As a bunch of you saw on Facebook and Instagram, we went on a giant lumber run, which means there’s a whole lotta building that’s about to commence in the nursery. But first we have to paint the walls and ceiling, so we hope to knock that out today and tomorrow (and have an update for you guys on Monday). Three cheers for finally saying goodbye to those door-overspray marks on the wall!
And while we get our paint on, I thought I’d share a nice and easy “anyone-can-do-it” project (involving living things, ahh!). Most importantly: there’s a tiny deer living in a tiny glass house in our house.
And the good news is that he can’t die… but the plants nearby most definitely can.
So this is going to be one of those experiments to see if low maintenance plants really exist. Because we all know I don’t exactly have a green thumb. Remember when I begged you to help me keep my cacti alive? Well the good news is that they’re all still alive and kicking, over two months later.
Wanna know how I’m keeping them alive? By completely ignoring them. 100%. I’ve only watered them once. In TWO MONTHS! Everyone told me just to give them a drop when the soil feels really dry, so I have truly taken that to heart. And they love me for it. Well, at least they don’t hate me (and aren’t dying in protest). Some of you even noticed them still alive and kicking in last week’s chair post. Werk, little cacti. Werk.
So now that I’ve had a decent amount of success with that completely no-maintenance planting experience, as you can imagine I practically think I’m a top level botanist. Just kidding, I still have pretty much zero plant confidence (see those succulents on the shelf in the background of this pic? They’re fake from HomeGoods). But it did inspire me to try one more “it theoretically should take care of itself” situation on for size. Namely, a terrarium.
It all started when I found this awesome glass container at a lighting shop a few weeks back (The Decorating Outlet here in Richmond). The cool thing is that they usually sell this as a light fixture like this, but this one wasn’t drilled to accommodate a light for some reason, so it was marked down to $16. It just sort of whispered “Fill me with a few green things and a tiny plastic deer. You know you want to.” So I thought, OK, let’s see if this black thumb of mine can create (and hopefully maintain) a terrarium. Like without any actual maintenance.
Here’s how I made it.
Step 1. Cut a hole in a box. Just kidding. The first step was actually finding a glass container that I liked (you could also try a big glass container like this or an apothecary jar like this). UPDATE: Shades of Light actually sells this exact piece as a terrarium now!
Step 2. I googled around and read about 20 terrarium tutorials. There were a lot of different methods, but the ones with charcoal – like this one – seemed the most self-stable (meaning you didn’t have to open them and water them, because the charcoal theoretically should make them into their own little self-sustainable ecosystem).
Step 3. I wrote out a list of supplies I would need: gravel, charcoal, potting soil, and some small plants. I ducked out into the garage to get some bagged potting soil, and just stole some gravel from our driveway to fulfill that requirement. Then I went to Home Depot and grabbed two small succulent containers for around $5 and looked for charcoal (some plant stores sell it) but no dice. So I hit up a local greenhouse (Great Big Greenhouse here in Richmond) and got a tiny bag of charcoal for $1.
Step 4. I added about an inch of gravel to the bottom of the container.
Step 5. I added about an inch of charcoal on top of my gravel layer.
Step 6. I added 2-3 inches of potting soil on top of the charcoal layer.
Step 7. In went my plants into the potting soil…
Step 8. And then just for fun, I grabbed Bambi’s nephew Bob and stuck him in there.
Step 9. I gently misted the plants with water (ok, I dunked my hand in a bowl of it and splashed the inside of the terrarium a few times) and then I sealed everything up and called it good.
So far it has been over a week and my little guys have been troopers. No drooping (they actually look a little happier than they were in their plastic Home Depot containers) but not a whole lot of action either (there hasn’t been a ton of Titanic-esque glass-fogging or anything like that). The jury is still out on whether this will end up being a cold and lonely tomb for them to leave this world, or a happy little place for them to hang out. I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime I’d love any and all terrarium tips since you guys did me right with those cacti.
Update: Hilariously enough, thanks to my Instagram feed I learned that Michael over at Inspired by Charm made a similar terrarium from a RedEnvelope kit for $79 yesterday! So you can check his out as a ready-to-assemble alternative. Also, his photos are amazing, and his dome is blinged out in gold. Me-ow.
step 5 and step 6 pictures are reversed order.
