Our next idea was to get a top made and cut holes in it, holes that I could insert planters into. I spent a face-masked hour at the big box store looking for something uniform in size with a rim that would rest on the table top surface. These were the winners, galvanized "reducers" and terracotta pots—oh and of course I picked up that poor agave that was languishing in the houseplant section.
The terracotta idea won; silver base, silver top, silver planters...too much metal! I'd use the terracotta but paint it, to add another color to the scheme. At first I thought the planters would all go to one side.
But again, Mr. Practical pointed out the manner in which the edge of the base tapered in could potentially make that an issue. They moved to the center...
Andrew sketched out the design and sent it off to SRC for fabrication, these are the same folks who cut the pattern for our agavegate.
Meanwhile I painted, and planted, the terracotta pots...
All done, and I hated it.
Why? It just didn't feel right. Too silver, too prissy. Too early 2000's—back when I was first starting my container collection and still used a lot of terracotta I "jazzed" them up with painted rims. I felt like I was regressing.
I went back to the drawing board and tried other options.
And came up with this...
Rusty steel pipe planted with Asplenium trichomanes, the two small terracotta pots (painted the same color as our house) stayed, but were planted with a couple cryptanthus. A rusty round adds more color...
If you page back up to the earlier reveal, or the original parsons table, you'll see a galvanized cylinder that had been taking up space in front of the table since the 2014 version. It had to go, it was blocking too much of the new table. But then things just looked empty...
So a rusty plough disc was pulled into the vignette and the bromeliads that had been in the terracotta pots found a home...
I also pulled a couple of other pipes into service as planters, because I do appreciate a certain consistency of materials.
The old galvanized cylinder moved off to the side of the shade pavilion where it holds another bromeliad or two...
I'll admit, there's a part of me that wishes I'd have used this gift as a planter in the garden. But there's another—larger—part of me that's thrilled to be rid of the table I'd made due with for years and to have this new, fabulous, table...
It's the perfect height for a beverage, or your feet—that is if you're sitting in one of those chairs and want to put them up.
Thank you Laura and Charlie!
Weather Diary, June 29: Hi 73, Low 52/ Precip 0
All material © 2009-2020 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
OMG. Brilliant. Here's the thing, your designs always have a professional polish--but obviously from a creative labor of love. There's a lot going on, and it all makes sense, each design element enhancing the other. You are good at this, Ms. D. Devine. And that Andrew ain't no schlump either. Just love it. Seriously
ReplyDeleteThank you Patrica, and yes, it would have never been that lovely shiny metal if not for Andrew's willingness to work at getting the paint off.
DeleteIt's perfect. Love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteTurning that gift into a table is a stroke of genius, especially since the natural direction is always: what can I plant it with? The table pulls the entire shade pavilion together: it is slick and modern, and reminds me of a space capsule. I was thinking the first version with the painted terra cotta was fabulous, I can't believe you hated it, but I'm glad you were brave enough to tear it all apart and start again because the second version is absolutely much better!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you agree about the second version. I liked the terracotta a lot better in this photos than in real life!
Deletevery chic!
ReplyDeleteOh, good word!
DeleteI LOVE what you created. I love that you took me as a reader through the process. And the result is terrific!
ReplyDeleteThank you Pat!
DeleteI enjoyed viewing your process as much as I do seeing the end result. I hope projects like this one end up in book #2 ;)
ReplyDeleteBook #2... "Garden Projects During the CORONA Virus"..
DeleteYour collaboration with Andrew created perfection. The design of this table is simply amazing. I love it. I have no doubt you will smile on a daily basis as it is being used.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sheila, it definitely beats balancing a beverage on the arm of the chair, which I was doing after ditching the parsons table.
DeleteWhat a amazing creative process you outlined, Loree. You two make a great team!
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks Eliza!
DeleteI bet you slowly fall in love. It looks great. The smaller round planter at the base really goes well with it. Maybe you need a frog sitting up there with those plants. ;)
ReplyDeleteOnly if it's real..
DeleteThat lamp shade is huge! And I can't believe you stripped it and ordered special metal fabrication for the tabletop -- that's commitment! And I agree with the decisions you made throughout the process -- it ends up perfect for that space.
ReplyDeleteIt was a highway fixture, I should have mentioned that part. And thank you!
DeleteVery clever up-cycling. The new table fits in perfectly with your whole garden's aesthetic. Looks great.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I do love a good "upcycle" project.
DeleteAgain, a publication-worthy project. Book #2!!
ReplyDeleteLet's get book #1 out into the world fist ;)
DeleteAgree with the book #2 comments. Feels like we are right there, going through the process with you and Andrew. Very appealing, the back and forth to the final product. Great original idea.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandy!
DeleteIt's a masterpiece . I loved it .
ReplyDeleteThat's some high praise! Thank you.
DeleteWow! You and Andrew are magicians! It's like a cycle of pulling rabbits out of hats. Each rabbit pulled is great but it's that ability to keep going until the full potential is realized!! Love it! Me, I'd dumbly stare at the lamp shade and get nothing done.
ReplyDeleteHa, thank you! Now that we have a rabbit in the garden and holes in the table top, well I suppose we really could pull a rabbit out of the table.
DeleteIt looks perfect there and watching you work through the design was a treat.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gail!
DeleteSo very cool, Loree! Love that addition of the rusty disc. Colors and textures work so well together. Thanks for taking us through your thought process.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeanne!
DeleteYour creativity, design sense, and the attention to detail in your creations is an inspiration. You really thought outside the box (or outside the planter) and the results are stunning!
ReplyDeleteThank you Peter!
DeleteI love how you never just do something indoors or out. You think it through, constantly refine and only stop when you know it’s right. A great job on all levels.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda. When I know something isn't right it bugs me...I have to keep going.
DeleteCool design and it looks fantastic!
ReplyDelete