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Saturday, July 12, 2014

A Secret Garden Nook


A Secret Garden Nook --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Do you have a spot where you can steal away
on a summer's day?

A  secret nook to read a book...
 sip a glass of iced tea...
listen to the birds...
 have a little snooze... 
feel the breeze...
and get away from it all?

A place where you won't hear,
"MOM! WHAT CAN I EAT???"
 
If you do,
I'll be right over.

The idea for my garden nook came about    
when we did some landscaping last summer,
which left a little clearing 
just off the side of the yard.

A Secret Garden Nook --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

My friend's beautiful secret garden
that I posted about last summer
was another source of motivation.

 I was busy pinning inspiration photos all winter long...
daydreaming about the ideal little bistro set,
rusted to perfection...
interesting decorative accents...
lush foliage...
pretty pillows...
I had it all laid out in my mind.

Yeah, well..
it didn't quite work out like that.

 When it came right down to it, 
I couldn't see spending lots of money
on things that no one can really see.

A Secret Garden Nook --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I know, I know...
it's not supposed to be seen...
otherwise, it wouldn't be a "secret," duh.
But when it comes to certain things,
I'm frugal like that.

A Secret Garden Nook --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

 I decided to work with what I had, for the most part.
It's amazing what you can find
when you shop your own house.

I started with a weathered red bench,
that used to reside on my deck.
I think it came from LL Bean, a few years ago.
It didn't really fit in with the rest of my deck furniture,
so moving it made sense.

A Secret Garden Nook --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes 

I like that you can see the red through the trees from the deck. 

A Secret Garden Nook --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I accessorized with things I had...
Flower pots...

A Secret Garden Nook --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

  Lanterns...

A Secret Garden Nook --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

  A wagon wheel...

A Secret Garden Nook --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

A little table covered with a napkin...

A Secret Garden Nook --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

oh, and watermelon (heh-heh)


A Secret Garden Nook --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


I painted some terra-cotta flower pots,
and stacked them to make a table.

A Secret Garden Nook --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I did purchase a few things...

 The lobster pillow at Home Goods...

A Secret Garden Nook --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

 The sundial from Joss and Main...

A Secret Garden Nook --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

and the bird feeder from Home Goods.  

A Secret Garden Nook --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
 
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56 comments:

  1. Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynestJuly 12, 2014 at 12:25:00 PM EDT

    I love it, especially the red bench - very pretty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo ShoesJuly 17, 2014 at 10:36:00 PM EDT

      Thanks so much, Vicki! The red bench worked out better than I thought it would!

      Delete
  2. MerisiJuly 12, 2014 at 12:29:00 PM EDT

    Red hot spot! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo ShoesJuly 17, 2014 at 10:37:00 PM EDT

      Very hot, LOL, except when the sprinklers go on right near the bench!

      Delete
  3. UnknownJuly 12, 2014 at 12:58:00 PM EDT

    Thanks for hosting! I am looking forward to checking out all the wonderful gardens!
    outstanding-chalet-grande-roche

    ReplyDelete
  4. gibbygoo56July 12, 2014 at 1:52:00 PM EDT

    Charming!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Katie MansfieldJuly 12, 2014 at 1:53:00 PM EDT

    I love that red bench. So cute. I have a secret garden. I don't sit there but I could. :0

    ReplyDelete
  6. Deb @ Frugal Little BungalowJuly 12, 2014 at 2:08:00 PM EDT

    Looks perfect...cool and shady :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo ShoesJuly 17, 2014 at 10:38:00 PM EDT

      Yes, nice and shady, and a bonus that a sprinkler head is close by haha!

      Delete
  7. MichelleJuly 12, 2014 at 2:54:00 PM EDT

    I love you garden nook! And especially that idea of painting and stacking terra cotta pots to make a table!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo ShoesJuly 17, 2014 at 10:39:00 PM EDT

      I think I will do a post on the pots - they were so easy to do!

      Delete
  8. SusieJuly 12, 2014 at 3:58:00 PM EDT

    I think your garden nook is very sweet. I do not like to waste those terra cotta pot either....they bring character to the garden. xoxo,Susie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo ShoesJuly 17, 2014 at 10:39:00 PM EDT

      Thanks, Susie! I love terra cotta pots, even if they are broken!

      Delete
  9. carol janeJuly 12, 2014 at 5:29:00 PM EDT

    It's perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Michele {Malaysian Meanders}July 12, 2014 at 6:17:00 PM EDT

    This looks like such a relaxing nook. It's great that you were able to use so many items you already had on hand. I'm going to be back to my house with a yard and look forward to gardening again once the weather cools down.

    ReplyDelete
  11. KellyJuly 12, 2014 at 10:16:00 PM EDT

    That looks like a great secret spot to get away. Love all of your colorful accessories too.

    ReplyDelete
  12. RosellaJuly 13, 2014 at 1:25:00 AM EDT

    I love it!!! Your red accents are perfect and your terra cotta table is brilliant!!! Good job.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo ShoesJuly 17, 2014 at 10:49:00 PM EDT

      Thank you, Rosella! It was a good start - I'm hoping to do some real planting next year.