? maybe im going crazy. it looks fine now.
You’re perfectly sane! I noticed that as soon as I hit publish and switched them ;)
xo
s
So cute! I love the little deer. I might have to attempt one of these. I had a jade plant for almost a year before I killed it, longest life I’ve ever given a plant!
Almost a year is awesome!
xo
s
Cute project! I think your photo #5 and #6 might be in the wrong order. ;)
All fixed! Thanks Jess!
xo
s
What color are you painting the nursery? I am way too impatient to wait :)
Haha! I promise we’ll share the details with photos as soon as we can (descriptions of paint colors without pictures are like a cookbook with no food photos). Haven’t even cracked the can yet, so I hope we like it…
xo
s
Step One… Cut a hole in a box.
Dying trying not to laugh too loudly in my cubicle.
Same! And now I’m totally gonna be singing that all day. Complete with hand gestures. Here’s hoping nobody reports me for sexual harassment. Haha
Haha me too – favorite part of this post :) You rock Sherdog.
Me too!! I think it was the best part of this post. Lol! Plants are cool too.
my husband looks forward to the Christmas specials every year just for that video. even though he can watch it online anytime.
Same here. “Step One…Cut a hole in a box.” = snorted coffee and strange looks from cubicle-mate. Thanks.:)
Cracked up!
/dead from holding in laughter at work
so glad you referenced that!
Love the container you found. Just a thought, you could try painting the deer gold or bright color for a fun pop of color – know how much you love a ceramic animal! :)
I made a mini terrarium (for the first time) over the weekend as well – definitely a week for terrariums! Mine is here: http://instagram.com/p/jZwcQDv–w/
(they are being used as place cards/favors for a wedding)
Can’t wait to see the nursery evolve!
PS: I also discovered you can get colored aquarium pebbles from a pet supply store to use for the terrarium to have fun with color, and they are cheap!
Love that idea!
xo
s
Holy cow, that IG pic is amazing! What a gorgeous place card/favor. And I love the gold deer idea!
xo
s
Wow that is amazing!! Did you spray paint them? Tutorial please! :)
Wow, thank you!!
@Amanda – I used liquid gold leaf and a small paintbrush to paint gild each leaf (small jar found at Michaels craft store). The container is from CB2 and it sits on a bed of shimmer white aquarium rocks from the pet store. You can spray paint it too if you are doing a lot of them, but I liked the look of liquid gold more.
I talked to a florist today and he said that gilded succulents will actually live and grow like that, I was worried it might kill it!
So cool!
xo
s
So cute! This would be great for our house because our cat likes to eat plants, and she wouldn’t be able to nibble on this. Is Burger into plants, or does he leave them alone?
Burger is completely ambivalent about plants. He’s pretty much into eating his own food and chasing Clara around and trying to eat her snacks.
xo
s
This is SOOOO cute! I’ve wanted to do something with succulents and this might just be it! Super cute!
I just found a little treasure chest at a thrift store that’s the same style as your terrarium (soldered, or something?) that I totally want to plant a terrarium in! I’m nervous, though, since the last two terrariums I planted BOMBED. But that was almost a year ago, and I’ve matured since then, right?…
Haha, totally! Did you use charcoal in the others? From what I read that can be really helpful, so I’m hoping that’s my little secret ingredient.
xo
s
NO! Great tip. I’m also fairly certain I was massively overwatering them. Third time’s the charm! (crosses fingers)
No whammies, no whammies, no whammies!
xo
s
Try the charcoal (available at any good aquarium store) and don’t open it up unless it becomes very apparent you need to water it. Oh, and make sure its in the right light for your plants, though succulents are very forgiving. If you hit the right balance, it will be a self-sustaining Eco system and you won’t water it ever. You can do it!
Here’s my advice for plants enclosed in a terrarium… Don’t water. The enclosure keeps the air humid and with your plants that should be enough water to keep them going. You may evem want to open the container door from time to time.
Thanks for the tip! Good to know!
xo
s
Awesome!! What color are you guys going for in the nursery??
