DIY Thrift Store Planter Ideas

Hello all!
My mom came for a visit this week so we hit a few local Goodwill stores to "shit shop" as we like to say (just because you don't need it doesn't mean you shouldn't get it sometimes!). While we were out we came across a ton of fun glassware that I wanted to share with you. I decided to buy an eclectic mix of new and old glassware to create a sort of "microgarden" for my dining room windowsill and I am absolutely in love with how it turned out!

(I am not sure exactly what he is supposed to be but I love him!)

We ended up finding some different milk and creamer carafes:

   

(These were marked with green 99 cent stickers, green was half-off so each one only cost 50 cents!)

A vintage sugar bowl and contemporary bakeware from William-Sonoma:

(This ironstone is by Salem China Co, Olde Staffordshire in the pattern English Village- $2.99)

(This is much newer from William-Sonoma but I loved the shape and gloss of the ceramic!- $1.99)

Finally there were the emotional and less rational purchases...

(I love everything pineapple so this printed canister was another steal (green 99 cent label= 50 cents). I wish I had more carefully removed the tape because I lost a piece of leaf in the process-*hint to Goodwill* don't cover the graphics in packing tape!)

(Chinese(?) tea glasses. They were cats, these were not intended to be planters but were too cute to pass up! My mom bought them for us at a heft $1.99 each!)

(Our new duck friend. I don't know that he is vintage but the ceramic has a beautiful wear to it and the face has an endearing look in the eyes, he was also a 99 cent green label so for 50 cents he got a new home. This turned out to be what Husby loved best from the haul #healwayskeepmeguessing)

Since these items are intended to be decorative I did not run them through the dishwasher but rather filled the sink with warm soapy water then washed them down with the soft side of the sponge:

::sidenote:: 

(Duck was not a good swimmer)

Then I set them out to air dry!

You can use these types of containers for a bunch of purchases, a salt dish, makeup brush holder, jewelry holder, and in my case, as a planter!

Because I did not want to drill holes in the bottom, I added a layer of gravel rocks to the bottom of each to keep the soil from getting too muddy when they are inevitably over-watered.

I picked up various plants from Home Depot and Produce Junction. The cashier at HD told me that the plants come with a one year guarantee so I am definitely saving my receipt in case any of the plants fail to thrive in their new home. I purchased a succulent (penguin) and some tall bamboo-like grass during that trip, each item was about 4 dollars, however I was able to split the grass up between two containers (pineapple and plain glass creamer).

I was pretty disappointed at the PJ selection today, but I was also in a rush to just get this together so I bought what they had. I got a container of little white flowers (white creamer with maroon stripe), an african violet plant (William-Sonoma), and some other greenery that came in a black mug (greenery planted in the vintage sugar bowl; the black mug actually was perfect for a sprout from another plant I had, so he makes an appearance in the final photos). My total for the three plants at PJ was $5.25!

(I love the look of this grass- I figured things without flowers would last longest!)

Husby and I are pleasantly surprised with the result and look forward to collecting more fun containers to fill up the rest of the windowsill. See the final pictures below =]

::sidenote:: 

(I can't wait for maintenance to finish the trim on our new windows, these holes are killing me!)

(The panda planter has chia seeds that I am hoping will grow. He is an old silly gift from my mom.)

(I think Duck is much happier in his new home!)

Finally a view from the table:

I think live plants bring a great warmth to any home. I don't have a green thumb yet but I am working on it. Next time you're thrifting be sure to imagine all the other uses the items you come across might have!

Until next time,

Bistro Table Makeover

I just wanted to share this super quick makeover of a bistro set that I found while out shopping with my mom this weekend. Unfortunately I was so eager to get started I didn't get a great before shot but here it is:

This was just a basic bistro set in green. 

The design is a bit more ornate than I usually see; with a nice flower detail and many curvy edges =]

We found it in the trash outside a house after hitting up the garden center. It was in great shape with the exception of a few areas of rust. Husby sanded those areas down for me! We used both steel wool and a palm sander to get the area smooth. The set also needed a good wipe down...

Prep work is usually Brian's job!

I had picked up some navy blue cushions with rope detail, but when we went to Lowe's for paint we decided to go in a different direction...

This is Valspar in Exotic Sea! A great big step from navy blue!

Several coats were required to get an even finish from the green. We used three cans for this project.

And here is the finished product!

I was tempted to put the set in the grass area behind out patio, but ended up putting it in a small rock bed near our grill. There might be some patio rearrangement in the future anyway. =]

Thanks for stopping by! I love these quick and easy makeovers,