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Using Upcycled Items to Create a Beachy Vignette

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​It doesn’t take much to transform and plastic planter into a pretty beachy vignette. Even better, incorporate pebbles and keepsakes from a memorable vacation!

The beaches in my area in Greece are not full of sand but full of pebbles instead.  So when I think of pebbles I think of the beach. I am going to use pebbles and my love of the beach as inspiration for this coastal style display.

Planter with beach/ancient ruins look, Using Pebbles to Inspire My Love of the Beach www.theboondocksblog.com

I really had a hard time finding pebbles for this project.  In Greece all I had to do was go to the beach and there were miles and miles of pretty multi-colored pebbles. But here in New York, things are different.​

A pebble filled beach in Greece, Using Pebbles to Inspire My Love of the Beach www.theboondocksblog.com

​Materials Needed for this Beachy Vignette:

​I actually saw these as I was walking the dog one day and borrowed a few from the neighbor. Honestly after my Greek pebbles, these were a bit dull. And I really had no idea what I was going to do with them, but I took them home.​

bowl full of pebbles, Using Pebbles to Inspire My Love of the Beach www.theboondocksblog.com

I also had a plate and a metal ring which I wanted to use.  I wrapped the metal ring in twine and then once my puppy saw it, well that was the end of that!​

white plate and metal ring, Using Pebbles to Inspire My Love of the Beach www.theboondocksblog.com

​These are ruins that my son had taken out of the fish tank.  Actually, they had been relegated to the corner of a drawer and so I took them out and thought I could use them in this project.​

souvenirs from Europe, Using Pebbles to Inspire My Love of the Beach www.theboondocksblog.com

The plastic planters I had bought at Dollar Store a while back.  I used one of them.​

Two plastic planters in blue, Using Pebbles to Inspire My Love of the Beach www.theboondocksblog.com

The How To:

I started off by painting the plastic planter.  I used Chalky Finish Paint in white first as a base.  I just put it on nice and thick not worrying about the finish because I wanted it to look rough.

Painting the planter with chalky finish paint, Using Pebbles to Inspire My Love of the Beach www.theboondocksblog.com

I then mixed a few shades of blue into the chalky finish paint and brushed it on the planter to give it a beachy Mediterranean vibe.​

adding acrylic craft paint over the white, Using Pebbles to Inspire My Love of the Beach www.theboondocksblog.com

Using the plate as the base, I positioned the planter and surrounded it with the pebbles.

close up of the pebbles, Using Pebbles to Inspire My Love of the Beach www.theboondocksblog.com

I then strategically placed the ruins in the pebbles. I also considered these glass  accent gems.  Do you think they would have looked good here?​

the ruins placed between the pebbles, Using Pebbles to Inspire My Love of the Beach www.theboondocksblog.com

Do you remember this planter from my unusual planter ideas?  I had filled it with a vinca vine but it no longer fit comfortably.​

old swan planter, Using Pebbles to Inspire My Love of the Beach www.theboondocksblog.com

I replanted the vinca vine into the plastic planter and added the pebbles on top along with another ruin.  I also embellished with another plant.​

Vinca vine inside the planter, Using Pebbles to Inspire My Love of the Beach www.theboondocksblog.com

Now my vinca vine has room to breathe and grow!​

the vine overflowing over the planter, Using Pebbles to Inspire My Love of the Beach www.theboondocksblog.com

And the setting is most definitely Greek Mediterranean!

planter with a beachy ancient ruin look, #beachysummerlook #ancientruins #beachyplanter #Mediterranean #plantervignette #containerplanter #pebblerockproject #vincavine #easyproject Using Pebbles to Inspire My Love of the Beach www.theboondocksblog.com

Just a small way to bring a bit of Greece to my patio.​

planter with a beachy ancient ruin look, #beachysummerlook #ancientruins #beachyplanter #containerplanter #Mediterranean #plantervignette #pebblerockproject #vincavine #easyproject Using Pebbles to Inspire My Love of the Beach www.theboondocksblog.com

I am so glad my son saved the ruins, he usually throws everything out.  I had looked down on them before, but now combined with the pebbles they shine and really add a fun element to the planter.​

planter with a beachy ancient ruin look, #beachysummerlook #ancientruins #beachyplanter #Mediterranean #plantervignette #containerplanter #pebblerockproject #vincavine #easyproject Using Pebbles to Inspire My Love of the Beach www.theboondocksblog.com

When you see pebbles what do they make you think of?  Not everyone can look at pebbles and see them as inspiration for their love of the beach.   But now you see how I came to this conclusion. The planter vignette is full of Mediterranean sunshine!

Do you ever use pebbles in your projects?

Picture
planter with a beachy ancient ruin look, #beachysummerlook #ancientruins #beachyplanter #Mediterranean #plantervignette #containerplanter #pebblerockproject #vincavine #easyproject #upcycledplanter Using Pebbles to Inspire My Love of the Beach www.theboondocksblog.com

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How to Make Practical Cardboard Paper Cubes for Storage - The Boondocks Blog

Tuesday 2nd of June 2020

[…] time we got together we had done a project on pebbles and rocks.  This time around we are doing a different theme each month using the anniversary gifts by year […]

Doreen@foxdenrd

Monday 2nd of July 2018

I had to smile when you said your son throws everything away. I guess in this case the apple fell far from the tree :). Greece may be drop dead gorgeous, but I think I prefer sand beaches for sure. Now that you’re settled, do you miss Greece or are you happy to be where you are?

Mary

Monday 2nd of July 2018

Doreen, since I have four kids I can honestly say each one falls far in varying degrees. But this one the furthest!! I should clarify that the beaches in my area are full of pebbles, but if you drive a half an hour away you will get lots of sandy beaches too. Each area has its own feel. As for beautiful Greece, I miss the colors, and the scents of the beach and the flowers. And of course my friends. But I am so grateful to be here with my family and working on creating something that will be permanent.

Maria

Monday 2nd of July 2018

Well done, looks so authentic with the rocks and blue in the background.

Mary

Monday 2nd of July 2018

Maria it is the Mediterranean look all the way!

Michelle

Monday 2nd of July 2018

Love the whole look Mary. It's like you've miniaturized the Parthenon and a little bit of the beaches in Greece, plus there's that beautiful blue of the skies and sea and together. Love the idea and thank goodness you saved that little ruins before your son got to throw them out. They really do look perfect in that setting

Mary

Monday 2nd of July 2018

It all came together just in time so I can enjoy this vignette from indoors because it is unbearable outside this week.

Marie

Monday 2nd of July 2018

Awe, it looks totally Mediterranean! How sweet to bring a little Greece into your New York home.

Mary

Monday 2nd of July 2018

I need all the blue I can get Marie!!

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