Upcycle and repurpose a gable vent to add an architectural element and pediment to a Potting Bench.
Happy Monday!
Regular readers of my blog may remember that my hubby
built a Potting Bench for me this spring.
I use it as a roomy work bench for planting and projects,
as well as a place to display garden collectibles, like bird
houses and watering cans.
After looking at it for a few months, I decided
it could use a “cap” of sorts to top it off.
{ Nest Feathering on the Potting Bench }
{ Blooming Watering Cans, Bunnies and Roses on the Potting Bench }
{ Whimsical Setting Celebrating the Cusp of Fall with Woodland Friends }
I was looking for an architectural salvage piece to incorporate and
add to the top. After a few shopping trips and a little serendipity,
I spied this copper gable vent for $60 at an antique mall.
The size was almost exactly the same width as the Potting Bench!
The copper gable vent had a little patina and some wear and tear. . .
a few dents and holes to marry the chippy imperfections of the Potting Bench
and her reclaimed-materials-glory.
My hubby started by making a cardboard template of the frame
for the gable vent to give us an idea of how it would look.
We used leftover wood from building the bench to frame the gable vent,
so the bottom board of the frame was more narrow
than the top boards of the fram.
Blocks of wood were cut to use as braces to hold the surrounding frame together,
using the leftover screws from building the bench.
Here is how it looked from the back once framed.
The gable vent had a piece of screen on the back that we removed.
1 x 4 boards, including a painted trim board from a repair for The Potting Shed,
were used to box in the frame of the gable vent.
The green color wouldn’t be visible as it would be covered with metal roof tiles we planned to add.
My hubby is not a carpenter but he’s an excellent handy man!
Blocks were cut for braces to attach the box to the frame.
The gable vent resembles a pediment once it was boxed!
I’ve been hoarding salvage tin roof tiles from when we built the Potting Shed.
I purchased them for $1 a piece when we bought the rusty metal tin for the porch roof. . .
sometimes it pays to hoard. ;)
We had some metal tiles remaining after using them on the back of the Potting Bench.
A total of six were shingled along the top and screwed into the box frame.
They’re wider than the width of the boards of the box frame
and the overhang provides the wood a bit of protection.
Here’s how the back looks framed with the metal roof tiles with the Potting Shed in the background.
The arrow is pointing to where the Potting Bench sits.
The metal tiles on the end of each side were bent to cover the ends of the box. . .
Pliers were used on the edges of the metal tiles to make more a of defined bend / crease
and then the tiles were screwed into place.
The pediment is ready to be attached to the top board of the Potting Bench!
Here’s how she looks with her “crown’ and pediment top!
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NEAT!! My hubs built me one out of cedar many years ago…It was beautiful and I used it …but, the carpenter ants loved it more and it had to be taken apart…I guess we should have used old, used wood…people that have handymen for hubbies are very lucky!! Good job hubby!! ❤️
Looks Amazing!! I love that your husband can make your idea come to life.
That’s so cool, Mary! Love how you had all the pieces and how your hubby put it all together. Great tutorial. Looks fantastic.
Would you be willing to share your “handy man” for a few projects here? The vent is a perfect find! Love the end result and the photos of the various ways you use your potting bench.
Hi Mary ~ oh my stars
that’s the crowning glory to what was already a beautiful shelf/potting bench. Looking forward to seeing the different ways you style it. Hugs, Dorinda
Good morning, Mary. I’d say your “handyman” took it over the top-lol! As always you made my day even w/o Sophie and Lola!
That looks great Mary, it really does finish it off…your husband has mad skills!
I love the pediment top your handy husband added. You and I are so thankful both of our hubbies are handy.
It’s a perfect addition to your rustic potting bench. They have the skills and we have the vision. I am pretty sure both use the same tools.😊
Your potting bench looks great! Is your vision complete? It’s wonderful to have a classic handyman on retainer!!!🍂🍁
That turned out great Mary! Your husband did a wonderful job. Looking forward to seeing it styled for Fall and Halloween. Enjoy your day. Clara❤️
Very nicely done 👍🏻 Mary you have a good eye and a great hubby!!
Perfect fit. And I think he is a carpenter.
Who knew it needed this?! Just perfect now!
A wonderful addition to the potting bench. Great job to both of you!!!
Wow! I never noticed it needed a little extra, but your architectural piece really made a huge difference! Love it!
Wow, this looks fantastic. It really puts those available on Amazon to shame. Yours is a statement piece, especially for those of us who love to garden. Potting benchscaping has to be a thing, right?
Charming pediment and charming hubby who was willing and able to provide. Enjoyed seeing the process and finished product.
Wow! I’m so impressed! Great eye Mary….your potting bench topper is like the icing on the cake! Love the new look….give your hubby kudos from me….he does great work! What a fun rewarding project…you so inspire me!
How fortunate you are to have a spouse who is handy!
Oh what a fabulous addition to your potting bench! I love how you use it and decorate it. Thanks for always giving us inspiration!
I somehow missed this post so when I saw your Hello October post with the addition to your potting shed I KNEW something was different that I didn’t remember seeing. Glad that you had a link back to this original post. I love it! Like another commenter said…didn’t know it needed anything extra..but this top just makes it! Plus, I learned a new word…had not heard “pediment” before.
“SHE’S” a beauty and obviously is adding much personality. I so love your creative style and ability to transform!
Nailed it!!!! franki
Super clever and looks awesome! What talent you both have!
Mary, that is a wonderful addition to your already fabulous potting bench. Kudos to your husband, he did an excellent job!
Oh my goodness, oh my gosh! You have the vision and you best handyman hubby completes the job. The new piece of architecture on your potting bench adds even more charm. Great teamwork!
Mary, the potting bench was gorgeous before, but now its even better, if that’s possible. You have such a good eye for embellishment and how great that hubs can help carry out your vision. Bravo to you both. Beautiful!
It’s lovely! Cherish your handy husband, you are blessed.
It looks wonderful, nothing better than a versatile play space!
Mary. Between your creativity and hubby’s ability, your work bench and top are absolutely awesome. Tfs cheers