Hi Pam – About two weeks ago my husband and I purchased a 1959 ranch home in Florida. Just inside the front door is a brick planter with wooden slats that divides the dining room from the living room. I have seen this type of thing before, but have not come across any solutions as to what might be done with it. I don’t want to demolish the thing, but would like to get rid of the slats. There is dirt and gravel in the planter. Perhaps you or your readers may have some ideas.Thanks,Lynne in Kansas
Hi Pam – I am a real estate appraiser and you could say it’s my hobby. In the past couple of years I have been watching the prices in Florida, in the meantime my husband and I went to Texas and Panama looking at possible retirement/vacation homes. I love the east coast of Florida, and we traveled down there from our home in Kansas City about a month ago and saw 15 homes in one day. I was specifically looking for a ranch home that had not been renovated. I wanted terrazzo floors and many of the homes we saw had ceramic tiles installed over the terrazzo. I was looking for something with at least three bedrooms within walking distance to the beach. When I saw our home that morning, I loved it, although we kept looking. At the end of the day, although we had seen newer homes that had been renovated – this was just the house for me. It has a pink bathroom and a seafoam green bathroom, an inground pool and a detached two-car garage. The home was built in 1959 and the kitchen seems to be fairly original (cabinets are definitely original) although the appliances had been replaced during the 70’s. We pulled up the carpets and had the floors refinished – that is actually happening this week while we are back in Kansas City. The floors are the only renovation I will be doing. The one thing I am not sure of is the brick planter between the dining area and the living room. I wonder if any of your readers have encountered anything like this. I would like to remove the wooden slats, but then will be left with a fairly low structure right where someone could run into it! I am considering some sort of widely spaced shelves where the slats are now. The planter contains gravel with dirt underneath. (I hope no insects!). I love reading your web page – I no longer worry about the pink bathroom! I have always loved danish modern mid century furniture, so now I am having a great time shopping for some cool stuff for the house.
Thanks so much – I have attached a photo of my husband Larry and me. I would have taken a photo at the house but we won’t be back there for another couple of weeks.
Martha says
Hi Lynne,
I have a Florida 1959 ranch also. Please keep either the slats or replace them with something else in that space, I love the idea of the wavy glass. This is a real mid century feature in your house. So glad to hear that you will be able to keep your terrazzo floors. Unfortunately mine were very damaged from years and years of carpeting and after looking for someone to repair and polish and not having much luck, I decided to just go with the ceramic tiles. As for plants, I have found that I love the North American Agave (the only one in that species with no spines). It’s a beautiful low maintenance plant – little sun, little water, grows well in Florida and to me somehow looks very midcentury.
Good luck and be sure to send pics.
Gavin Hastings says
I have agree with the comments about the door…but with that said…hey sometimes folks just want to change a look…and thats ok.
My $uggestion would be it install a sheet of that 50’s vertical wavey glass. Removal of the slats completely….which may sound like a good idea…will bring your kitchen area right into the living room.
You could also install a slubbed ivory voile fabric- shirred on rods from the floor to ceiling on the dining area side and use that same fabric in the dining area- but in any event, a divider NEEDS to be there.
You have lighting above, so my final suggestion would be to remove the slats and install 2 sheets of dry wall-keeping the planter- and hang a great piece of art, at least 5′ x 3′ above.
No matter what you do…the tallest planting needs to be placed on the right of the planter
This is just off the top of my head….I got up about 10 minutes ago….so mybe I’ll think of something better as the day progresses!
Best wishes in your home..
Gavin Hastings says
As I am from Massachusetts….I will be able to give you many more details and ideas for your entire home when you invite me down for a week in like, say, January- during snow season….!?! Are you far from Palm Beach?
But, don’t worry….I’ll just drop my luggage off and pick it up a week later! : )
Gavin Hastings says
oh..and what a nice picture of the two of you. You both look like genuinely sweet people.
BungalowBILL says
I like the divider as it is and would like to see two big rubber trees in the planters. However, I know the difficulty of actually growing something in a less than ideal atmosphere, especially if it is a house you won’t be spending all your time in.
The visual divider between the entrance door and living area is a nice concept. I might repurpose the planter and put a cushioned fabric covered on top, making it into a bench. If some horizontal slats were added to the back, and it would echo a Charles Rennie Mackintosh willow chair http://tinyurl.com/2748wqh
Another easy option would be to take out the slats and replace with an already made room divider from Ikea http://tinyurl.com/2caa87 placed on top of the covered brick base if the measurements work out. Glass cubes http://tinyurl.com/27fmx5d would lighten it and allow the ceiling fixture above to cast light down through the shelves.
