Its so freaking cute!
I just got this in the mail today and absolutely love it, it was easy to put together once I figured out the bottom pieces (the first set was hardest, took about five minutes, the last piece took maybe a minute). It is sitting in the middle of my room and is so cute! I got it for my mom for her birthday and I will definitely be getting a second one for the backyard, I think it would look so great next to the pond at the top of the waterfall or next to the stream I plan on building this year (fingers crossed that works out)! A couple pieces came a little chipped but only the pot was actually noticeable, I fixed it easy with a little wood glue. I took the advice of another reviewer and reinforced some pieces with wood glue (the bottom pieces, I almost was going to take each apart and glue them but settled for just in between the four sets, and the side posts I glued as well just to be safe) and I did not put the crank dead center on the post but off it a little so it looks like its been turned, I also added some more twine to lead from the bucket to the crank so they look attached. I will be staining this to protect it from the weather before it goes out permanently. The one I get for the backyard I am unsure if I will use it as a planter or not, I would be a little afraid the dirt would rot the wood so maybe line it with garden liner or something just to be safe. Now I need to find a clear coated stainer to protect the wood, something that should probably be done BEFORE you put it together.... well, live and learn I'll be sure to do that first with the next one ;) Now to hide it from my mom until her birthday.... Edit: I decided to hide it in plain view, telling my mom I got it for the backyard, she believed me and its sitting in the living room until I get it stained, I actually put some of my LED lights on it because its sad without a tree out there now, it looks adorable with lights! I am definitely going to get a set of solar lights to decorate it when its outside! I am thinking white but the colored looks beautiful too, but white is more universal instead of seasonal. Oh, and I just bought a second one, the one that's *really* going into the backyard hahaha can't wait :) Edit 2; So I've the wells for over a year now, and they are still lovely, my only issue is the sun did bleach them out a bit, but, that is on my crappy finisher, not the quality of the wells. My mom loves hers, its in the front yard and looks perfect there. Mine (yes, I bought a second one! I had to have it for the backyard!) is in the backyard and looks so perfect in the spot I put it, I have flowers planted around it and unlike last year (because I didn't want the bottom sitting on mud) I set the well on a couple paver slabs. We brought the wells into the garage for the winter because we didn't want to risk them getting damaged by our MN winters, and boy are we glad we did, as we had a ton of snow that could have probably crushed the roof of them. I'm including a couple pics this time, the one with the flowers is mine, the one in the corner is my mom's, mine is a little crowded and not as nice looking at the moment because things are either done blooming or haven't started yet, and some things need to be staked, plus its in bad need of a good weeding! My mom hasn't had much chance for gardening in the spot she chose to put hers this year, so it looks a little bland in the corner with no color around it. We love these wells, and if you take care of them properly, you will too :) I do suggest getting quality wood sealer/stainer, not the crappy kind I thought was good, we restained them in the spring just to be safe, and will probably continue to restain every spring until the bad stainer is gone, it keeps the wood protected from rain at least, but I would not trust it longer then one season. Edited again for the third(?) year I've had my well, I miss the original color from the first year but I truly love this well, and I created a new garden bed around it this year and it looks so much better :) I removed the Catmint and Black Eyed Susan that were just too huge and planted smaller flowers in a mix of annual and perennial, so much better! I added the picture of the new bed. My mom also still has hers and loves it but I do not have a pic of her new bed so I will only share mine. So yes, three years later I still love this well, and no, I do not notice any wear and tear or damage, I take it into the garage in the winter and stain it in the spring before putting it out again and it has held up beautifully. Take good care of it and it will last. If I'm able to, and remember, I will share another pic next year. My 5 star rating is much deserved for this one. Read more
