A few months ago I was out and about and picked up this sweet rooster plate rack for $5.00 at the thrift store. I couldn't pass it up even though I knew there wasn't one blank wall in my home to place it.
However, there was plenty of room in my garden, so I grabbed it.
I have a cottage style home and garden. So my patio and beds are filled with tons of second hand treasures to add interest and whimsy. This would fit right in.
While I was in the thrift store, I imagined that rooster rack and plate shelves filled with pretty buckets instead of dishes, flowers flowing down from them, color spilling onto my patio.
I had seen other people feature garden buckets from Dollar Tree, so I hurried on over and found exactly what I was looking for on their shelves. These metal tins would just need a quick slit on the bottom and they would slide right over the plate rack bracket. Perfect.
I grabbed one for each plate holder on the rack and headed home to get started.
However, with one bucket cut (very carefully since the metal was sharp), planted and plopped into place, the plan changed.
While I loved the way it looked with my hearty pink petunias smiling from inside, I suddenly noticed the detailed structure of the plate rack itself and decided that it would be a shame to cover it up.
But now the dilemma...what to do with it?
Right away, I thought it would make an awesome trellis. The frame would encourage plants to grow up and around and hold on. Plus it would leave enough of the structure showing to appreciate its shape.
So...I parked it next to the trellis I use to train my Morning Glories, thinking two is better than one, but quickly realized that would be redundant.
Besides, when the Morning Glories bloomed later in the summer, they'd take over the whole wall and eat up my rooster trellis. It needed to be a focal point of its own. So I moved it.
Next, I put it in a pot, thinking that I could "plant" it in the container to add interest. It would be surrounded by flowers at the base and then a few climbing vines would make their way up as the summer went on.
It was a good idea, but a little too low to really appreciate it and it wasn't that sturdy. It was lightly propped against the fence with not much of the metal sitting in the dirt. I was afraid it might tip over or fall with a strong gust of wind.
So, after a bit of contemplation, I thought, hmmm, almost there, but not quite. Then I lifted the rooster up to eye level, just above the pots.
I secured it with two sturdy screws so it wouldn't budge even when the gate was slammed or that big wind blew and I was done.
It was perfect. After all, it was meant to hang on a wall, so why was I fighting it? It was at that point that it also dawned on me that plates in the garden would be super charming.
I placed my faux milk glass ones in the rack and knew my gut was right. It needed plates, even if these plates weren't exactly right.
Maybe I'll decorate them or grab some others, we'll see. I think something with more interest might be better, but I was on the right track. They fit.
Lastly, I planted morning glory seeds in the pot below so they can begin to grow and crawl up the bottom of the rack to complete my vision.
It was a meandering creative path from thrift store to the garden, but with a little bit of thought I ended up with a plate rack~ planter ~ trellis.
That I might need to make room for inside this winter.
Because it's just that cute.
Would you put a plate rack in the garden?
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Adorable. As I was reading along I was thinking that you were going to put stepping stones where the plates are but the faux milk glass looks great. So clever.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lorri...and you always have such great ideas. I was considering stepping stones and still may do that. I think it needs some color. That means I get to look for something pretty. Stay tuned...
DeleteI think it looks great but if you are not done tweeking it yet will two plates fit? Could you put a smaller colorful plate in front of the white ones to add color? Maybe a seasonal color or ones with cute scenes on them. Or crafty you could do something with a saying on it.
DeleteKim, I think this is one of my favorite upcycles so far! The rooster is perfect in the garden.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Tammie!! I really like this one, too...maybe a little too much to leave him outside all winter!
DeleteThis is so cute--I wish I had your patience and determination to figure out what suits you best. You are so creative!
ReplyDeleteJane
Thanks so much, Jane. Crafting is my meditation and my therapy. I have much more patience for DIY than say…exercise!! 😆
DeleteThat is a cute idea. You come up with the best.
ReplyDeleteBetty, you are super sweet, thank you! I just couldn't resist him in the shop (and for five bucks!!), so I had to find a way to make it work.
