Bucolic Balconies

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Kathryn-in-Canada
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Re: Bucolic Balconies

Postby Kathryn-in-Canada » Mon May 04, 2015 5:46 pm

Couldn't wait - was at Costco and they had great prices on mixed planters. Apparently my balconies are huge - the three large plants make no visual impression at all.

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Twins' Mom
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Re: Bucolic Balconies

Postby Twins' Mom » Mon May 04, 2015 7:07 pm

Kathryn, I noticed yesterday that IKEA had fairly large "palm" type trees - perhaps around 4 feet tall or a little more? for 8.99 yesterday. I got one at Lowes last year for twice the price and used some bricks underneath as a "riser" to make it a little taller. It was behind a planter of herbs and the height was attractive from the inside and outside.

Anyway, IKEA in ATL had some nice plants for outside.
Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better [wo]man. Ben Franklin

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Kathryn-in-Canada
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Re: Bucolic Balconies

Postby Kathryn-in-Canada » Mon May 04, 2015 7:57 pm

Twins: thanks for the hint. I've been avoiding IKEA since it is a weakness with me!

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Kathryn-in-Canada
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Re: Bucolic Balconies

Postby Kathryn-in-Canada » Sat May 16, 2015 12:56 pm

Here are the interim pictures. Still to do:

* Paint the weather station mount, add a hanging bracket and move the wind chimes there.
* hang a set of angels on the wall above the planter
* get dh to put a hook in the same place on the other balcony 'just in case.'
* set up the 3-tier plant stand and put 2 plants and a candle arrangement on it
* cut and lay the 'grass' carpet around the edges (that's the big job.)

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Kathryn-in-Canada
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Re: Bucolic Balconies

Postby Kathryn-in-Canada » Sat May 16, 2015 1:01 pm

Twins: our IKEA doesn't do outside plants. The inside trees were all about $30 but can't live through the winter (due to spiders, I won't bring anything living from the balcony back inside.) The fake palm trees were 1) ugly and 2) $50.

Of course, my final solution wasn't a great price but looks just as I wanted it to look. The planter and grasses were $117. I spent $52 on the hanging flower plants, the fern and the daisies. The remaining plants will be from my indoor collection, so free, unless I decide to buy some herbs for the corner plant stand.

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Kathryn-in-Canada
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Re: Bucolic Balconies

Postby Kathryn-in-Canada » Tue May 19, 2015 9:23 am

Just noting this here since some of the receipts are about to be shredded:

Final cost $1550, taxes in. Flooring was $1085, deck box $170, the IKEA fake plants and planter stand, $135.

Got three plant pots from garbage picking and used 4 of my indoor plants. Already had the hanging angels but they were hung in the laundry room (and will return there for winter.)

Best value purchase: $23 for the hanging plant stand since it saved me from buying two more plants to fill that corner and will last many years (unlike the plants which are good for only 5 months tops.)

The deck box is also good value because it holds so much. I've moved a folding table from the office to it, and chairs from behind the table, so that cleaned up things a lot. Plus it holds the broom and potting soil, meaning the balconies are no longer cluttered at all. As well, the box can hold things like the the hanging plant stand and maybe even the corner plant shelves in the winter, so I don't have to store it inside the apartment.

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LadyMaverick
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Re: Bucolic Balconies

Postby LadyMaverick » Tue May 19, 2015 3:18 pm

It looks great! Makes me want to sit and enjoy the view.
1. Know what you want.
2. Go after it relentlessly.

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Twins' Mom
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Re: Bucolic Balconies

Postby Twins' Mom » Wed May 20, 2015 9:23 am

I love it, Kathryn!

The hanging plant stand is an especially good idea because it brings the plants off the floor for more impact. I like it that the deck box provides additional permanent storage also. What a great place to relax!
Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better [wo]man. Ben Franklin

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Kathryn-in-Canada
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Re: Bucolic Balconies

Postby Kathryn-in-Canada » Tue May 26, 2015 2:35 pm

OK, here are the final photos. I've included the "before" shots as well.

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DeeClutter
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Re: Bucolic Balconies

Postby DeeClutter » Tue May 26, 2015 3:09 pm

Can I just sit and enjoy the view?
Begun is half done -SO! JUST BEGIN!!


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