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CZ Design

Rain Chain

September 19, 2011

Rain Chain

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So we've been wrapping up the finishing touches on a home remodeling project that began nearly a year ago. Soon enough, I hope to share the before and after photos. In the mean time, one of the last lingering projects has finally been completed: adding a rain downspout to our front gutter.

The original design called for a very stylish galvanized steel gutter, but no adjoining downspout. During every rain fall, the water came crashing down on our yard, pounding out a divet of earth that was getting progressively deeper with each storm. Subsequently, part of our yard was washing out down the street, settling no so attractively in front of our neighbor's house. We needed to figure out a solution. Enter, the Rain Chain.

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The rain chain hangs off of the gutter and guides the rainwater down into a small rock garden (which we haven't really finished yet, but this is a start), and thereby reduces and possibly eliminates the soil erosion.

It's pretty and it's peaceful and hopefully, as long as no meth addicts decide to steal it (apparently they're fond of copper), we're golden.

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Besides, it's rather peaceful. Don't believe me? Here, see for yourself.

Reach for the Stars? from Cathy Zielske on Vimeo.

 

 

Namasté, y'all.

————————————————————————————————————

Thanks so much for all the ideas and comments about subjects to teach in 2012. I'm going to be putting my nose to the grindstone during the next several weeks to begin putting together classes for Big Picture's 2012 calendar.

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Comments

  1. Jenny in Wellington, New Zealand says

    September 19, 2011 at 6:14 am

    Isn’t that the coolest thing! I love it 🙂 who needs an ugly gutter or down pipe when you can have a beautiful rain chain. Awesome 🙂 Thanks for sharing that with us, Cathy!

    Reply
  2. Casie says

    September 19, 2011 at 6:28 am

    Looks great! But I have to wonder, what’s gonna happen in the winter with the snow and ice? I’m in WI and our
    gutters get filled with ice off and on all winter. The warm sunny days melts the snow on the roof and then it runs into the gutters. With no place to drain out like a downspout, will it plug up and wreck the gutter?? Just wondering as I’d hate to see it get damaged.

    Reply
  3. Kendra B says

    September 19, 2011 at 6:34 am

    Beautiful rain chain! But ok . . . I had to watch the video twice . . . what’s with the horse whinny? LOL

    Reply
  4. Annette Gendler says

    September 19, 2011 at 6:37 am

    Love the word “rain chain” & beautiful pics!

    Reply
  5. katie squires says

    September 19, 2011 at 7:12 am

    that is so cool and pretty too 🙂

    Reply
  6. Leora says

    September 19, 2011 at 7:16 am

    What a cool idea! I am thinking we can use this, too! thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  7. Amanda says

    September 19, 2011 at 8:06 am

    I’m going to tag along the next time DMD visits and ask to see that house in person. My goodness, it looks purdy!

    Reply
  8. Lee says

    September 19, 2011 at 8:46 am

    I assume you were being offhanded about meth addicts and copper.
    When the price of scrap metal rises and there are problems with a local economy, things made of metal get stolen. It’s not just homeowners who are targeted. Building sites and abandoned properties are often stripped of metal. As are cemeteries and public parks.

    It’s not a recent phenomenon. Back in the late 1970s, my parents home was stripped of its 1920 era copper downspouts – while my parents were home sleeping! The police caught the criminals and asked my Dad to come down to the station to identify his gutters. When Dad arrived he found rolls and rolls of flattened downspouts which were, understandably, not recognizable!

    May you have a long and happy time with your very cool rain chain!
    ;o)
    – Lee

    Reply
  9. Liz, Melb, Australia says

    September 19, 2011 at 9:18 am

    I have never seen such a cool alternative to a down pipe! Love it. But, I am concerned about the horse. Where will I put the caramel lovely? (Because, of course, she will be caramel …)

    Reply
  10. Laney says

    September 19, 2011 at 9:48 am

    This is gorgeous!! Did you makie that?

    Reply
  11. cathy says

    September 19, 2011 at 9:58 am

    oh no, bought it! : ) online.

