A couple months ago our carpet outside our laundry room and by our family room door was soaked and we had no idea where the water was coming from. After a couple days of investigation and worry that it might be a major pipe that was leaking, we were happy to find the root of the concern, though still disappointing, was simpler to remedy. It was our hot water heater! The only thing we ever notice our water heater for is when we aren't getting enough hot water, or we turn it on vacation when we are going to be gone for a long length of time. Makes sense, right? Having only lived in newly built houses until now, we've learned a lot about how long things are supposed to last. Apparently hot water heaters can last anywhere from 5-12 years, depending on what kind was purchased. Seriously? I guess I thought they should have a lifetime expectancy. Who needs another thing to worry about?
So my husband got busy shopping for, then installing our new water heater. If you know me well, then you know that I have a sort of twisted mentality when it comes to home improvements. Though I find many a thing like the hot water heater going out (or the faucet handle breaking off, or the roof leaking) to be inconvenient, I also take those occasions as an opportunity to accomplish something that glides right along with something I had already hoped to achieve.
The hot water heater was such an experience. When we first painted the house to get it move in ready, all the walls were floor to ceiling wallpaper; which was impossible to remove behind the heavy permanent fixture.
So once my husband pulled that baby out, I seized the moment to strip the wallpaper, paint, and lay down flooring and a baseboard. You would have been impressed by how quickly this was all accomplished. I didn't know I could achieve such work within 15 minutes, complete with pictures! So by the time the new water heater was installed, the new wall paint wasn't even dry yet. Impressive, huh?!
After the installation of the water heater was complete, my husband handed me this gadget to throw out. I just couldn't do it! I knew it had some re-usable potential. And, seriously, I think he knew that would be the case when I laid eyes on its rusty goodness. I'm a little odd that way. So I put it in my garage's future projects pile and thought about it's potential for awhile. It didn't take very long before I decided it would be the perfect tier planter.
Thus is my story as to how this project came about. *snicker*
I didn't even know what this thing was called until I decided to share this project with you. I don't think they come like this anymore. Our house was built in the 60's so I'm learning that there are a lot of things that aren't the same in newer houses.
The first thing I did after snapping the above shots, was clean it off with the garden hose. It cleaned up easily. Just dusty really.
Here are the supplies I used:
*Note: flowers used were Lysimachia (Goldilocks) for it's creeping a spreading, Thunbergia (Orange Beauty) for it's climbing vine attributes, and Stock (Hot Cakes Mix) for height and arroma.
1) Cut screen to fit bottom. I did this so that the dirt wouldn't disperse and sink too easily.
2) Pinch screen edges to form around the edges.
3) Wrap jute around edges of screening to secure into place. Finish with a tight knot.
4) fill with dirt and plant flowers.
I had to split the creeping Goldilocks so that it would fit, and used the leftovers in another pot.
After filling the tiers, I placed the new "planter" in a terracotta pot with a chalkboard rim that I already had on hand.
I love the look it gives to our seating area in the garden.
Perfect place to sip lemonade!
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The Charm of Home