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Monday, August 27, 2012

Garden Bench

On of my favorite things to do in the summer is sit with a pile of my favorite magazines and a glass of iced tea. But if you ask my husband he would tell you I never sit for very long, I see a flower that needs to dead headed or a weed that needs to be pulled. I recently painted the bench, it was a rusty iron which I liked but I like now that it is white accented with pink, I like it even better.










The seat of the bench is curved which would require a custom cushion. I didn't want to spend the money on that so I created my own. I remembered seeing this cushion idea in a magazine last summer. You take two rag rugs, I got mine from Ikea, stitch up the side and use a king size pillow as the insert. I hand stitched the sides with cotton string, then added  additional fringes on the ends to closed it up. If you were going to use this as an accent pillow you would not need to close both ends but since we would be sitting on it I needed to. 


The fringe I added blends in nicely. Cottage Guy was nice enough to help me shift through huge piles of these rugs to find the pink ones. If I need to wash the pillow, I will just snip one side of the fringe off then re-add it.


All the hydrangeas make a beautiful back drop.







  



Another one of the items I like to collect is this style of vintage aluminum ware. I believe it was popular in the 50's and 60's. I have many fabulous trays and bowls, you don't see the pitchers too often. 








Some of my favorite magazines to read are, Romantic Homes, Country Living and Cottage & Bungalow. The pink basket was an old bike basket that got too rickey to use, I wired over the top for support and added a coat of pink paint.




This fun rabbit is dashing through the hydrangeas.




44 comments:

Lorrie said...

You've created a very peaceful and beautiful place to read and dream. However, like you, I'm likely to sit there for just a few moments before seeing something that needs attention in the garden! I love the pillow from the rugs. What a great idea!

Yael at Home Garden Diggers said...

A beautiful post. I feel I would just love to come and sit and have some of your ice tea. The hydrangeas are beautiful.

Yael from Home Garden Diggers

Connie said...

I would love to come and sit with you. Enjoy your wonderful company while sipping ice tea. You have created a little spot that is so endearing. Simple beautiful!
Thank you for stopping by my blog and for the sweet comment you left about my hat-stands.
Have a relaxing day, Connie :)

Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...

I couldn't sit there for long either, because I'd be in front of your beautiful setting admiring it instead! Everything is just lovely. Even your hydrangeas are cooperating!

Madelief said...

Hi Laura,

What a lovely bench!!! I wish we had benches like this in Holland. It would look great in my garden :-). The whole seating area looks lovely with all the pinks and the beautiful hydrangeas!

Enjoy your day,

Madelief x

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I never sit for long either...I'm up and down! But you sure have a gorgeous place to enjoy! And Hydrangeas are my favorite flowers!

Olive said...

Laura, you have created a magical spot. The pinks are wonderful paired with the hydrangeas. xoxo,olive

Mindy said...

Looks like a tiny corner of Eden to me. What a great little getaway spot!

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Oh so pretttttyyyyyy!

What a gorgeous space just for you!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

I could so sit there...with an iced tea...great company, and fun magazines....my kind of life!!

Faye said...

Two favorites of you "garden show" are of course the soft pink rose--love that you left some texture from the rust on the bench. And then equally well, like the macro of that lovely glass pitcher and iced tea glass. Also appreciated that you gave us the "long view" of your macros as well.

Ann said...

The bench looks darling, Laura. And, I can't believe how vibrant your hydrangeas are. Mine are crispy like potato chips.

NanaDiana said...

I would LOVE to come and sit with you. What a beautiful scene you have created and photographed there!!! Just gorgeous- I am just like you- I sit for a few minutes and notice 3 weeds that need pulling and I am off and on the move! xo Diana

Shabby chic Sandy said...

I would love to come and sit with you! I love your setting and ice tea and magazines are my favorite! Like you--I would be constantly getting up to pull the weed or whatever :)

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Oh what an absolutely gorgeous place to sit!! You did such an excellent job on the painting and I love the colors!

