A while back I got a bee in my bonnet that I must have a potting bench.
But as usual I wanted to pay next to nothing for it.
I found this wine rack at the thrift store and thought "this will do".
It was half off all furniture that day so it was only ten dollars.
Now obviously this is a little short to be a real potting bench, but perfect for decoration.
Which is what I want a potting bench for; to decorate and stage.
Basically it's a toy for grown ups. :)
Both sides have this cute little leaf carved in the wood.
I started by white washing the piece.
Three parts white paint and one part water.
Next I took my new favorite paint color~ barn wood~ and watered it down even more.
Half water, half paint.
I brushed it on and wiped bits off with paper towels.
I wanted the piece to look like weathered wood.
The piece had these ugly wheels that look like they belong on an office chair.
Ideally I would have changed out the wheels for some vintage metal ones.
But I lose interest in a piece if the make over takes to long, so I just painted the wheels out.
Here it is all done.
I am loving this piece!
I still need to put a piece of wood on the bottom to make a shelf.
Did I mention I'm impatient when it comes to my DIY projects?
I really admire people that can take on long tedious projects like slip covering their couch.
That is so not me!
Even though I'm not much of a wine drinker and know nothing about Woodbridge wine...
I like the graphic so I made it a bit darker to highlight it.
It's so nice taking photos outdoors.
The potting bench was in the shade so I didn't have any glare from the sun.
I usually have to lighten up my photos a bit with picnik, but this time it wasn't needed.
I noticed Ana White has plans for a library cart that looks very similar to this piece.
So if you are handy you can make your own.
I hope you don't mind more photos because I can't help myself!
I look forward to using this piece year round.
Flowers and herbs in the spring and summer.
Pumpkins and gourds in the fall.
Evergreens and pine cones in the winter.
FUN!






















Make do????? It's absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteLove it, want one!
Sue @ Beach Bungalow
xo
great job!!
ReplyDeleteI love how you change the face of the wine rack
I want one for my output!!!!
grettings from Barcelona
This is so cute! I love using the wine cart, how clever. Love the paint technique too.
ReplyDeleteI'm like you, I want my projects done right now! LOL!
hugs
Sissie
Just lovely! And I love that it was only $10.00!
ReplyDeleteI like it too!! Whitewash was the perfect touch. And I love it that you're a 'make do' person - that's me through and through! :)
ReplyDeleteFrugal to fabulous as usual Lisa. Now all you need are some wire baskets in there too! Beautifully styled, I know we'll be seeing this piece in future pictures for sure. Well done.
ReplyDeleteI said, "aww" out loud when I saw the first picture. Adorable! I have a potting table that is covered in spider webs. It could use a nice spruce up and your photos motivate me.
ReplyDeleteBarb
This turned our really well Lisa! I luv the way you've dressed it up. Great price too!
ReplyDeleteKim:)
I love it! Now I want one too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea, it turned out wonderfully!!
ReplyDeleteI love it...and the flowers are gorgeous...ready for Spring! Thanx for sharing. The Cranky Queen
ReplyDeleteAren't you clever? I like the paint treatment you used. I'm so jealous of your lavender. I went looking the ohter night and not a single Nursery had them. I'm very impatient with any DIY project, too. You're too funny! This looks great! :) ~M
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful find! I love it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful piece!! You did a great job painting it! Looks great!
ReplyDeleteI've definitely got to get myself one of these. I'm off to Salvo's as soon as the little man has gone to kinder to see what I can find!
ReplyDeleteLovely! I'm going to be on the lookout for a piece like this! Thanks for sharing...
ReplyDeleteI love it! It is perfect! If you change those wheels you'd think you paid big bucks for it! Great job!
ReplyDeleteSusan
This is so lovely what you have done here with this piece! Enjoyed the photos!
ReplyDeleteLisa, I love how this turned out and the finish on it looks wonderful. You have it decorated so pretty and I adore the basket.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sherry
It turned out so great!! And if you get bored with it as a potter's bench, you could always use it as a wine rack, hee hee! ;-) I like how you "styled" it with garden adornments, too!!
ReplyDeleteNow if we could only get some garden weather around these parts...it'd poured rain here all day!
~michelle~
Lisa that is absolutely gorgeous!! You did more than make do my friend, you nailed it perfectly! It looks like some of your inspiration photos from your last post! I love how you decorated it and I love all your photos! I actually like how you did the wheels, they look old and worn. You are going to have fun decorating with this. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing!!! I love it!
ReplyDeleteWow woman!! You are on a roll!
ReplyDeleteI am in total agreement with you that this piece looks great. You had a great idea with this one.
ReplyDeleteThat looks excellent. I lose interest too if something drags on. I like instant gratification and use. Did you seal it with anything? I've painted things with 1/2 paint and 1/2 water, and I don't think the finish is going to wear well.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Lisa x
What a fun piece! Well done! I am not much of a long project gal either! Quick and easy is the way to go for sure! Ha!
