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son in laws cast off will be my potting bench

15 years ago

My Son in Law had TWO of these benches he was taking to the road. My husband rescued them and is using one for himself and I get to use mine for a potting bench. I will make a spot againt the side of the garage.Ideas for the back?

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Comments (10)

luna_llena_feliz
15 years ago
Wow, are you lucky! Isn't it amazing the stuff people want to throw out? If you are putting it up against the side of the garage, how about a window sans the glass with shutters? I would stretch chicken wire across the back of the window and use it to hang garden tools from. An awning hanging over it would be a cute touch too.

Whatever you decide to do, I can't wait to see the "after" picture!
Bright199
15 years ago
Ok.I am soo jealous all these wonderful potting benches!!!!
That is going to be sooo wonderful decorated up. Yes definately and old window.... Are you going to paint it???
Please keep the updates comming.
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Stephanie, I understand your confusion, and agree that it is not a true bully / victim situation. However, I really think that what my son did was over the line, and wanted to be sure he realized it, too. If they were playing out in the yard, I would have handled it differently, but there are different rules for the yard than for school, and he is old enough to save any roughhousing for after school. I don't know what, if any, punishment the other boy received, and truthfully, I'm not even sure it matters. Ds has never complained about "MJ", so what reason would the school have for punishing him? When the asst principal first talked to ds, ds only said that they were playing around - didn't mention the pencil-poking until later when he talked to dh. What I wanted ds to get out of this, is reinforcement of something he learned years ago with my niece. My boys and their friends all play rough with each other, and know not to expect any sympathy from me if they get bruised while wrestling or playing dodge ball. But when my niece would come over, ds would play with her the same as he plays with his friends, she would screech, and he would get in trouble (because she had made it clear that she was not interested in their games). Pretty soon she would screech whenever he came anywhere near her - I think just for the fun of getting him in trouble. So I told him, I know that she is overreacting, but I can't defend you if you have so much as touched her. So just stay clear of her, and then you'll never be in trouble. I know it isn't exactly fair that he has to walk on eggshells around her, but in life he'll find there are always a few people who don't play by the same rules he does, and I wanted him to be able to differentiate between who is "safe" and who is not. To me this is nearly the same situation - the school makes it clear that students are not to touch each other, but he did it anyway and paid the price. Yes, the other kid seems to have changed the rules between himself and ds midstream, which is unfortunate, but still, I really don't feel that I can defend ds' behavior here - he has to be responsible for what he does regardless of what anyone else did. Probably will not call "MJ"'s mom, though - your comments made me realize that there is really nothing I can say to improve what will be an uncomfortable situation. "MJ"'s mom will eventually see ds out playing with his friends enough to realize he is not a big bad bully :)
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lacensuch
15 years ago
One person's trash...another person's treasure. What a great potting bench that is going to be. Please post pictures when it's finally in it's home and set up.
Marlene Kindred
15 years ago
Wow! Nice bench. It will be a great potting table. I agree with the windows, but you could also use a small book shelf at the back too--great for storing pots, tools, etc and maybe angle a couple of small windows to the side. Whatever you do, please post a "finished" picture too.
imjustsam
15 years ago
Someone recently posted their potting bench with an old door attached to the back. It was really cute. Added some hooks for haginging and even a shelf. Good luck and have fun with it.

PS it is an old work bench that I also have for a potting bench.
texasfern
15 years ago
I love a good WIP process!
This one should be great!
akup_a
15 years ago
Don't forget the bed springs! Springs from a crib. You could hang them side ways on the side of the garage above your bench. Those would be sturdy enough to hold just about anything.
I'm terrible with names but I know a member used a set of springs and attached them to the back of an old door. Then she attached the door to the back of a potting bench. She's a very crafty, clever lady. Why oh why can't I remember names!
Vickie
goldenpond
Original Author
15 years ago
I like the ideas except I am not sure a set of bedsprings would be hurricane proof which would mean bringing them in with every threat.I have a detached garage that could use some sprucing up but the side I want DH is afraid Ill make it messy.I wan t it across from my beach bum path. Maybe if I draw a plan he will be more flexible.
jeannespines
15 years ago
What a great save! I don't know what your garage looks like...the siding...but I think this potting bench would look great painted like your "moon shutter"...those rich greens with a bit of yellow. Your moon shutter would even look great near this piece!

I know you LOVE butterflies... it would be nice to tie them in somehow...maybe some netting for backing (not hurricane worthy, I know).. or a butterfly house look cool with the shutter & bench.

Oh, anyway, I love your save! Have fun with it ... and will be lookin' forward to pics! Jeanne S.
goldenpond
Original Author
15 years ago
No siding here (I love hearing other states ideas) but stucco is the siding of choice in Florida! I recently painted the house and garage a gray green to be absorbed into the natural setting.Sometimes white just SCREAMS from the road! You know jeannespires I thought of using a similar paint technique as those shutters on it maybe add tile squares to the top(remember Florida here)

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