We have two tables with umbrellas on our patio at the back of our house. It’s a very sunny patio near the pool so having an umbrella gives us a break from the sun when needed. I’ve always struggled with eating and socializing at a table with a pole in the middle of it and how and where to put something decorative in the middle of the table. Let’s face it, umbrellas are nice for shade from the hot sun, but they can be quite awkward.
I finally tackled our pole dilemma this year. I decided to add a box on our traditional picnic table. The goal was to find a long, rectangle container for the center of the table, then drill a hole large enough for the umbrella pole to fit through. Plan A was to use something I already had so, I searched our shed and found an old black metal box. Plan B was to hit the thrift stores for some kind of container that would work. Plan C was Amazon where I had found some good options. I knew if the container was drillable and the right size it would work.
Earlier this summer Kirk drilled holes in the bottom of the box to provide drainage for mint plants I had in it. Because I didn’t plant the mint directly in the box it ended up being pot-bound and struggled. Lesson learned. The box just gets too hot for live plants — at least this year it did!
I painted the box in Artissimo, a deep navy blue color in the Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint line. I used the MMS bonding agent to make sure the paint stuck to the metal. Then I sealed the paint with Miss Mustard Seed Hemp Oil to protect the paint finish and give the paint a little shine. Spray paint would have also worked – but I had the milk paint on hand and really wanted to use the navy color.
Filling the box was the fun part. Glass Mason jars filled with flowers work perfectly in the box. IKEA faux plants work nicely too. If we are entertaining (remember when we used to have guests over?) I might create a floral arrangement. Using pillar candles for the evening would be lovely, or a combination of flowers and candles.
Our other patio table is square and doesn’t have as much space for a larger planter. When I found this little wire basket at HomeGoods for $4.99 last week I knew it would be perfect. I simply pulled the bottom wires apart to make room for the umbrella pole. This was the simplest option!
I added some green grassy moss like this that I found at Hobby Lobby, (they also have it at JoAnn’s and other craft stores). The moss hides the plastic pots of the faux IKEA plants.
Putting the Mason jars filled with flowers in the basket works well too.
Fresh cut flowers will always be my preference, but they aren’t always practical for day-to-day outdoor decor. The faux plants work great and are much easier to maintain!
If you live in a hot and humid climate, the faux plants would work great, or try some succulents. I’m already thinking about what to put in the planters for the fall – maybe I will fill it with apples from our apple trees! Of course, the squirrels will love that!
