• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

June 17, 2014

Repurposed Outdoor Fountain

You know those pictures that look one way when you are standing further back but as you get closer you see that the image is really completely different?

Like where you think you’re looking at a painting of a beautiful lake but when you get closer you realize that it’s a giant elephant….or something like that. 😉

You know what I’m talking about right? The ol’ trick of the eye!

repurposed fountain into tiered planter

Well, there’s something in my backyard that’s playing tricks on everyone!

Repurposed outdoor fountain turned planter atthepicketfence.com You see, at first glance, this looks like a lovely garden path leading to a bird bath tucked among the plants.

garden path with bird bath atthepicketfence.com

But, walk closer…keep coming…a little bit more…and you will soon discover that you’ve been deceived.

It’s not a birdbath after all. Nope! It’s a broken fountain turned bacteria filled science experiment.

Yuck!

yucky old fountain

After many failed attempts to trick myself into thinking that this really could pass for a birdbath I decided it was time to just re-purpose this baby and give it a whole new lease on life.

So, I filled it with potting soil…

bird bath filled with potting soil

…placed a clay pot in the middle…

building a tiered outdoor planter

….filled it with plants…

old fountain turned planter atthepicketfence.com

…added another clay pot on top and filled that one too.

tiered outdoor fountain turned garden planter atthepicketfence.com

No more tricks…no more deceit…no more bacteria.

Just a whole bunch of prettiness spilling out from top to bottom!

repurposed fountain turned planter

Now, are you ready to see a whole lot more prettiness??

We’re joining this amazing lineup of bloggers this week for a Fun in the Sun Blog Hop!

Fun in the Sun Blog Hop 600px

 

Domestically Speaking

Debbie Doo’s

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Setting for Four

Clean and Scentsible

Town and Country Living

DIY Show Off

At The Picket Fence

Cupcakes and Crinoline

Sand & Sisal

Fox Hollow Cottage

 Be sure to come back tomorrow to link up your own fabulous summer projects AND enter to win this awesome giveaway!

Fun in the sun graphic final

Now get out there and enjoy some sunshine!

If you have some…if not, curl up with a good book and a big cup of coffee ok? 😉

Vanessa signature

 

34 Comments Filed Under: Gardening, Good Ideas, Outdoors, Summer

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Drudgery
Next Post: Fun In The Sun Link Party and Giveaway! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says

    June 17, 2014 at 5:16 AM

    Cute idea! Love the stacked effect of this planting. 🙂

    Reply
  2. chelsea says

    June 17, 2014 at 6:55 AM

    Absolutely beautiful!

    Reply
  3. Bridget says

    June 17, 2014 at 7:20 AM

    We would have never known, looked good, but even better now!

    Reply
  4. Richella Parham says

    June 17, 2014 at 7:34 AM

    What a great idea! The pedestal effect of the old fountain is really nice, and the stacked pots? Brilliant! The Pacific Northwest is a great place to grow things, isn’t it? 🙂

    Reply
  5. debbiedoos says

    June 17, 2014 at 8:13 AM

    That is soooo stinkin cute! I want to do it now in our rotten bird bath:)

    Reply
  6. AM Shield Corp says

    June 17, 2014 at 9:50 AM

    You are so clever and creative! Never would’ve guess that was an old bird bath.

    Reply
  7. kristin says

    June 17, 2014 at 9:55 AM

    I love this idea and it so pretty!!! What is it with water fountains and breaking 🙂 Our’s is being turned into a fireplace after it being an eye sore for way too many years. XXOO Kristin

    Reply
  8. Shannon @ Fox Hollow Cottage says

    June 17, 2014 at 10:11 AM

    Gah! I know right? Our outdoor areas are soooo hard to keep up here. That wet is a real hindrance. You made that fountain shine again though. Such a smarty!!

    Reply
  9. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    June 17, 2014 at 10:13 AM

    Very pretty, Vanessa! I did this with a cement bird bath I had at our old house a few years ago. It was perfect in our front bed, but what a pain to keep it filled with water, especially in the hot summer sun. I didn’t put dirt in the bath itself, but got a pot that had hanging plants to sit in it, that kind of hid it, and it was a great way to bring some color up off the ground, too.

