Monday, June 13, 2011

Garden Bench

 For Metamorphosis and Mosaic Monday I thought I'd share a project my son has been working on for the past couple of weeks.  One of the causalities of the storm was our little Victorian garden bench.  The way it used to look is shown in the upper left-hand corner of this mosaic (photo from the Harbor Freight website).  I was perfectly happy with this, but after seeing it in bits, I decided I wanted something a bit different and more colorful with the placement changed from the far back of the yard, up to the front where I could see it every day as I was having my morning coffee.  The only spot relatively untouched by the tornado was a small area just outside the kitchen window, so a couple of weeks ago Andrew went to work.  Here are pictures of the results.
I LOVE the vibrant colors of this bench, and how great they look with the potted calibrachoa on top of the nudes base at right.  The "planter" at far left is the top of a birdbath, the base of which was lost to the storm, planted with begonias. Directly behind the bench I planted zinnia seeds, so it should be a riot of color come August.
All of the hostas in this area were rescued from beneath trees (now gone) in other parts of the yard.  We went from a yard that was all shade to one that is now virtually all sun, so I have to entirely rethink our existing and future plantings.  The small red impatiens will eventually grow together and fill this area with lots of red and hummingbirds.

These shoes have been in the garage for ages.  Many times I thought I should just get rid of them, but I'm glad I saved them as they look perfect beneath the bench, planted with creeping jenny.

Have a colorful Monday!

This post is linked to:
Seasonal SundayMetamorphosis Monday, Mosaic Monday
 This Week In my GardenWow Us Wednesday, Flora Thursday at Fishtail CottageOutdoor Wednesdays 
and
Visit thecsiproject.com

27 comments:

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

Love the colour of the bench and the shoes. V

Anonymous said...

The shoes beneath the bench are just PERFECT!!!!!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

So beautiful!!!

projecantasi said...

So beatiful garden!

Vanessa Coppa said...

What a beautiful garden! Your son did an excellent job on the bench. I really like the vibrant colors. All three of your planters are very interesting and unique - a great thing! It looks like a lovely place to retreat to.

Pondside said...

I love that colour - no wonder you picked it!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Love the turquoise and green color on the bench! What a wonderful pop of color in the garden. I am so sorry that you have had so much devastation. You definately live up to the old saying, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." You've done a great job. Very creative idea to plant the top of the birdbath. Thanks so much for commenting on my blog!

Mary said...

Oh what a bright & cheery area! Love the lime green & turquoise together on your bench! The creeping jenny spilling out of those shoes is such a fun & colorful touch :-)

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

Love it! Cobalt blue is such a great accent color in a garden. Your bench is fantastic too!

Suzy said...

Beautiful,vibrant color!!

Linda said...

Your bench looks wonderful and I am so sorry to hear of the loss you had from the tornado...scary! What you've done so far looks wonderful! We have one of those benches on our front porch...it was the first thing we bought for our house 29 years ago!My husband lovingly takes care of it every Spring!

Candy @ The Little Round Table said...

Spectacular change! Just wonderful and vibrant! Now where's my spray paint ...... :-)

Thanks for joining the garden party,
Candy

Honey at 2805 said...

Your garden bench is so cheerful and love the little boots!

Thanks for your comment. The solar lights have a colorful glow due to the color on the glass flowers. They just glow, but give off no real light. They looks so pretty at night!

The Tablescaper said...

Suchwonderful and festive colors! Thanks for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

- The Tablescaper

~~louise~~ said...

Oh Pattie, Your family has done an amazing job of rescuing the remains of that horrible tornado.

I can just imagine you sitting and relaxing with anticipation of all the beautiful colors yet to come. I'd love to jump in and join you.

Just gorgeous...

Thank you so much for sharing with us...

Poppy @ With a Dash of Color said...

I love your landscaping.. everything looks so green....loving the blue bench among all that green... and your pedestal planter just look gorgeous with those yellow flowers... nice contrast with the blue... your son did a wonderful job on the bench and together you have created such a soothing outdoor space. Thanks for stopping by and for your sweet comment on my Mason Jar drinks...Looking forward to your citrus spritzer.. sounds like a perfect summer drink. Have a great weekend!~Poppy

http://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

Liz @ Sit With Me In My Garden said...

I love your garden..I like your placement of things and the colorful bench! The shoes are an excellent touch! Sorry you were affected by a tornado, how awful! I can't imagine going through it. Looks like you are off to a nice start on the yard!

Lulu said...

Wow, the color gives whole new life to the bench, and the shoes.....well, I love the whole setting.

shannon i olson said...

that bench is great and thee shoes are magnific!

Fishtail Cottage said...

Coming over from Little Round Table's garden party to peek around! What a charming bench to put in your garden! i host a garden party on Thursday's & would love to have link up sometime? xoxo, tracie

Babs said...

Your garden is so much fun! Love the blue and green combination and the fun boots with the creeping jenny. So cute.
Happy Wednesday.
Babs

Jacque Ferreira said...

Love seeing the beauty coming back after such sad destruction. You are making it look so nice and working with these things rather then discarding them. The color is refreshing when so many are painting every thing white. Thanks for sharing your lovely garden ~ Jacque

Kelsey said...

Great color on the bench! Love it!

Ricki Treleaven said...

*wow* Got to *love* the blue accents in your garden! I am visiting from Cottage Flora Thursday.

Fishtail Cottage said...

Thanks for linking up to Cottage Flora Thursday's! So great to have you & hope to see you again this week! xoox, tracie

Linda@CraftaholicsAnonymous said...

What fun colors for a bench! too cute! I'm stopping by as the guest judge from CSI Project!
happy crafting,
Linda

Unknown said...

Hello,
VERY NICE POST. And the displayed Contemporary Garden Bench is just enhancing the beauty of this garden. I loved it very much. Thank you too much.......