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There’s
something magical about holding an object that has a history, like
architectural salvage. They’re
often real crafted items made by professional craftsmen who took a pride
in their work, not simply mass produced for a cheap market. Each one
tells a story. Since much
of gardening philosophy is about recycling things and looking after what
we already have, making use of unwanted everyday items can really give a
garden character when given a little time and thought.
Old
chimney pots suddenly make bold planters, slate mantelpieces can be
transformed into solid seats and even discarded roof tiles can be given
new lives as a path edge. For
clever inspiration in a small, narrow garden, save that old kitchen door
and place at the end to fool the mind into thinking the space is less
enclosed than it really is.
The
advantage of using old bricks as paving materials is the beautiful
effect of each time-weathered surface. New materials have a habit of looking very uniform.
Search out old London stock bricks for a raised bed and you
instantly have a garden with a history.
One
of the commonest forms of recycled timber today is the trendy railway
sleeper. These chunky
travelers are perfect for building cheap, low walls or steps.
There
are many architectural salvage yards around Kent and London, each one
offering unique items that you’ll never see in a big high street
store.
Half
the fun is searching out treasures to use in your own garden. The other
half is letting your imagination run wild as you turn old things into
new and create your own, unique piece of history.
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