SHEs Organized

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.

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.

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

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.)

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.

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.

It looks great! Makes me want to sit and enjoy the view.

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!

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

Can I just sit and enjoy the view?