We can’t wait to share the paint color details with photos as soon as we can (descriptions of paint without pictures = blah). Haven’t even cracked the can yet, so I hope we like it!
xo
s
Love this! I’ve killed too many plants to count, yes, even a succulent. But maybe I’ll give it a go one more time. Nothing like splashes of greenery throughout the house! :)) SO excited about the nursery!
Thanks Lisa!
xo
s
Love Terrariums. Just a tip–I can’t really tell if you have a closed or open terrarium cause of the glass (it looks closed?) but succulents don’t have a high humidity tolerance – most succulents or desert plants aren’t good choices for closed terrariums. So if you want to keep it alive, i would open it up!
Thanks Natasha! There are little cracks around the whole thing (I think light bulbs need to have a bit of ventilation too) so I think that might be why it doesn’t steam up and get super foggy in there. Will open it up for good measure when I remember, too!
xo
s
Also, succulents like light so keep them near a bright window, otherwise they will get quite “leggy” trying to reach for more sunlight.
The terrarium is so fun, I love anything that makes me feel like I am peering into a miniature little world!
Love the tips guys! Thanks to everyone for sharing!
xo
s
Adorable! I’ve given terrariums some thought but didn’t know how to get started. I have an overabundance of houseplants already though. They’re taking over!
Today I introduced my readers to Peggy Hill, my new craft room pegboard. I love her. But I’m still torn whether I should keep her frame charcoal, or go white with it.
http://doubledoorranch.com/2014/01/23/meet-peggy/
Your post had me at Jessie from Breaking Bad. I like the frame as-is, but could also see it being awesome in white! Win-win, baby. Also… MAGNETS!
xo
s
This is great. =) Can I vote for a white frame?
Kaesey, yes please! I’m kinda leaning that way and I think I’m just looking for people to pet my head and say it’s okay. Haha
I love you guys! Just a heads up- you wrote while instead of whole towards the end!
Thanks Alisha! All fixed :)
xo
s
Between “Step 1” and “Titanic-esque fog”: BAHAHAHAHAHA so funny. Cute terrarium! My succulents aren’t thriving, but they’re in planters, not a terrarium…maybe it’s time to try one! :) Good luck with the nursery!
I bought that light fixture at decorating outlet a few months ago! I went in last week and they had 2 more, with lights, tho! love that fixture!! i’d love to attempt to do this.. I kill cacti tho.. so i’m afraid.
No way! Cacti are easy (she whispers, so they don’t hear her and revolt).
xo
s
Please tell me that Clara said “Oh dear, can he breathe?” when she saw Bob in the terrarium. I LOVE that container. I may have to order the Red Envelope kit….Great job!
Haha! That’s John’s idea of a joke. Clara was talking about how deer eat apples and worms eat apples and were there any apples or worms we could add. It was hilarious!
xo
s
Maybe it’s just me, but that little deer looks creepy – he’s more like a hairless chihuahua than a deer! LOL
He does have that deer in the headlights look. I think it’s that he lacks expressive eyebrows. Maybe we should add some…
xo
s
Sherry, I think you should add googly eyes!
Haha! I think you’re onto something!
xo
s
yougrowgirl website had a good post about jade plants recently, succulents tend to rot from the inside out if over watered, so if they start to look droopy, try starting a new plant from a leaf cutting, good luck, very cute project
Thanks for the tip Tess! Will check out her post!
xo
s
i love this! i’ve been considering a terrarium for almost a year but have been afraid to pull the trigger bc of my black thumb. i’ve even killed bamboo! i wanted to have one in my bathroom but no natural light and the humidity i think would make it a bad idea, right? anyone know if there’s anything i can put in a non windowed bathroom?
Anyone have tips for Heather?!
xo
s
Try a fern! They like dark, humid spots.
Thanks M!
xo
s
Heather – Try a snake plant/mother-in-law’s tongue. (Don’t you love the name!) I teach Kindergarten in a class room with no windows, and mine has survived from August-now, looking exactly the same as the day I brought it in. The kiddos remind me to water it a few times a month.
