Pallet Potting Bench

It has been a hot minute since I have built anything pallets. Not because I don't like building or don't love free wood, but because pallet furniture tends to be more rustic, which isn't really my style anymore. 

But, there are certain pieces of furniture that scream, "Build me out of pallet wood!" so that is what I did when the Pro-Start (cooking) students at my kids' former high school asked for a donation for a fundraiser to go to nationals. I donate to the school functions often and what I donate totally depends on the timeline and what I might have available. I decided I wanted to build a bigger piece and thought a potting bench/outdoor buffet bar would be perfect for this time of year.

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I didn't take step by step pictures, but you can find detailed directions for making a potting bench in my book, Crafting with Wood Pallets that you can PURCHASE HERE!

I wasn't really sure what I was making, but when I found a half of a pallet (pictured above) in my workshop, it said, "I want to be a potting bench." The spaces between the pallet boards is perfect for a potting bench because they allow dirt and water to drain. Every board on this bench is from pallet wood.

I made the bench counter height. The back height was as tall as the boards I had to use as the back legs. 

I added a board as a backsplash and then the upper board for hooks. A wider, pallet board was placed on top for a shelf. The hooks came from a thrift store key hook hanger thanger I bought. 

I used paint I had on hand to add some color, slapping it on sparsely. I used a bright yellow, a burnt orange, and a mossy green. I did not paint all of the wood. When the pint was dry, I sanded some off and then stained the whole potting bench with Early American stain. I did not put any paint on the top shelf. It was finished with a spar urethane made for outdoors.

I added a larger coat hook on one front leg. This is perfect for a towel or larger gardening tool.

I put a bottle opener on the other front leg in case the owner needs a cold drink after a long (or short) day of gardening. The bottom shelf is a great place to store extra pots and it helps to make the piece more sturdy.

I staged this on my front porch where you can see a little of the spring painting I haven't shared yet. Oh, and look at my giant sunflowers! The potting bench is on its way to the auction where I hope it fetches a good price to help our local culinary students go to nationals. 

How NOT to Style Shelves

Okay, this post is really about how TO style shelves. But in order to share some pro tips to create visually appealing displays, we need to look at some common mistakes people make when decorating shelves, china cabinets, entryway tables, and other places where we like to add decorative items. 

I brought a shelf in from the garage (that needs to be painted to sell) to use as a place to show you what not to and what to do. While this shelf is small, it worked well to share with you my tips. Here is the shelf styled in a way that is interesting and visually appealing.

And here are some dont's--everything in the middle is a don't. Even if you want a cleaner and more modern look, don't put everything in the middle only, use those corners and sides.

Place items in groupings that aren't centered.

Instead, vary shapes and sizes of objects.

Say no to a pyramid in the middle of a shelf.

Think in thirds and right triangles.

Don't use everything in the same color.

Bookshelves are a great place to add pops of color and different textures, even if you decorate with all white.

Other things TO DO include:

Never use real candles--they are a fire hazard on shelves.

Remember, this is YOUR home. Style shelves with items that you love, that matter to you, that have a purpose.

There is nothing that makes me cringe more than seeing homes decorated with cookie cutter items from craft stores and popular stores. A few items from these places are okay, but take time to curate and collect unique to you pieces. Also, let's actually use our shelves. If you have a china cabinet, put some dang dishes in it along with the decorative items. You can buy a set of lovely dishes at the thrift store for less than $20.

Repeat elements not objects. A side note: using only one object repeated on the shelf, say the same white vase, does work if that is all you put on the shelf and you want a modern look. 

Layer, layer, layer!

Give the space some life!

And finally, don't take yourself too seriously. Have fun, add and subtract items, using something weird, and change up decor when you feel like it.

How to Use Thrift Store Mirrors in Your Home

I have a confession to make: I have a mirror obsession. Not as in I love looking in the mirror, but as in I love buying them at thrift stores and using them in my home. I must admit, I often forget to look in a mirror before I leave the house and I might leave home with some wild hair or food on my face or clothing without realizing it. But, I do use mirrors throughout my home in various ways for different purposes. Let me show you some! (PS, If you want to play a drinking game while reading this post, take a drink for every time I use the word REFLECT.)

