Easy Concrete Planters

5 Words This Girl Loves To Hear:

"we've got some extra concrete"

I took off at a run for the house to grab some supplies.  On such short notice all I could come up with was a couple spring pans and a jello mold.  Don't forget the veggie oil and a rag or some type of non-stick spray. 

 I had some buckets in the shed (where we were working already) so I grabbed a few sizes and got started.  I filled the spring pan 3/4 of the way full and placed the bucket, adding rocks to add some weight and continued filling the pan. 

I did that with another spring pan and my jello mold as well.  I used my hand to level off the top and covered the whole thing with a garbage bag.  Leaving it to sit for a couple days before taking my forming off.

That bucket slipped out like butter.  I've tried this before but forgot the oil.  Yeah, that didn't end so well.  

The spring pan was even easier.  Bottom popped right off and once I loosened the pan it slipped right off.  How easy is that.

I need to run a sanding block over it and am thinking about adding some color to finish it off.

I really love how the jello mold piece turned out.  The fluting is wonderful!  I had two nesting sizes so I used one on the interior also.  I couldn't find much heavy to hold it in so I've used all kinds of junk, looks perty doesn't it?

This one was a little tricky for the demolding process.  The outer mold popped right off.  The inner mold, well, that's another story.  Doesn't that look great!

See all that concrete.... none of it should be there.  I didn't do a very good job cleaning it out.  I chiseled it out as best I could and muscled the inner mold out (quit laughing, I have some muscle).

Then, the bottom piece on the mold is removable and refused to come out.  I had to tear it up to get it out.  I'll have to change how I do that next time.

 Here's all three pieces that I did (too bad I couldn't figure out more molds quick, I just hate to throw the leftovers away).  Next time I'll be better prepared.

Now, how to finish them off.  Stay tuned, not sure what I'm going to do but I've got a few ideas.  Pictures coming soon!

How To Make A Unique Piece of Furniture With Concrete

 I am completely infatuated with concrete, call me weird, (that's alright you won't hurt my feelings) but the incredible things that people are doing with concrete keeps me excited and inspired to do more.

My love affair with concrete prompted me to add a new postcard to my Cheat Sheet Postcard Series, a collection of postcards to collect and reference on a variety of topics.   For your free Subscription to the series, click here:  10 Ways to Decorate Your Home with Concrete. 

This is a conference table my husband and I made for his work.  Here it is all framed up.  You can see the edge liner we used and the veining that was added with caulk.  We will be using Buddy Rhodes Countertop Mix for this project.  After mixing you place it by the handful, gently twisting as you put it in the bottom of the framing and work it up the edges.  As you add handfuls you will be forming crevices that you'll fill in later with a contrasting color, makes for a great texture.  This technique is done upside down, so the bottom of your form will be the top of your table.

One Really Cool Way We Used Concrete to Finish A Fireplace

I really love the many ways concrete is now being used.  From counter tops and tabletops to light fixtures (yes, I said light fixtures) and decorative floors.

I'm always surprised and totally inspired by the creative uses people come up with for such a common product.  I've added a new postcard to my Cheat Sheet Postcard Series, a collection of postcards to collect and reference on a variety of topics.   For your free Subscription to the series, click here:  10 Ways to Decorate Your Home with Concrete.

We had done quite a few concrete projects around the house but this is the first project I've done inside. It's messy, so lots of prep-work is involved, but well worth the effort. You can personalize it and get as creative as you want.

We built this house a couple years ago (the Spec House) adding a concrete hearth and mantle with a carved vertical concrete fireplace surround, very fun project!

Fun With Concrete- How We Made A Unique Vanity Base For Our Bathroom

After a trip to World Of Concrete I was soooo inspired to use concrete in as many ways as possible in our new home. I told my husband I wanted an oval shaped vanity base in the little hallway bathroom. He thought I was crazy, as usual, but proceeded to frame it up for me and "make it work." We used Buddy Rhodes Concrete Mixes. If you haven't seen his stuff you should take a look-amazing stuff!

We've used concrete in many varying ways around the house.  Have you done any creative work with concrete?  I'm always surprised and totally inspired by the creative uses people come up with for concrete.  I've added a new postcard to my Cheat Sheet Postcard Series, a collection of postcards to collect and reference on a variety of topics.   For your free Subscription to the series, click here:  10 Ways to Decorate Your Home with Concrete.

How To Make A Unique Kitchen Island With Concrete

When designing our home I had my heart set on a curved island wall. My husband did not!  He kept avoiding the wall thinking I'd change my mind.  Finally, when the time came he caved and started framing it out, cursing me under his breath I'm sure all the while.  We had a few issues when it came pour time, but all in all we both love the end result.

My love affair with concrete prompted me to add a new postcard to my Cheat Sheet Postcard Series, a collection of postcards to collect and reference on a variety of topics.   For your free Subscription to the series, click here:  10 Ways to Decorate Your Home with Concrete. 

How We Created A Unique Patio Table Using Concrete

A few years ago I tagged along with my husband to a Concrete Show in Nashville, similar to World of Concrete but on a much smaller scale (and it's not Vegas, ugh, Vegas is not for me).   Anyhow, I took a couple classes.  One was with a man named Ben Ashby who developed a concrete countertop system that I absolutely fell in love with.  He really does some incredible stuff.  He also has wonderful edge forms for really amazing, unique finishes.  Fabulous stuff.  You can find out more about The Ashby System here:  http://countertopsolutions.net/wp/aboutus/about-the-concrete-countertop-ashby-system/.

My love affair with concrete prompted me to add a new postcard to my Cheat Sheet Postcard Series, a collection of postcards to collect and reference on a variety of topics.   For your free Subscription to the series, click here:  10 Ways to Decorate Your Home with Concrete. 

We came home from that trip completely inspired and started on our first piece using the Ashby technique.

How To Fix An Ugly Retaining Wall With Vertical Carved Concrete

Recently I've received multiple questions regarding the decorative concrete finishes we've applied to various projects around the house so I thought I'd share with you a little more about the process.

 

Do you have an ugly concrete raining wall, we had two?  I hate looking at them. When we built the house I knew something would have to be done to hide them. I took a class or two and voila'.... a unique, OOAK carved rock wall. Much better.