I’ve had bamboo in our windowless bathroom for 3 years now and it’s doing great. I got two of the shoots from Ikea, put pebbles in the container, filled it with water, and good to go! Good luck!
thanks for the tips everyone! i’m going to check those out! (though not the bamboo since i have a bad history with it and i’m not a huge fan of the look). i’ve been wanting something green in there forever!
In reference to the lumber, have you checked out the Kreg Shelf Pin Jig? One found it’s way into my 14% off Menards bag last night. Can’t decide what to do first!!
Haven’t even heard of that! Will check it out!
xo
s
Ana White recently posted a video (one of the cabinet building videos) that shows it in action — past week or two, can’t remember exactly. Definitely looks helpful if you want your shelves to be adjustable!
Thanks Paula!
xo
s
Love the blog, you guys do such a great job on your house! I just miss when you used to post twice a day… :(
Aw thanks Virginia! We also post on Young House Life as well as on Instagram and Facebook, so those are other ways to keep up with us. It can be fun to surf around Forums too, just to read what other people are up to in their own homes :)
xo
s
I agree that I still miss your ‘ole 2 posts a day, too! Although I completely understand why you can’t do them anymore. Real life comes first! Let’s face it, you guys spoiled us, and we didn’t even know it. :)
Aw thanks Sandra! We’d love to get back to them sometime!
xo
s
I have been dying to make a terrarium for our house. I am really itching to have some greenery, but with two cats, that’s a no go for any exposed leaves. My husband bought me flowers a few years ago and one of our cats ended up playing with them and getting pollen all over his paws. I freaked out when I got home because our black and white cat had yellow paws! It took me a few minutes (when I found leaves all over the counter) to realize what happened. I think enclosed and on a shelf may be the way to go for us!
Oh my gosh, that would freak me out too!
xo
s
It’s so funny how things go in cycles. These were really popular when I was a kid. Takes me back down memory lane… Yeah, I’m officially old now.
Oh man, you had a cool childhood. Chia Pets were cool when I was a kid. And Tamagachis. My mom had a pet rock though, and I always thought that was amazing.
xo
s
Cute! I think I’d add that the right light makes a big difference. We have a large terrarium that I just moved to a sunnier window and my plants are thrilled. Oh, and not having them next to a radiator helps…. (doh).
Ok, can I share something? I finally got my hall lighting up! Woo! It only took a (cough) few months. I thought of you guys as I finished up the job, too. (You know, as in, “How do they do this every week? And do their arms hurt after spending an hour with a screwdriver held up over their heads too?”) Still needs art and rugs, but there is light!
http://kaesey.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/fresh-start/
That’s awesome Kaesey! Congrats! And you’ll be comforted to know that we regularly have what we refer to as “dead arms” from holding them over our heads too long on various projects.
xo
s
“Dead arms” sounds just about right!
I was going along, merrily reading this tutorial when “Step 1. Cut a hole in a box,” happened. I spit water out all over my keyboard. Thanks for that :)
Haha, sorry Hannah!
xo
s
Yep – I almost had coffee through the nose. Ha!
I have a little window sill gang of succulents – and I’m having so/so luck with them. One of them (I think it’s this kind: https://www.simplysucculents.com/online-store/products/676) has done really well, I’ve had it for nearly two years, and it just wants a good 1/4 cup water about once a month. Its size is nice, too – it gets bigger but not taller. I am afraid it’s going to crack its own pot soon, I need to replant it.
Then I got cocky. I tried some different types that all started out cute and short in their little ceramic Lowes containers – but then they’ve gotten tall and one is so tall it won’t stand on its own, I have to lean it against the window. They also don’t seem to need the same care as my long-lived first one, which is annoying.
The bad news is, I think I recognize one of the unruly ones in your arrangement – the one front and center in the last image :/ I hope you have better luck – but be ware that a couple of them might outgrow that container fast. Good luck!!!
Woah nellie, thanks for the tip Lydia! We’ll have to see if he gets out of hand!
xo
s
Just a question… I’ve noticed that you’ve dropped down to one post every day. Will this be a permanent schedule or just until the showhouse is done? I remember seeing something about reduced volume due to the showhouse but I was just wondering if you plan to make this a permanent change a la your goal of better work/life balance?
