Unexpected transformation

13 years ago

Hi there!

You know those plastic birdbaths? Well I got one at a yard sale last summer for $1.00.

{{gwi:143019}}

I thought I would fill it with concrete, including the bath, and have a table. My plan was to mosaic the plastic stem using ge ii, paint the bottom of the bowl, and them mosaic the top using thin set. I put the concrete in last fall. I've been saving blue and white dishes all winter.

Well to day I went out to wash off the bottom of the bowl and paint it and the concrete fell out! Its so nice and smooth, I thought about musroom tops. Then i thought, this is so much nicer than plastic and I went and...

{{gwi:143021}}

...cut the plastic off the stem too. I had put rocks in the bottom and they crumbled out of the concrete so I might sink it into another piece of concrete for the base. Also have to figure out how to attach the table top. any suggestions?

I'm just going to let it sit here for a while and think about it.

Kathy

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (17)

concretenprimroses
Original Author
13 years ago
Course I took a pic in a place with no flowers. I was just so excited to show you guys. So that is the concrete 'n here are some primroses growing nearby.

{{gwi:143025}}
garden2garden
13 years ago
Wow! It turned out perfect. Who knew?! You're right, much nicer than the plastic! And a really decent price for a birdbath mold! I'm going to have to keep my eye out for one of them and try that!

I know you will have fun with it, you make beautiful mosaics.

I am happy to know how to achieve that crumbly look. (where you added the stones and it came off some) I once saw a concrete sphere that was crumbled like that, it looked ancient, I loved it.

Blue and white sounds beautiful! I like mirror mosaics in the garden too. Your primroses are just lovely! What a pretty shade of yellow. I've never grown primroses. I do have Wild Evening Primrose in patches in the yard. It's yellow too. Opens at night. And I've seen a wild pink one by the roadside.
Related Discussions
An Unexpected Benefit of Reading this Board
Q
Comments (12)
Ann, maybe you and I will be back here in a few years, in the midst of a major kitchen remodel or building a house, wondering why we ever wanted to leave our current kitchens behind! LOL We have been talking about making some changes to our current kitchen for a while, both in terms of what we would like to have and what would be best for resale. I'm more inclined to do what will make me happy, rather than strictly going by what we think will make the biggest contribution to resale. I'm not going to do anything so crazy or unusual that it will harm our resale, I'm just going to make sure that what we choose to do pleases us. If this were only for resale, it would be smarter to wait until just before putting it on the market and then upgrade according to what is selling at that time. Instead, we need to go with timeless updates that will add at least some value and give us pleasure. Another rule is that we do one thing at a time, as we can afford it--no debt. Raehelen, have you been sneaking into my kitchen and peaking in the cupboards? :) Actually, reorganization is already underway. I did a minor reorganization about six months ago, but decided I need to do a more thorough one, with additional purging of duplicate or unused items. And, yes, you were a big help. If you hadn't chosen to post your pictures, I'd still be looking. Oruboris, I agree 100% with what you have written; and I'm glad to see that so many others have responded in a similar vein. Seedsilly, if there are any particular organizational ideas that have been helpful, please share. As Raehelen so perceptively noted, I can always use help in that area. It always amazes me what a difference just reorganizing one or two drawers in my kitchen can make. Christy, I'm very impressed with what you've done in your kitchen. It looks great, and the granite is beautiful. I noticed you had a sample of it. Did you do a lot of testing on your sample before installing the granite? When I see granite like yours I think that's what I want to do with my countertops, but then I think I'm afraid of choosing the wrong stone (such as buying something that is sold as granite but really isn't granite). I think you made some excellent choices in your kitchen. It looks all brand new, but very functional. Rhome, I know what you're saying. At first, I thought, "I should do that, too," every time I saw a good idea on this board. I would have ended up with a traditional, country, contemporary, rustic, casual, but elegant kitchen with every device and appliance known to man. But, like you, I stopped and thought about what I really want or really would use. Like you, I don't want to accumulate debt, either. Again, I'm glad that you all understood what I was trying to say. I have been impressed that, regardless of how modest or extravagant the kitchen design might be, someone is always ready to offer assistance when it's requested.
...See More
ISO Advice: New Range Hood = New and Unexpected Cabinet Problem
Q
Comments (2)
Cabinet plywood (because it must be smooth) or mdf - short for medium density fiberboard. If you measure the depth of the space - it should be something like 5/8". Masonite is a brand name and traditionally refers to low density fiberboard. It's kinda hard to paint it because it absorbs the moisture from the paint and expands. The same company makes the other stuff (MDF) too. Ways to to tell the difference (aside from the sign saying this pile of stuff is MDF) is that MDF is available in 1/2", 5/8" and 3/4" thicknesses. LDF tends to be thin - like 1/8" and 1/4". Generally, one side of LDF has a finish that feels fuzzy where both sides of MDF will feel very hard and flat. The really bad news is you'll have to uninstall the hood to do it properly. Generally speaking the piece should go higher than the bottom of the hood and be attached by installing screws from inside the cabinet. Since you're painting, you can use filler products if you have to. Think about painting everything nearby while the hood is off.
...See More
To paint or not to paint?
Q
Comments (8)
Personally, I LOVE the cherry, but the DH (aka the man who will help me take on this project) Says that its "to red" and that it will clash with the farmhouse kitchen idea. I plan on painting the refrigerator with chalkboard paint- (Ive got 4 little ones, and it just seems like a bit of whimsy fun!) So you have an idea of why he is saying that it may be to red. Both my parents and his parents are insisting that we leave it alone, that they are perfect- that we should just refresh the current stain. They have a point, our ENTIRE house has this matching wood stain. Our bathrooms, all of the interior doors ad closets, molding/baseboard. For continuity I am tempted to leave it.. but... its golden oak. Its impossible it seems to work with. I cant find any pulls that I like with it. Im a total novice. I admit that. Im starting to get discouraged and just leave it. I may not like it, but Im starting to second guess myself. Ive read some of the ladies horror stories of KD, and theres a lot that can go wrong!!
...See More
Quotes 7 - 22 - 17 page 2 lighter
Q
Comments (2)
Irreverant & lighthearted about so-called serious subjects, it's a good way to deal with all the absurdities in the world is a good way to survive them
...See More
grandmathyme
13 years ago
Turned out great! I'm a little confused. Did your pour concrete right into the base and use the plastic base as a mold?
jeannespines
13 years ago
Well, crete, I think you stumbled onto a great idea! It looks awesome! Do you think you can silicone the top to the base now? I havwen't a clue on that...but what a great way to use those plastic birdbaths (that get tossed out so frequently)...GREAT re-cycling! Mosaicing the top would look awesome, too....but I also like it as is! Love the primroses, too! TFS! Jeanne S.
katladie
13 years ago
Very nice, can't wait to see what you do with it.
sunnyca_gw
13 years ago
You went from a cheap piece of junk to an antique looking table!! Great transformation!! Looks fine, way it is but it will be beautiful with a blue & white top, too! Lovely yellow primroses. Mine always get eaten by snails, they seem to bypass the snail bait so I gave up on them! Jan
luna_llena_feliz
13 years ago
What a great mistake! Never would have thought to use those plastic birdbaths as a mold. You did great buying one for only a $1. The base amazing turned out well. I like it the way it is but a mosaiced top on the table would be fantastic too. I think you may have started a trend here. lol!
concretenprimroses
Original Author
13 years ago
Turns out I wasn't the first. Here is a link from the hypertufa forum that tells how to reuse as well.
And yes I just poured concrete into the base (with some stones in the bottom, a mistake if you are using it as a mold). I figured it wouldn't work as a mold so I was just making it solid enough to mosaic, I thought. Not sure how it will last with nothing inside to strengthen it. But its pretty for now, and I can always make more!
Kathy

