gnome be gone sculpture

Gnome Be Gone and Flamingo Be Gone

Love it or hate it, yard art is definitely a case of beauty being in the eye of the beholder. Many homeowner associations have regulations about the use of decorative accessories in the front yard including the type of mailbox that is acceptable. Few regulate the backyard and that gives the homeowner the freedom of expression that may or may not delight their neighbors.

What separates classy from pretentious? What is corny and what is cute? What is classic and what is dated? Sometimes the lines are blurred by the objects and the materials they are made of, where they are placed, how they are used, the type of home, the neighborhood, and the occupants of the home.

Years ago, I would occasionally drive by a house that had a concrete goose on the front stoop. During the rainy season it had a yellow slicker, hat and umbrella. Then I noticed it had a costume for nearly any holiday. (The cupid costume was particularly inventive.)

I never saw the homeowners or knew if they had children or grandchildren or if they just had a sense of humor. I don't know if their neighbors enjoyed the show or if they thought it was an eyesore. (The costumes seemed well made and were always placed just so.) The people moved and the goose went with them. I miss it and the humor and effort that went in to the display.

I mention this because it could have been an eyesore if the costumes had become ragged or tacky looking. If they had added a lot of accessories or "friends" it would have changed the entire display. The homeowner's association, if there was one, apparently allowed it and it was the only decorative element in the front yard. The restraint, timing and subtle humor made it work, in my opinion.

That's the key to using yard art successfully. You may be restricted to having something only in your back yard but even there, use restraint. Just as too much jewelry will ruin an outfit, using too many decorative accessories outdoors will overwhelm the landscape and your home. You want to limit and coordinate your accessories, though everything needn't match. Continuity in a theme or look will result in a more seamless landscape. Placement is important. Does the piece complete the plantings or compete with them? Does it look like an after thought or stick out awkwardly? Does it make sense where it is or in relationship to the architecture of the home? If it doesn't add anything of value to the landscape then it's clutter.

As with most things in decorating, less is more in using yard art. You may be attracted to decorative dragonfly collectibles or maybe elves but you don't want to create the effect of a swarm of insects or Keeblerville in your backyard-or do you?

I guess it all depends on your sense of humor!

When trying to sell a home, there are no hard and fast rules.  When staging a home, many hold to the saying that when in doubt, leave it out.  If the yard art is controversial, cutsey, dated or worn it is not likely to help with the sale of the home.   

 
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48 Comments on The Jury is Out on Yard Art

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUN
28
2008
2 Featured Posts

Christy, oh, I would love to see some of your examples.  I have one of my own that I'm thinking of photographing. Are there rules somewhere that say you can't take a picture of something that's in plain view from the street?  Is that a privacy issue?

2:16pm • #29
2 Featured Posts

OOPs, I should clarify a question I posed.  If your clients had figures like the ones pictured at the top of this post, the Gnome Be Gone and the Flamingo Be Gone, what woud you do?  Would you leave it or would you advise that they be put away?  Would it make a difference if they were in the front or back yards or if they were sort of hidden away in plantings or out in plain sight?  So far most people have thought they were funny but would that matter if you were faced with them in real life?

Hmmmm....?

6:09pm • #30
JUN
30
2008
2 Featured Posts

Now this is different, an animated Gnome.  This one waves and says 11 different things.  According to the description, it says things like, "The key's under the doormat", "Steal me away" and "You can't borrow the mower!"   It says he is cheeky-wonder why?

Talking Gnome

Do you suppose it could be reprogramed to give a description of the house and its features?  It's availble from Amazon.com if you are interested.

6:14pm • #31
JUL
01
2008

Pam,

Luv the photo, I think it describes yard art very well.  I also loved Mark's story.  Thanks for sharing!

9:20pm • #32
144,080 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog

The best one that I saw was years ago.

you know how people place large rocks on their lawn. The ones they dig up when they are building the home?

This one as these lines painted on the front of the rock.

If it's wet, it's raining.

If it's white it's snowing.

If it's gone, get moving there's a tornado here!

9:26pm • #33
JUL
02
2008

love the yard art you have pictured. I could get carried away too.

 

actually when I lived in Austin I loved how they would create outdoor scenes - a flock of plastic flamingoes gathered-  or some other humorous play on plastic

 

I think tacky is fabulous if cleverly done.  but art is subjective.

I think a few staged homes could actually use some outdoor art to bring humor or dimension. but thats my tacky opinion!

12:51am • #34
2 Featured Posts

Patty, thanks, I'm beginning to notice it more and more now that I've written this.  Maybe it's because it's summer but there seems to be more out there now in the stores and in homes.  Mark's story was great, wasn't it? 

8:58am • #35
2 Featured Posts

Michelle, I have seen that too-they're called weather rocks.  There is also a weather rope that you can actually buy.  The rope is glued to a sign with similar writing.  The last one says something like "if the rope is moving, you need to get moving too-TORNADO!"  I saw it a couple of times at roadside vegetable stands when I lived in Texas.  People were buying them for the novelty I guess.  There's a certain kind of humor in that at several levels.  I had forgotten about them until you metioned it.  Thanks for bring it up!

