A few weeks ago, I gloated about Mother Nature finding her way through the plastic sheeting and rocks to sprout patches of green grass peeking out, saying there wasn’t a thing Management or the Landscapers could do about it.
Turns out, they didn’t have to do anything about it, because the sun and lack of water fried the patches of green to dust.
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Heading out this afternoon, I was met with a lovely new view when I opened the door.
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When I blogged about my disappointment in Audrey the Venus Flytrap Sculpture being 25 inches, rather than 10 feet tall, commenter Linda in Kansas suggested, “Is there any way you can raise the skull planter up a bit which would help a lot?”
Good idea, thought I, worth a try, and my mind immediately went to the inexpensive and natural-looking way we used, back in the day, to prop items up, make plant stands ……… bricks.
Like this ………
Then, thinking about how much work would be involved in that endeavor, I quickly dropped the idea, began researching modern day plant stands.
Commenter JanF suggested, "dark and discrete which will fade into the background and thus not distract from the skull etc".
"Discrete …… fade into the background" doesn't exactly match my aesthetics of skeletons, voodoo dolls, braids, bright red lipstick that one can see me coming from a mile away, sporty way of dressing, not to mention the eye-catching bright red flamboyant patio furniture.
I went looking for "dark and scary", saw a few gothic plant stands — none that would add much height, switched to looking at tree stumps, and landed on this 18.9" natural wood hand-carved stump that looked gnarly enough and tall enough to get the job done.
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Looking at it from the outside, though Audrey doesn't stand out, appears to be a supporting character, at least the skeleton is now visible.
My new neighbor/White-Haired Lady, insofar as patio decor, is showing a maximalist side. Obviously won't be decorating for Halloween or Christmas because there's no extra space. I'm the minimalist ……… holding my space open for Holiday decor.
Oh, and P.S., I later repositioned the skeleton to be facing outwards, appearing to look at those on the walkway, rather than sideways.
I’ve seen those little stool/plant stands and have always liked them. The new set-up looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThe wood actually matches the wood table, book stands, cedar chest, couch frame I have inside the unit. Though I don't like being out in nature, I seem to have brought nature inside.
DeleteThe new plant stand "works a treat," as the Brits say. MUCH more visible now!
ReplyDelete"Works a treat" ... I like that phrase, will be talking like a Brit/using it sometime in the future.
DeleteThe table is perfect for skull and plants! Great looking patio! It’s you!
ReplyDeleteYes ... me it is ... a little wild and wacky for a senior complex with flowery patios.
DeleteWhat a difference the height makes! Good job.
ReplyDeleteDon't know why I never thought of raising the skeleton planter long ago.
DeleteYes!! That is perfect. I really like the look! Now you will enjoy both the skull and the fly trapper even more! JanF
ReplyDeleteThanks for the decorating advice.
DeleteI like you solution!!!!!! But I also love the brick idea....I'm now wondering where I can do that!!!! Love the look of it.
ReplyDeleteBricks gave that rustic vibe we so loved back in the day.
DeleteI love the new plant stand, and Audrey looks much better!!
ReplyDeleteAudrey seems happy with the new arrangement.
DeleteThe skull looks fabulous! As does your whole patio area. Your neighbor's seems a little crowded.
ReplyDeleteI can't but wonder if the crowded patio is a clue to how much she's packed inside.
DeleteIt came out well! Seismically a better solution than the bricks which might get knocked around in an earthquake.
ReplyDeleteBTW looks like your new neighbor may be trying to land planes in the courtyard with all the Edison lights on the railing. Watch your head!
Will Jay
I'd not thought about the earthquakes. Definitely would have displaced the bricks, cause the skeleton to fall. I'll have to go outside some night, see what new neighbor's patio looks like with lights on.
DeleteWe have the plastic sheeting under the new rocks here everywhere too. I'm just waiting to see how bad it floods the courtyard with no where for the water to go when it rains some time in the next couple of months during monsoon season.
ReplyDeleteI love the skull planter!
We don't even need a monsoon season for our rocks to slide off the sheeting, they just do, leaving spots of exposed black sheeting where rocks should be.
DeleteSome little grass seeds (via wind, bird poo, or the Venus fly trap) may have landed on the rocks to start little sprouts. God, I'm old, but I don't recall suggesting the skull move. Seems to work though. LOVE the plant stand wood base. Your new neighbor seems to be growing things that could attract your Venus fly trap. Could be some decorating competition. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteI think you found a good solution to raise Audrey's visibility! I like the gnarly wooden stand too. Your stacked brick option reminded me of the old grey cinder brick shelving popular with students in the '70's.
ReplyDeleteI love the stump plant stand. My daughter and her partner are like you. They love holiday decorations. They could fill a warehouse and still by the next newest thing. Me, I'm like the neighbor, plants on every square inch. LOL
ReplyDeleteBefore I moved here, where the weather is too hot for patio plants, and opted for skeletons, Budha figurines and voodoo dolls inside, I used to have a green thumb ... live plants inside and outside. I don't know if neighbor's plants are live or fake. If live, she's going to have a time keeping them that way.
DeleteI haven't seen a Venus Fly Trap in decades. Do you have to feed it or does it catch enough flies on its own? In my climate we had to keep the inside and feed them.
ReplyDeleteThis one is a metal sculpture of a Fly Trap. I once tried a live Fly Trap, in that same area of the patio, but it didn't survive.
DeleteI like that Plant Stand and it looks really good elevating the Skully and Venus Flytrap. The Young Prince once bought a Living Venus Flytrap and it did very well so long as we hand fed it bugs, but they are notoriously hard to keep Alive.
ReplyDelete"notoriously hard to keep Alive" ... so I found out. This metal one is easy breezy; Doesn't have to be watered or hand fed bugs, LOL.
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