Since putting away the Christmas decor, I have been a little stumped on where I wanted to go next with the potting bench on our front porch. I mean, it's winter. We still have plenty of nice weather in Dallas, but it could get cold any time. It doesn't make sense to spend alot on plants, but the bench is what I see right out my kitchen window, and I can't just look at it sitting empty!
Remember the magazines I spoke of earlier? Well, it turns out that there's a reason I have never parted with them. Enter Victoria magazine, January 2001. This beautiful vignette stopped me in my tracks. Every issue of Victoria that I have been going through is still as lovely and relevant today as it was when published. That speaks volumes about classic design, doesn't it?
I loved every element in the photo. Then I realized, I have all of this! The galvanized pails, a white lantern, and lots of crusty pots. I dug around in our back yard and storage area, and now our potting bench has a lovely new winter vignette.
Y'all know me: most of these items were thrifted, yard-saled, or just plain plucked from the side of the road. Seriously, could you drive past a big trash heap with watering cans in it and not slam on the brakes? Leave perfectly weathered galvanized buckets to their fate in the landfill? I didn't think so :) And if you haven't seen my Christmas post about the potting bench, it was saved from a big trash day heap, also. As was that pretty lantern with the cut glass panels. OK, they're actually plastic, but I couldn't even tell until I took it apart to paint it.
The lush kalanchoes came from our local 99 Cents Store, for a whopping $2. Succulents are $1 each there, and I'm going to start picking them up whenever I see them for a future Copycat Challenge. (Hint: did anyone else see the spring Country Gardens magazine?)
I love this little touch of freshness in the middle of January. Granted, it was 76 outside the day I set this up, and I had to go change into shorts. But this is Dallas, and next week it could snow. If it does, the kalanchoes and succulents will come and hang out in the house until it warms up. Last night we sat outside with our friend Katy, lit all of the candles, and enjoyed the beautiful evening.
Funny too, that I didn't read the article until I had finished, and learned that this is a store! In Paris! Maybe I should set up shop on my front porch, haha.
Thank you, Victoria, for showing us beautiful, timeless vignettes that are as fresh today as they were eleven years ago.
I'm joining:
Seasonal Sundays #84 at The Tablescaper
Debbie's Magazine Copycat Challenge at Debbiedoo's
Susan's Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Nita's Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life
Mary's Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage
Party Time Tuesday at Northern Cottage
Linda's Nifty Thrifty Tuesday #98 at Coastal Charm
Marty's 100th Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Beth's Tutorials and Tips at Home Stories A to Z
Mary's Share the Love Party at Very Merry Vintage Style
Kim's Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Judy's Winter Blues Wednesday at DIY By Design
Paula and Patti's What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
Sherry's Open House Party at No Minimalist Here
Gina's Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage
Jill's French Inspiration Thursday at French Cupboard
Joy's Thriftin' on a Thursday at Savvy City Farmer
Diann's Thrifty Things Friday at The Thrifty Groove
Debra's Vintage Inspiration Friday#74 at Common Ground
Farmhouse Friday at Laurie Anna's
Cindy's Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Jen's Weekend Wrap Up at Tatertots and Jello
Donna's Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors
I wish I had kept my old Victoria Magazines. Love the inspiration! Your potting bench is great and I love succulents. Well done!
Posted by: Snap | January 21, 2012 at 07:12 PM
So beautiful! Love your potting bench look a like! Great look!
Miss Bloomers
Posted by: Sonia | January 21, 2012 at 08:32 PM
This is just GREAT! I love the mixture of textures & shapes. Shhhh, don't tell those panes are plastic...you can't tell at all.
I enjoyed visiting you from The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday. I didn't realize that I wasn't a follower of yours. I have corrected that now. ;-)
fondly,
Rett
Posted by: Rettabug | January 22, 2012 at 04:32 AM
This is beautiful~ all your garden treasures make a wonderful vignette!
Posted by: Mary | January 22, 2012 at 05:54 AM
Such a wonderful potting bench and area!! I would love to sit down and relax in your beautiful spot.
Posted by: Tanya@TakeSix | January 22, 2012 at 07:32 AM
That looks so pretty, Andrea! I love the way it looks at night, too, with the candles lit. I love those little pots your succulents are in! Nice copycat!
