Yum. A pizza shop goes through a lot of these big tomato tins. One Toronto resident reused such cans from a local pizzeria and put them to re-use, creating a garden on an urban brick wall...
The cans are painted a bright blue and planted with white geraniums (top), white and violet verbena (middle) and petunias (bottom). Via: Sprig
Image: happy_sleepy, via Sprig


Ercol Bar Stool
Love this! I might be able to do something similar on my own balcony!
How did they hang these on the brick?
cee1214,
If you follow the "Sprig" link, then the link to the photog happy_sleepy's Flickr photostream, you'll see some very up-close pics of how these are hanging. Looks like the tins are fitted with wire loops that are screwed into the brick.
from the original photographer's flicr site:
First, punch two small holes near the top of the can with a nail or screw. Use a piece of wood to support the edge of the can, position a nail on the metal, and hit with a hammer. The metal of the can is pretty soft. Punch TWO holes to help the can hang straight vertically.
While you're at it with the nail and hammer, turn the can upside down and punch some holes into the bottom if you have not done so yet.
Next, use a regular drill bit to make holes in the wall. (Brick is pretty soft, the mortar even softer.)
Hammer in a drywal plug and screw in a screw with about a 1/2 inch sticking out. (The holes can be easily filled with colourmatching silicon putty when the cans are removed.)
Cut a piece of wire, bend into a squared off loop shape, and thread from the outside to the inside of the can.
Wrap the wire around the screwhead in the wall just once or twice, and position the wire ends behind the can. Straighten the can to hang vertically and screw the rest of the screw length into the wall to tighten on the wires.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/happy_sleepy/827459282/
So now I have to go hang out at our local pizzaria! That blue is great! This reminds me of a Martha Stewart picture where they placed an abundance of blue pots on the wall. It really has quite the impact when in large numbers like this. Not good to do if renting though.... maybe hanging on a wooden fence somehow.
I brought home a bunch of them from my school's cafeteria. I planted herbs in them. I was going to paint them with chalkboard paint (good ole Anthropologie for inspiration) but left them plain due to the ridges.
This looks awesome. Though I think certain brands of tomatoes have labels that are attractive enough to leave the cans unpainted.
Adorable. Here's my $0.02 on hanging things from brick:
First choice: If the brick sticks out from the mortar, brick hangers will hang items without damaging the brickface. I bought t mine at Lowe's and they let me rearrange to my heart's content.
Second choice: Use a masonry bit to drill a quite small hole in the mortar, then place a wee plastic anchor and screw with some sealant or adhesive to hold the anchor in place. This would work fine for a lightweight project.
Last resort: Drill into brick. But please avoid this if you can.
PS. Careful, rusty cans can stain brick. If I were the landlord/owner, I would not be pleased.