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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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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

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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

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  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! […]

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The first weekend in December seems like a good ti The first weekend in December seems like a good time for my annual gentle reminder about this month. I don’t know about you but, for me, December is a month of mixed emotions, ranging from joy-filled moments to ones that have me wanting to pull my hair out.

There are so many expectations and we put so much pressure on ourselves to create magical memories. And for years I have felt the added weight of wanting to make sure my family had opportunities throughout the month to grow in their relationship with Christ.

We celebrate advent and read all of the appropriate Baby Jesus books and encourage a spirit of generosity and heavily emphasize the real reason for the season.

But sweet friends, I want to remind you today that one month out of the year does not a strong relationship with the Lord make. December doesn’t define our faith in Christ.

For our families or for us.

There are 11 other months in the year. 11 other months to live out our faith in front of our children. 11 other months to pray with them. 11 other months to help them wrestle through their questions and add depth to their walk with the Lord. 11 other months to encourage them to have generous spirits.

Let’s stop putting so much pressure on this one month out of the year. Let’s be surprised at the ways we might be able to celebrate the baby in the manger without a dozen countdown calendars. Let’s give our kids some grace when they are focused more on gifts because…well…they’re kids after all.

And while we’re at it, let’s give ourselves some grace too.

Grace when we think we should feel all the warm fuzzy feelings about Christmas but we really just want to take a nap. Or have a good cry. 

Grace that reminds us that this month will soon be over and we will have a brand new year ahead of us.

A new year filled with big moments and little moments and everything in between.

A new year to draw even closer to our Savior.

My hope for you is that, as you head into this season, you will be given fresh perspective and that you will give yourself (and your family) permission to just ‘be’. ✨
✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this ✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this year I created a super simple centerpiece for my dining room that incorporates the candles we will use each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas. While we will only light one candle each week, I used more than four so that the centerpiece would look a bit more filled in. In keeping with my goal to embrace a softer approach to my decorating, this arrangement works perfectly and helps to keep our focus on the beauty and the meaning  of the Advent season. For more ideas like this, check out my previous Advent post! ✨

#advent #adventcandles #simplechristmas #wearethehomemakers
In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a bit more tender. When Christmas rolls around and I no longer have wish lists that include Lego sets or dollhouses, I find that I want my home to reflect this craving for all things gentle.

So our hot cocoa station this year is much more simple and done in a neutral color palette that just subtly blends in with the rest of the decor. It still feels festive and is definitely still “user friendly” but it’s just a bit less…well…less.

And, that’s ok. It’s not that this area won’t ever again have bright colors (maybe even pops of red!) but, right now I’m happy to have things this way.

With all that is going on in the world right outside our door, my desire is for our home to truly feel like a respite. I want it to be where we come and let our guard down, our heart rates slow and to be flooded with a sense of peace in knowing that here is where we can just simply be. I want it to be a place of rest. Rest from the constant onslaught of news and information. Rest from the seemingly small struggles of school and jobs that can so often feel like big struggles.

And, most importantly, we rest in the comfort of knowing the One who is Sovereign over all and is the reason this month is so very special and sacred.

Many blessings to you dear friends as we kick off this wonderful season! ✨
Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary to popular belief, the celebration of Advent is VERY different from just simply doing a ‘countdown to Christmas’. It’s not about having little drawers filled with candy or doors to open with prizes inside. Those things are so much fun and definitely help to build anticipation as you head closer and closer to the big day.

But Advent, from the latin word ‘adventus’ meaning ‘arrival’ or ‘appearance’ keeps the focus completely on celebrating the arrival of the King who came in the form of an infant.

This is one of our favorite family traditions and over the years I’ve figured out how to incorporate the Advent candles into my decor without using the traditional wreath. I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration as we head into this sacred season. 🌲

#advent #adventdecoration #wearethehomemakers
Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Bec Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Because it’s the Saturday after and my house is almost completely ready to start the season! So I’m sitting with my coffee and just soaking it all up knowing that now I can focus on shopping, hosting and preparing our hearts for the start of Advent. The only thing left to do is get our fresh tree for the front room and then the decorating is done. 

Starting early is a gift I give to myself and I’m always grateful for it! 🌲

#simplechristmas #traditionalchristmas
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest fo “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear friends! 🍂
Christmas has arrived in the family room where I k Christmas has arrived in the family room where I keep things simple but festive! We’ll get a fresh tree after Thanksgiving which will go in our front room bay window but this slim faux tree with its colorful ornaments tides us over for now. Which room in your home gets the Christmas treatment first? Or do you just start doing a little at a time in each room? 🎄

*pillow covers are from @jshhomeessentials
I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST.THAT.GOOD! 

And I have a confession ...I’d rather have cranberry sauce smothering the turkey on my plate than gravy any day!! And this, this right here? Well it’s the best (and easiest!) cranberry sauce ever!! I eat on crackers and sandwiches and sometimes just by the spoonful. It’s so yummy! And I’m just so very thankful for all of you that I’m going to leave the recipe right here instead of making you go to the blog to get it. I promise you won’t regret having this on your Thanksgiving menu but be warned...you may find yourself up in the middle of the night sneaking some helpings of this deliciousness. Or maybe that’s just me!

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

Gobble, gobble!! 🦃
How do I want people to feel when they walk throug How do I want people to feel when they walk through my front door? That’s always at the top of my mind when I’m decorating my entry for each season, particularly at Christmastime. 

✨I want them to feel like my home is greeting them with a smile.

✨I want them to feel like this is a place where care has been given to details (but not to the point of being too stuffy or too busy or too overwhelming). 

✨I want them to feel like there is peace here.

✨I want them to feel like they are welcome…because they are. 

My home is a reflection of my heart and my heart is a reflection of the ONE for whom I live and try to honor and praise all of my days, but especially at Christmas.

How do you want people to feel when they come into your home? 

#christmasentry #simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
This is not a criticism of those who are sharing t This is not a criticism of those who are sharing their great new Christmas finds but rather an encouragement to those of you who are feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all and trying to resist the temptation to purchase more items than you really need.

Several years ago I felt a conviction in my heart about how much time and money I was spending on trying to create a new look every Christmas. I was not being a good steward of my resources and I was far too easily swayed by the peer pressure in this area. And a funny thing happened when I smashed this idol that had taken up residence in my heart. I suddenly found renewed joy in decorating for the season. By keeping things simple and maybe only buying something like a new spool of velvet ribbon, I actually realized that I could be far more creative reusing and repurposing what I already had.

In the coming weeks your news feeds will be filled with temptations for MORE. Maybe, this year, you too can find the joy in LESS. 🌲

#simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
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