Here is a link that might be useful: Hypertufa forum- plastic birdbath as mold
socalliegal
13 years ago
Wow I had bought one of those plastic bird baths once and spray painted it with the faux granite spray paint, but it chipped off the smooth surface over time and then it warped from the sun. This is an even better usage. Who knew to use it as a mold. It looks great as it is, maybe even fresco painted or mosaic'd. Be sure to post when you decide what to do. It's an amazing piece! The primroses are beautiful!
excessfroufrou
13 years ago
Very, very cool! You did a great job with the concrete. I think mosaics is the way to go, you could do something interesting with the round shape. In the meantime it looks great sitting out there by that lovely chair.
Frou
hostarhodo
13 years ago
Found a birdbath base in the trash a few years ago. Put an extra large red rose (4ft stem) in it. Added some fake fern around the top of base as filler. It is now at the local hospital, where I worked, and a red rose is their symbol.
sprout_wi
13 years ago
Kathy- You are amazing!! I bought one of those plastic birdbaths this weekend because I couldn't afford the concrete one, and I was so sorry I did. But WOW, you have inspired me!! Great job - and your primroses rock, as well. Now I can put that flimsy plastic birdbath to good use. Thanks!!
-Sprout
sprout_wi
13 years ago
Sorry, I meant to ask - how long did it take for the concrete to dry??
-Sprout
concretenprimroses
Original Author
13 years ago
Well you know, it was in there all winter! I wasn't planning on cutting it out of the plastic, my plan was to mosaic the plastic stabilized with concrete.

I think it would take quite a while longer than a smaller item. Maybe a week? Check the link that I posted or search the hypertufa forum.

It might be better to cut the plastic stem mold before filling it with concrete, then duct tape it together. I cut into the concrete a little when I took mine off. You don't have to cut the bottom. Once you have cut down both sides, it opens up enough to pull it out.

If I make another one, I think I will put something down the middle of the stem, like rebar that sticks up slightly then make a hole in the middle of the top to help hold the top onto the base. I haven't really thought it through, maybe you can! Then let us all know.

Good luck and have fun.

Kathy
Calamity_J
13 years ago
GREAT!!! It is so much cheaper to buy a bag of concrete than a cement birdbath!!! I wanna try one of those swan plastic planters..hmmm wonder how that would work....
emtnest
13 years ago
There is a product that is like a glue that you can add to your concrete mix that will bond the top and bottom piece together. I can't remember the name of it but pretty sure it was HD where I got it..I did that to mine about 3 yrs ago and it is still holding.
Purplemoon
13 years ago
Kathy, what a terrific idea. It looks like an old birdbath, no one would ever know you just made it.
I can't wait to see if some of the others here do them
too. I can't stir or work with concrete now or I'd for
sure try it myself.
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful project tho.

hugs, Karen

Unexpected transformation

Comments (17)

concretenprimroses
Original Author

garden2garden

Related Discussions

grandmathyme

jeannespines

katladie

sunnyca_gw

luna_llena_feliz

concretenprimroses
Original Author

socalliegal

excessfroufrou

hostarhodo

sprout_wi

sprout_wi

concretenprimroses
Original Author

Calamity_J

emtnest

Purplemoon

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Unexpected transformation

Comments (17)

concretenprimrosesOriginal Author

Related Discussions

concretenprimrosesOriginal Author

concretenprimrosesOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

concretenprimroses
Original Author

concretenprimroses
Original Author

concretenprimroses
Original Author