      Delete
  13. Con DelightJuly 13, 2014 at 12:56:00 PM EDT

    The garden looks so beautiful and relaxing

    ReplyDelete
  14. sweetbriardreamsJuly 13, 2014 at 2:39:00 PM EDT

    Amazing nook to hide away! I love the chair, the table, the cushion... it's all fantastic. Well done xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo ShoesJuly 17, 2014 at 10:54:00 PM EDT

      Thanks so much, Chel! It was a good start! Hope to really improve it next year, with some shade plants.

      Delete
  15. VagabondeJuly 14, 2014 at 5:12:00 PM EDT

    My blog was in pause for two months but I did not have such a pretty secret nook such as yours in which to relax. It looks quite comfortable and pleasant to the eye.

    ReplyDelete
  16. DebbiedoosJuly 14, 2014 at 10:45:00 PM EDT

    What a fabulous little getaway! So charming.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo ShoesJuly 17, 2014 at 10:57:00 PM EDT

      Thanks, Debbie! It was a good start, and hopefully I'll improve it next year!

      Delete
  17. PoppyJuly 15, 2014 at 1:45:00 AM EDT

    So, so pretty, Amy! Love the use of reds in solids and checks and flowers and lobsters! What an interesting and colourful bird feeder! Your secret garden nook is a fabulous, forested getaway, my friend!

    Poppy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo ShoesJuly 17, 2014 at 10:58:00 PM EDT

      Thanks, Poppy! It was a pretty good start, but I'd really like to plant some shade plants next year. The ground is just so darn hard in that spot! I'll have to butter up Mr. GS!

      Delete
  18. Chatfield CourtJuly 15, 2014 at 3:35:00 AM EDT

    Love your secret nook, especially the red bench. It looks like the perfect spot to escape for a bit.
    Kristi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo ShoesJuly 17, 2014 at 10:59:00 PM EDT

      Thank you, Kristi! I really had my heart set on a bistro set, but I actually am loving the red bench!

      Delete
  19. Susan FreemanJuly 15, 2014 at 10:41:00 AM EDT

    A wonderful setting and I really love how it's so charmingly set up!

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo ShoesJuly 17, 2014 at 11:09:00 PM EDT

      It was a pretty good start, Susan! I"m hoping that next year, I'll do some shady plants in the ground.

      Delete
  20. UnknownJuly 16, 2014 at 12:18:00 PM EDT

    What a great little secret spot!
    And that red bench is perfect!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo ShoesJuly 17, 2014 at 11:13:00 PM EDT

      I'm really happy that the bench worked out so well, and that I didn't have to buy a bistro set!

      Delete
  21. LanaJuly 17, 2014 at 1:50:00 AM EDT

    You have such a creative talent for making beautiful spaces! Looks like the perfect place to enjoy a summer afternoon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo ShoesJuly 17, 2014 at 11:18:00 PM EDT

      Thanks, Lana! I think it was pretty good for the first try. Hope to spiff it up a bit next year!

      Delete
  22. KarenJuly 17, 2014 at 11:39:00 PM EDT

    This is gorgeous! I could totally hide out in a place like what you've created. I love your red bench; it looks so nice and cozy. Thanks so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Sweet Bee CottageJuly 18, 2014 at 1:34:00 AM EDT

    What a charming little spot. You've done a lovely job putting it all together and that lobster pillow just makes me smile.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Roopini VaradarajuJuly 19, 2014 at 1:00:00 AM EDT

    Wow beautiful place :) Inspiring :)
    Roopini
    Let's Make It Lovely

    ReplyDelete
  25. KathyJuly 21, 2014 at 10:41:00 AM EDT

    I think we all need such a lovely spot! I will be featuring your post in this week's A Return to Loveliness,
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  26. Sum of their StoriesJuly 21, 2014 at 5:47:00 PM EDT

    It looks so inviting, I would love to join you for a glass of something cold and a chat!

    ReplyDelete
  27. UnknownJuly 24, 2014 at 9:09:00 AM EDT

    Love this! You have so many great decorating ideas. Thanks so much for sharing with the Let's Get Real party! Pinning.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Julie's LifestyleJuly 25, 2014 at 10:58:00 AM EDT

    I love your area you made for summer reading and relaxing! You did a wonderful job and it looks so nice. Congrats on the feature at rooted in thyme! Have a nice weekend.
    Julie
    Julie's Lifestyle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo ShoesJuly 25, 2014 at 10:47:00 PM EDT

      Thanks, Julie, I appreciate that you stopped by and commented! Happy weekend!

      Delete
  29. JoyJuly 27, 2014 at 11:30:00 AM EDT

    Stunning!! Thank you for sharing at Treasure Box Tuesday- pinned! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  30. SallyAugust 30, 2014 at 12:11:00 PM EDT

    I LOVE it! So pretty. And, the wagon wheel? I absolutely love it. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo ShoesAugust 30, 2014 at 9:57:00 PM EDT

      Thanks, Sally, I am looking forward to doing it up for fall! I love the wagon wheel, too. I think I got it from Christmas Tree Shops.

      Delete

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