    Reply
  12. Lee says

    September 19, 2011 at 10:08 am

    Exactly.
    It’s not just a matter of money or even the inconvenience.
    It’s the violation of trust, privacy, safety and personal property.

    Reply
  13. Vickie says

    September 19, 2011 at 10:28 am

    Very cool- and I love the horse at the end.

    Reply
  14. Jean W says

    September 19, 2011 at 10:38 am

    Cathy,
    I’ve been following for a while, and I love your humor and designs. I was delighted to see that you picked the same rain chain we did for our home. We l-o-v-e it! It make such a nice sound, looks cool, and is much more interesting than standard downspouts.
    What good taste you have! =)
    http://www.wedenigdreamhouse.com/~jwedenig/Web%2006-23-06007.jpg

    Reply
  15. Stephanie Howell says

    September 19, 2011 at 11:51 am

    Does it make me a bad person that I’m laughing at the meth comment? Is that allowed???? Heeeeeeeeee

    Reply
  16. Luv2talk says

    September 19, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    What will they think of next? I’m in awe at all the creative ideas in this world. (I wish I could come up with something once in a while. LOL)

    Reply
  17. cathy says

    September 19, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    You are allowed. I am not trying to be disrespectful to the meth using community. Dan just told me they like to steal copper. ; ) And how would he know… hmmm.

    Reply
  18. madeline St onge says

    September 19, 2011 at 1:27 pm

    Whata cool idea cathy looks great

    Reply
  19. Sarah MacKenzie says

    September 19, 2011 at 2:25 pm

    What the bleep was with the horse whinney? That made me snort with laughter. That is a very cool rain spout btw.

    Reply
  20. Shanon says

    September 19, 2011 at 2:50 pm

    Love the “Namasté, y’all.”–that’s the tagline of one of my favorite Asheville, NC restaurants, Chai Pani. They serve Indian street food that is incredible!

    Reply
  21. Ellie A. says

    September 19, 2011 at 6:09 pm

    OHHH I super love that.. MAN too bad I live on a high ranch I would totally be on the look out for that. I would wish for rain all the time!

    Reply
  22. pam says

    September 19, 2011 at 6:54 pm

    It’s beautiful and very ‘green’.

    Reply
  23. Immi says

    September 19, 2011 at 8:39 pm

    Very cool!

    Reply
  24. Kimberly Ann says

    September 19, 2011 at 10:49 pm

    I didn’t comment on the class ideas post, but I’m really excited that you’ll have more classes coming out. I’d love to sign up for a nice affordable workshop with you. I would also absolutely drive to the cities to take an in person class!

    Reply
  25. Jeanne Pellerin says

    September 21, 2011 at 2:36 am

    You said “y’all”! You’re a little southern girl wannabe!

    Reply
  26. Emma says

    September 22, 2011 at 7:17 am

    I’ve never seen one of those before, it’s lovely – and that video made me laugh out loud, brilliant!

    Reply
  27. Adrienne says

    September 22, 2011 at 11:16 am

    Hi Cathy,

    I have visit Japan numerous times and these rain chains can be found on houses throughout the countryside. So now you know where they come from!

    Kind regards

    Adrienne

    Reply
  28. William Gulliver says

    September 23, 2011 at 7:36 am

    This is a very creative gutter guard and I think it’s quite feminine, too. I bet this “Rain Chain” simply turns gutters into a dynamic garden tool. It’s an ornament and some kind of therapeutic sound-maker rolled into one!

    Reply
  29. Maruti Ritz says

    October 8, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    Very cool DIY.The perfect combination of great art and passion are seen on this post.Very creative and nice to know that there are people who are really into artistic designs.

    Reply
  30. Norbert Floth says

    August 13, 2012 at 9:03 am

    Well, not only does it look pretty and peaceful, it’s also very unique and attractive. The design reminds me of the peaceful gardens in Japan which also have this kind of downspouts. Anyway, with this installed, you won’t have to worry about the water flooding your house’s foundation.

    Reply

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