My Homemade Patio Fountain

The last couple of years I've been on the lookout for a fountain for our patio.  My top priority was to find something that created a soothing, bubbling brook sound.  I found several fountains that were pretty but they were as quiet as could be and others that sounded great but were way overpriced.  So last year I decided to make my own.  It's not the fanciest fountain out there, but it makes the best fountain sound!  Perfect for summer evenings on the patio.  I meant to blog about it last year but never got around to it.  I snapped some pictures yesterday while I was reassembling it for this year.

Here's what you need:

Large pot

Bucket

Fountain Kit (got mine at Lowe's)

Hardware Cloth

River Rocks

1. Drill holes in the bottom of the large pot.  

This will allow rain water to drain out.

Stanley is such a camera hog!  He tried to weasel his way into every picture.

2. While wearing leather gloves (super important!!), measure and cut a square piece of 

hardware cloth to fit on top of the large pot.

3. Place bucket in large pot, then bend the hardware cloth until it fits properly (again, wearing gloves is a must!).  

Now cut a square opening in the middle of the wire mesh for the fountain head.

4. Place fountain in the bucket and adjust height to desired level.

5.  The fountain kit should come with several different nozzles.

Pick your favorite and securely attach it to the extension tube.

6. Fill the bucket with water and place mesh on top.  

The water level affects the sound of the fountain.  I usually keep mine about 2/3 full.

7. Wash the rocks off and place them on top of the wire mesh.

Then plug in your fountain, close your eyes and pretend you're sitting next to a bubbling creek in Colorado.
That's what I do anyway ;)

Here are some pictures from last year.

Linked to: Thrilling Thursday @ Paisley Passions, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, 
Outdoor Ideas @ Centsational Girl, Show & Tell Friday, Finding Fabulous, Think Pink Sundays @ Flamingo Toes,Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style


 

Dining Room Light Makeover ORB Style!

I've been on the lookout for a new light fixture for our dining room pretty much since we moved into our house.  One Saturday a few weeks ago while hubby and I were out shopping, we made a stop at our favorite lighting store.  We usually just go there to 'ooh' and 'aah' over the outrageously priced light fixtures.  The store was having a huge "garage sale" and was advertising how their prices were being drastically reduced.  For this particular store, that usually means instead of a chandelier costing $900, it's reduced down to $500.  Not a deal in my book.

After looking around for a little bit, I spotted it.  The light fixture I've been searching for!!!  I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the price -- it was originally $250 and was marked down to $40!!!  I think my hubby was a little hesitant since the fixture was YELLOW.  Nothing a little spray paint can't fix! :)

I didn't get the best 'before' picture.  Here it is ready to get a makeover:

I used my trusty Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint.

And here's the after:

We installed a dimmer switch to control the light.  I love being able to dim the light in the evenings.

Here's the old light.  The fixture was way too small for the room and never provided enough light.  I listed it on Craigslist and we sold it for $40!!  That's how much we paid for the new light!  Oh how I love Craigslist!

Here's the view when you walk in the house.  Stanley's always ready to greet us when we walk in!

{Anyone else having issues with Blogger?  It keeps changing my font size and it's driving me nuts!}

Linked to:  Anything Related @ All Thingz Related, Before & After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick, Before & After Party @ Savvy Southern Style, Power of Paint Party @ Domestically Speaking, Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

The Bathroom is done!!!

I am wondering why it took us two years to tackle this bathroom!  We were a little worried about removing the wallpaper but that turned out to be the easiest step of the project.
Before:

After:

Stanley always tries to sneak in the picture!

My hubby did an AMAZING job installing the crown molding

He also did a great job texturing the walls

Wall color: Driftwood by Benjamin Moore

Before and After Party @ Savvy Southern Style

 

Basement Remodel

Before:

After:

 

Working on the tile.  That was quite the project!

 

 

 

 

Inspiration for the wallpaper art was found here

Wall colors: Harvest Brown by Behr

Chocolate Soufflé by Ralph Lauren for lower half of TV room

 

Laundry Room Make Over

We walk through our laundry room MANY times a day since it's our entry way from the garage.  It was a space that did nothing for me.  Blah.  White.  Boring.  I ran the idea past by husband of adding a countertop in the room and by that weekend he had it installed!  We also added beadboard to the main wall.  Whew, busy weekend!  After I painted the walls a soft sage green and added some accessories, the room became a cozy little spot that we enjoy seeing everyday.
Before:

After:
 










Wall color: Grassland by Sherwin Williams

Linked to: Funky Junk Interiors, Between Naps on the Porch, My Romantic Home