I’ve had a pair of black resin planter boxes out front for a while now and they keep getting these weird white marks on them that don’t really clean off. Every time I walk by them I make a mental note to do something about it. Then I saw this image on Pinterest:

White! Glorious, bright white. So fresh and so clean. Why fight the mysterious white marks and why spend big bucks on new planters when these are fine? So I busted out a can of primer and put on a good four coats. I love the chalky white finish.

I remembered my grandpa telling me once that white gravel is great for planter boxes because it helps retain moisture. Plus it looks so pretty! I picked up a $5 bag at Home Depot and that was more than enough for my two planters.

I’m hoping the rocks help me keep these new fig trees alive. The trees are supposed to be drought resistant, but that hasn’t helped me in the past. I really need to be better about watering consistently – or maybe I should just put these on a drip system.

The new trees looked so pretty, I decided my coir door mat needed an update too! I picked up a roll of contact paper from the dollar section at Target and looked online for a pretty number 2.

Then I traced and cut out the contact paper stencil.

Then I removed the sticker backing and carefully pressed the paper into place, focusing on the inside edges. I also added some paper around the perimeter of the stencil to prevent overspray.

It’s a good idea to spray in short bursts directly face-on when spray painting a stencil, rather than moving all around – the paint just gets under the stencil that way.

No too bad, right? I am thinking about adding a border around the perimeter like these mats, but I sort of like the simplicity here.

We still need a new lantern out front and I want to replace the doorbell and add a dummy handle to the stationary door. I also want to have a piece of marble cut for the threshold – I only need about 3″ wide. I am buying a slab for a project I have for up in the studio and I think I’ll just have the stone guys cut a piece for me then that I could throw down with some cement glue.

I would love to have a little bench out here someday soon too. Maybe to replace that silly little plant shelf thing. I’ve been poking around looking for something pretty, but I think I would like to find a vintage piece. I did find some treasures for outdoor spaces in my online searching though! Check these beauties out:

teak planter  //  wall planter  //  monogrammed mat  //  brass entry set  //  polished nickel entry set  // black planter  //  white planter

hanging plant basket  //  mailbox  //  short planter urn  //  polished nickel entry set (mine!)  // greek key coir mat  // black hammock

bullet planter  //  b/w house numbers  //  brass planter  //  black planter  //  white outdoor sconce  //  klismos outdoor bench  //  brass entry set (the ultimate dream!! swoon.)