A Haven for Vee

Monday, July 6, 2015

The Potting Bench

Hmmm...well now, perhaps I am feeling full of vinegar. Have just read Sharon's comment on the last post and she may have a jab  point. ☺

Re-reading my last few posts, I see that my vinegar meter really may be at an all-time high. Probably, that'll require a release of the pressure valve. Beware! My kids used to send each other cryptic messages back in the day: Red Alert was one; Thar she blows was another. So look for it any day now and let the chips fall where they may. =D

Oh go ahead, tell me what you really think...

Not today, my friend, maybe Wednesday, Friday or one day next week. 

~*~*~

Today is all about the potting bench. John  created a delight for me and incorporated two things I wanted to use. The first was my old garden gate and the other was the scalloped bit there as a shelf that had formerly been used in my kitchen to bridge the gap between cupboards on either side of the sink.

Yes, I left it the pale buttery yellow it was

You know what those are...the name escapes me. Here's an example in a vintage-style kitchen.


*This post* tells why I feel as I do about the garden gate. John's "supplies" behind the garage. 


He says that his reputation as a builder has come to an end. That's because he was using inferior material otherwise known as what we had. I tell him:  
Anyone can build a potting bench with quality wood; not everyone can take a bent, sagging piece of wood and make it into something special. 

So that's the background story. This is not a tutorial. We don't do those. 

Take an old garden gate
Make it into something it ain't
Add a bit of this and that
 Splash on a little paint 
Go ahead — decorate!



Just like that! Nothing to it! 

I promise not to turn this potting bench into my Boleros...maybe. It's just that we don't have a lot to chat about these days unless...

Thanks for popping in!



51 comments:

  1. Oh Vee, I was hoping that it was going to be a potting bench!!! It turned out so great and tell John that he did a wonderful job.

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  2. Hi Vee, John did a great job with the potting bench. I just read the link to your gate. That makes the potting bench even more special and I have lived in several homes with the scalloped piece of wood over the sink. You've done a great job decorating the potting bench too. Not much going on for us either this summer.

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  3. WOW! Hey that is awesome! John did a fabulous job - and I love your repurposed things you had and loved - make sit so much more special.

    It's going to be such fun to decorate for the 3 seasons - maybe even winter if you don't mind the cold. My potting bench goes inside the zen room and closed off for the winter months, but I often wonder how cute it would look all dressed up for the holidays, too.

    Good job, loving it, Vee!

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  4. What a great use of those special old pieces just hanging about. The potting bench looks fabulous. I love it's charm! John did a great job. Love that heart garland! Have a great week Vee!

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  5. Love it!! I, too, was thinking (& hoping) that it might be a potting bench. John did a fabulous job and you did a fabulous job of decorating it for the Fourth of July holiday. Personally, I hope you do show it often. I'm thinking you may re-decorate it for the seasons?? The scallop detail is like the icing on the cake.

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  6. Aren't husbands just wonderful to have around !
    Love the potting bench he made.

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  7. I think John did a wonderful job! I love useful pieces made from bits and bobs! I bet you will get a lot of great use of that wonderful potting bench!

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  8. What a great guy! John did a beautiful job and it took me a while to figure out where he put the scalloped piece. NOthing like a little inspiration to get those gardening ideas completed!

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  9. I love, love, love it!! It has meaning, it was made by your sweetheart, and it is lovely!! No purchased bench (or purchased wood) could have all that. I look forward to seeing it decorated as your fancy strikes! Great job, John!

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  10. Love it, Vee! Nice job, and it's okay that we didn't get the full tutorial. LOL. But tell John that he needs to visit Mr. C. cuz we have LOTS MORE 'SUPPLIES' behind our shed. lol

    Have a great week!

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  11. I love the potting bench! Great job, John! Now I want one.

    Smiles,
    Carol

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  12. I think your "garden gate" potters bench is delightful! So much more character than just plain wood.

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  13. Vee, I spied your potting bench in your Independence Day post--it's darling! John's reputation is not ruined in my humble opinion. My husband is using leftover supplies as we speak to finally finish our stairwell to the basement. We've only lived here for 43 years. My laundry room is down there and I need a railing in my old age! I will not be showing it off though--it's not as sweet as your potting bench. ♥

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  14. Vee....what an amazing potting bench! I love it...love it...love it! I have been wanting a potting bench. Just a simple, plain Jane one. Now I am sitting here looking at yours and telling my man....THIS IS WHAT I WANT! He said, "GET OF THAT BLUGGER! LOL! I love it my friend. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  15. Vee full of vinegar! Hope to hear more....

    Love the potting bench. The scalloped shelf is perfectly whimsical and a great way to use up the bits and pieces that you don't want to discard. John's reputation is intact - repurposing is very much the "in" thing. Have a good week!

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  16. Hey, you're right, John did do an excellent job on the garden gate potting area. Very fancy. Thanks for sharing. Now I'll go read what's at the links. ~:)

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  17. Oh Vee - it's just beautiful and you've decorated it so nicely. John is amazing - it has way more character than one made from new wood. The scalloped kitchen valance is just perfect. If being full of vinegar means being this creative - I want some. Have a great week!

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  18. Oh Iove your potting bench - I want one. : )
    I think it makes it more special using things you already have.
    Love that kitchen too.

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  19. How nice! I love it! And you have to love a man that is handy at building things AND can write poetry! Give him hugs, Diane

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  20. What a guy your man John is. It is gorgeous and to have a story to go with it makes it even sweeter. I think that thingee over the sink is called a valence?

