These umbrellas are the palest shade of mint green. They just add a little splash of color, which may be lost to the camera in the intense afternoon sun. Of course the five Spanish oaks, for which this garden was once named, are gone; killed by the intense heat and drought of 2 years ago. We used to have lovely filtered shade in here. Now we have glaring afternoon sun. Thoughts of adding an over head arbor may be in the future.
Anyway I went to an estate sale yesterday and saw these umbrellas. They weren't over priced but I thought I could wait until today when the price dropped 50%. Honestly they were a bargain and if you know me I only like bargains. I wonder why no one else wanted them? What luck. They even came with the stands.
Good finds! Very nice solution and that's definitely not a lot of color, especially since I am used to the colors of San Antonio.
ReplyDeleteI'm big on bargains too. My garden would be a lot less fun if I didn't hit estate sales, craigslist, and the clearance aisle at Homegoods on a regular basis.
I had my color phase when I was in my 20s and 30s. Bright orange! But now I am happy for the flowers to provide the color. I was particularly happy with these finds Shirley and that little touch of mint green may have me moving back into the world of colored accessories again.
DeleteThe umbrellas look perfect and I love the deck chair!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mara. I have a green pad for the chair but I think I will have to make a new cover to match the mint green and maybe a bright cushion!
DeleteWhat a great find! I'm sorry you lost the trees, but these umbrellas are a very nice solution.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jayne. At first I though one but then I found it worked with two.
DeleteWhat a bargain! Love the steamer chair, too.
ReplyDeleteYou know, NellJean, I would really like a little bistro set here instead but have no idea where I would put that steamer chair!
DeleteThose umbrellas are just the perfect color - what a find! I am dealing with a similar onslaught of afternoon sun in what was formerly the shady side of our house. The owners of the rental house next door finally cut down a huge bird-planted hackberry tree that was leaning at a 45 degree angle between our houses. It had to go and I'm glad they did it, but I will have to completely rethink the plantings there - and move all the shade lovers elsewhere. Thankfully there wasn't much planted there yet.
ReplyDeleteLoss of trees do make for an opportunity. Unfortunately for us to really get some shade here we would have to wait 40 years or spend a load of money.
DeleteLook like a great garden addition. I'll be interested in your arbor. Have been coveting an arbor planted with crossvine and trumpet vine; just the idea of sitting under a green mantle buzzing with hummingbirds...
ReplyDeleteThat does sound wonderful Kathleen. I might chose a less vigorous vine as I have had my experiences with cross vine. Unfortunately the lack of a place to put the posts is a problem but of course I am no expert and someone else would likely overcome that.
DeleteScore!
ReplyDeleteFor the longest time I avoided bright colors, hated them. For some reason I've now entered my color phase, although it is a very distinct palette.
Score indeed. I keep walking by the window and looking at them. There is always a place for change.
DeleteJenny - I feel you are always a stage or two (or three?) ahead of me. What luck for me to have found such an intrepid early adapter to emulate. In the summertime I let the plants splash their own colors around with the exception of a few small deep cobalt blue and turquoise pieces that I can't seem to resist displaying. AND one lime green ceramic bird bath. That one was a gift. All my pieces are/were bargains though - I'm with you there. Getting the best price is all part of the fun.
ReplyDeleteOh, that mint color is making me weak in the knees.... So sweetly cool and inviting. Good find RR.
I have tried adding red umbrellas but always end up taking them back and getting a more neutral one. Cobalt blue and turquoise are favorites with gardeners. They go so well with plantings or as a feature to draw the eye to a corner of the garden. Thanks for your kind words.
DeleteGreat find! I really like the look of 2 in that space. Hopefully you can spend more time in that garden now.
ReplyDeleteI would Laura but I have to work out there when it is cool and then it is way too hot even to sit under an umbrella.
DeleteNo one wanted them because they were waiting for the right person to come along. You! They look perfect in your garden.
ReplyDeleteI really was the right person and I was so patient. I wanted them for $12.50. When I think how I risked not getting them! I have never bought anything at an estate sale before but this one had better prices.
DeleteWhat a great find! Just a touch of color. Perfect.
ReplyDelete12.50 is an amazing deal! How come I never find stuff like that at the estate sales I go to?
ReplyDeleteNice color. Yes, I like subtle colors as well.
ReplyDeleteDavid/:0)
The mint green is very cooling and looks great in that spot. Looks like a good find and a great solution.
ReplyDelete