April 18, 2012by Kristin Jackson37 CommentsBuild, Decor, DIY

Blocks on the Rocks

I made a concrete block planter… Filled with gorgeous succulents… Just like everyone else…
But do you really think I would make a concrete planter just like everyone else?  I don’t think so! We made an outdoor bar!
I was completely awestruck when I originally saw Annette’s DIY Cinder Block Planter on Apartment Therapy.  Pure genius.  Since that post these planters have been popping up everywhere.  I knew I wanted in, I just couldn’t figure out the location.  
Doing what I always do (& try to instill in all my loyal hunters) I found myself digging around trying to find things to update our deck.  I knew I had some large old deck boards that I stained with my vinegar & steel wool mixture.  They ended up not being used for the desk, so they went back under the deck… Calling to me.  “If you Build Me.  They will come!”  After doing a bit of measuring I realized I needed an outdoor bar.  I mean who doesn’t need an outdoor bar?!?  I had the wood for the top & I needed a sturdy base.  { Enter concrete blocks here }  I literally threw myself, my mom & the little’s in the car & headed to Home Depot.  The project had begun.
Easy enough right?  You stack up some blocks, plant some flowers, put on a top… Done.  Well it’s never that easy.  This is how we built our Concrete Planter/Bar.
First up… Layout.  Put on your strong arms, or borrow some if you can & figure out your optimum layout.  Mine ended up symmetrical (shocker I know!) but if it had been wider I would have been all about organized chaos.  Also remember that staggering your seams will make for a stronger structure. 
Once you have your layout, take a picture, draw a diagram, make some sort of reference so you don’t forget.  Disassemble your blocks & start gluing them together.  Easy right… yeah, we talked about that earlier.  It was like Goldilocks up in here.  Our first tube of industrial strength concrete glue (thanks neighbor) was so old it had formed into a plasticy tube.  No go.  Our second attempt was using StrongStick Adhesive by DAP.  Seemed like it worked until it came apart.  Strike two.  Ugh!  I seriously almost scrapped the idea at this point.  One more try… { Enter heavenly cherubs singing }
We used two tubes of this magic adhesive in our caulk gun.  I am proud to say this thing isn’t going anywhere without a sledge hammer!  Let’s get to gluing.
Since we were turning this into a table, it needed to be in the realm of level.  We added wood shims to aide in this.  Checking on every level.  Once done… Let it cure.  I know you will be tempted to check.  DON”T just glue it & walk away.
After it is solid, as…well concrete, it is time to plant.  We used large squares of 1/4″ Hardware Cloth & shoved it into the openings that would be planted.  I tried Chicken Wire as other sites had suggested, but again, no go.  I couldn’t get it to stay.  The Hardware Cloth is more rigid & held much better for us.

Following the Hardware Cloth, cut a square of Landscape Cloth to keep in your potting soil.

And plant some GORGEOUS succulents.
At this point, if you just wanted a planter, you are done!
If you want to go all the way, like we did there are just a few more steps…  We used weatherproof Liquid Nails to glue our two boards to each other ( Just like our desk & headboard).  Followed by some metal plates for extra stability
Once the glue has dried, attach it to your planter… We attached L brackets to the underside of the wood top that lined up with the openings in the concrete blocks.  This way it is a stable top, but it can still be removed to aide in planting.
And every console needs a piece of artwork above it… I love how our door project transformed a plain door into a piece of art.
Our outdoor space has become a fun & bright space that we will enjoy all summer!  No really, the littles refuses to go inside now!  I guess all I can do now is pour a glass of lemonade, sit back & scheme up my next project!
f e a t u r e d  o n:


L I N K I N G   U P   T O:
Home Stories A to Z
Addicted 2 Decorating
Serenity Now
It’s Overflowing
Tatertot’s & Jello