We’re not really sure about this since when the showhouse opens we’ll have a two-week old baby (so one job might be replaced with another one – haha!). We’re just planning to play it by ear and see how it goes (depends on what kind of baby we get, how book #2 stuff is going, etc). Will keep you guys posted though!
xo
s
I know you’ve been downplaying it, Sherry, but I just want to note that I am 100% impressed that you’re doing anything, let alone posting every weekday AND doing your zillion other projects, while you’re rocking a season pass on the Baby-Growing Barf Barge. One post a day is A-OK. (Hey, that kind of rhymes… it could be a motto or something)
Aw thanks Schmei! You’re sweet.
xo
s
When I first read the title and saw a picture of the nursery, my mind went crazy with ideas that y’all were planning some type of caving dwelling around the crib or bubble baby inclosure… I’m happy Bob and not Barnacle was whose breathing you were referring to.
Oh man, that would be intense…
xo
s
I thought the same thing! Or that they were concerned that built-ins would limit the amount of air the little guy would get. I never read comments, but I did today just to see if I was the only crazy one thinking that:)
So funny!
xo
s
In reference to the lumber, have you checked out the Kreg Shelf Pin Jig? One found it’s way into my 14% off Menards bag last night! Trying to decide what to try first, as soon as I’m finished whispering sweet nothings to it.
Haven’t even heard of that! Will check it out!
xo
s
so cute! but i hate to say, be prepared if it fails. :( succulents are hot and dry lovers, and terrariums keep the moisture in. bad combo. those little buddies need a lot more air circulation then they are going to get in there. however, if they don’t make it, maybe try some baby ferns or begonias. they love terrariums!
Thanks Sarah!
xo
s
I was going to add the same comment regarding the type of plants used. I’ve been making terrariums since I was a kid. I’ve gotten more sophisticated in building them after purchasing a book from Twig Terrariums. Most of the terrariums I make these days include different varieties of moss, a tiny fern, and a tiny animal (of corse!). You can collect these from your own backyard. Just be careful not to take all of the moss from a particular area (don’t want to disrupt the entire ecosystem).
Great tip! Didn’t even think about moss! We have a ton of it on the side of our house.
xo
s
I killed cactus :( and succulents :( and my tomato vine. :( I thought those were all impossible to kill! Lol. Black thumb for sure. Maybe I should give this a try- i got this super cute tabletop greenhouse from Ikea last night- I almost bought the plastic plants and I thought “NO! I can DO this plant thing”.
I’m scarrrredddd. :P
May the force be with you, Tania!
xo
s
Make us wait two whole days for a paint color sheesh! Cute project and I agree paint the deer a pop of color!
Haha, sorry Alison! We’ve learned that it’s really hard to convey a paint color in words (what’s that about pictures being worth 10,000 of them?) and after all the work of painting, it’s sort of a yawn to reveal it on Monday if we chatted all about it before we even cracked the can open :)
xo
s
Hahaha- (Cut a hole in a box).
It just sort of whispered “Fill me with a few green things and a tiny plastic deer. You know you want to.”
So cute. Thanks for the happy laugh this morning! :)
P.S. Uh, I am an older reader, so I am not getting the “Cut a hole in the box” reference. Would someone kindly clue me in?
Oh Donna, I’m nervous to tell you. It’s a Justin Timberlake song from an SNL skit (she says as she hangs her head in shame).
xo
s
I’m not an older reader, but apparently I live under a rock. I have never seen that SNL skit, but it is hysterical. Oh man I’m going to have that song stuck in my head all day now haha!
Oh, ha ha! I see. But don’t apologize! SNL came out when I was in college, so…it was groundbreaking at the time, but I don’t think they would have gotten away with this one in the 70’s! I have kids your age who usually keep me up on pop culture. Somehow missed this one…
Oh whew. I was afraid I was about to scandalize you Donna. High fives for SNL.
xo
s
Oh, bless you, Sherry. It actually takes a lot to scandalize me. Like I said…college in the 70’s…
Haha!
xo
s
I just have to tell you that I reached a state of analysis paralysis with kitchen colors, so I just decided to go with yours. Thanks for that! Hee. They look great.