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  21. I've always known we were kindred spirits, I never, well hardly ever, throw anything away! I love John's private stash! my kind of stuff! And who said you couldn't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, your potting bench is absolutely divine, and love how you have decorated it too! It's so pretty you are going to have a hard time potting those plants!~smile~ Is the car tag yours or John's! Great job to you both!!!!
    Have a blessed day!
    Hugs,

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  22. It's wonderful and so special to incorporate something that you loved into it! John is a great carpenter! Your very on trend with repurposing! The scalloped edge looks great on it!

    Deanna

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  23. Perhaps John should give up his day job - if he can come up with such a great potting bench from this 'n that, imagine how he could turn out splendid furniture from good wood. . . . . . . . I'll join the queue!

    Mary -

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  24. I love the potting bench! He did a great job :)

    And I love that you're full of vinegar. It means that you speak your mind, which is a good thing.

    xo,
    rue

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  25. I knew immediately that it was to be a potting bench when you shared the preview. It's much too pretty to soil, though! John did a splendid job of creating it. The two of you are a great team!

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  26. Oh how neat. John did a wonderful job and all the better that he could do it out of odd and ends and not have to go spend lots of money on it.
    Have a super day!

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  27. Why, Vee....it is absolutely adorable and I mean it. Cute as can be. I am sure you gave him the biggest ole hug and kiss....he did a great job.

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  28. John has done a great job of re-purposing treasured pieces into a sweet potting bench. What a guy!! You two DO make a great pair!! :)

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  29. I am soo impressed! He did a fabulous job! I love it! Soo cute! And now I am totally looking forward to seeing your sewing machine cover! Hope your day was a good one!



    1

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  30. What a wonderful gift! It looks so great. Almost looks too good to use, but I'm sure you will use it! You are so very lucky, Vee!

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  31. My husband saw this and I told him the story behind it...he likes it Vee, wonderful job John!!! As for vinegar, no, my friend, I don't think so...As I have said before, I like visiting....Blessings

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  32. Hey, well done John and repurposing other things is always a good thing to do. Lucky Vee to have a new outdoor potting bench.
    Vinegar? Never, and I guess that's because I accept you for who you are and know that we can all post something that will be misconstrued. Would I open a can of worms if I ask why people feel the need to point out another's perceived shortcomings?

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    1. Nah, Sharon is a sweetie and was just using an expression of speech. I think she's onto something. Writers are good at reading between the lines.

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  33. Love your new potting bench, isn't it nice when something can be made from what we have. John is one handy guy to have around. Okay, will be watching for your vinegar meter to go off the chart, but I'm okay if it doesn't. Guess all you need now is a little baking soda to set it off. ~ Abby

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  34. I love the potting bench...it has such a sentimental story behind it and your John did an awesome job putting it all together. I actually love the little scalloped-between-the-kitchen-window thingy...I have one but mine is just straight...wish it was scalloped because it is oh-so vintage! As far as the vinegar goes...well, they say a little vinegar everyday is GOOD for your health :)

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  35. I think John did a wonderful job making your potting bench. That it was made with things you already had makes it even better. I didn't see the scalloped valance until I saw the view from the top. You have a nice view of the bench through your window, too!

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  36. Hi Vee!

    I love your potting bench! I love the fact that John made it out of old wood and special pieces from your home, that makes it that much more special indeed! I love vinegar, I actually drink it everyday, so my meter is off the charts . . . ;0) Can't wait to see yours!

    In my last post you asked me about that, "pretty" bead, poking out of my daughters foot. It is a pin. Not sure why that one had a pretty blue ball on the end, and the other one didn't, but there you have it. It is healing nicely, and she appreciates all the love from that post.

    Have a wonderful week!!

    Hugs,
    Barb

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  37. That potting bench is ADORABLE! Can John not see how cute it is? Maybe he doesn't have our cuteness meter? By the way, I spy an sweet heart banner ;) Perfect for your cute bench.

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  38. How darling and fortunate you are to have your own potting bench Vee...this is fantastic! I would spend hours out there puttering around the garden.....thank you for sharing your lawn and garden!

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  39. Vee, I absolutely love your new potting bench. John is a gem for turning a pile of scrap into something so beautiful (to my eyes). It looks sweet in the corner of your garden and I like the 'birdseye' view. The scalloped edge shelf adds some charm and you decorated it so sweetly. Everything looks lovely there.

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  40. I love it! Tell John is reputation is intact. Just thinking...I have a corner that could use a potting bench. Too bad John is not at my 'beck and call'. :)

    Now I must go see what other posts I missed. I've been camping with the grands this week...and am a little out of touch.

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  41. Hi Dear Vee,

    I'm late, I'm late for a very important post! I love your new potting bench, made with your old and well-loved gate!!! That John is definitely a keeper! :) I'm glad you didn't let your well-meaning sister cart the gate away (she sounds just like my sister). ;>) I love the color you painted your potting bench, and it will be such fun to decorate throughout the changing seasons. Maybe I can talk Hal into making me a potting bench. :) Thanks for sharing with us Vee!

    If you're feeling full of vinegar, I bet I can guess why, and so am I. Our whole country has gone stark-raving mad. If you decide to cut loose, I look forward to reading what you have to say.

    Big hugs to you,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  42. Hi Vee,
    Wow!! what a cool potting bench, the best kind of bench because John created it by repurposing old wood. That's a talented man for sure..
    Sorry I have been away for such along time, I had been wondering what you had been up to.
    Have a sweet day, Elizabeth

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  43. Its a pleasure to visit your blog, i saw you thrue other bloggers...thanks for sharing...loves (ˆ◡ˆ)

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  44. It's beautiful, Vee! What a talented hubby you have!

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  45. I LOVE it! SO you and SO John!!! Together - you make dreams come true!!

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  46. I love your potting bench and should try to make one for myself, You've given me some ideas, thanks.

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  47. Well done. John! The poting bench looks so pretty and practical too!

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