The tale of two topiary

This fall I bought a real live topiary.

It was a myrtle topiary and cost about $25.00.

I loved that lil' tree and babied it and tried my best to keep it alive.

But I got really sick in January and it didn't get watered as it should and sadly it died.

I did everything I could to bring it back to life, but no dice.

So, for now I've decided to go the faux route.

I found this cute topiary at Marshall's.

It was half the price of my live topiary and this one will last.

From a distance it even looks real. :)

One thing that bugged me though was the small plastic pot that it came in.

I felt it wasn't in scale to the topiary.

But at the same store I found a larger pot for only $2.99.

p.s. If you look out the window you can see my neighbor going to get his newspaper.

I really hope he didn't see me in my nightgown taking these photos.

I really like the texture and design on the pot, but not the color.

Now you can't tell so much in this photo because I took it next to a bright window,

 but the pot was a very dark charcoal color.

So dark you didn't really notice the lovely detail on the pot.

I brushed on some watered down light gray paint

 and used some watered down white on the raised detail.

I let in dry overnight and when I got up in the morning I was disappointed.

The pot still looked blah to me.

It's ok if you're rolling your eyes at me now.

~Slightly out of order photo~

Unfortunately the little plastic pot wouldn't fit inside my gray pot.

So I took a hammer to it.

My three year old son held the hammer with me and thought this was great fun!

 I ended up applying clear, then dark Annie Sloan wax to the pot and

I finally achieved the look I was going for.

I feel like the wax brought out the texture in the pot and highlights the different shades of gray.. 

Hopefully you can tell the difference and I don't sound like a crazy person.

I love the fake dirt they are using in so many faux plants these days.

It really gives the plants a more realistic look.

I just had to glue the base of the topiary into its new pot and it was complete.

I am loving it!

I may try another live topiary this summer if I find one for the right price, but for now I'm pretty happy with my fancy fake lady.

:)

p.s. If you look out the window you can see my neighbor driving off to work.

 Boy, he is just determined to be in my topiary post.

What a diva!

I'm joining in at: Open House Thursday @ No Minimalist Here