Accessorize Inside this Winter

Those beautiful planters on your deck or patio were a sight to behold this summer. Overflowing with brightly colored flowers, they brought you pleasure all summer long.

But now that the colder weather is starting to set in do you need to unplant them and store them out of sight where no one can enjoy them?

Of course not! Just bring them in to use as accent pieces during the holidays and winter months.

Here are some fun ways to use planters indoors from the folks at fine garden accessories manufacturer Campania International:

• Fill a cast stone urn (or small birdbath) with fruit such as apples or pears and set it on your table as a centerpiece when you are entertaining guests. Remember to use felt coasters on the bottom of your containers to easily move them from table to table.

• Keep an interesting large cast stone planter by your door to catch umbrellas or gloves, mittens, hats or other winter paraphernalia tossed by your kids as they race into the house.

• Create your own indoor water garden by adding plants such as spider lilies, taro or water lettuce to a glazed or lightweight container.

• For parties, fill an empty lightweight container with ice to keep beverages cold.

• And of course planters can hold plenty of magazines and newspapers.

With a little creativity your planters and garden accent pieces can be versatile and elegant enough to bring indoors for four seasons of enjoyment -- and an extended life.

-Stacey

GMG