home my cottage projects book club shop featured my buttons advertise

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Potting Benches

Completely Obsessed
I've been collecting images of potting benches for over a year.
I want one soooo badly.
I know all I need is just an old table and some wood or shelves and I can create
one out of castoffs.
I just have not found the cast offs.
Plus whatever I do has to be out in all weather.

Do you have a potting bench? Do you wish for one?
I'm so bad that I keep suggesting them to friends.

"You know what you need?"
"A potting bench."

Which is met with looks of bewilderment. Obviously no one else I know is obsessed by them.
I'll share more of my photo collection tomorrow.

Thanks for all your supportive comments on the change I decided to make in my life.
I felt like I was really losing myself and now I feel like I'm making a comeback.

Financially, I don't know how I'll make it.
There is no extra money for anything.
I won't even be having plants on the back deck this year.
I did splurge and buy two small basil plants because I just can't do without that and they are cheap.

But you know what? Even if I'd continued to work at Target...
I could not afford plants for 
the back deck. So I'm not losing that much.

I just figure something had to change because things were not going well as they were.
I have yet to tell my Mom.
She will freak. 
Right now its a blessing that she doesn't have a computer.

More benches tomorrow!
Maybe they will inspire one of you and I can live vicariously through you.

14 comments:

ANNE said...

Oh build one, Nita! Use 2x4s from the lumberyard for the frame and then use pallet lumber or beg or steal from someone's stash of wood!! Here's a link to step-by-step how-to build a work bench.

You can do it!! and then doll it up anyway you want.

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/workshop/bench/below20xl.html

Cheers!

ps LOVE all your inspiration photos.

Heirloom treasures said...

lOve them, especially the first one. I haven't got one because I haven't the room,but would love one.
So glad you are back on track. I never read about that here,but hugs anyway xx

La Vie Quotidienne said...

You know it is strange...I garden in a very large space but I have never had need for a potting bench. I do think that they are very cute, but for me not very useful...but of course they have tons of charm. I hope that you eventually find the one of your dreams.

Anonymous said...

Nita....I, too, have been lusting after a potting bench. I live in a condo so there isn't a lot of space available in my small, condo yard. I keep looking and I know the right one will come along if I'm patient. Thanks for all the beautiful photos. Glad you're feeling good about your recent life change. Hang on....better and wonderful things to come your way! Jana in Texas

Cindi Myers said...

I wish we lived near one another.
I would drive over and pick you up and we would go to the ReStore and Goodwill and then we would check out the FREE stuff on Craigslist and then do a little bit of curb-surfing and we could build an awesome potting bench for you in a day.
xoxo - Cindi
(and DON'T go to anyone's house that has stuff listed on Craigslist by yourself!)
Just remember if you had lots of $$$ you would just buy a boring Pottery Barn bench. Poorness forces Creativity...at least that's what I keep telling myself so that I don't go mad. :D

Lisa said...

If you have a bulk garbage pick up day where you live, go around in your car and be on the look out for potting bench supplies. Flowers are a huge expense, but maybe you could swing a couple of packages of seeds like cosmos, marigold, morning glory, or zinnia. You get a lot of bang for your buck. Sending you a hug.
Lisa

Ricki Treleaven said...

These are so lovely! There is a zinc-topped potting bench with chippy green paint at our local Anthropologie. I cove that thing...I want it so badly for our art studio! :D {but} it is way too expensive. *sadface*

I hope you have a great day today, Nita!

xo,
RJ

Tammy said...

Me too.
My daughter is moving in with a roommate so I told my her to bring my baker's rack back. I'm going to put it out on the back porch and use it for a potting bench/shelf. I spent $100 on plants and it looks like nothing. They are so expensive. At my next house, I hope to plant as many perennials as I can. Grateful for the day lilies in my front bed. They are always so pretty.
Cute comment about your mom. Moms seem to worry. But you're a survivor and you'll find a way to make it. Good luck in all you do!

Karen said...

Nita, I know things are hard for oyu and this may not help but you inspire me so much. My life has changed drastically in this economy and all that I took for granted is gone. I appreciate that you don't blow sunshine up my skirt and make like "oo, my house is amazing and therefor my life is perfect". I read you blog and remember that I have so much still to be thankful for.. a hug from my bulldog has become a gift and a dandelion from my baby is better than a dozen roses. I have faith. Things will work out- for both of us!!!

Amy Chalmers said...

Hi Nita, I know you will get one, cuz things are going your way...so check the free listings or even put an ad that you want one if its free. I think you might be able to build one, I know funky junk gets free wood planks alot..she builds so many things from pallet wood.

Amy Chalmers said...

oh i was just thinking that you could get a two boards and mount them on the wall of the garage with funky vintage brackets...like in the first image...and then all you need is an old buffet or table of some kind that nobody wants..and position it under the shelves...

Anonymous said...

love these potting benches!i made mine out of salvaged porch railing and some misc old shutters found road side! the pallet idea is a great one too..bet ya can use some leftovers from pier one? old doors work well too. oh and old dressers or desks do too. have seen so many great ones on pinterest!
good luck in your new venture.
i am looking forward to finding out what it is!

Anonymous said...

I so loved a potting bench, got one and you know what? I never use it and have it stashed away in a side yard with junk on it. I end up using a wheelbarrow when potting flowers. I can't figure out why the potting bench lost its charm. Don't feel bad about not having one. I admire your grit and know things will be better for you. Love you blog.

Unknown said...

As Anne of Green Gables would have claimed, "You are, indeed, a kindred spirit!" Thank you for sharing your ideals and ideas. I also collect potting bench images, and have to admit to having a few potting benches of my own, but haven't posted any pictures yet, either. One of these days . . . Meanwhile, I'll peruse and dream! (Mary)