Decorating Outdoors With Garden Chimes



by Eloise James


In ancient times, wind chimes were hung to discourage evil spirits from lurking around homes. Nowadays they are used as charming outdoor decorations. There are many styles of garden chimes to fit any decor and enchant every ear.

Gardens are primarily artistic expressions, with flowers, trees, and shrubs as the medium. Color, shape, and texture all play a part, with landscape design an acknowledged art form with a rich history. Even a suburban flower bed tells a lot about the taste and interest of the inhabitants of the home.

The pleasant sound of musical chiming adds another dimension to the pleasure of being outdoors. Nothing emphasizes a cool summer breeze like a collection of objects that are suspended in such a way that they come together to create musical sounds.

One often-seen style is an arrangement of hollow pipes or tubes, which give off clear notes that vary according to the length and weight of the individual cylinders. Some sets have a central clapper, while others depend on the impact of the tubes as the wind pushes them together. Careful craftsmanship can produce actual melodies from a collection of suspended items.

Materials used include metals, glass, sea shells, plastics, or any other substance that is weather and shatter-proof. Cast iron, aluminum, copper, brass, and steel are used to produce loud, clear notes, while wood such as bamboo give off muted sounds. Clay can produce mellow tones, and glass reflects light while giving off tinkling music. Sea shells are often hung on beach house porches, agitated by the sea breezes and reminding everyone of days on the sand.

Check online to see traditional and wildly original forms of garden chimes, which continue the long tradition of letting the wind play music in outdoor loving spaces. There are all kinds on display, from simple sets of hollow tubes to intricate mobiles featuring birds, sail boats, running horses, or other favorite themes. Others are unusual shapes, sizes, and colors that bring a modern touch to the traditional decoration.




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