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Whether your home is a multimillion dollar mansion or a humble cabin in the sticks, what you put in and around it says perhaps more about you than the actual house. A set of rusty, falling apart wind chimes can detract almost as much from the beauty of your home as parking a rusty junker in the yard.

Recently I visited an acquaintance with acreage and a lovely home and garden. But what I really remember is the half dozen sets of chipped and broken wind chimes hanging from the rafters of his large deck. He and his wife had invested many hours and many dollars landscaping, yet had somehow neglected replacing these eyesores. Because everything else was so perfect, these crummy hangings stood out even more than they might have.

On the other hand, you can get away with a lot~ painting less than perfect, a bit of mess, a less than ‘Better Homes and Gardens’ yard ~ if you invest in something that is beautiful, unique, and pulls the eye. A drop dead gorgeous wind chime, a few art sun catchers, perhaps some large garden or planter stakes with glass and chimes, and visitors will look at these, and remember them, instead of your flaking paint.

The same can certainly be said for the interior of your home. Who in this day of duel jobs can keep a really clean and orderly interior? Put some special accent pieces around your home, and you can get away with considerable mess. Putting something unexpected works especially well. How about a really large, art wind chime right inside your home? I’ve seen this, and it’s wonderful.

Even if your house is ‘perfect’ inside and out~ unless you have at least a few very special treats for the eye, it’s unlikely you’re going to impress anyone. What you choose to display says a lot, and it is up to you what message you wish to convey; what memories your guests depart with.

You can always buy very inexpensive things, things that look okay, at least for a few months. However, this type of stuff always says cheap to those with any eye at all, and outside tend to last only a very short time before looking dismal. The mass production import folks are now making serious efforts to copy the arts and crafts look, but cutting corners and mass producing just does not succeed. You are much more likely to succeed by spending a little more, and getting something truly unique, something by an artist or craftsperson who puts some soul into the piece, and who uses quality materials.

Not only will your visitors appreciate your efforts, but almost certainly your own days will be considerably brightened as you enjoy your beautiful accent pieces. Rather than looking shabby after a few months, quality sun catchers, garden sculptures, wind chimes and so on will generally look better and better as they age, and your appreciation for whatever you choose will grow over the months and years. There will be pleasure.

About the Author:
Artist-designer Tim Kline uses beach-type glass, copper, stone and other natural materials to make unique, well made wind chimes, sun catchers and other items of beauty for the home and garden.