My old Victoria's didn't make the move with us ~ apparently, magazines didn't make the cut with hubby as "important papers" to pack up! : )
Posted by: Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions | January 22, 2012 at 08:27 AM
You are so right about Victoria! I have kept all of my originals and am keeping the new ones as well! your potting bench looks fabulous. xo marlis
Posted by: marlis | January 22, 2012 at 11:25 AM
WELL DONE!
You really put together an amazing look. and I looooove your price, that's best part!
I was just reading my Victoria before bed and the inspiration pic(s) were super fresh on my mind when I ran into this post. Such a great magazine, wish I would have kept mine too, but in keeping green I am in a magazine swap club so we keep them circulating.
Posted by: Michele | January 22, 2012 at 11:36 AM
AWESOME Andrea. How cool you had everything on hand too. I think your version is prettier,and it looks fantastic at night. Thanks so much for joining me.
Posted by: debbie | January 22, 2012 at 04:48 PM
It looks wonderful Andrea! I love Victoria too - the older ones. I have a several from 1998-2000 and I just spent yesterday looking though them.
Posted by: Penny @ The Comforts of Home & Flea Market Makeovers | January 22, 2012 at 05:17 PM
Andrea,
You've put together something fantastic!
I wish I could put on a white dress with floral print, play some music and make a tea party in your garden :)
Love your site!
DK
Posted by: Donata | January 22, 2012 at 06:07 PM
O, I love this Challenge party that DebbieDoo has every month...my favorite linky party of all time. ;)))
Love your copy cat...it all looks fabulous. You did a great copy cat, Andrea.
Come over to see mine when you can. fun fun
Posted by: bj | January 22, 2012 at 06:39 PM
I love it, send me any of the galvanized items that you want to get rid of! Love it!
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie~refreshrestyle | January 22, 2012 at 07:34 PM
LOVE IT!!
Posted by: Martina | January 22, 2012 at 07:38 PM
Cute, cute! No way could I pass up the throw-aways either! Love that you shopped your home and garden!!
Posted by: Jan @SouthernJunkin' | January 22, 2012 at 09:03 PM
That looks GREAT....I absolutely love what you did with your potting bench! Enjoy your day, Gail
Posted by: Gail | January 23, 2012 at 07:15 AM
I just loved the Victoria magazine spread and you really did have so many similar pieces! We are kindred spirits... I always pull over at trash heaps when I see something good. :)
Here is my makeover (found you via Between Naps): http://www.migonishome.com/2012/01/makeover-monday-table-sawed-in-two.html
Posted by: Jen Migonis | January 23, 2012 at 10:25 AM
LOVE IT!
Posted by: JENN SCHMITZ | January 23, 2012 at 11:02 AM
Beautiful! Nice finds beautifully displayed. I am always amazed at what people throw away. I wish I lived near you; definitely a DIY'ers paradise.
Posted by: Joselyn @The DIY Spot | January 23, 2012 at 11:45 AM
Amazing! I, too, adore Victoria Magazine and saved my older issues, simply because I couldn't part with them. I love your potting bench. I clicked to view your Christmas bench and it was adorable with the plaid. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Debbie | January 23, 2012 at 12:22 PM
Seeing this while it's pouring rain outside today gave me my garden "fix" thank you!! Love these ideas.
Posted by: Evolution of a home | January 23, 2012 at 12:49 PM
Hey there, visiting from Debbie~doos! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS!! Great job!
Posted by: Stacey | January 23, 2012 at 03:03 PM
Love what you did with your potting bench. Gets me in the mood for spring.
Mary Alice
Posted by: Mary Alice Patterson | January 23, 2012 at 03:59 PM
I love this copy cat idea you do! And this one today is a winner! I can see my deck out my kitchen window and I decorate for winter. I hope you'll visit and see my winter greens and browns here:
http://klatuuboradonikto.blogspot.com/2012/01/winters-deck.html
and here
http://klatuuboradonikto.blogspot.com/2012/01/winter-greens-and-browns.html
I'm on the look out for something I can "copy cat"!
Posted by: Leslie Hayes | January 23, 2012 at 04:00 PM
Beautiful job with your copycat! I can't believe it's so warm there - 76! We've been taking advantage of the snow here with some sledding fun. I love all your galvanized planters! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: laxsupermom | January 23, 2012 at 05:31 PM
The night time photo shots look amazing. Really love the watering can.
Posted by: L'Heure Bleue At Home | January 23, 2012 at 05:32 PM
I'd never though of huddling around the ole potting bench in the evenings. I'm pretty sure my wife wouldn't let me get near it with any dirt.
