DIY: Modern Planter

"Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value."  Wikipedia

With the growing concerns about the environment, it becomes each individuals responsibility to do their part.  By reusing objects, or upcycling, you are not only helping the planet by seeing the potential in otherwise useless objects, but creating something special and unique within your home that can be a topic of conversation.  Go to readymade.com to see more great recycling ideas and to post your own projects. 

What You'll Need:

1. Cookie Container

2. Spray Primer (for metal)

3. Gold Spray Paint (for metal)

4. Potting Soil

5. Succulents / Plants

6. Decorative Plant Sand

7. A Few River Rocks / Stones

What to do:

1. Clean container so that there are no particles left on the outside.

2. Set up a spray station outside or in a well ventilated area, make sure you have proper safety gear including protective glasses and a respirator or dust mask.

3. With a drill, make several holes the size of a pencil's eraser into the bottom of the container for drainage purposes.

4. Spray the container and lid with primer ( I used Valspar White Interior / Exterior Primer)

5. Let dry. Add more layers of primer if any of the original color is peeking through.

6. After dry, spray container and lid with gold spray paint, or other color of your choosing ( I used Gold Rust-o-leum) 

7. Add more layers of paint if necessary.

8. Let dry completely.

9. Place lid under container to catch plant drainage.

10. Fill bottom of container with small amount of potting soil.

11. Remove plants from pots and remove excess dirt until all that remains is the root system and it's surrounding dirt.

12. Place plants in the planter in an attractive way.

13. Fill in areas around plants with more potting soil.

14. For additional touch, fill in top of planter with decorative sand (found in the plant section of a home improvement store-got mine at Lowes) Spread sand around using fingers until it completely covers dirt.

15. Nestle river rocks or other stones in with the plants and sand to create a desert look.

ENJOY!