Shabby Chic Garden

Carla Akan's garden is partly shaded, which prompted her decision to bring in antiques to fill in the space. The garden is decorated with rustic and antique things--many in white.

Antique collector Carla Akan has transformed her ordinary midwestern backyard into an old-world country hideaway, and details make the difference. Because there are many plants she can't grow in her shady yard, she decided to use other things, she explains.

Through her travels around the world, she has fallen in love with vintage furniture, linens and rustic things like folk and primitive art. "When I am in any antique [store], if I see a piece that I love, I buy it and figure out what to do with it later. I found this table from Tuscany, and I was absolutely enamored with it. I actually sat on it because I noticed that somebody else was looking at it," she laughs.

A consistent theme in Carla's garden is the color white. "It's clean-looking and blends well with everything that you do. All colors go with white, and it always looks fresh, even when it's old."

Every area of her garden has its own character. Despite her eclectic tastes, Carla has discovered the key to making shabby things chic. "I never, never buy anything new. Whether it's for outside or inside my home. Everything has been touched, used and worn--which makes the patina change. The finish looks like it has been loved, and I love it twice as much because it's a piece of history."

Also in this Episode

Rebecca's Garden : Episode REB-722
•	Shabby Chic Garden
•	12 Tried-and-True Garden Tips
•	The Morel of the Story
•	Glazing Plastic Pots
•	Growing Cat Grass