DeleteI can't believe you got those metal tins at the dollar store?! What a great find! And as always, you did a super job on this diy. Looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa…and yup, Dollar Tree had a bunch. Of course, since I only used one, now I get to do fun things with the rest!
DeleteWow what a great find with the tins found at the dollar store. SCORE!!! I love love love what you did. I love that you added the white plates too. So cute in the garden. Happy Friday and have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
Thanks Kris!! It was definitely one of those meant to be kind of projects. I could see this little rack in your home or garden...painted a chippy white (of course!), with a bit of the rusted finish coming through. Dreamy!! I may have to try that look on it one day!
DeleteKim, I love garden art and whimsical pieces! Yes, of course I would put it there but don't know if I'd have had the imagination to think of that. I was just telling RH that we don't need any more garden art but then he came home with a gorgeous piece of copper downspout and gutter that we're already trying to figure out how to use in ours. Maybe I should sometime show a picture of it and ask for blog friends' suggestions?
ReplyDeleteOh...that sounds so interesting, Dewena! I would definitely show it and ask. Blog friends and readers are the most creative people I know. I bet you'll get tons of very neat ideas! Happy 4th and I can't wait to see your copper treasure.
DeleteGreat way to use that. I need something that tall to support my glads. I’ll have to keep looking.
ReplyDeleteI bet you could find one at a yard sale or thrift shop. Now that I have them on the brain, I see them all the time. Happy hunting!!
DeleteWell that turned out just darling! I believe you've turned into a real thrift store expert!
ReplyDeleteThanks Stacey...I've been having fun with second hand items lately.
DeleteThat's a very clever idea and it looks great too! Don't you love it when a project comes together like that?
ReplyDeleteI do, Gina! Especially when it all comes together for $5! Ha! And thanks so much.
DeleteI would never have put a plate rack in the garden, but after seeing this I would. You are brilliant!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant!?! Mari, you are too sweet!! But I'll take it. 😉
DeleteWell that is the best recycled creating eva’!
ReplyDeleteLove it . . .
Thanks Lynne!! I had fun with this one...
Deletewow. beautiful! and I like the white plates. they all talk at night.
ReplyDelete"i'm so glad she finally quit scrubbing on us!" LOL they're happy out there. and the perfect foil for the colorful flowers. it's charming.
in another life you probably owned a little upscale shoppe where you had one of a kind things fashioned by your own creative touches! XO
Ha!! You are so funny...but yes, I finally stopped scrubbing. Poor little plates. And you know the white is growing on me. It does talk at night. Bright, light, white and fabulous. And a little shop would be wonderful...always been a dream.
DeleteCute idea! I see plate racks a lot but don't buy them to resell because I am not sure there is a market for them in the house but this is a great way to promote them. Lots of possibilities to fill them.
ReplyDeleteI had to have it AnnMarie, too cute to pass up. This was a way to make it work for me. I hope it inspires others, too.
DeleteI have a hanging on the side of my house right next to my kitchen door. It’s so cute! I change the plates out seasonally. I like yours with flowers!
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised at all, Deanna. You are one creative cookie! Is it on your site? I'd love to see yours for some inspiration of my own....and link to it for friends to check out!
DeleteI love what you did with the plate rack.
ReplyDeleteI loved your line, "After a bit of contemplation, I thought, hmmm, almost there, but not quite". That is how I decorate. And sometimes that tweaking can take weeks until I get it just right.
Totally agree, Carol. That's how I decorate, too...and thanks! I like this one a lot.
DeleteSo creative, Kim! This is absolutely adorable. I love how you're able to think outside the box. I need to go and enter your giveaway - thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteThanks Melanie. My mom used to say that necessity is the mother of invention. I really wanted this rack but had no room for it inside. Not sure if that's exactly what she meant, but it worked!! Haha!!
DeleteSo cute Kim, and I love the Dollar Store tins! I'll have to see if I can find some in my local store. :)
ReplyDeleteThey were a real steal, Kristi and I think they may be available online if you can't find them in the store.