Wahoo! Good luck Barbara!
xo
s
This post is perfect timing, looks like I have a new project for this weekend!!
I’ve made plenty of these (although none had a container as pretty as yours) both with lids and w/out. They all looked nice for a few weeks then started to die even with misting and watering. I’ve used containers with lids, and w/out, direct and indirect sunlight. What’s the secret to their success? PS: I went to a nursey and told them exactly what I was doing and they picked out the appropriate plants.
Did you have the charcoal layer in yours? From what I’ve read that can really make the difference.
xo
s
I have a black thumb and I’ve kept my succulents alive since last April! The only issue I saw with what y’all did is you used potting soil. You need to use cactus soil. I’m interested to see how yours works out though.
Here’s the link to my DIY for succulent planting: http://www.imperfectlybalanced.net/2013/04/diy-succulent-planter/
Thanks so much Holly! So glad to hear yours are still going strong!
xo
s
Get out of my head!!! I have all the supplies to do this exact project….down to that very same deer!!!! #greatminds?
Love your container, and good tip on completely ignoring it…I’ll have to try that.
SO FUNNY! I loved seeing that Michael did one at the same time! Blogosphere mind-reading!
xo
s
Step 1: cut a hole in a box. HAHAHAHAHHAAHHAAH So much yes!
I wasn’t sure about the terrarium craze when it started but my mom got really into it. She made an awesome one for me for Christmas that looks like a scene out of Jurassic Park (I am kind of obsessed with dinosaurs. Totally normal for a 28 year old, right?)
So I love the little deer you put in yours, it makes it more fun than just moss and rocks!
Um, yeah. I want your mom to adopt me. A Jurassic Park terrarium sounds like heaven in a jar.
xo
s
I am obsessed with succulents and cacti! You should try a jade. They take about as much effort as a cactus. I bought a small one from Ikea in a pot about 4 inches in diameter and 6 inches tall and it was grown to about 6 times the size! It takes almost no effort to keep it alive- just water it once or twice a month and don’t put it outside in direct sunlight.
Thanks Jamie!
xo
s
I like to ignore plants, too. My husband’s grandmother was at our house over the weekend and noticed I had dead leaves on my peace lily. She berated me for not taking care of them… I explained to her that I like to let my plants get to near-death and then magically restore them to life by watering them and trimming off dead parts! She proceeded to clean out the dead leaves for me… haha! But, that doesn’t always work with succulents. I actually OVER-watered the few we had a couple of years ago by doing the ignore them thing. Turns out they really don’t need that much water after all…
You’re hilarious. I love the “near-death and then magically restoring them to life” thing. A friend of mine is famous for buying half-dead plants at nurseries on clearance and then bringing them back from the brink.
xo
s
I love this project. I need to go to Goodwill, find a container, and do something similar. And I have been thinking about the charcoal issue.Since it’s the filtering kind, I thought that I could just use the charcoal that comes in a Brita filter after I am done using the filter. That way, I recyle the thing, and I can put the plastic container of the filter in a recycling bin.
Looking forward to seeing how it will progress and good luck with the new baby!
That’s so smart! Let me know how it works!
xo
s
I’ve had little terrariums with succulents (open top) for a few years and all I’ve learned is that they do much better in a sunny spot. My favorite spot to put them results in them becoming leggy and ‘stretching’ for the sun, then dying. Honestly, though, replacing them every 3-4 months at only $2.50 each for three just didn’t bother me! I moved them to a sunny kitchen window and haven’t replaced them in over a year now.
Thanks Kate!
xo
s
My secret to succulents never dying is buying (high end – real looking) succulents (Hobby Lobby has a great selection!) and burying them under moss in a terrarium! I can handle THAT kind of plant care ;)
AMAZING! I’m totally going to go faux if these guys die. I bet you can’t even tell through the glass if you get good ones!
xo
s
I’ve heard adding an ice cube once a month? is a simple way to water.
LOVE that idea!
xo
s
Step two . . .
So how do Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg make terrariums?
I’m pretty sure they’d be sticking something inappropriate in there…
xo
s