This Yard Decor Is My Luxe Version of Plastic Flamingos

I’m a big believer in the idea that your home’s design has a significant impact on your well-being (in fact, I literally wrote a book on it!). There are many ways to create a home that makes you feel good, but one thing that’s important to me is incorporating natural elements — something known in design as biophilia.

Biophilia can include nature-inspired decor, like framed mountain view photos you’ve taken on your favorite hiking trail, or a bowl of pine cones or seashells on your coffee table. It can also include decor for your outdoor spaces, like native plants in pretty pots or bird feeders. And sometimes, it can be both, as with the handsome Costway metal crane garden statues that now decorate the courtyard of my San Diego home.

When you think of lawn ornaments, you might think of the kitschy pink flamingos and colorful gnomes that were popularized in the mid-twentieth century. But the history of lawn ornaments goes back a lot farther, all the way to the 1800s in the U.S. when people wanted to enhance their gardens with decorative fountains and benches, then stone figurines. Mass production ushered in the era of plastic flamingos, gnomes, Santas, and more.

I’m not much for kitsch (or plastic), but I do love the idea of bringing decor to my home that evokes nature and fond memories — so these Costway crane sculptures, which remind me of my time living in Florida, were perfect for me.

These metal crane sculptures, which come as a pair, might look like they came from a fabulous flea market, but I actually scored them from Target’s website for just $71 after tax. Their fully metal construction has a pretty golden, coppery sheen to it, and the nearly life-size height (33-½ and 34 inches tall) means they really pack a design punch.

These crane sculptures are reinforced for strength and stability and are made of what’s billed as rust-free metal, though I’ve only had them during our long dry season, so I can’t yet vouch for their water-resistance.

I’m planning to renovate my patio area later with new fragrant plants, stylish pebbled ground cover, and a modern raised herb garden, but in the meantime, I wanted to still be able to enjoy it with some comfy furniture and fresh decor. I knew I wanted a bird detail, and these sculptures are likely to hold up better than my old bird-patterned pillow covers, which faded badly with time.

Aside from the golden-coppery color, which complements my decor, and the elegant shape, I loved that the only assembly required was attaching the legs to the bodies. This was simple enough to manage, even for this non-DIYer.

Each bird weighs only four pounds, so they’re easy to move around. If you live in an area with high winds, you might want to move them inside or into a protected area during gusty spells. I might need to do that during our Santa Ana season later this year.  

The large size really is pretty close to life, too. I used to watch their real-life counterparts land on my pond in Florida, and the statue version is the perfect fit for my new California home.

I set my cranes up in the courtyard where I have breakfast every morning so I can enjoy their charm just as I did with the real birds before. I smile every time I’m in their company — and because they’re sizable, I can enjoy them not only outside, but from inside, too. That’s a whole lot of joy for a $68 price tag! This simple addition has made my whole space feel more like home.

BUY: Costway 2-Piece Metal Crane Garden Statue Set, $67.99