Category: Patios

You can tell by looking at this planter that is groovy that it came in the 1950s from California. However, that’s about all we know about its own roots. No single designer ever officially licensed the layout of the item, a bullet-shaped fiberglass planter nested in a metal tripod stand. Design Within Reach spreads the lore that a maker of satellite dishes brought you house one afternoon, along with his wife decided it would make a good planter, but so far that’s only an unsubstantiated urban legend of the San Francisco Bay region. Wherever the planter came out, its design has suffered. Have a look — and please share some of your theories about its roots in the Remarks.

BAAN design

The elevation supplied by the tripod legs gives a houseplant an elegant perch. Rather than being anchored to the floor, the plant floats above it.

Design Within Reach

Bullet Planter, Short – $155

Bullet planters are made available in fun colors like turquoise, orange white and black and by manufacturers. This version was created in the USA and is offered in a 16- or 23-inch height. The planter itself is compression-molded fiberglass; the rack is powder-coated steel.

Sagan / Piechota Architecture

A bullet planter can add that dash of curb appeal that allows visitors know that the style is much more contemporary than your board and batten siding indicates.

Patrick J. Baglino, Jr.. Interior Design

This roof deck contains three other things we’ve called out as contemporary icons and new classics at other ideabooks. I will provide a high five to you if you can name all three.

Dana Decals

The iconic look of bullet figurines made them prime candidates to become smart wall stickers.

First Lamp

It is possible to find bullet planters in a number of heights; this one is only right for the corner between two low window ledges.

Design Within Reach

While they may not have been satellite dishes, bullets have many applications. This one serves as a poolside cooler with swagger…

Design Within Reach

Bullet Planter – $165

… while this one serves as a stylish magazine rack. If you have some more intelligent ideas for how to use one, please discuss them in the Remarks section.

See related

When my indoor or outside area needs a quick facelift, I like to make inexpensive, simple and resourceful furnishings. An empty (and free) electrical spool is just one of my preferred base pieces to start with. I’ve been producing upholstered ottomans employing the spool parts as frames for years. But you don’t have to go that far if you’re in a time and budget crunch.

The spools may be used pretty much as is in case you understand what to do. And the slipcover you are going to learn how to make below is a basic skill builder for several, more detailed furnishings you may feel inspired to make down the road.

There is a very long list of furnishings you can produce with these handy salvaged spools. Have a look at the indoor-outdoor rolling side table that I made with the assistance of my fabulously talented intern; it can add poolside pizzazz or bedside charm.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

The slipcovered table adds pizzazz to these ivory and gray wicker chairs.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Tools and Stuff:
Discarded electrical spool (some hardware stores give them away for free)11/2 yards of fabric Sewing machineScissorsPinsWheels or feetDrillScrews Iron and ironing board

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Opt for the nonbolt side of the spool (the flatter side) for your tabletop.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Measure the circumference of the spool top.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Measure the height of the spool and add a good five inches to permit for your seam, hem and wheels or feet.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

The cover is going to be made out of two main pieces: a round top and the circular band that hangs around the bottom. Use school chalk to trace around the spool shirt onto the fabric.

Hint: It’s far better to trace on the wrong side of the fabric, instead of on the right side as shown. (He is my intern; what can I say?)

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Measure 1/2 inch outside the traced line for the seam allowance at the top seam.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Cut out the very best bit of fabric.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Measure and mark the fabric for the band. Our spool measured 64 inches around, and we added 4 inches extra for the overlapped, finished seam in the trunk. The spool thickness was 141/2 inches, and we cut on the band at 19 inches.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

It’s simpler to hem the ring before stitching it to the top bit. Roll the bottom edge of the band above by 1/2 inch and press on it using an iron. Then roll it over another 1/2 inch and press again.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Use the machine’s presser foot as a manual and stitch the hem straight and nice. Then press it again.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Set the surface of the slipcover (the round bit ) side up onto the table. Pin your band cutout onto this top bit. Be certain that the cut edges are aligned, the fabric grain is in line and the cut edges meet in the center back of the cover. How you place your routine is up to you.

The 2 ends of the band meet at the rear seam as follows: Fold one side of the band back by producing a 1-inch fold. Subsequently lap the other hand over that folded border (the right border in this photograph ). Pin the band into position.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

When the band is completely trapped round the top piece, it is time to stitch.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Stitch around the top with a half-inch seam allowance.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Clip several small cuts away from the curve of the highest bit to publish the seam allowance.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Turn the cover right side out. Carefully line up the 1-inch folded band of the rear seam on top of the other side of the band to produce the rear seam. Topstitch the whole folded seam closed, from the top to the bottom.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

To provide the top of the slipcover a nice, professional appearance, open up the seam allowance around the top of the slipcover and attentively stitch one seam allowance to the peak of the slipcover and the other side of the seam allowance to the band. Be sure to keep the stitch distance from the seam exact using the presser foot as a guide.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Add wheels for rolling or classic legs. I opted for wheels to make the table simple to maneuver.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Measure and mark four equally spaced locations around the bottom of the spool for leg or wheel positioning. Drill pilot holes and screw the pieces into position per their instructions.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Almost there! Now the rolling spool is prepared to receive all dressed up.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

The topstitched border of the cover helps to keep the border smooth, professional and flat looking.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

This summery suzani fabric makes for a beautiful covering around the poolside dining table.

More DIY: Make an easy solar-powered outdoor lamp

See related