Lynn Proctor said...

omgosh--i can't tell you how much i loved this post---so pretty--and i adore that pitcher---just lovely, all of it :)

Beverly said...

Happy Pink Saturday, Laura. It all looks so pretty and inviting. And, I am officially in love with that gorgeous pitcher.♥

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Happy Pinks and Happy Tea Day, Laura! Such a pretty setting for iced tea in front of those gorgeous hydrangeas. The colours are simply scrumptious! Please be sure to link your post up with my tea party. My ladies will love this! Thank you for joining me and have a beautiful week.

Blessings,
Sandi

The Style Sisters said...

This is just lovely! I want to hop into the picture and sit a while! Come link up to Centerpiece Wed on my blog and share this post and enter my giveaway.
Karin

Wendy@Once upon a rose haven said...

Hi Laura,
What a lovely setting! Love the garden bench and your hydrangeas. Thank you for your visit and kind comment.
XO
~Wendy

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

I rarely sit on my garden benches but do like this one of yours with the gorgeous hydrangeas behind it.

Patty @ That's So Pretty said...

This is lovely.....

Liz @ Quirky Vistas said...

Sweet garden and bench. The seat cushion is adorable!
Liz

Tami Von Zalez said...

I would be out there too amongst those lovely hydrangeas!

Popped in from TTT

thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

Meg said...

Goodness. If I had those lovely hydrangea's I'd never come inside!

Thanks for sharing on the All Star Block Party!

Liz @ Quirky Vistas said...

Laura, thanks for coming by! I do believe you would paint the bubble gum machine pink. Fitting!
Liz

Monica @ Happily Playing with Dishes said...

The pillow and bench came out great! I like the pitcher too!! Looks like a great spot even if it is for a few minutes.

Emilie's daughter said...

Beautiful combination of colors! Christa

LindyLouMac said...

Calling by from Share your Cup, what a delightful series of photos.

EWa said...

wow, how I wish I could sit down there and relax for a while, it looks amazing!!

momto8 said...

so warm and pretty and inviting...

pinkkandy said...

Have a great week-end filled with joy and peace...
God Bless you....
Oh.. and dont forget to check out the Blue Moon
A blue moon is full moon that occurs as the second full moon in a given month. Blue moons are not typically blue in color — that happens only, well, once in a blue moon, but there is the possibility for a hint of blue in any full moon

Kandy

Chubskulit Rose said...

Gorgeous captures! Visiting from Pink Saturday.

My PINK
Have a great weekend.

Rose Garden Malevik said...

woow......that is a lovley post..just a cozy place you have,,,,,,,
and do not miss.....
S
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it is FUN :)
WELCOME
HÃ¥kan ( The Roseman)

J.Rylie.C said...

So pretty! Visiting from Pink Saturday.

I hope that you can also visit my PINK. You may also link up to my Color Connection if you'd like. Thanks!

I am now following your blog.

gena said...

What an absolutely sweet spot - love it!!!!

gena

Katherines Corner said...

I love the bench. You created a beautiful vignette. Thank you for sharing your lovely post at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop linky party xo

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

What a beautiful blog you have! Love all the pretty pinks! Those hydrangeas are gorgeous!

Thanks for the idea for making the cushion from the rugs!

Katherine

Unknown said...

It's party time over at Debt Free Mommy Blog and you're invited! Please drop on by and link up with Making Space Mondays. Oh, and we've got some really exciting news about our new house this week! Hope to see you there! -Tabitha

Stan and Jody Gabara said...

Thank you for sharing this inviting garden spot on Simple & Sweet Fridays. Beautiful photos!


Jody

Zena said...

Such a wonderful and cozy place, love all those pinks. You´ve done an excellent work capturing it

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

Hi Laura,
Just wanted to let you know that I will be featuring this post at Share your Cup later today.
Hugs,
Jann

must love junk said...

Oh, that area in your yard is stunning! Gorgeous colors and flowers!
Susan

The Tablescaper said...

So beautiful!Great to have you be a part of Seasonal Sundays.

- The Tablescaper

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