Get The Technique
Spring is in the air in New York which has me excited about plants and gardening for the summer. I currently have big plans to make Hypertufa Pots from our March issue and create an oasis on my roof for the summer. Hypertufa is a stone-like substance made by mixing peat moss, perlite, and portland cement with water. After a bit of trial and error I found the process quite rewarding and even a bit addictive. Here is a behind the scenes look at the development process - and for instructions on how to make them click here.
1 Some very initial experimenting with boxes and cement tubing for molds.
2 I tried lining chair caning in cement tubing from home depot
3 The sand was too heavy and didn't really capture the textures the way I had hoped. The pot looked a bit like a tire - so that idea stopped there.
4 Hypertufa is best done outdoors. Since that wasn't possible we covered the floors with drop cloths - at times it still got a bit messy.
5 Making one of the first Faux bois planters.
6 Once filled the mold sets for 36 hours
7 Faux bois planter with inner container removed
8 Two finished faux bois planters - the same mold is used for both containers.
9 basket mold setting
10 finished basket containers
11 Small basket with larger basket on top
12 Table top slabs setting
13 Table top slab with dusty miller embedded
14 Table top slab with eucalyptus embedded
15 Finished table top embedded with elephant ear leaves
16 These containers were molded from milk and orange juice cartons and colored with mason stains
17 These planters were molded from wicker baskets
From: By Little Hands | 3/15/10 at 7:15 pm
I do believe that my husband may banish me from the yard when he sees me making these but I love them so much that I am willing to take the risk!
From: Laura | 3/16/10 at 2:28 pm
I would love to know where the table bases came from...Are they still available?
Thanks!
From: Rowaida Flayhan | 3/16/10 at 11:36 pm
This is a wonderful project so beautiful!
From: Marcie McGoldrick | 3/17/10 at 9:17 am
Yes Laura - they are from Ikea - here is the link http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50135025. We painted the legs of the table black - they are steel.
From: april | 4/24/10 at 11:47 am
i love this idea. i think i might try it sometime. thanks for the information and ideas. love the website.
From: Susan Thompson | 2/7/13 at 9:17 am
hello,I would appreciate knowing what you used to create the faux bios look in photo 8. Thanks,Susan. Auntprettyt@comcast.net
From: Marcie McGoldrick | 2/7/13 at 9:40 am
Hi susan - here is a link to the directions and the materials needed.
http://www.marthastewart.com/908066/faux-bois-planter-mold