nature. | | | | color palette to your decor. Plantings could include |
| Creating an oasis can be very rewarding and | | | | tall grasses and silver foliage. If digging up your |
| simple to put together. With just a few key | | | | backyard is not part of the plan, then place |
| ingredients, you can be reap the benefits in no | | | | decorative pots and urns in a pattern or randomly |
| time at all. | | | | throughout the area for a whimsical touch. |
| The first thing to consider is the area in which to | | | | Are you looking to attract wildlife for a true |
| house your new retreat. Ideally, your location | | | | nature inspired theme? Attract chirping birds or |
| should be quiet and peaceful with the least | | | | chattering animals native to your environment by |
| amount of distraction. If your yard is all open | | | | providing their basic habitat, feeding, and cover |
| space, the a small fence and an arbor could be | | | | requirements. Suet is a good choice for attracting |
| well served. Once you have explored your | | | | insect-eating birds such as nuthatches and |
| options, it's time to add your personal touches. | | | | woodpeckers. Nectar will attract hummingbirds |
| Here are some ideas of how to improve the look | | | | and orioles. Don't forget to provide them with a |
| and feel of your garden retreat. | | | | bird bath. |
| Seating should be at the top of your list. You | | | | Now that you have spent all that precious energy |
| need comfortable outdoor furniture that will suit | | | | working on the visual beauty of your garden, |
| your particular needs. Do you want to sit down | | | | adding various flowers, furniture, maybe an arbor, |
| and read or lounge in the warm breeze? | | | | how about some soothing sounds? Running water |
| Either way, you should choose furniture made | | | | gently trickling over rocks or out of a fountain |
| from woods like bamboo, teak and wicker, all of | | | | and a set of elegant and lacquered bamboo wind |
| which simultaneously blend with nature. Metallics | | | | chimes completes your quiet, peaceful, stress |
| are too hard and will take away from the natural | | | | free sanctuary for you to relax. |
| look of your new space. Black should also be | | | | |