A nature-inspired branch ladder plant stand
Most of you know my love for decorating with nature. From branch handled toolboxes, twig garlands to firewood stars and log candles, shopping my own backyard has long been my fav shopping mall for home decor.
I’m a real branch fanatic in particular, so when Stacy from Not Just a Housewife sent me her beautiful new book, Natural Accents (Amazon affiliate link) to review, I kinda squealed, and darted for the wood section.
This post contains some affiliate links in which I earn a small percentage if you purchase anything through these links, at no extra cost to you. Thank-you for helping to support my blog!
Natural Accents – find on Amazon HERE
And I wasn’t disappointed. How beautiful is this book?!
I’ve read a lot of decorating books, and I will say, this is one that won’t outdate itself anytime soon. The projects are truly unique, easy to do, and timeless. Lovely, sharp illustrations with easy to follow instructions. It’s like your own Pinterest on paper without endless clicking. 🙂
And oh my gosh… there’s even a chapter on how to take care of houseplants. I’d better read that…. 6x. 🙂
Well Stacy, your book most certainly inspired me to invent a nature inspired branch ladder plant stand, vs. using a ladder I already had. My patio is finally starting to look like summer!
Here’s how I did it…
How to build a branch ladder plant stand:
Supplies I used:
.
Two 2x4s
Various thick branches for the rungs
Outdoor durable paint of choice
Funky Junk’s Old Sign Stencils:
How-to:
.
1. Cut two 2×4’s to desired length.
2. Stain or paint the ladder sides as desired before assembling.
I didn’t’ have any long reclaimed 2x4s on hand so I used two new ones. I’d rather paint new wood vs old anyway. A little backwards decor theory there…
I used white ceiling paint, with no primer. Because it’s all I had in stock. I find it self primes and wears like nails, so it’s all good!
Funky Junk’s Old Sign Stencils:
2. Stencil along sides of ladder if desired.
I wanted the ladder to wear something unique. Like… a flower sign, as if it were set up to sell beautiful, abundant flowers at the weekend flea market.
With the current Farmers’ MARKET stencil, you can make any kinda market sign you wish with this Market Extensions Collection. 4 new mix and match options! Today I am showcasing Flower.
Here’s how I did this:
(the above picture shows a previous Farmers’ Market design that has since been changed)
How to mix and match stencils on a thin surface
.
a) Position the Farmer’s Market stencil first. Stencil the word Market only.
b) Slip an extra board underneath the stencil, and pencil-in the registration marks.
c) Remove the Market stencil, and position the FLOWER stencil by lining up the registration marks on the stencil with your previous stencil marks. Stencil the image.
I then made the wood look older by beating and scraping across it with a hammer, then slightly sanding it with a palm sander.
How cute is that?!
3. Decide how wide you’d like your ladder, then cut branches that length on straight angles.
The hardest part of this project was attempting to cut the branches on the same angles. But with rustic branches, just remember, wonky works. 🙂
4. Measure and mark how far apart you’d like the branch rungs along the outside of the ladder sides.
5. Attach branches by pre-drilling pilot holes into the sides of the 2x4s, then screwing in each branch rung from the outside.
I love collecting branches when I go for mountain walks, so I had these guys on hand. The branches are a little on the hefty side, perfect rung material.
Seriously… how rustically cute are these branch rungs?!
6. Collect various galvanized buckets (with handles if possible) to use as planters.
A beat up collection of galvanized junk and other odds and sods came to the rescue for the planters.
7. Pre-drill holes into the bottoms of the buckets, then place rocks or gravel to cover the holes. Add soil.
8. Hang buckets to the ladder rungs, with screws for each handle.
8. Once buckets are hung, plant, then water.
I found adding the plants AFTER the buckets were already on the ladder to help me place what plant I desired where.
Ready to see how adorable this turned out?!
Ladder reveal
How adorable is this?! Welcome to my very own little Flower Market! On my patio.
The branch ladder acts as a plant holder that takes nearly no room, perfect for tight spaces! That’s the handy thing about height!
