Potting Bench To Work And Admire

 I have a confession to make.

All these years, I was gardening without having a potting bench. Yes. I planted, replanted, potted, repotted, did lots of operations with plants, but all without a working table or a bench. I wanted a potting bench, but I didn't know exactly what type, shape or size. I was very patient. I did some research, checked the Internet, looked at the pictures of beautiful gardens in my photo file. The idea started to swirl in my head when I saw the wooden creations of Magnus Nilsen (Nilsen Woodworks), a skilled craftsman. I even published a photo of his product offerings taken during one of the garden tours. After talking to Magnus, a decision was made. We decided to customize his main model shown in the picture I just mentioned. Designing the bench for me, he took into consideration three functions that I needed. First, I needed a working table. Second, I needed a summer place for my houseplants to spend several months in fresh air.

Third, I needed a place for my garden knick-knacks.

 I also wanted the bench to be ergonomically sound. So, he took into consideration my height, weight and eye color. Just kidding.  Height mostly. We wanted to be sure that it would be convenient for me to work with plants on the main surface and reach the shelves. Then, I got the idea to use marble tiles left from the construction of our house. They are beautiful and easy to clean. It also allowed Magnus to reduce the amount of wood needed.

And finally, the color of the stain was chosen.  I loved it from the first sight.

 

I have nothing against a brown stain color which is very popular. But, the charcoal color, in my opinion, went better with my stepping stones, the wall color and finally, with the blocks underneath the bench. By the way, please pay attention to those blocks - I put them down myself and am very excited about it since it was my first job ever of this kind.

 I can not say it was a piece of cake for me (to mention just two obstacles  -  tree roots and a mole digging exactly under the tiles), but I am very satisfied with the final result. I know you are proud of me!
What I especially like about the bench - it looks like a piece of furniture and it also looks like it was here forever. Don't you think so?

The wood is cedar. Cedar is naturally resistant to cracking, is lightweight, and is stable (lies flat and stays straight). After rain, it is able to dry out faster than other types of wood. Cedar's natural oils help the wood resist rot and decay which is very important for the damp Pacific Northwest. Its smell keeps pests away. I read that outdoor cedar furniture is expected to last about 25-30 years. Fine with me!

Durable, functional and beautiful.

 

It looks substantial, and due to its large size doesn't look lost against the big garage wall.
If you live in Washington state and need high quality wooden products for outdoor use, I would highly recommend Magnus Nilsen. Tables, wooden benches, planters, wooden boxes, stepstools, display stands...  You can meet him at garden tours and Saturday markets on Kitsap Peninsula. This is his website: Nilsen Woodworks

As for me, I already placed another order, a little garden table again with the use of leftover tile.

***Copyright 2011 TatyanaS