What’s in a vase? Sometimes boredom and a complete lack of imagination. Although not a gardener, as noted in previous posts, I love putting arrangements of plants together, often using articles not considered vases or planters.
I see a potential tiny pot holder for arranging a myriad of small plants where others may see a black, metal muffin holder as only a muffin holder. The same goes for oddities such as a fireplace log rack. By placing a large clear, plastic dish in the bottom, a centerpiece of plants for the dining table is just a few pieces of greenery and flowers away.
A favorite bowl such as the one shown below, makes a lovely formal holder for an arrangement. I added a stand and carved doves to enhance the effect.
What it comes down to is that so many items around the house, that have become obsolete or too worn for their intended purposes, can be rejuvenated as holders for favorite plants.
How about an old pair of boots. As a hoot, I bought a wickedly sexy pair of tall boots and am contemplating planting vines in them. They are silver, covered with studs and sport thin, thin heels. To hold them in place, I will be using a sturdy ‘L’ made of wood and painted as a contrast. One thought is to leave them the gaudy silver while another is to find a sexy red or mustard colored paint and cover them in it, thus toning them down a bit. I have to say, the silver appeals to me, simply because there will not be many planters like them anywhere in town.
Another fun plant holder I saw was a floral pair of flip-flops. The designer stuffed a small pot of flowers into each and hung them on the wall as a decoration. How is that for perfect summer house fun decor?
Choose a teacup and saucer as a vase to put on a wall with a small wire holder or sink the bottom of the saucer into another planter as a special touch. Be certain super good glue is used to seal the cup to the saucer. Otherwise, within a few days, a crash may bring you to attention as the two separate, sending the cup on a one-way trip to the floor, if it is hung on the wall.
Only imagination limits the choices of vases or planters. The unusual in the midst of the mundane awakens the mind to startling beauty never before considered.
Look around your home, yard sales, auctions and dollar stores for good ideas to transform into great ideas. There is no reason to spend a fortune in decorating homes or gardens with eye-catching, conversation-making attractions. Don’t forget to be on the lookout for the sexy boot planters!
It is so interesting to be able to see things in a different light. Having seen several of your creations, I am always amazed how different people see completely diffuse uses for a single item. The imagination is a wonderful toy that everyone can play with when creating…Just stop. Allow your vision to flow outside the norm. You will be amazed how delicious it feels using common items to make your own, one of a kind, pieces of art. A little spray paint can go a long way recapturing the vitality of almost any material object. Just try it. It may open up a whole new world of interest.
Yes, Sis. I love the article…and the pictures ! All real. And, all you.
Other fascinating containers for flowers are children’s toys. Metal dump trucks, motorcycles with small containers attached on either side, or even toy tractors make the most interesting viewing if we weave them in and out of a flowerbed. I saw logs the other day that had been hollowed out and filled with flowers, while the front one was turned into a train engine. Small train wheels were attached to the ‘cars’. The world is a vase or container. It’s all in the eyes of the beholder.