In the village of Fursy, near Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region, it’s not just a business that’s thriving, but an entire creative space—Mini Garden Decor. It was created by husband and wife Tamara and Vitaliy, out of a deep love for life and for each other. The project initially began as a garden center, but as it developed, it transformed into a creative space. In addition to a center offering a wide variety of plants for planting, there is a workshop producing wooden containers, art concrete products, and decorative metal garden elements. Services include garden decor, container gardening, and landscaping for small plots, and the team is actively working and growing, bringing new ideas to life.
Wooden planters as a contemporary form of landscaping
Tamara shares: “While working with my husband at a garden center, we were surprised to find that in a city as large as Bila Tserkva, there is high demand but virtually no suppliers for custom-made wooden containers for patios, restaurants, cafes, or private gardens. This really turned out to be a problem: even today, many people don’t know that they can place a custom order, choosing containers of various sizes, shapes, and colors.” Through surveys, we understood what was in demand, and when we visited customers’ sites, we realized what we could offer and passed this information on.
That is why we focused on developing the production of wooden containers. The unique aspect of their creation is that the wood must be left to age and dry for a certain period of time to be suitable for use. First, blanks of various sizes and shapes are produced, and upon order, a custom color scheme is created. Each product goes through several stages of processing, and different craftsmen work on it, ensuring the quality of every container.
Creating the art deco design is also a lengthy and step-by-step process: each layer of material must dry thoroughly so that the product is strong, durable, and long-lasting.
How the Revolving Fund Helped
The wood used to make containers needs to be seasoned, so it’s best to purchase it in bulk right away to give the material time to prepare for use. Additionally, buying in larger quantities allows for better pricing, which directly impacts the cost of production. To achieve this, Mini Garden Decor sought external funding. We came across a contest by “Its Craft” online, and it was a pleasant surprise to see that MAMARADA—a social enterprise we’re friends with—collaborates with the platform.
Thanks to the funds received, they were able to purchase wood. And as early as next week, they plan to release the first products made from it—the wood has seasoned sufficiently and is ready for use.
Zero-waste production and a commitment to bird conservation
Containers remain the most popular and in-demand product today, but as winter approaches, Mini Garden Decor uses production scraps to create bird feeders and birdhouses. This is a completely zero-waste production process that transforms leftover materials into little masterpieces.
Each bird feeder or birdhouse is one-of-a-kind and hard to find anywhere else: they are hand-painted by professional artists, so no two are alike. While containers are mass-produced, bird feeders are small masterpieces, unique and crafted with precision.
Artisans work on the designs, taking into account every detail to ensure the birds are comfortable. The models are constantly being refined: shapes and sizes are adjusted, and the artist infuses each piece with their unique vision. These bird feeders aren’t just functional—they become little works of art for your garden or yard.
Plans for the Future
Mini Garden Decor is currently expanding rapidly, as demand for their services is growing rapidly. In the near future, once production reaches sufficient capacity, the company plans to actively advertise and promote its services.
The combination of functionality and aesthetics makes Mini Garden Decor a symbol of quality and inspiration for everyone who appreciates harmony in the garden and the surrounding space.
