2015 Reader's Favorite Projects

Hey friends, I'm ready to get back in the groove after a wonderful break, how about you?

 We spent a lot of time with family and friends and I was reminded how much I enjoy having

 them over. I'm not much for making resolutions, but a goal for the year is to entertain more,

it doesn't have to be a boatload of work to be fun!

 (More on that in an upcoming post.)

 I was in a bit of a funk last year, feeling overwhelmed with too many commitments,

blogging started to feel like a burden instead of the fun exchange of ideas and sharing with

 friends that I had always loved.     

Thank you so much for hanging in there with me, I can't tell you how much I appreciated

 your kind words of encouragement when I needed to step away for a little break.

 It was exactly what I needed, and I'm feeling refreshed and ready to take on the new year!

        

It's always fun to look back on the year's projects and it's no surprise you guys love

 room reveals and home tours! 

Coffee Table Reveal & Styling Tips

I joined several bloggers for Project Design Series - Coffee Table Styling,

 and shared my addiction/collection of coffee tables I've found on Craigslist.   

DIY Four Arm Candelabra

This was a knock off of the pricey Dunes & Duchess candelabra that I love. 

Living Room Refresh

A few new Craigslist scores resulted in an unplanned refresh of our living room. 

One Room Challenge - Another Craigslist Bedroom

My favorite before and after project of the year, filled with DIYs and Craigslist finds! 

Summer Home Tour

Our stone path and cottage garden looks very inviting as I type on this nippy January day!

Create Overflowing Window Boxes and Planters Inexpensively

You don't have to wait until summer is half over for lush plantings! 

Anthropologie Knock Off - DIY Weathered Gray Dresser

My client's unfinished dresser got a new look. 

Fall Home Tour

An early fall table setting was part of our fall home tour.  

Budget Guest Room Reveal - Inspired by Williams Sonoma

Another fun before and after that includes DIYs and Craigslist gems. 

I'll be back tomorrow with My Five Favorites - organization ideas!

create overflowing window boxes and planters inexpensively

I love the personality and charm beautifully potted flowers and window boxes add to

 our home in the summer. BUT, I hate spending a chunk of money on flowers that aren't

 mature - you know the look - a sparse planter filled with short annuals. After dishing out

 for a cart full of plants I want pretty overflowing planters and window boxes today. :) 

 I'm also not a fan of paying big $ for pots that someone else has put together, they

 usually aren't my favorite color or style. 

My trick is to divide mature plants... 

Last summer with Ferns, Impatients, Sweet Potato Vine

Here is my collection of plants that will have three large 3' window boxes

overflowing at the beginning of summer for about $60. 

2 Large - Kimberly Ferns @ $13.00 ea. = $26.00 

2 Large Hanging Baskets @ $13.00 ea. = $26.00

6 pack of Sweet Potato Vine @ $10.00 ea.

I purchased the ferns and hanging baskets at Walmart and the vine at a local garden

center. (O'Tooles)  

 After removing the fern from the plastic pot use a serrated kitchen knife and divide them

 into thirds, just cut straight through the roots. They'll be just fine, trust me!    

 

I put two 1/3 sections side by side in the center of my window boxes.

For the hanging baskets of flowers I'm more careful to divide them without disturbing 

the roots. Looking down from the top separate the plants into fairly equal 1/3 sections

using the serrated knife.   

 

Plant 1/3 on each end of the window boxes. 

Each window box gets two sweet potato vines, planted between the fern and flowers.

I lay mine on its side with the base of the plant as close to the front of the window box as

 possible - it's my quirky idea that it gives it a little head start flowing over the side. 

Unfortunately, we had 6" of snow on Mother's Day and crummy weather right through

Memorial weekend so my plants got a super late start.

 I usually plant the beginning of May and by Memorial Day things are looking good.   

 May 26th - Planted

 June 14th - 19 days later

Anyone that's planted Sweet Potato Vine knows it will be no time and they'll need 

trimmed to keep them in check.

Sorry, I just noticed I took a photo of a different window box, they're all basically the same

except if you look back the hanging baskets were a tad different.   

That's it - I've done it for years with great luck.

 Do you have any tricks or tips for creating great looking planters?