    Reply
  10. Joanne Boulter says

    June 17, 2014 at 11:00 AM

    Great post!
    It’s all loverly! Jo
    From Anne’s Attic – Design https://fulcolbaxia.wordpress.com

    Reply
  11. April Farley says

    June 17, 2014 at 11:34 AM

    Very charming ! I just love turning different things into planters. My husband has taken to scolding me over it. Ya have to many plants woman! Well I say can you REALLY have TOO many? :o)

    Reply
  12. Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says

    June 17, 2014 at 11:50 AM

    What a great repurposed project! Love all your lush greenery too!

    Reply
  13. Barbara from 21 Rosemary Lane says

    June 17, 2014 at 1:33 PM

    Wonderful idea! I love re-purposed items!
    XO Barbara

    Reply
  14. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    June 17, 2014 at 8:15 PM

    Very very pretty and so clever! I love the fountain, science project and all!

    Reply
  15. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    June 18, 2014 at 6:06 AM

    Love the idea of stacking the pots and using the fountain as a pedestal!…A garden topiary!…beautiful!!!

    Reply
  16. Chelle Chapman says

    June 18, 2014 at 9:33 AM

    VERY nice! I love stacked planters lately & this one just takes the cake!!

    Reply
  17. Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says

    June 18, 2014 at 1:39 PM

    What a great idea! And it looks so pretty!

    Reply
  18. Sue J says

    June 19, 2014 at 2:19 AM

    Totally love this and have pinned for future reference on my Garden Lust board

    Reply
  19. Heather says

    June 19, 2014 at 6:27 AM

    Yep – those birdbaths gross me out too….as an ex-Microbiologist they gross me out even more lol!!! Same as those kiddie pools if they aren’t drained and filled routinely – yucko!! Anyway back to your gorgeous outdoor fountain!! How clever of you to stack the pots! I love the cascading plants you added too- soooo pretty! Wish I was hanging out with you admiring it in person this summer – it’s been so fun to party with you again sweet friend! xo Heather

    Reply
  20. Mary Beth @ Cupcakes and Crinoline says

    June 20, 2014 at 4:25 PM

    This is an absolutely awesome repurpose. I have two fountains that no longer work 🙁 I’ll have to turn at least one of them into something that will hopefully be as pretty as this.

    Reply
  21. Hosea says

    June 21, 2014 at 8:20 AM

    Keep this going please, gteat job!

    Reply
  22. martina says

    June 21, 2014 at 7:44 PM

    Vanessa I want one just like it…love it!!

    Reply
  23. Hazel Owens says

    May 2, 2016 at 8:04 AM

    The fountain-turned-planter looks beautiful! I think that’s a great way to re-purpose a fountain or bird bath that isn’t fit for water anymore. I love the grass and other plants that you used in the display. I might have to try this out someday. Thanks for the idea!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Easy DIY Beverage Tags - Domestically Speaking says:
    June 17, 2014 at 11:47 AM

    […] At The Picket Fence  ~  Cupcakes and Crinoline […]

    Reply
  2. Mantel Decor Ideas : Blue, Taupe and White Palette - Setting for Four says:
    June 17, 2014 at 1:14 PM

    […] At The Picket Fence […]

    Reply
  3. Fun in the Sun Linky Party and $250 Giveaway - Domestically Speaking says:
    June 18, 2014 at 5:00 AM

    […] DIY Show Off’s Birdie Garland  ~  At The Picket Fence’s Water Fountain turned Planter […]

    Reply
  4. Fun in the Sun $250 Giveaway and Linky Party - Town & Country Living says:
    June 18, 2014 at 5:01 AM

    […] Slice of Suburbia Setting for Four Clean and Scentsible Town and Country Living DIY Show Off At The Picket Fence Cupcakes and Crinoline Sand and Sisal Fox Hollow […]

    Reply
  5. Fun In The Sun Link Party and Giveaway! - At The Picket Fence says:
    June 18, 2014 at 5:20 AM

    […] Yesterday, some of our talented friends shared their Fun In The Sun projects and Vanessa shared how to make a tiered planter out of a Repurposed Outdoor Fountain! […]

    Reply
  6. Fun in the Sun Link Party & $250 Cash Giveaway - Setting for Four says:
    June 18, 2014 at 5:31 AM

    […] Show Off’s Birdie Garland  ~  At The Picket Fence’s Water Fountain turned Planter ~ Cupcakes and Crinoline’s Golden Mason Jars  […]

    Reply
  7. Fun in the Sun Cash Giveaway + Link Party - Sand and Sisal says:
    June 18, 2014 at 5:36 AM

    […] At The Picket Fence […]

