Amy, it is simply gorgeous! I would use it in the garden and let vines and tall flowers grow up and around it. Because the iron? architecture climbs upwards, it would be odd to put a glass in it and make it a table because the upward iron piece would not allow the arms to rest comfortably...unless, in its prior life the table center was large enough that it was entirely over the top part, leaving the pretty iron work underneath, but anyway, I would leave it as is. You might check out the cottage garden forum and ask them how they would use it.

"A built in bench won't work due to price and the window in the nook that is only 30" off the floor." I have a 5x4 breakfast nook now where I have an ikea upper cabinet (inexpensive) on the floor for the bench. It is 12" wide and has storage. ikea used to have this on display with a diy cushion that was just some fabric wrapped around batting. It is okay for my kids, but we eventually had a 16" vinyl cushion made for it. The cushion cost 3x the price of the ikea cabinet. It is just plywood topped with foam and wrapped with vinyl. It is stapled. If I had to do it again, I would do it myself. My table is also from ikea and its mounted on one side to the wall and has one leg for extra support. The leg is centered on the table and allows you to easily slide into the bench. It is not an ideal situation, but it was the best we could do with our existing space. I don't think the 3x3 table is ideal. If you like the stainless tabletop, look for something similiar in a longer and narrower size, 30 inch max. How about using a round table? Or a bar height table with stools? You might want to look at some of the "Not So Big House" books by Sarah Susanka for some ideas. I don't care for her style, but her design concepts can be applied to any style. I believe she recommends that windows be 30" from the floor for window seats, and you already have that working for you! Here is a link that might be useful: Not So Big House

I went back to kmart an got two more of those large amber $2 glass vases. And I found a unglazed bisque pig shaped piggy bank at the dollar tree(they only had one pig left the rest were not so mosaic friendly shapes).

Are you handy at all? If so, you can try making one yourself that will be a better quality than anything you can buy the store! Ana white has lots of plans online for farmhouse tables!