This thrifted mirror hangs at the bottom of my lofted library stairs. It hangs higher than one might like to look in, but that it so it can reflect the outdoors and the light that comes in from the library windows. I love seeing my plants reflected in the mirror. Since we have built an attached mother-in-law apartment, we have a wall of windows that stay shaded. I love using the mirrors to reflect light. 

Propping mirrors on the back of shelving, especially dark shelves, helps show off the decor and lighten the shelf area.

This mirrored candle sconce is also my entryway.

This craft store round mirror that I added to a thrift store basket is propped on a shelf in my front entryway. It is too high to see in, but it shows off decor and shines light from the glass front doors into the space.

This  round, thrifted mirror reminds me of a porthole. It hangs on the white door that is between my front entryway and great room. We close this door when it is cold as our ninety year old front doors on our old schoolhouse let in a lot of cold air.

These little mirrors on my great room gallery wall filled a couple small holes well and reflect light.

I have an old window sash mirror from the thrift store hanging in my guest room for guests to use if needed.

This mirror in my bedroom worked well in this wall grouping and it shows off the first morning light peeking through the window. It shines in my eyes while lying in bed and I love it sharing the morning sun waking me up. 

Mirrors next to our headboard helps the bedside lights to shine brighter. Please ignore the light globe that badly needs dusting.

This octoganal mirror was my son's, but he wasn't using it anymore. It is in my reading nook, directly across from my bedroom windows. It reflect the morning light beautifully.

An antique framed mirror sits on hubby's dresser in our walk-in closet and lets him check his look before he leaves.

A mirror hangs in our mudroom as a place to give ourselves a quick glance before leaving the house, if we remember.

I have a few "mirrors in waiting" hanging out in my laundry room. If I don't use them, I will sell them in the futire.

If you find mirrors you love at the thrift stores and the price is right, buy them!

Mirrors aren't just for bathrooms or checking your fit in, but can be used in a variety of ways and spaces to reflect light and enhance the beauty of your home. 

Set a Sweet Easter Table with Thrift Store Finds

Setting the table for a special holiday meal is something I have enjoyed doing since I was a kid--special dishes, a tablecloth, napkins folded, fancy glassware. Easter brunch is a perfect time to set a simple, pretty, and eclectic table. I enjoyed hunting for mix and match items at the thrift stores to create an Easter tablescape on a budget.

I wanted to create a table setting that went with the table centerpiece tray I already have on my dining table. I shared the details of this centerpiece that I plan to use year round HERE. I set out to find more green for my spring tablescape. 

I knew green salad plates would be a great addition to the floral spring dishes I had thrifted last year. I found a variety of green plates, and ended up buying 10 green salad plates.

If I had to store holiday dishes in a plastic box in the garage or basement, I would not own extra dishes for only special occasions. But, because I have ample cupboard space, I don't mind having sets of dishes that only get used once or twice a year. 

After laying down a tablecloth, aka a piece of springy fabric from the thrift store, I placed thrifted, rattan chargers at each place setting. These add texture and a casual feel to the tablescape. The thrifted dishes are Rose Land by Gibson and are vintage. I bought five place settings last year for $10 total.

I set the green dishes on top of the dinner plates. This green plate, a Bordallo Piehiro Green Majolica one is my favorite green plate find.

The Rose Land Gibson bowl was set on top of the green salad plate. 

The blue green napkins are from the thrift store. I folded them into a tulip shape.

These aren't the best napkins for folding as they don't hold their shape real well.

But, I made them work.

The smaller green plates (dessert or roll plates) I found at our town's annual garagarama--an indoor garage sale at he fairgrounds. 

They are Aloha Dinnerware French Saxon China from the 1950's and I paid only $1 for all five, small plates. 

No, we are not having scotch on the rocks with our Easter dinner, but I think these Valencia Culver glasses match the tablescape well with their green and gold coloring. So, they will be used as water glasses. I brought these home from my last visit to my mom's as they were collecting dust at her house. I know my parents had them in the seventies.

The Le Creuset butter dish was a gift from my daughter. The green bunny, butter knife is from the thrift store. 

Excluding the centerpiece (which I created for less than $15) I spent less than $30 at the thrift store to create a sweet and charming table setting for our Easter meal. The colors and textures and eclectic mix of items are the perfect way to celebrate spring.