“Quick” is relative. In terms of hours, this project didn’t take long but let me confess, it actually took about 15 years to complete. Let me ‘splain. This homemade (not by me) workbench sat in our garage for about 5 years after we moved in. We did not use it as a workbench, rather, it was a catch-all for junk. The first time I ever cleaned out the garage, I decided to take it out to free up some space. I sort of crab walked this table one end at a time, by myself, to the side of my house, thinking I’d use it for a potting bench. The sucker is HEAVY and it was UGLY!. Picture legs made out of pressure treated posts, scrap wood made up the apron and lower shelf. Finally, the top is a piece of sheet metal that had splotches of paint on it. I seriously think the inept contractor who owned the house before us found the sheet metal first and decided to build a table around and under it. Here she is before…..without the sheet metal top.
So, it’s been a useful potting bench and beverage and serving table in our yard for about 6 or 7 years. Ugly, though. I always covered it with a tablecloth but the bottom still showed. Let’s just say, it was completely utilitarian. I have admitted before that I have NO imagination or vision. But the creative, DIY blogs have made me look at everything with different-colored glasses. So, last fall, I decided I should paint the darn thing. But I only got around to primering it. This spring, the the girls had a neighbor friend over and were bored and I had some leftover light green sample paint, so I let them have at it.
I’m linking to “Show and Share” Day at Just A Girl and Frugal Fridays over at the Shabby Nest. Since I used leftover paint for the base and I did need an extra can of chalkboard paint, I’ll count the cost of the chalkboard paint…this project cost less than $5. That’s frugal, right?
Also linking to Kimba’s DIY DAY “Outdoor Edition”. I’ve missed the DIY days.
Love this!!! Would love it in my yard! 🙂
Sue,
You could probably build one yourself and top it off with an salvaged door. You can probably see from the photos how basic it is.
Beth
Looks Great!
I love your potting bench! I have been wanting one for a couple of years and just haven’t had the time or the space to have one. The color is gorgeous!
It’s adorable! I love the chalkboard paint on the top… I could totally see using it as a buffet table at a picnic – you could just write the name of each dish near it in chalk! How cute!
Thanks for the comments. I agree, Jen, this is definitely a multipurpose surface. I was thinking “Kid’s Drinks”, “Vino” whatever. If nothing else, my yard doesn’t look as much like “Sanford and Son”.
What a wonderful project and a wonderful garden table!
I realized a few days ago that I should have called this post “A Quick Makeover”. But you all get the I didn’t build this, right?
Oooo–I loved this project! I’m going to feature it this Friday for my Weekend Bloggy Reading. :)I imagine it makes a great buffet. Using chalkboard paint was a great idea. I’m visiting from Kimba’s DIY Day–my post is from Monday, #64. 🙂
I LOOVVE chalkboard paint! Writing what is being served on the top is a great idea.