Landscape designer Mike Guttman is helping homeowners Alexis and Fritz, who have just moved into a new house with a yard that's partly covered in concrete. In this segment Mike explains how to use some of that leftover concrete to create a terraced rock planter and describes how a mirror wall can make the space seem larger and look more interesting. Creating a Terraced Rock Planter Materials:
Rented concrete cutter
Sledgehammer and chisel
Shovel
River rocks
Soil
- Using a rented concrete cutter or a hammer and chisel, cut out the concrete in the desired shape of your planter. The planter created in this episode is a 3" pie-shaped wedge perfect for a corner, but the size and shape can be adjusted to fit any garden or patio space. Use a chisel and sledgehammer to break up the concrete as needed.
- Dig a shallow trench approximately 2" deep around the edge of the concrete.
- Place the first row of rocks in the trench to hold them firmly in place.
- Next, fill the area with soil to the level of the first row of rocks. Place a second row of rocks approximately 12" from the edge of the second row.
- Fill in the area with soil up to the new level. The rocks will hold the soil in place.
- Fill the container with your favorite plants.
Outdoor Mosaic Mirror Mike Guttman uses a mosaic mirror to add an exciting design element to a massive white-stucco wall. The mirror will help the area capture more light and create the illusion of a larger space. Materials:
Marking pen
Surface cleaner and cloth
Mirror
Heavy blanket or bedspread
Hammer
Safety glasses
Gloves
Pottery shards
Glazed ceramic pots or colored glass
Mastic bonding material
Tile grout
Sponge
Optional: colored glass beads
- Begin by cleaning the wall where the mirror will be placed.
- Mark the design of the mirror on the clean wall surface. Be creative with the design.
- Casting aside any superstitions, wrap the mirror with a heavy blanket or bedspread, and break it. Be sure to wear protective goggles and gloves.
- Gather other broken pieces of glass--for example, glass from colored bottles or vases--to add interest and color to the design.
- Apply a coat of mastic bonding material to the area you've sketched on the wall. Then press the pieces of glass and mirror into the mastic.
- Continue until the design is filled in. Add colored glass beads for trim, if desired.
- After the mastic dries, apply tile grout to the entire area in order to blend the mirror into the wall and smooth out rough or sharp edges.
- Wipe the glass clean with a wet sponge.
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