Jun 25, 2012

Pedestal Birdhouse Bath



Hi there, and thanks for coming over!

Today I'm sharing my somewhat rambling, roundabout, saga how-to for making my Pedestal Birdhouse Bath. 

Back in one of my April Friday Finds I shared this beautiful turquoise birdbath made from a large candlestick and a pot lid by the talented and creative Gail at My Repurposed Life

My Repurposed Life
 
I just loved it. Though I didn't have much hope of finding a gigantic candlestick like Gail's, I started keeping my eye out for one at yard sales and thrift stores. One day at a yard sale just around the corner from my house I found what I thought was a large brass candlestick but what turned out to be a hookah pipe. (That's The North End for you!) For those of you who may not have heard of a hookah pipe, it's a tobacco water pipe of Middle Eastern origin like this one.  

The Hookah Connoisseur

And it was perfect for my birdbath base! Yay! I decided to try and let my shiny brass hookah pipe weather outside naturally (hopefully to a soft aged green patina) instead of painting it. But in my thrifty searches I couldn't find anything made of brass to match it that was suitable for the top part. I even tried painting a pie plate to look like brass.

  

But the paint turned white when I filled it with water, and it looked terrible; like a painted pie plate turning white with water in it. So I kept looking at yard sales and thrift stores for some kind of brass tray or lid. 

No luck. 

Meanwhile, earlier this month I made this little wood pedestal birdhouse for my front porch

Pedestal Birdhouse

While looking for inspiration on Pinterest for that little birdhouse, I came across this big pedestal birdhouse and, of course, coveted one for myself. (Are you seeing where this is headed, because it took me awhile longer!)



Eddie Rider Designs

One day, as my brass hookah pipe sat outside alone in a corner of the yard waiting for its top, I was out fabric shopping and fell in love with a little rustic birdhouse that was 70% off on-sale. 

And finally, my not-too quick and agile brain put two and two together. 


plus


 equals

MY Hookah Pedestal Birdhouse Bath!









It's funky and a little strange.






Just my style! 





It took me awhile, 
but I'm happy with the outcome!




Thanks so much for coming by to see my 
pedestal birdhouse bath today. 

I hope you'll stop by again!


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31 comments:

  1. Laurel I love your new pedestal birdhouse bath! It is so charming and everything went together like they were made for each other.

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  2. It's so cute! It's like a spa with the bath attached! :)

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  3. It may have taken you awhile to figure it out but it was definitely worth the wait! How was Miss Gracie's sale? Did you get some fun stuff?

    ~Trisha

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  4. So cute! Love this idea.
    Mary Alice

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  5. Love it! Who would think a hooka pipe could look so good?! I love the idea of a birdhouse/bath combo:)

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  6. Wow. That is truly a one of a kind birdbath! Love it!!

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  7. Laurel, I love how your birdhouse turned out. All the details on the hookah are really pretty and it looks so nice with the water in it. The whole piece looks great in your beautiful garden. Have a wonderful week! ~ Jamie

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  8. A great job Laurel! Love the patina you gave it, really gorgeous!

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  9. Very cute! As the brass softens and ages, this will look like an organic part of the garden. It's really pretty. I always thing of Alice in Wonderland with hookah pipes. I wonder what happened to the rest of it, as it looks like it was part of a big one.

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    1. I loved how you told your story. Kind of like a fairy tale. Made me smile. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. This is such a unique and great idea! Just found you thru Coastal charm...now following

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  11. This is so clever and a great idea. I love it.

    Cynthia

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  12. It is quite splendid and I am all about the birds...love it.

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  13. Your birdhouse is terrific! So clever of you!

    I'm back from a long blog break and hope you will join us for Potpourri Friday this week!

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  14. That is really unique...I like the idea...you did a great job - even if it did take a while!

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  15. This is the cutest post and very inspirational. I would love it if you would link this to our What’s It Wednesday blog party. Hope you can join us!

    Paula
    Ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

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  16. What a wonderful birdhouse!
    I love birdhouses and have many throughout my gardens.
    Your pictures are lovely! I especially liked the one with the pathway. I could sit and stay awhile.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Will visit again soon.
    Elizabeth

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  17. Very cute idea! Love the glimpse of the garden too!!

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  18. Thanks for sharing your wonderful creation at Potpourri Friday!

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  19. Your birdhouse bath is very cute. It was meant to be. I would never have thought of the idea.
    Visiting from Ivy and Elephants.

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  20. I just LOVE your birdbath/house!! Very creative and now this is something I'll be keeping a lookout for parts to put together one for my own yard! Thank you for the inspiration!
    Visiting (and now following!) you from At The Picket Fence :)

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  21. I absolutely love that you used a hooka for your birdhouse pedestal. I know that I wouldn't have had a clue what it was either. I'm sure my kids would have had to explain it to me, but the house and pipe go together so beautifully. Look forward to more great projects!

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  22. Hi Laurel: What a unique birdbath, and what a great story of the adventure you had of finding each piece and putting it all together--well done! Have a great weekend!

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  23. What a great idea! I love how it came out!!

    Too Cute!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  24. Very cute and sweet--love the height~! Thanks for linking up.

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  25. I love the way you put your pieces together Laurel! Your birdhouse birdbath is sooo darn cute! :)
    Thanks for linking back to my DIY Birdbath. Happy to inspire!
    gail

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  26. It's so cute! It's like a spa with the bath attached! :)

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  27. This is so creative! I would be the envy of my neighbors here in Dearborn MI (where we have a large middle-eastern population and hookah lounges abound)!

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