Backdrops for a Country Cottage Junk Garden

July 29, 2013

I don't live in the country. I live in a residential cul-de-sac in a smallish town. No country fences, no old barns, no barn wood, no meadow, no great garden backdrops, period!

So to create the country, cottage, rustic, junk garden look I strive to achieve, I have to pull in some props. Some of my props are well known: the stepladder in the front border, the potting sink, and the chippy white painted wheelbarrow. These fun pieces appear over and over in my posts, but what about the workhorses, the backdrops to my vignettes?

THE WAGON WHEEL $15

My old buggy wheel here with Lady's Mantle, hostas, and other garden junk beside the house.

Fall Outdoor Vignette with Garden Wheel Backdrop

Or here in my fall, rustic, porch vignette.

Or here behind the crock, and between the adirondack chairs on my summer patio. The secret. I paid $15 for the wheel because it is in rough condition on the bottom. The spokes are broken or missing. But who knows when the back area is put towards the bottom?

THE FUTON PARTS - FREE

Futon back repurposed as a garden backdrop

When I sent a futon to college with my middle daughter, it came back bent and unusable. Or did it? Here is the back spray painted white behind some hostas.

And here it is as a backdrop to a vintage garden vignette in my back yard.

The futon ends are being used as a backdrop in another area of the garden.

THE TREE HOUSE LADDER - FREE

I dragged this old ladder home from a tree house on the property my son bought, and was going to tear down. Perfect spot for pots (or minnow buckets) of annuals.

THE OLD HAY RAKE - FREE

The white flower shaped thing against my house is an iron hay rake tine. It was at a house my sister bought in the country. The tines have been welded together on the ends. It was free from my sister and spray painted white. I love it, and have had it forever!

THE BARN DOOR $30

I have this old chippy white barn door attached to a tree so it doesn't blow over. It is a backdrop to a serene, neutral vignette in my back yard. Well worth $30.

A RUSTY OLD GATE $20

My newest find. A really rustic old gate that I just purchased just a couple days ago. Haven't done much with it yet but I will.

So if you a city or town dweller, find a few good backdrops to anchor your garden junk vignettes, and have fun decorating the outdoors!

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Comments

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmaryJuly 29, 2013 at 4:27 PM
All of the items you have picked up or bought look terrific in your yard I would have thought that you lived in the country.
Everything looks great.
Mary
DebbiedoosJuly 29, 2013 at 7:51 PM
I leave my pitiful garden to come to the most splendid one ever...well, you and my Moms are the most splendid I ever see. Just beautiful!
PattiJuly 29, 2013 at 11:06 PM
I thought you lived rurally, too! Well, you have lots of green open spaces! I love to look at your country inspired vignettes, and so does my hubs! He noticed the hay rake right off! Farm kid!!!
cynthia lee designsJuly 29, 2013 at 11:19 PM
Love your Country Cottage Junk Garden...so pretty!!
~Cindy
Sunny Simple LifeJuly 29, 2013 at 11:40 PM
Oh you have the magic touch for display inside and out.
Danni@SiloHillFarmJuly 30, 2013 at 10:28 AM
I love it all! But I particularly love that red wheel (still!!) and the flower tags clipped to it..so cool!
Leena Milligan LanteigneJuly 30, 2013 at 10:39 AM
Carlene, I adore using old treasure in the garden.
What's just to some are decorating treasures to folks like us!
All of yours look right at home with the flowers and add that special touch of whimsy that I love!
Hugs, Leena
camp and cottage livingJuly 30, 2013 at 4:51 PM
I love the hay tine.
It's all good!
Dayle ~ A Collection of DaysJuly 30, 2013 at 5:29 PM
Great inspiration!
OliveJuly 30, 2013 at 6:49 PM
Oh my gracious goodness I am loving that gate Carlene. You can do so much with it.
Vickie @ Ranger 911July 30, 2013 at 7:21 PM
It all fits perfectly in your yard Carlene. The barn door is still my favorite. It's giving me ideas for the old wood shutters we've taken off our house. hmmmm....
Christine at Little BragsJuly 30, 2013 at 11:23 PM
Carlene, you got the best junk! LOVE IT...Christine from Little Brags
Patti @ Pandoras BoxJuly 31, 2013 at 9:52 AM
Great ideas - especially like the last photo with the gate!
BlissJuly 31, 2013 at 10:29 AM
The gate might be your newest, but I think it might be my favorite.
Bliss
Ivy and ElephantsJuly 31, 2013 at 6:39 PM
So many cool ideas my head is reeling.
I wish I could just walk around in your yard taking in all the cool stuff! Love it all!
Hugs,
Patti
Art and SandAugust 3, 2013 at 11:19 AM
I would love to find a garden gate to add to my garden. I have a small garden and I love tucking "interesting" bits into the flowers for eye candy.

Loved getting ideas from you.
toodieAugust 4, 2013 at 4:10 PM
Oh my gosh, I could wander in your yard for HOURS just looking at all the goodness! I am absolutely in love with everything you've done.
jelly andrewsDecember 17, 2013 at 2:40 AM
Wow! Those stuffs are all lovely. But I especially love the wagon wheel you have. It is perfect as wall décor too.
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Backdrops for a Country Cottage Junk Garden

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