Various planters were grouped together on a nearby table to add to the flower ambiance.
Pretty cute, right?!
Here’s some added tips on how to plant what, where…
Flower planting tip:
.
Much like decorating the interior of your home, I did the same with flowers when deciding what to plant where:
- set the flowers on the floor
- mix and match by colour and how they will trail down
- arrange so the planters don’t have wide open empty gaps that will never be filled in
It’s fun to play and see what you come up with!
Plant names
.
And in case you’d like to know the names of all these plants and flowers, here they are…
Top planter / Bellagio begonia (looks like pom poms!!) and Wire Vine (adore!!)
Middle planter / pastel violets and Moneywort
Bottom planter / lost the tag
Smaller bucket on rail / Sparks Will Fly begonia and Silver Falls
Taller bucket on table / Unbelievable begonia and Golden Sunset
Clay planter / violets and ivy
(aren’t you proud of me for saving the plant tags?!)
– – – – –
Anyway, I’m rather smitten with how this nature-inspired branch ladder plant stand turned out! It takes up virtually no room, it’s easy to maintain because everything is in one spot, and you can even move the planters around if desired!
They’re going to look even cuter once they grow in more!
Think you’ll give a branch ladder plant stand a go this summer?
.
This post was also originally part of a giveaway which is now over. Congrats #38 Carol B!
.
Other related projects you may enjoy:
Make garden-themed IKEA crates
Build an easy garden-themed reclaimed wood gate
Learn how to create this scrap wood garden-themed walkway
Visit many other OUTDOOR and GARDENING projects
Get inspired with MANY other stencil projects HERE
ohhhhmmmmmgeeeee….I Love it! Love it I tell ‘ya! Shall be pinned if my iPad cooperates tonight.
Love it Donna … NOW, I just want to take everything off our front porch … make that ladder and redecorate the entire porch. Love your idea on the MARKET Extensions stencils. Need to order.
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures
Hey Donna! Love the ladder. I have an old rusty milk can and a home made wooden bench that need some TLC. I need ideas!
I have an old wooden painters ladder out in my yard but it’s just sitting there. Hanging plants is such a great idea! Or hang a cute stenciled sign.
Love, Love, Love the ladder. I would Love to make one.
Thanks for your Inspiration!
Sandi
Love the branch ladder planter idea. I was thinking I could use the stencils to make some signage for a room I’m working on that needs a bit of character.
Love your ladder planter display! I would love to use stencils on stools, window boxes, wooden tables! Debra
Love the book, totally would love to read it. Definitely would use the stencils- love, love the flower market sign you made! Thanks!!!!
OMG that is freakin fabulous! I love the book and now I need that darn stencil extension too! This is a fantastic project Donna!
Building a shed with a porch and these ideas would be perfect. Making a nature ladder is brilliant.
Shared on twitter!
I would love those stencils to make signs with. I love the font!
shared!
I love love love your ladder and would totally like to steal it, lol, but it wouldn’t look as good on my porch as it does yours. Love it!!
What a great idea your twig ladder/planter is. I have a vintage ladder at home and was trying to think how to incorporate it into my garden. Hanging the plants in old buckets ( have been collecting those) and then adding such a cute stenciled sign is brilliant and do-able. Great idea.
I’d love to make a “Flea Market” ladder for our new house. My new house is B E I G E and B O R I N G. This is something it could use on the back patio! We are getting ready to move, and all the plants are coming with us. We could easily plop them in an appropriate container, and all would be good!
What a creative idea – your imagination and creativity are unlimited!! I would live to create vintage signs for an old shuttered door that i have on my porch! It is great how your stencils are interchangable!!
Sharing on Facebook! Love the book. It looks like it has some wonderful {and easy} projects!
La ti da! Now that’s what I’m talking about!!!
love it!!!!!
The ladder is to die for, but I gotta tell you I love the flower market idea and the buckets of flowers hanging!
Very, Very cool…
I love to view your creative side Donna!!!!!
Posted your giveaway on twitter and my blog!!
Thanks for the chance to win!!