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        Potting Bench

        Use an old door to create this potting bench, which is a charming addition to any garden.

        More in Decorating

        Materials and Tools:

        old door with optional glass panels
        4 scroll work brackets
        mounting hardware for bracket
        yellow flat exterior house paint
        one 4" roller bar with foam cover
        small paint pan
        1-qt early American oil-based stain
        small can mineral spirits
        window scraper
        3" bristle brush
        1" bristle brush
        wood filler
        medium grit sanding block
        putty knife
        two 30" strips of lattice
        two 24" strips of lattice
        1" x 8" x 33" (top shelf)
        1" x 10" x 30" (bottom shelf)
        rasp
        roll of chicken wire (large enough to cover windows)
        tin snips
        safety goggles
        garden gloves
        staple gun
        staples
        finish nails
        hammer
        S-hooks
        metal swinging wall hanger
        compound level
        pencil

        Steps:

        1. The shelves you purchase will look too new to match the old door. The solution is to use a rasp to rough up the edges of the shelves to give them a distressed look and then lightly sand the shelves.

        2. Remove any hardware from the door. Use wood filler to fill any holes in door, and then lightly sand any rough spots.

        3. Apply two coats of yellow paint to door, shelves and lattice using roller brush, and allow to dry.

        4. Paint brackets using 1" bristle brush and allow to dry.

        5. Stir stain and pour into paint tray.

        6. Antique door, shelves, lattice and brackets. To antique, apply very small amount of stain to small surface area with 1" bristle brush. Wipe the stain off with a cloth or you can use a dry 3" bristle brush. The harder you rub, the more stain you will remove — try to keep a uniformed look.

        7. Allow antique finished wood to dry overnight.

        8. Using tin snips, cut chicken wire ( 26" x 29.5") to cover window. This is going to be the tool rack.

        Note: It is a good idea to wear garden gloves when cutting the wire because there will be sharp edges.

        9. Using window scraper, remove excess paint from around edges of window.

        10. Using staple gun, mount chicken wire to cover windows. Make sure you go over to the edge. Old doors are solid instead of hollow. If the staple does not go all the way in, take a hammer and tap the staples down.

        Safety Tip: Be sure and wear safety goggles when using the staple gun.

        11. Using small finishing nails, nail the lattice to cover edges of the chicken wire.

        12. The shelves need to be customized to make sure it is comfortable to the one who will be using it. You don't
        want it too high. When you put your shelf on, make sure it is on a flat surface area of the door.

        13. The back of the brackets are designed where you just slip them over a screw. Leave room when you put your screws in, so there will be room for the brackets to slip down onto the notch. Once you have 1 screw in place, go ahead and put your bracket on and then stand the door up. Put the shelf in place and put a level on the shelf and once the shelf is level, take a pencil and mark the edge of the shelf so you will know where to put the other screw.

        14. Attach shelves to brackets using finishing nails.

        15. Hang garden utensils on chicken wire using S-hooks.

        16. Metal swinging wall hangers are good to attach to the sides of the door to hang your apron and hat on, or to dry flowers or herbs on, etc.