Dear Debbie: We have several outdoor resin figurines that have faded due to sun and water. Can they be painted? If so, what type of paint? Also, can a sealer top coat be used to keep them fresh looking as long as possible?
Lena
Dear Lena: Garden ornamentation has been around forever. The statuary or figurines that you choose tell a story that can have historic significance, reinforce an architectural style, create an imaginary setting such as a farmyard, or bring humour to a small part of the garden.
You can discover wonderful characters and garden decoration online as well as at your garden centre. The ducks in rain boots and hats shown here are from Plow and Hearth, (plowhearth.com). They are resin painted to look like wood, very realistic and full of fun.
All outdoor painted figures will fade and even chip over time due to weather. But they are easily refreshed. Clean your figurines with mild soap, use a toothbrush to get into all the nooks and crannies, as paint will not stick to dirt or grease. If there are sharp edges, smooth them out with sandpaper. Let the piece dry thoroughly before you start to paint. Prime with an exterior high-adhesion primer first, then paint with acrylic craft paint. A top coat is a good idea. Look for a varnish that supplies UV protection. When the weather gets cold, you may want to bring them inside as freezing temperatures will damage the protective coating and even crack the resin. Enjoy your garden and all the whimsical spots you have created.
听
Dear Debbie:We are fortunate to be asked to visit friends at their summer cottage and like to take a gift that would be appreciated. They always have lots of company. What do you suggest?
Vivian
Dear Vivian:Coming up with ideas for considerate hostess gifts can be challenging, especially if you have never been to the cottage, and so don鈥檛 know what to expect. Entertaining when you are on holidays should be as effortless as possible. Generally, there is some discussion beforehand regarding who is bringing food, beverages, snacks and so on. Opt for a category that can match up with a useful gift. For fish lovers, a fish platter is always appreciated. Fill it with smoked salmon to be served for breakfast, lunch or hors d鈥檕euvres. Take a favourite casserole ready to heat in a good-sized oven dish. Same idea for desserts such as brownies and fruit crisps. Drinks caddies are essential for carting beverages down to the beach or dock. You can find ones that are compartmentalized in cooler bags at home stores. I have seen a carton style with three-inch sides divided into sections that holds glasses and bottles as well as condiments. The container is the gift, and fill with specialty beers, juices, glasses, homemade jams and preserves, whatever you and your hosts like.
Think about crowd control too. A set of eight labelled napkin rings will keep everyone organized and cut down on paper products. A cookbook for cottage favourites and barbecue specialties 鈥� include one of your own, of course.
For the bathroom, a thoughtful and eco-friendly gift is a selection of natural soaps and lotions.
Any of these ideas will please your hosts and guarantee a return invite.
听
Debbie Travis鈥� House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Email your questions to [email protected].
