Rain Barrel Has Pitcher Built In

Some rain barrels are utilitarian and others are silly, but if you are going to attach something to the side of your house it might as well be elegant and practical too. Apartment Therapy shows Dutch Designer Bas van der Veer's "A drop of water"- a "a rain barrel that makes saving water really easy by providing a watering can that is automatically filled when it rains. This way, the user doesn't have to fill the can with our precious tap water, but uses 'free' rainwater instead to water the garden."

With the small tap at the bottom of the barrel the watering can can be refilled after using it...Due to the compact size of 'A Drop of Water', the design can also be used in smaller gardens or even on balconies.

The designer shows the entire production process, a fascinating exercise. Have a look at Bas Van Der Veer's website

(The pictures are much better explanations of the idea, but a water pitcher is built into the top of the rain barrel, with the handle facing away from the wall. As the rain water enters the barrel it fills the bright green pitcher first, then overflows and fills the rain barrel.)