My dear husband brought this sweet potting bench home for me after working away for the last 40 days.  I had asked him to keep his eyes open for me and pick up a few items on his way home if he saw anything I might like.

This potting bench was one of the things he’d found.

Take a peek at the before …

I started by removing the hardware on the drawer and used some “Furniture Make up” and a stencil to create the number on the drawer front.  I wanted to add a little interest to the piece other than just changing out the hardware.  It also gives it a little added texture.  After the makeup was dry I sanded the edges and allowed some of it to break off in a few places giving it a well used feel.

I then mixed up a custom color of chalk paint using left overs in antique white and a steel blueish color.  I covered the whole body of it with just one coat followed by a good sanding.  I left the top original and only gave it a good cleaning.  The body color was toned down by brushing on a little dark wax.

The handle on the drawer was replaced with an antique pull from a previous piece.  I painted it as well and distressed it with sandpaper and antiquing wax.  I like it much better than the little ring pulls that were on it before.

The Furniture makeup turned out lovely as it always does.  I don’t know why I don’t use it more.  I keep forgetting about it on my workbench!

I had a lot of fun photographing this pretty little potting bench.  I had also created a new chandelier out of an old 80’s light fixture and a vintage wire basket.  I removed the handles off of the basket, then took apart the 80’s light (removed all the “80’s” off of it )  and gave everything a coat of antique white paint. The basket just got a light dusting of paint, I liked the grey of the wire showing through a little for a touch of contrast.

After it all dried I rewired and reassembled the light fixture inside the altered basket.  It turned out so pretty and I like the way it looks outside on our patio.

Of course it isn’t meant to be outdoors but I thought it would make for a pretty accent to the potting bench when photographing it.

This pretty chandelier and most of the things you see in this post will be heading to my booth today.  I could (and do) spend hours there just rearranging and making the space pretty!

The little urn was made over to match the potting bench as well

The flowers in this post are courtesy of my boys and come from the plants they’ve planted in our flower garden

One more thing … Just because this is a potting bench doesn’t mean it has to be one … it could also be used as a vanity in a bathroom or as a front entry way piece.  It’s fun to use things in a creative way and you can really create interest by thinking outside of the box!

Smiles!

Terry

Linking up to:

Miss Mustard Seed

Anderson & Grant

French Country Cottage

Stone Gable

DIY Show Off