ReplyDeleteHugs
SueAnn
I LOVE what you did for this! What a great idea. I am going to look for something like this so I can make one. Loved all the photos!
ReplyDelete~Shanon
Perfect timing on this project! Super cute transformation and staging. Now we'll all have some inspiration for spring decorating. Thanks!
ReplyDeletelove the finished result!! i'm also impatient for my DIY projects, always wanted to finish ASAP! i love how you decorate it with pots and cute little boy reading a book statue! gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThat looks great Lisa! I love the way you decorated your new potting bench and paint treatment you gave it. I just painted a bench and I wish I would have thought to water down my paint, I think it would have made my life easier with less sanding.
ReplyDeleteDarling! I love it and would have totally passed that up at the thrift store. You are so clever.
ReplyDeleteWow, that looks fantastic! I never would've thought 'potting bench' if I'd seen that in a thrift store but you definitely pulled it off! I've often wondered what would happen if I mixed white paint with water, I think I'll have to try that:)
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL! It looks like that is right out of a catalog girl! I have an old tea cart I've been wanting to paint but didn't ever know what to put on it and this would be perfect. I would be delighted if you could link this up to my VIP party tomorrow. www.designergarden.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteSommer
perfect! you did an outstanding job, looks great. i have a party going on if you'd like to link up.
ReplyDeletehttp://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/2011/03/anything-goes-party-7.html
Lisa that is AWESOME!I want a potting bench so bad and I have the perfect spot for it. Yours is just amazing! I hear you on getting impatient. I am so impatient when it comes to projects that I often look back with regret that I didn't wait a little longer and try a little harder;-) Great job with yours though!
ReplyDeleteOh I just LOVE this piece! Way to go, girly! I'm with you, when I revamp something, I'm not wanting it to be a 3 day long task. ha!! Love it..you did such an amazing job and it looks amazing with your decor!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
~Terrell @ Frou Frou Decor~
this is so sweet! I love the color but I think the best is the painted wheels. A small detail but so worth it! Great job :D
ReplyDeleteWhy, it's just cute as can be! I say when you've got good light for a picture-taking day, you have to grab on to it!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Your potting bench turned out so beautiful - just like your blog. I'm surprised I hadn't found you before. I am following now!
ReplyDeleteOH My! You made that look so good!
ReplyDeleteI bet you just wanted to run out the store when you found that!
Your potting bench is beautiful! The finish is perfect! What brand of paint has the barnwood color? I love your potted lavender and spring flowers too!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Amanda
Absolutely gorgeous and you can't beat the price. Wonderful imagination you have!!! ~~Sherry~~
ReplyDeleteWow ...great transformation and beautifully staged. I love the racks for glasses at the top ... it looks like huge dentil moulding.
ReplyDeleteI laughed about the casters ... I'm so like you ... I don't have the patience
What a clever idea! I have been wanting a potting bench too, but more for show than actual use. You have inspired me to look beyond an actual potting bench. I look forward to reading your future posts. If you have a chance, I would be honored if you would check out my blog too.
ReplyDeleteWhat's NOT to love....it's so unique and you've dressed it up so pretty!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! How on earth did you come upon that cart in a thrift store? I've never seen anyone sell anything like that. And by the way, I'm the same way with projects. If they take too long, my patience for them runs out. But your potting bench is the complete package. Pretty AND functional!
ReplyDeleteLisa you did a fabulous job as usual! :0) I really love the paint job and color too..they are perfect! Hope you have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteoh my mercy!! how have I not ever seen your blog before?!? I am soooo glad you commented on mine b/c I would have never had the chance to visit yours. I have been looking through you blog this evening and it has been a joy!
ReplyDeleteAnd LOVE LOVE the little potting bench. I love the white-wash technique, but have always been too afraid to try it.
I will be bookmarking you! :-)
Blessings to you!!
This turned out so good. I love seeing items repurposed. Good job!......Bonnie
ReplyDeleteYOu always have the best finds!I love that you could think this into just what you wanted. I find things and usually at the time I cannot figure out what to do with it so I pass it up, or I cannot find anything when I can looking for something!! I hope you are enjoying your potting bench! I too like things just for looks ;) To use them would mess them up, hehehe
ReplyDeleteHugs, Lisa
It looks great. if you did decide to buy vintage wheels where would you look for them?
ReplyDeleteYou can find anything online. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's adorable. Now I'm in dire need of a potting bench/toy to decorate. I love how you staged it. I even have the perfect place for it so I'm going to keep my eyes open when I"m at the thrift store.
ReplyDeleteCan you come to my house please please please! Your staging is amazing. I get so many great ideas from your photos, keep 'em coming!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this....It looks amazing...Great job!!...
ReplyDeletehope you visit and follow my blog...thanks for sharing.
Mariaelena
YOU AMAZE ME!!!Gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteall I have to say...I want one!!
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa-
ReplyDeleteHow very clever and ingenious. I love seeing things re-purposed into smartly designed new pieces. You will have a green thumb for sure having this little potting cart by your side.
My best- Diane