Posted by: Terry | January 23, 2012 at 07:19 PM
Beautiful idea! Great job.
Thanks for sharing.
Hope to see you on my blog:)
Sanghamitra.
Posted by: Sanghamitra | January 24, 2012 at 03:19 AM
I have a whole box full of Victoria magazines from about 10 to 12 years ago. Maybe I should get them out and take a look! ~ Barbara
Posted by: A Mother and A Daughter | January 24, 2012 at 05:28 PM
WOW! That turned out just beautifully!
Posted by: Pamela | January 24, 2012 at 07:39 PM
It turned out really pretty. Thanks for the great ideas.
Posted by: chanda | January 24, 2012 at 10:02 PM
VERY pretty! I have never looked at the Victoria magazine, but I think I will have to put that on my To Do list now! I do like the Country Garden magazines, but haven't seen the latest one yet. A must do now also.
The only fire we're sitting around here in northern Indiana is the one in the fireplace in the house! I'm only WAITING for flowers during this time of the year. :^/
Posted by: BethM@Under A Pile of Scrap! | January 25, 2012 at 10:02 AM
Beautiful. Isn't it amazing what other people throw out that can find a second home.
Posted by: vikki | January 25, 2012 at 03:18 PM
It's so charming. I use galvanized buckets for so many things throughout the year. As for Victoria magazines, love them.
Posted by: Alittleofthisandthat2.blogspot.com | January 25, 2012 at 03:40 PM
Oh boy, now I am going to have to do something with my sorry looking potting bench I was hoping no one would notice it until spring. Yours looks great.Happy to be a new follower from Wow us Wednesdays.
Laura
http://imsovintage.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Laura Walker | January 25, 2012 at 04:16 PM
AWESWOME!!
love it all!
blessings
barbara jean
Posted by: barbara Jean | January 25, 2012 at 06:02 PM
I am so enjoying seeing your wonderful potting shed area. Everything looks wonderful and inviting to this Canadian lady who looks out and sees snow! (smile). April and May seem a long way away so I am enjoying your setting. I am now a follower of your blog and look forward to return visits. I invite you to join me as well on my blog at http://atastefultouch.blogspot.com
Hugs, Gayle.
Posted by: Gayle Page-Robak | January 26, 2012 at 01:18 AM
It looks beautiful! I am envying that 76 degree weather! I am so ready to get out in the yard and play! thank you for joining TTF and have a wonderful weekend!
Posted by: Diann @ The Thrifty Groove | January 26, 2012 at 03:25 PM
I love what you have done with your potting bench, it looks great! The candle light photos are fabulous.
Posted by: Marigene | January 26, 2012 at 04:35 PM
I LOVE this! I would love if you would share this at the Crazy Cute link party happening at Between U & Me right now! I've got a totally awesome giveaway this week, too!
OOH! AND, I'm your newest follower! ;)
www.betweenuandme.com
Posted by: Courtney | January 26, 2012 at 05:47 PM
I love the photo spread, all the Gardening, keeps me wishing for
Spring~
Posted by: Cheryl~Zanymayd | January 26, 2012 at 06:08 PM
Love your interpretation. You had great items to work with.
Posted by: Rosemary | January 26, 2012 at 08:33 PM
Small plants look in the home garden look so beautiful and amazing.Plants and flowers are increase beauty in the garden.
Posted by: bathroom chandeliers | January 27, 2012 at 02:59 AM
Gorgeous! Love that all of the items were thrifted! Thanks for linking up to Share the Love Wednesday!
Mary
Posted by: mary | January 27, 2012 at 10:07 PM
We just love your gorgeous potting bench!
I keep all my issues, too!
The architectural piece with the lantern is fabulous! Thanks for sharing!
Big hiugs,
Patti
Posted by: Patti | January 28, 2012 at 09:55 PM
Beautiful! I love your collection of urns and planters. Thanks for linking to the Open House party. Hugs, Sherry
Posted by: Sherry @ No Minimalist Here | January 29, 2012 at 11:53 PM
wow, this is gorgeous! Victoria's wonderful inspiration makes it so much easier to pull together ideas, love this! I'll be featuring this post on VIF tomorrow, thanks so much for linking up to the party! xo
Posted by: Debra@CommonGround | February 01, 2012 at 03:25 PM