Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Outdoor Wednesday-Gazebos & Statue


Last month when we went to the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, CA we saw a statuary business on the side of the 91 freeway. Now Mike (hubby) loves to stop at statuary businesses to see what they have. So on the way home from the Nixon Library we decided to stop & see. This particular one is located in Corona, CA on the east bound side of the 91 freeway.

We have seen these beautiful gazebos made with pillars and a metal scrolly dome top. Mike wants to make one of these himself someday, so he likes to stop & get ideas. This place had 3 different ones. I forgot to check the prices, but I'm sure they are super expensive. Way beyond our non existent budget.

Mike found on ebay some forms for making your own concrete pillars. So he thinks he can make his own pillars. And since he knows how to weld, he thinks he could make the metal dome top as well. Probably not as intricate as these, something more simple. I really like the pillars on this gazebo.

This gazebo has benches. I kind of like that idea.

I'm torn between this gazebo & the first gazebo. The pillars are pretty much the same, I just can't decide if I like white pillars or the darker color. I think I'm leaning more towards the white. This one is much bigger than the first as it has 6 pillars instead of 4. I'm sure if Mike tried to make his own, the pillars will be a lot more plain & simple. But isn't it fun to dream of having something so beautiful in your yard?

And finally the real reason Mike likes to look at these types of places is this:

This statue is called the Winged Victory of Somothrace. Isn't she beautiful? The original is located in the Louvre museum in Paris, France and is made out of white marble. We saw it when we were there in 2003. It was Mike's favorite statue. We have a couple of smaller versions of this statue in our house. But Mike has always wanted one for the yard. This is the first statue place that actually had one. We were so excited, that is until we saw the price. $995.00!!!! Statues are expensive. Can you imagine what she would cost if she were white marble like the original? I can't even imagine. So needless to say, we did not take this baby home with us. She stayed at the statue yard. But she would look fabulous in our backyard, next to our pool.

Do you ever window shop at statuary yards?

Now be sure to visit Susan at A Southern Daydreamer to see this weeks participants.

18 comments:

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Happy Outdoor Wednesday Kim! I like the first gazebo best! And, uh...yes! I love statuary yards! If my husband is driving he will go the long way to avoid me seeing them! Thanks for sharing your photos.~ Susan

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

What a wonderful place. I love exploring this kind of place.

Happy Outdoor Wednesday, Kim!!

Cindy said...

Yes, I love to wander through such areas!

Shellbelle said...

I also love statues, but alas, mine are all small. This does allow me to move them on a whim though. I'll stop at anything along the road that looks intriguing.

Happy Outdoor Wednesday!

jeanne said...

Kim, yes, I have shopped at a statuary and ended up with a beautiful fountain. Three tiers with a pineapple on top. Only $225.00 and I think it was a good price. Too bad the favorite piece was so expensive. I hope your dream gazebo comes true.

Hugs...Jeanne

Claudia said...

My vote would be the 1st one for sure. I think that statue you are in love with would look fantastic in anyones yard...especially if they love it!!

NExt time you are there... tell them to put you on a list to call if they ever deside to have a clearance sale or huge mark down. That way they know you love her too. Never hurts to let them know.

TTFN~~Claudia

Kat said...

I love the first gazebo. And that statue is fabulous - too bad the price is too! Thanks for stopping by, Happy Outdoor Wednesday. Kathy

Victoria Hayden said...

Hi Kim! Thank you for leaving such a sweet comment on my blog! I see that we sharte not only feet size, love of dishes but also the same religion. Looking forward to knowing you better! Love looking through your blog. You have very good taste and design, love your toile in your bedroom! Glad to be friends now. :)

Hugs,
~Victoria~

Kathleen Ellis said...

Beautiful! Yes...we do dream at statuary places and at architectural salvage places...dream on...it's fun!
;-D

Sue said...

Hi Kim, I vote for the style of the first gazebo- the darker color and the fact that it had more of an area on which the metal top would sit. I can't imagine prices of those things- a fairly simple fountain that I saw last week in a garden center was over $1700! No way I can justify that type of purchase... I hope your husband's project can get off to a good start soon. You're lucky he's talented.

Thanks for the visit today. Glad we are both official and legal bloggers. Hope you continue to stop by. I look f/you in reader all the time. Hugs, Sue

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Kim, what a fun place to visit and dream! I enjoyed seeing it. laurie

Its So Very Cheri said...

Just found your blog and added it to my favs. I wanted to let you know I have a GIVE AWAY that ends to day.

Cheri
www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com

Mary Bergfeld said...

Kim, I loved the mini tour of the statuary enterprise. May I suggest you check ebay or Craig's list fro a larger statue of Winged Victory. You might get lucky :-). Have a wonderful day.

Lori E said...

Good for your husband for wanting to do this. I am impressed. I saw an iron one in a store here in Canada that was many thousands of dollars. Of course with the exchange rate you could probably get it for $50 US. lol.
Thanks for coming by Treat Yourself Thursday and I hope to see you next week too. (well not just next week, every day but especially next week)

Anonymous said...

I have a thing for statuary too Kim. the problem is, what worked up north in my French Country garden doesn't transfer well here in Florida. My neighbors have statuary, but it is a giant pink flamingo, and a painted cement lady bending over gardening so that you can see her bloomers.I think I would like to have some beautiful tall herons to put by a pond.

ellen b. said...

Boy you are hitting a lot of old haunts of mine. My parents lived in Yorba Linda for a while just down from the Nixon library and my inlaws lived in Corona for a few years. I like the same pillars you do.

Kammy said...

Wow that was a pricey statue...guess they are expensive!
Hugs ~ Kammy

The Stylish House said...

Hi Kim,
Last weekend I admired a circular enclosure similar to this at the garden center. I loved it, but did not glance at the price because I knew it would be expensive. If your husband does this project, please write a post on it.
Cathy