Little coincidences helped along our workbench to garden seat plan. At Bunnings I found two ‘tomato tub’ planters that fit exactly into the top of the side sections. We also had a piece of leftover retaining wall timber almost exactly the length we’d need for the seat. And my aloe vera plants needed repotting.

Paul only had to cut out the middle section of the top front strip of metal. After he removed the old top I gave the frame three coats of a sealer for rust-effect paints, so it wouldn’t get so rusty that it fell apart.

While it was drying Paul cut the piece of leftover retaining wall into two pieces to fit the ‘seat’ section of the middle. Then he turned the top into the back of the seat by drilling holes in it and slotting it into some bolts. I left the wood unfinished, and hope the seat will go as grey as the old top.

Finally, I replanted my aloe veras into the pots and added some creeper succulents that will, hopefully, grow over the edge of the pots and cascade down the front.

So here it is:

I’m rather chuffed with the result. We’ve managed to preserve the rustic nature of the bench while giving it a new life as a seat. And made minimal changes in the process. I wonder if my Pa would have liked it, or thought it a bit strange!