    Reply
  8. Fun in the Sun $250.00 CASH Giveaway and Linky Party | Cupcakes and Crinoline says:
    June 18, 2014 at 5:44 AM

    […] for Four, Clean and Scentsible, Town and Country Living, DIY Show Off, At The Picket Fence, Cupcakes and Crinoline, Sand and Sisal, Fox Hollow […]

    Reply
  9. Cucumber Melon Gin Spritzer - Sand and Sisal says:
    June 18, 2014 at 5:57 AM

    […] At The Picket Fence […]

    Reply
  10. Fun in the Sun Summer Party and $250 Cash Giveaway - Fox Hollow Cottage says:
    June 18, 2014 at 8:35 AM

    […] At The Picket Fence’s Water Fountain turned Planter […]

    Reply
  11. Summer Link Party and $250 Cash Giveaway - Clean and Scentsible says:
    June 22, 2014 at 10:30 AM

    […] Living’s Summer Farmhouse Bedroom / DIY Show Off’s Birdie GarlandAt The Picket Fence’s Water Fountain turned Planter / Cupcakes and Crinoline’s Golden Mason JarsSand & Sisal’s Cucumber & Melon […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

Must Reads

Recent Posts

  • Why We’ve Chosen Vacations Over Projects April 26, 2022
  • A New Look for the Family Room March 1, 2022
  • Christmas Kitchen and Family Room December 19, 2021
  • Christmas Home Tour Part One December 10, 2021
  • Easy Hot Cocoa Station November 21, 2021

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

Happy Independence Day!! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙 M Happy Independence Day!! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙

May we never take for granted the freedom given to us not by earthly authorities but by the ONE true authority. And may we live in such a way as to honor those who fought for and protect freedom and liberty. 

“Independence Day, freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed – else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” Dwight D. Eisenhower
Happy Friday!! I’m working on a blog post to sha Happy Friday!! I’m working on a blog post to share all of the details of our family room shelving makeover but I’m super impatient and just had to give you all a sneak peek!! We are SO happy with how they turned out and it finally looks like I’ve always envisioned. Our quick fix years ago (scroll to see the before photo) never felt quite right but now? Soooo much better!! 🙌🏻 Big shoutout to our amazingly talented friend Matt @redemptive_woodworx for bringing our vision to life and doing such impeccable work.

I hope you all have a great start to the 4th of July weekend and make sure to check my stories later for Friday Funnies!
The month of June is coming to a close and it has The month of June is coming to a close and it has been JAM packed! The highlight by far though was my son's graduation from high school. When I started blogging, he was only 6 years old and some of you have been apart of my community here for that entire time. Now, he's 19 and there is a reason parents are told not to blink because the years truly do go faster than I ever could have imagined. He has become such an incredible young man we are so excited to see how God is going to unfold the next chapter of his life. We celebrated with parties galore (SO many open houses to attend!) and made memories we'll forever cherish. My mama heart was filled to bursting with the joy of it all! Now we're taking some time to just enjoy these warm, summer days making even more memories because, when you’re at this stage of parenting, you know all too well how much you need to grasp every opportunity to spend time together.

I hope your summer is off to a great start too dear friends! 🪴
“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts o “And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Happy first day of summer dear friends!! I can’t believe it’s been so long since I posted something new here but life has been crazy. I’ll have some new photos of house projects and life events to share with you soon but, got now, I’m just going to enjoy this gorgeous first day of summer after our ridiculously long, wet spring. ☀️
“It was June, and the world smelled of roses. Th “It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.” (Maud Hart Lovelace) 

Welcome June!
“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom “No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.”
General Douglas MacArthur

Grateful today and every day for those who were vigilant to the point of death in the preservation of our freedom. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka. Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most we’ve had in a LONG time) and now we are back to pouring rain. This has officially confirmed what I’ve know to be true for awhile now.

I’m a MUCH better version of myself when the sun is shining! 🤪 So I’ll just be over here today plotting and planning how my husband and I can be snowbirds someday when the kids are out of the house.

If you could spend your winters (and apparently most of spring too!) in any part of the country, where would it be?
Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of rain lately (which is saying something when you live in Oregon) and I’ll admit that it’s affecting my moods a bit. I feel like I’m dragging and struggling to find the energy to get stuff done. So don’t mind me if I’m over here looking at photos of my garden in the summertime and finding that it keeps me hopeful about those days to come. They will come, right?! 🤪. 

What are your favorite plants that you look forward to seeing in the summer?
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2022 At The Picket Fence