Stephen Cheetham has invented something so simple and sensible that it's almost improbable that it hasn't come around before. Behold, the Eco-friendly Umbrella Stand: a pole that you sink into a heavy plant-pot, with a hook for your umbrella. The umbrella then drips into the plant, so the rainwater is useful instead of an annoyance. It doesn't appear to be for sale as such, but you could rig up your own using a wrought iron shepherd's plant hook. [GT]
Eco-friendly Umbrella Stand [via Treehugger]
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