Garden Photo of the Day

READER PHOTO! A faux borrowed view

Michelle Gervais, Senior Editor

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Mindy Arbo

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Mindy Arbo

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Photo: Mindy Arbo

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Today's photo is from Mindy Arbo in Winchester, Massachusetts. She says, "To distract visitors from some newly built houses next door, we borrowed from a Japanese design element called The Borrowed View, which, in our case we adapted to a Faux Borrowed View. We created and hung two circular mirror 'windows' which brighten up a formerly dead spot by reflecting sunlit greenery, branches and sky. Now, as you round that bend in the path , your eyes are drawn downward to the mirrors which give the effect of two round see-through windows/peepholes seemingly showing sunny foliage in the garden next door! They do fool a lot of visitors who seem to enjoy the trick!  To see more about them and how they were made, click here: http://www.cottonarboretum.com/garden-lessons/design/the-view/." Thanks, Mindy, for sharing this with us!

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Comments (7)

SonnyFL writes: Such a beautiful way to bring light into a dark area. Who would even think that there was a McMansion behind the wall.
The site has so much info and gorgeous pictures. Posted: 10:35 pm on July 13th

arboretum writes: smld, now you have me thinking; when you mentioned the heaviness of the metal screen, i flashed to a confessional! but creating a faux confessional in the garden? i don't think so!!!...........
best,
mindy Posted: 11:43 pm on July 7th

arboretum writes: berrie, that door idea sounds terrific, but what are you waiting for, girl??!Send in your photo!! It's possible you could be part of an intermittent mirror series!(remember those other cool mirrors featured in june?)

best,
mindy
www.cottonarboretum.com/ Posted: 2:07 pm on July 7th

David_Bockman writes: Just excellent, I love it! Mirrors in the garden are such a great element, you've used them brilliantly IMHO. Posted: 11:26 am on July 7th

Berrie writes: Love the idea of mirror backed windows in the garden. This technique with an asian flavor is very lovely and balanced. I have used this in my garden, but my theme was a more weathered look with a old door and placing a round mirror on it. This is on our back fence, the effect looks like we have a connecting door with a hole peering into another part of our garden. This gives the effect of a deeper back yard. Posted: 11:11 am on July 7th

greenthumbs2 writes: Really enjoyed learning about this technique which is new to me. Love what it can do for an area that is otherwise "blank". Loved the web-site as well. Posted: 9:40 am on July 7th

SMLD writes: Unlike many mirror windows, Mindy's have a high proportion of heavy metal framing which creates the effect of leading in stained glass or antique settings for diamond rings. These sparkly objects are beautiful in themselves as well as in their reflections! Posted: 6:15 am on July 7th

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