apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Oh this is fantastic. I love succulants and that big plant in the first photo, Aloe Vera perhaps? Either way, it's lovely and I love the strong architectural shapes of plants like this.

Even here in Seattle, going more drout tollerant isn't a bad idea at all - and as you say, they take little to no maintenance.

There is a barrio tradition of using all sorts of things handy, including tin cans as planters. I like to save metal cans with bright colors, like enchilada sauce or italian tomatoes, to use for little succulents.

ciddyguy,

That first plant is an agave -- my favorites are the ones that are as big as cars!

I drove by Austin Modern the other day. Are they going out of business? I saw a For Lease sign in the window.

Sarah

Ahhh, you are killing me with your Austin posts! I miss Austin and I know exactly where that store is too (I am currently living in Houston, boo).

Have you checked out Big Red Sun? It's a great store with wonderful design and a vast array of succulents. Maybe I'll drive to Austin this weekend for a visit.

http://www.bigredsun.com/cd_portfolio/index.html

Sarah: Austin Modern is going to be a web-only store, according to an e-mail I got a few weeks ago. But Elle will maintain a booth at Gypsies Antiques on Burnet Road. I just hope she leaves the planters -- they really brighten up that stretch of street.

Pie: I'll probably go to Big Red Sun this weekend to take some pictures and do some research for upcoming posts. It's a great place. Plus I need to liven up my bare little patio. So look out for some kind of feature next week.

Thanks for the feedback! And if anyone has suggestions of Austin places they'd like to share with AT, please let me or one of the other Austin bloggers know. There's a lot of ground to cover, so ideas are always welcome.

Palindrome: Have fun at BRS. Don't forget to visit Pacha on Burnet (order the Pacha latte). Anyone in need for a Houston blogger at AT? ;)

My gran has an agave plant in her front yard it was okay when it was smaller but now its taking over her entire yard (my whole family tells her to chop it down).

As pretty as it is its not cool because it has little pins on the edge like a cactus and when you help her unloading groceries at night a graze of it by your arm is not fun :( It would look better at my cousins ranch.

A few months back while walking around nyc I saw a bathtub full of flowers. it was nice. I don't really see that here down in south south texas tho.

I've drilled holes into chipped pyrex mixing bowls (i'm big on drainage), and I've seen old collanders used for epiphytes/bromeliads and hanging succulents like donkeys tail.

SO excited to see Austin on AT, great posts Ana, I'm wavin at you from the 45 ;) Good luck!

Oh wow! A page ago I was looking at the Galaxy post thinking "What city is this?"

THIS is Austin. Memories.

Ana -- I love your posts! Austin looks amazing! I can't wait to see what else you share with us. Keep up the great work!

Those are fun :-)

Here in Dallas, there is place that's done something similar with huge painted tractor/truck tires.

Hi
Elle from Austin Modern here!
Since this post went up to A T while we were in the middle of moving online I never managed to post. Now that I am reworking my own cactus garden at home I'll add some info to this post.
I LOVE Big Red Sun and took my inspiration from their Air Planters. When I was just opening the store I didn't have the scratch I wanted to spend on landscaping and it's true, that stretch of Northloop is 'a wasteland' when it comes to landscaping.
Being short of cash and trying to think of something yummy and colorful for an impervious cover parking lot while driving around, I saw three GIANT 16' long lengths of culvert pipe on the side of a building. Walking in to ask if they were for sale, I was told someone had dumped them there and I was welcome to haul them away. 16 foot lengths of culvert pipe are HEAVY and SHARP! Driving those monsters across town in my Scion was an "Adventure" and I'm really lucky I didn't get pulled over! Once I had them cut down I dialed into the Freecycle universe for some free cacti.

It was very much a case of necessity being the mother of invention. Now that the building is up for rent, I'm hoping for tenants that will keep up the cactus garden.

We are doing very well online but sometimes I do miss that cactus garden. It's so cool to hear that people in the neighborhood liked it too!
The GIANT 6 foot Blue Agave was a gift from a customer who owns a landscaping business.

So that's the backstory of the Cactus planters!
Best, Elle
www.austinmodern.com