9:05am • #36
2 Featured Posts

Jennifer, I know that in some neighborhoods there is something of a competition to create themes with yard art and keeping up with the Joneses is alive and well.  You drive down the street and it is a bit like a miniature Disneyland with woodland creatures, elves, and more.  Sometimes it is cute and sweet and other times it is just sad and tacky.   It's a fine line but you know it when you see it if it is good or bad.  You have a good point.  Sometimes a vanilla backyard could benefit from the right accent.  Emphasis on RIGHT. 

A flock of flamingos is the signal that someone has reached a milestone birthday in our neighborhood.  No one remembers how this got started.  They arrive late at night and all face the front door in a kind of semicircle.  Around Christmas they have Santa Hats.

12:08pm • #37
JUL
17
2008
1,929,896 Points 155 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I did a post on a little pink house and that yard had everything you could think of in it. Now, it wasn't for sale, but if it was, there would have to be a certain type of buyer for it, that was for sure.

Curb appeal is a big thing and if you are laughing at the gnomes or flamingos as you walk in, it could be distracting you from the actual house and that certainly isn't something you want or maybe it is!

Todd Clark, Helping Families Home - www.IFoundYourNewHome.com

12:11am • #38
JUL
19
2008
2 Featured Posts

Todd, I'll have to go look for your post.  I was just in Texas and saw some amazing examples of good/bad yard art.  I thought about taking photos but your really need to see these in person to appreciate the amazing displays.

Yes, humor is great but you really can't take the chance, especially in this market.  Thanks for commenting!

6:24pm • #39
JUL
20
2008
171,489 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Pam, I don't mind the yard art as long as it blends in and isn't screaming "Look at me!". Here's one of a ceramic mushroom.

                                    ceramic mushroom w/ hanging basket

8:08am • #40
2 Featured Posts

Cynthia, this is an interesting piece. From the picture you sent it took me a minute to realize that it was a mushroom and then I read your post.  Photos don't always give you the true context of a piece.  The hanging basket is pretty and the bed is nice and neat.  I think for a showing I would remove the mushroom and either add another flowering annual or leave it plain.  Another splash of color would be eye catching from th street.  Just my take.  Thanks for sharing.

1:51pm • #41
171,489 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Oh so sorry Pam, I didn't explain....the mushroom is mine. I guess it does look kinda funny without the rest of the assorted shaped shrooms.

I don't have a picture but I did a consult on a really unique home that had similar mushrooms and glass orbs in the garden. I wasn't sure about keeping them in the garden, but the ‘yard art' did lend itself to the rest of the home. It really worked because the new owner had wanted them included in the sale. She had said they caught her eye while driving by and made her want to see the rest of the home.

So you are correct in this being another example of beauty being in the eye of the beholder!

3:25pm • #42
JUL
21
2008
2 Featured Posts

Cynthia, oh, well that's different!  I usually group things in threes or odd numbers so maybe your mushroom needs a friend?  LOL! 

8:22am • #43
138,532 Points 6 Featured Posts

I am not a huge fan of kitchy yard art, but some wonderful sculptures, ponds, and proper lighting is great for selling houses and just living. Kym

9:19am • #44
171,489 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi again Pam,

Ok now I'm going to keep this PG rated, if I group the rest of my ceramic shrooms w/ the really big one it might cause a small scene if you get my drift  ;) So for now I'm keeping his 'friends' away!

small shroom                           small shroom

I totally agree w/ you about color placement, I use the ol' triangle rule. A lesson I learned a long time ago from working in the florist business.

And Pam, I love how you said 'interesting piece', spoken like a true professional. Thanks for the email!

7:11pm • #45
2 Featured Posts

Cynthia, oh yes,  I TOTALLY understand your placment issues.  LOL Was this sold as a set?  Thanks for having a sense of humor!  Your garden must be beautiful considering your background in the florist business.  It must come in handy when advising on curb appeal!  Thanks for the photos-worth 1,000 words each.

Kym, you're right, outdoor lighting can make a huge diffrence when it is done well- it makes a property more attractive and can be great for security. Ponds that don't require much maintenance can be a plus though one Realtor I know told me that they can be a lot like swimming pools-buyers either love them or hate them.

9:35pm • #46
JUL
24
2008
621,796 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I cringe when I see most yard art.  Some if done tastefully, like huge pottery, and urns look great if they go with the landscape.

11:44pm • #47
JUL
25
2008
2 Featured Posts

Cindy, do you mean that you wouldn't like creative pieces like this "Tweety Bird:ugly tweety bird or it's friend, the Flying Pig?  Flying pig 

Just think of the scrap metal that has been saved from the landfill by recycling!!!!!!   LOL!

Top these!

If you're interested, these are actually for sale on eBay where you can see all sides of these rare sculptures.

3:01pm • #48

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