LA Survey: Lawn Ornaments

The other day, we blogged the Youngwood Estates aka The House of Davids, a case of tongue in cheek lawn ornaments. We're torn on the subject. While we enjoy a statue or two in the right setting, we're not so sure about the pink flamingos and lawn jockeys, the realistic statues or the gnomes. What's your thought? To ornament or not? If you answer yes, we'd like to know what's your figure of choice and what's the setting?

Comments (13)

As one who actually has pink flamingos in her yard, I had to vote yes. You can see them in the AT LA Flickr pool... I think they are cute, but I know that they are kitschy and that is one reason I love them.

I have miniature "lawn ornaments" in a couple of my potted plants indoors. That's enough kitsch for me.
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If I had outdoor space, I would reserve the rear of the home for any and all ornments (nothing plastic).

In my neck of the woods, people have cement geese that they dress up for all occasions. They're extremely tacky, but also good for a few laughs.

I've been on the search for a really great gnome for ages!
Anyone have an suggestions on where to find a really nice one with lots of character in his face?

Gnomes and flamingoes are one thing. Where I grew up, more than one house re-purposed old toilet bowls into planters - finally a place for those geraniums!

The only thing worse? I'd say those ridiculous life-size bronze renderings of Mom, Dad and the kids that adorn so many of the larger yards starting in Beverly Hills and heading west.

I have a sculptor husband and many large original works, but some people love the painted Snow White and all 7 dwarves best. My Mom gave them to me for a birthday present decades ago. He's had many requests to knock off Disney replicas. and said "no," of course

Not into gnomes but have gazing balls. In front of the house is a rusted urn with a coppery hand blown orb topping it off placed among large hosta and daylilies. Naturalistic with a twist. In the back I have several polished stainless steel globes propped in a cluster under the green ceramic birdbath.

I have a rule against fake animals in the yard. Just a big "no" on that. There are rules about what we can and can't have in our townhome subdivision, but nothing against large fake deer apparently, because some neighbors have them. They're awful. A cute little statue (not painted) in a garden is one thing, but if it's life-size, I'm fully against it.

That being said, I don't think the whole world should adhere to my design rules. What a boring place it would be then!

The most I'd ever have would be a birdbath.

That being said, some of my old neighbors used to have a contest to see who could get the most ridiculous lawn ornamentation (I'm talking about stags, turkeys, geese, gnomes, etc). It was very fun to watch. While definitely not my style, it was entertaining and interesting to see.

I'm looking for a smallish, fat, happy, buddha with arms raised for my front "garden", what a nice welcome home.

I am all about a good flock of Plastic Flamingos! Nothing like a little pink to brighten up the lawn (even if the neighbors do complain....)