Accessories
Modern Icons: Bullet Planters
The straight-shooting lowdown on these houseplant homes? They work wonderfully for drinks and magazines too, indoors or out
You can tell by looking at this groovy planter that it came from California in the 1950s. However, that's about all we know about its roots. No single designer ever officially licensed the design of this piece, a bullet-shaped fiberglass planter nested in a metal tripod stand. Design Within Reach spreads the lore that a maker of satellite dishes brought one home one day, and his wife decided it would make a good planter, but so far that's just an unsubstantiated urban legend of the San Francisco Bay Area. Wherever the planter came from, its style has endured. Have a look — and please share any of your own theories about its origins in the Comments.
The height provided by the tripod legs gives a houseplant an elegant perch. Rather than being anchored to the floor, the plant floats above it.
Bullet Planter, Short
Bullet planters are made by several manufacturers and available in fun colors like turquoise, orange, bright green, black and white. This version is made in the USA and is available in a 16- or 23-inch height. The planter itself is compression-molded fiberglass; the stand is powder-coated steel.
A bullet planter can add that dash of curb appeal that lets visitors know your style is more modern than your board and batten siding suggests.
The iconic look of bullet planters made them prime candidates to become clever wall decals.
You can find bullet planters in a variety of heights; this one is just right for the corner between two low window ledges.
Modern
While they may never have been satellite dishes, bullets have many uses. Here one serves as a poolside cooler with swagger ...
Bullet Planter
... while this one serves as a stylish magazine rack. If you have any more clever ideas for how to use one, please share them in the Comments section.