DeleteYes, I would put a rooster plate rack in the garden. Thanks for sharing your meandering process and your "final" product--maybe. I have a feeling you are going to have lots of fun with this rooster plate rack and you will use it in many fun ways, as suits your fancy. I enjoy using thrift store finds in the garden, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jolene! I have had fun watching things grow up, around and over! I would still like to decorate the plates. Maybe this fall...thanks for the comment and the visit!
DeleteOh, you silly girl, of course I would. I even have decorated with plates without the rack!! My big question to you is tell me how you plant the morning glory seeds?, PLEASE! I bought one morning glory plant a long time ago from a lady at the Farmer's Market. That thing multiplied and I had beautiful (almost my favorite flower) morning glories all over the fence for years, but now they have worked themselves out and I have no more. I have tried to plant the seeds and I just can't get them to grow. I know it should be so simple..Your little rack is so sweet and charming and looks really good in the garden. I love it, Kim..Happy 4th weekend..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteI have to decorate the plates, Judy. All this summer fun has me so distracted that my plates are still blank! And I she I could give you the secret to Morning Glory planting, but we literally sprinkle the seeds in the dirt and they grow like weeds. I don't know if they like the dirt and the sunshine in the spot they go, or we're just lucky. Maybe try and move where you plant them and see what happens? You'll have to let keep me posted!
DeleteGreat idea! I planted Morning Glories this year too. I had not in a couple years and missed them. I will have to take a photo to show you what I did with mine.
ReplyDeleteLove, Carla
I hope you do take a picture of them, Carla! Our Morning Glories are just starting to bloom!
DeleteI kept waiting for you to add the other baskets and you never did! lol I love your creativity! Great idea, Kim!
ReplyDeleteI was so ready to do it, but the plates just kept calling!!
DeleteThat is so cute, Kim! Aren't you just the clever one....love the process you went through to get to such a perfect end-result.
ReplyDeleteHope you are surviving the heat-wave!
Carol
Thanks Carol! It really looks cool in the yard and yes...still so hot!!
DeleteVery cute. About putting the dish thingie in the garden, I don't know. Might. Yours looks nice.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Thanks Brenda! I have to say I rally like it out there.
DeleteLove, love, love it!!! I have a plate rack that I was going to sell in my upcoming garage sale. Genius! Now I know what to do with it. Thanks for the great idea!
ReplyDeleteOh I am so happy I was able to inspire you! Glad you still had time to pull the plate rack out of the pile.
DeleteI'd say that's a pretty original idea Kim! I think you're on the right track too. You could stencil something on the plates, but it will probably be quickly covered by trailing plants. Anyway, give us an update as the plants grow. I really like it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Florence! I still haven't done anything fun to the plates, too much pool and beach time I suppose, but fall is coming and stenciled plates would be super.
DeleteYou clever devil you...and YES I would use dishes in my gardens!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cathy! I have to say I love the dishes in the garden.
DeleteKim this is such a fun and clever repurpose. I like how you took us along on your thought process and how you came up with the idea. I think it looks great hung up outdoors and the plates only add to its charm.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary! I had fun with this one and it makes me smile whenever I walk into the garden.
DeleteI love that "trellis"! What a great find and great idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks Penny! I just had to have it.
DeleteI love it Kim. It's most definitely something I would put in the garden and it's going to look so stunning when the creeper intertwines it's way up to the rooster at the top. Really lovely
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Michelle! It's starting to get overcome with the vines and it looks great.
DeleteYou always come up with the best ideas :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Deb!
DeleteMaybe you could print some random short garden quote in black on the plates. Personally, while very cute, I could see some "saying" written on the plates, waterproof of course. I am not a gardener, but I am sure you could come up with something. Very cute idea, I would have to use faux flowers, maybe Ivy, I don't have a very green thumb.
ReplyDeleteI love that idea! Thank you!! I'm not a gardener either. Most of my blooms are provided by my husband. My thumb is black! Thanks again for the creative idea...now I have to think of some pithy garden words!
DeleteOne of the cutest and most creative repurposes of yours yet, and that’s saying something!
ReplyDeleteThanks Doreen! You are always super kind.
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