Mid-Century Modern Planter DIY

Mid-Century Modern Planter DIY

My sister lives in Los Angeles. Her design style is mid-century modern. It's clean, uncluttered and minimal. A breath of fresh actually. I was inspired by her decorating style on a local trip to the hardware store's plumbing aisle. It all started with a handful of copper plumbing bits and pieces.

Photo by Melissa Caughey

It took me a little while to figure out how to piece together the cooper fittings, but when I was done, I had a neat way to create the arm for this planter. The total cost of this craft was around twenty dollars and it took a few days to complete if you include drying time.

Photo by Melissa Caughey

To make this hanging planter, you will need:

• remnant rectangular piece of wood
• copper plumbing supplies - one 90-degree elbow 1/2", two small pieces of 1/2" copper piping cut to a 2" and a 6" piece, two 90-degree fitting elbows 1/2", one tube cap 1/2", one coupling piece 1/2"
• tube of permanent adhesive
• drill with an 11/16th paddle bit
• dremel with barrel sander
• sandpaper
• wood stain
• fishing line
• hanging glass orb
• air plant, succulent clippings
• moss

Photo by Melissa Caughey

Begin by laying out the pieces of copper fittings. Starting at the bottom with the 1/2" coupling, a 90-degree fitting elbow, the six-inch 1/2" pipe piece, a 90-degree elbow, the two-inch 1/2" pipe piece, the second 90-degree fitting elbow and then the 1/2" tube cap. Glue these all into place with the adhesive and allow it to dry thoroughly as per the adhesive's directions.

Photo by Melissa Caughey

Sand and stain the rectangular piece of wood you selected for the base. Allow it to dry. Next, using the paddle bit, drill a hole to fit the copper coupling. To adjust the hole's size, finish it off with the dremel's sanding barrel. Flip the wooden base over and drill a small hole for a nail for hanging. Then using the same adhesive for the piping, glue the pipe into place on the front of the wooden base.

Photo by Melissa Caughey

Next add some moss and plants to the glass orb. I used two low-maintenance plants including an air plant and a few succulent clippings. Then add a loop of fishing line to the top and hang it from the copper pipe.

Enjoy this planter for years to come. You can always add or change your plants based on the season, holiday or weather. In temperate climates, this planter can be hung in a protected area outdoors.

Original article and pictures take www.diynetwork.com site