* A path built by an Eagle Scout at our community garden is not getting used.  Turns out the entrance to the path has been blocked by a pile of wood chips, some cinder blocks, and assorted other necessities of the garden that didn’t really have a designated storage spot.  We realize we need to make a new entrance for it, maybe something fun like a bean teepee, butterfly wings, or even a shark’s mouth through which kids can walk.  This gets me thinking about entrances, and how they can transform a setting in a public space, like our garden, or at home.  Well-defined entrances serve as distinct, inviting architectural features and are a great design element to add around your landscape to indicate separate outdoor “rooms,” such as a garden area, a pool area, a dining area, and a play area. You may even find you use your outdoor space more often when it is featured in these unique ways.

* Here is the sweet entrance to my friend Farmer Sue’s herb garden.  Sue’s 6-acre homestead is named The Art Barn at Morning Glory Farm, and she runs a small business where she combines art and animals at parties, farm outings, in-school visits, and more.  (You can hold a chicken, and learn how to draw one, too!)  You almost feel like you’re on a movie set at Farmer Sue’s.  How close is your yard to feeling that way? (Get some movie-set-related home decor ideas here.) A little cleaning up and organization, and an accent piece or two can get you there. (Piglets help, too.)

* As for that outdoor dining area, don’t let the lack of a deck or an old patio stop you from a four-star experience.  It could be as simple as this picnic table under a tree.  In fact, what could be better than that on a summer evening?  Here are more outdoor dining ideas from Sunset magazine. See a more elaborate dinner party setting here.

* And, as for the pool area, let’s dream a little.  Want to feel like a celebrity while you’re lounging poolside?  Here’s Lance Armstrong’s pool and cabana, in Austin.  Although I like Ryan Seacrest’s, too.  And Diane Keaton’s is colorful.  (See more celebrity pools here.)  If you’d rather swim with fish than with celebrities, check out this eco pool/pond.

Want to fix up your garden entrance, install a pool worth a celebrity entrance, or create a space for dining al fresco?  Let fence installers, landscape designers, pool installers, and other service pros you find on Kudzu help you go all out.