Using Upcycled Items to Create a Beachy Vignette
A few household items can be transformed into a pretty beachy vignette to bring back memories of summer vacations and days on the beach.
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.
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.
Materials Needed for this Beachy Vignette:
- White pebbles
- plastic planter
- Americana Chalky Finish Paint in Everlasting
- Acrylic craft paints in blue
- a 12 inch plate
- plant and soil
- two “ruins”
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.
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!
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.
The plastic planters I had bought at Dollar Store a while back. I used one of them.
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.
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.
Using the plate as the base, I positioned the planter and surrounded it with the pebbles.
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?
Do you remember this planter from my unusual planter ideas? I had filled it with a vinca vine but it no longer fit comfortably.
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.
Now my vinca vine has room to breathe and grow!
And the setting is most definitely Greek Mediterranean!
Just a small way to bring a bit of Greece to my patio.
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.
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?
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Aw Mary that is such a sweet summery vignette and certainly reminds of your summers in Greece. Isn’t it great to have memories from all kinds of places we’ve been and lived? And be able to make it into a little vignette to remember and hold dearly… lovely!
It certainly is Katrin. I had no idea I would end up with this vignette when I started this project. Sometimes you just let the memories take you where they want to.
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?
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.
Well done, looks so authentic with the rocks and blue in the background.
Maria it is the Mediterranean look all the way!
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
It all came together just in time so I can enjoy this vignette from indoors because it is unbearable outside this week.
Awe, it looks totally Mediterranean! How sweet to bring a little Greece into your New York home.
I need all the blue I can get Marie!!
Mary you have the sweetest way of decorating with things that have meaning to you and your family. In my book that’s what makes a house a home. 🙂
I have to agree everything has to have some sort of connection. I don’t really like meaningless things since our home is so limited on space.
It totally does have a Greek feel with those ruins! I love how it turned out Mary.
🙂 gwingal
Thank you Nikki, it was an easy way to bring the colors of the beach to my patio.
Mary, the idea to use pebbles and the ruins is awesome! I love your creativity. You must miss your Greek beaches this summer. I hope you get the chance to go back soon for a visit. 🙂
I wish Keri, we still have a lot of work to do before we can think of vacations. This small vignette will have to do for now.
Awe…that project turned out so cute Mary. Oh…I would so miss the sand on the beach for sure. Happy 4th of July to you dear Mary. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Thank you dear Cindy, have a wonderful Fourth of July with your great big family!!
I would have never thought of this, Mary! Very imaginative!
It’s my little slice of the beach Julie.
This is a lovely vignette. It must make you think of the beautiful beaches of Greece every time you look at it.
It really does Debra that blue color reminds me of the sky and sea.
I like it Mary! It has a fresh feel, those white pebbles are different and fun for summer!
Kim I seem to be craving white an blue more and more since moving here. I guess those sites never leave you.
I love this. And Greece is so on my bucket list for one of these days. I like using stones and rocks, but most of mine are purchased.
I’m too cheap to purchase Rosemary. Haha! I think it’s because I always got them free from the beaches of Greece and now it just seems strange to have to pay for them. But I guess I have to learn to adjust. I hope you do get to go to Greece one day, you will never forget it.
This looks lovely, Mary! Actually when I first saw this on Facebook I thought this was a reference to the Acropolis 🙂 I don’t really associate he pebbles and the ruins with the beach, but they totally remind me of the Pantheon! Either way: very pretty, and a great way to bring Greece to New York.
Hope you’re having a lovely day!
Maisy
Maisy each beach in Greece is different. While many are sand beaches, where I used to live there were many pebble beaches. So for me that is the image I carry with me. And yes, the Parthenon and the ancient ruins are everywhere. It was my way of combining all those elements into one.
There is something so real and honest about pebbles. Your little vignette does look like Greece! That must make you smile when you see a reminder of your beaches there! If I were you, I would be missing all that gorgeous blue water!
Michele I miss the water and sky and most of all the sunsets and sunrises. I had a kitchen window which gave me the best sunrises in the morning. That was priceless.
I love using pebbles in my summer decor. Seeing them always reminds of happy times at the beach. I can only imagine you missing them so much but now you have the perfect planter vignette.
Katerina when we came up with the idea for pebbles I had no idea what I was going to make but then as if by fate, I was drawn to this idea of Greece and it all came together effortlessly.
Very inspiring Mary. I need to grab some plant and make my ugly plastic planters prettier. Like the use of rocks too.
A little bit of paint goes a long way Carol. That plastic blue did not inspire at all.
Hi Mary! I love the way you totally brought together so many elements to make this lovely vignette on a platter. It SO looks like the pictures I have seen of Greece. I hope to be able to take a trip to Greece one day and see it for myself.
Miss Kitty if you ever make it there, I know you will love it. The light is amazing and I think that is what makes all of Greece so beautiful.
Love the beachy vignette! The rocks may not be the smooth pebbles like in Greece, but they still look pretty with the ruins, and make the pretty blue planter stand out more.
Linda one year when I visited Greece, I must have been about 21 I took a bagful of the pebbles from Greece to US because they were so exotic to me. My aunt was horrified, she had wanted me to pack some cheese and take it with me but I would not hear of it. I wanted those pebbles.
Mary, I know how much you probably wish you were still back in Greece, but coming up with this DIY idea will hopefully inspire you of all the great memories you had while living there.
It certainly does Carol. Almost like having a little bit of home away from home, or to my new home. Oh it all gets so confusing sometimes.
I love your repurpose. I think the ruins are perfect in the design. Love your creativity. Thanks for sharing on Sunday’s Best.
Thank you Rhonda. Those ruins make the piece.
To me, this really looks like you Mary. I saw those “ruins” and immediately thought “aquarium.” Ha! They really look good with your planter though. Ruins are so Greece. Really a cute little centerpiece now.
Florence would you believe I found those ruins and didn’t remember they came from an aquarium. I thought my son had bought them as souvenirs. Haha!
Mary, I have never been to Greece, but this is certainly how I imagine it to be. Great job! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann-
Thank you Jann, it is exactly just like this.
If there is something that reminds me of Greece are ruins and pebbles. Now you have a little bit of Greece in NY and I am sure your heart will smile every time you see it as it will remind you the beautiful moments you shared with your hubby there, on the boat, at the seashore, on the mountains… You are amazing Mary
Aww thank you Pili. Even here I know that the water is nearby. I could never imagine living in the desert or someplace with no water nearby. You understand me.
Hi Mary, you did yourself proud. Your creation really has a Greek feel about it, it just shows you can take the girl out of Greece, but you can’t take Greece out of the girl!…The ruins, the stones, the colour of the planter and the plant, a perfect combination!
xx
Thank you Debbie that means a lot coming from you cause you know exactly what is there. Even the plant is important because we have so much natural beauty there with all the mountains and flowers.
What a clever way to bring the beach inside!
I had to do it, one way or another! 🙂
It is more than obvious that you miss Greece my friend! Your heart belongs to Greece and you show it in every way!!! Miss you too Mary 🙂
Ahhh Christina there is nothing in the world as beautiful as the blue sea and the Greek light, you never forget it!
What a great piece of Greece ina a little pot:-))) Fantastic project:-)))
Yes that is a great way of putting it. !!!
I love this scene you recreated with the planter.
Have a great week,
Kippi
Thank you Kippi, it bring a little bit of the beach to my home.