The diversity of cast stone garden ornaments – who knew?

When you think about garden ornaments do images of traditional gnomes with pointed hats and fishing rods spring to mind? Or do you think of grand gardens surrounding stately homes with statues and fountains? Things have really moved on and you would be surprised at the range and diversity of garden ornaments on the market. The garden ornaments made by Chilstone are hand finished and provide a versatile material for any garden whatever the size and style. From temples and fountains as focal points for large gardens and hotels, to small flower planters and on trend pineapples for urban spaces. Ideas to personalize your garden Ornaments Colour Not many people know this, but cast stone can be painted to customise your look. This was used for the urns in the famous Laskett Gardens on the Welsh Boarders to create an old meets new pop art feel. You don’t have to have vast acres of land to make a statement though, as Solus Décor displayed at the Chelsea Flower Show. Their stand was punctuated with tall obelisks stained a bright purple to add a contemporary feel to their urban garden stand. They made a big feature in a restricted space and could be replicated in a court yard garden in any city. If you want a more traditional look you can still choose from six shades of stone from Portland to Light Bath. These can be sealed to maintain a freshly hewn look or you can let the elements age it. Weathering Unsealed cast stone naturally weathers in the garden to look like it has always been there. A section of balustrading at Hever castle was replaced by Chilstone and was artificially weathered to blend with the original stone work. Many builders also use bespoke cast stone for house renovations, blending new door and window surrounds with the existing structures. Garden designers use similar techniques, like RHS Gold medal winning John Everiss, who requested that the Chilstone Temple used in People’s Choice Award winning Meningistic Now Futures garden at 2016 Chelsea Flower Show, looked like it had been standing in his garden for decades. This was achieved using a mixture of paint washes and Liquid Weather. A pair of naturally weathered planters were placed alongside and filled with mature lavender plants to complete the look. Fountains are the fastest garden feature to weather naturally over time, helped by the flow of water and the build-up of algae. Fountains don’t have to be huge, they come in a vast range of sizes and are small enough to slot onto a small wall to transform the space with a water feature. Another little known fact is that the tannins from Oak leaves add a unique coloring as they fall onto cast stone in autumn. So if you want to blend your ornaments or sculptures quickly into your planting or to add an established and timeless quality, pop it under an oak tree! Gold leaf For added glamour gold leaf can be applied to add a wow factor. It could be applied to stag antlers, or to the tips of small pineapples on driveway pier caps. The options can be scaled up or down depending on your imagination. So move over gnomes and plan a garden feature to reflect your home’s personality and make your garden space as traditional or unique as you desire. With the right planting and detailing, a well-placed ornament, urn or planter can add a cosy, magical feel to your outdoor space. Adding stone benches, sundials and planters can create a tranquil zone to fit a garden of any size. Why not take a look at our show gardens in Kent for inspiration? Architectural Stonework Chilstone also produce architectural stonework for restoration, or new builds with colour matching and a fine textured surface to look identical to carved stone for a much lower cost. Many architects have worked with us on designs to incorporate stainless steel reinforcements for bespoke load bearing components. Chilstone produce a large range of products from window surrounds, stone coping, pier caps, balustrading to porticos to match your existing stonework and add to the value of your home.

For more information on The diversity of cast stone garden ornaments – who knew? talk to Chilstone Architectural Stone & Garden Ornaments