Candice says
I’m a second for put a cover right over the planter (haul out the dirt if you’re so inclined) and put a single upholstered cushion along the length. Then you have a place to put on and take off shoes. Go for a nubby wool in turquoise, or orange.
If you remove the slats, I’d only do it if you intend to replace with open shelving. Maybe something in teak? Shelving could make your “landing strip” more functional.
dotty says
Well, I’ not sure if you want the area of the slats to completely void, but if you didnt. have you thought about a tension pole like room divider with shelves or or some knick knack shelves made from one by eights in random square cubes? Also if you like the idea of the planter, raising it to waist height? How about hanging pendant lights, 3 or 4? Hope some of that makes sense! I love the planter but would also do something different with the slats. Worry about the door later….but I would love to see a pic of the front of the home. Good luck
error 404 says
Both Paul and Lisa are spot on!
That door has to go 1st, then that flooring! Please. please, please reconsider the slats, they are the best thing in the entire photo and define the entry way vs. dining area.
I’ve also seen this plant used a lot in these type planters http://design-milk.com/images/2007/MM/2416764906_194433402e_o.jpg
And lastly, my Aunt who has a similar planter, has always found a large leaf trailing ivy to work best.
pam kueber says
error 404, terrazzo underneath flooring – lynne is all over it.
Lynne says
I will most likely leave the slats – I will consider a new door – one that lets in more light would be great. Thanks!
danaknott says
First, let me just say that your home sounds fabulous. I like Paul’s suggestion.Otherwise, I would not remover those slats or modify the structure of the planter in any way. I love it as-is! I have to agree with Lisa about the door, though. Here is a link to Crestview doors:
http://www.crestviewdoors.com/
which would be a good place to start looking for a door that
better suits the house.
pam kueber says
dana (and others) yes, I agree – vintage style door would be a good addition at some point. note: crestview no longer selling doors…
Geren says
It could be turned into a very cool indoor water feature.
Stacey says
I would not replace the slats at all! They’re so cool! The front door needs to go, though.
As for the planter I would recommend low-maintenance succulents like sedum, aloe, etc.
Lisa - Overland Park says
When I look at the photo, all I see is the front door. Must replace front door. Before the slats, even.
Can you leave the slats and turn the planter into a storage bench? Or is it too small?
Lynne says
Hi Lisa – we live in Overland Park also. I will definitly look into replacing the front door. I would like something that lets in a bit more light. the planter is long enough to use part of it as a bench or display shelf and part of it as a planter.
Paul says
Grow Monstera Deliciosa, a classic mid-century houseplant with large, open leaves. Here’s a Wikipedia page on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monstera_deliciosa
I don’t think the plant generates fruits when grown indoors. It’s just a great, high-impact leaf and very much “of the period.” The plant should climb nicely on the slats, which I hope you’ll keep! The slats really help to define the space, I think, and give you a little sense of openness but still creates a spatial divide.
Enjoy your new home!
pam kueber says
Yes, Paul — great plant. And THANK YOU, I’ve been calling it “monsterosa…” all this time. Ooopsy. Here are all my posts mentioning monsterosa deliciosa, I’ll need to go correct them: https://retrorenovation.com/?s=monsterosa
One thing, though, we have one — and it widens out a lot….I tend to think that if Lynne were to do plants after all, something tall and spiky would fit better….we have those, too.
dinergirl2000 says
Another good vine plant to use would be pothos:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epipremnum_aureum
It’s pretty hardy, seems to grow in all sorts of light conditions and really takes off once it gets started. If you would like to create a real privacy screen, this would be a good plant to use to cover your divider.
I’m jealous. I always wanted a built-in planter room divider. Maybe in my next house…..
Carla Stellwagen says
In the cold climate of Michigan, my mother (a classic mid- century gal) used to coddle her jade plants. The shiny bright leaves were a source of joy for her in the winter months. Jade of course grows to large shrub size in California and no doubt Florida as well but could be a low maintenance and appropriate plant in Lynne’s planter box. Other succulents could be suggested as well. I too love the slats. My husband and I are touching up a gently used 1956 ranch in Bellingham Wa. Will post our story when I have a moment. Enjoying your website. Carla