How to make this more my style

Question

My husband, bless his heart, brought home this partial 'counter' from his work, they were throwing out. We have a 'country/ rustic/ English gardenish' backyard and that's my style, distressed wicker and roses. How do I make this fit in? What would you do to make it fit? As it stands, the counter is thigh high, I guess I could add legs or use for plants? Gotta make it fit my decor (because he was so excited to give it to me) any suggestions are appreciated. I do like eclectic too (but this is too much!)

John Howard · Answer

Paint the base a terra cotta or mix terra cotta paint into joint compound and sand the base, then apply the compound. Once dry, chip away some areas and drag a nail through the compound to create 'cracks' for an aged look. 
As the top... use some thin stones and glue onto the back splash. OR use pallet wood and cover back splash and counter top to create a rustic planting center. Place a steel wash tub on top, cut a hole in the side, use a pvc connector with rubber washers (or a bulk head) and use it as a wash basin for the planting center. (Just an idea)

Amy Ogden-Paparone · Answer

I'd definitely add big chunky legs to it, but for the bottom, I think i'd cover the whole thing in stones. It would look very 'English garden' then. What a great find. You've got a good hubby! :)

Chris aka monkey · Answer

@Symea do what @John Howard says his idea is spot on to mine xx

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

Do you entertain a lot? With the stainless counter and the railing , it looks like a refreshment bar. If you could hook up for plumbing a bar sink would be terrific. I'd add legs as suggested by AJOgden. You could hang a couple of bar towels from the railing. The wood could be stencilled with a motif that fits your outside décor. Or you could use moulding to make panels, and glue pics inside and then spray with exterior poly for protection. Could use a metal paint to do a motif along the top of the stainless. It could also be used as a potting table but is a little too nice for 'rough' work.

Mickey Pesola · Answer

Aslo add on some wheels/casters so you could move it around.

Barnlady · Answer

Tell hubby you appreciate the thought and then have a garage/yard sale quick...LOL

Barb Rosen · Answer

It looks like it was attached to a wall. If so, why not attach it to the corner side of a shed or garage and use it for an outside serving area/bar or potting bench?

Ang · Answer

they have some thin sheets of copper with a pattern on it that you glue  at home depot .that would be pretty and its easy to put up .

Dorothy Key Brighwell · Answer

would be a great starter piece for an outdoor kitchen.

Symea · Answer

I think I've seen those, some ppl use for a back splash? I ADORE copper! can't wait to show everyone the finished product, if it would stop raining maybe I can get to work.

Wendy Johnson · Answer

All the ideas are great. I just want to see the after...

Comet · Answer

The embossed metal sheets are much cheaper at Michaels and AC Moore---we used them for the front of our tow behind the motorcycle trailer and if they can take use at road speeds should do well in your yard! I can't remember how much they were but they had several sizes and I had priced out the ones at Lowes etc and I was hugely surprised at the difference in cost. These are also more flexible to follow curves etc and lighter to work with. We used the metal shears with our air compressor but you could easily use tin snips for the whole project.

Deborah Donovan-Navarro · Answer

I am having trouble seeing a counter at all. To me this looks like a range hood. Is it a trick of the eye? What is it I'm missing here? There is always mosaic! More work than most of these ideas, but it could be magnificent.

Brenda Webster · Answer

Great piece! I would find some rattan or bamboo mats or fabric, or burlap and cover the base and the backsplash and even the counter, if you don't like the stainless steel color.. You can waterproof it and place it in the garden with some container flowers and plants and some garden art. You can even hang some old garden tools from the railing.

Kelly S · Answer

It would make an awesome potting bench. The rail could be used to hang your gardening tools from. Rusticize the paint on the lower section. The stainless steel shouldn't rust that easily so it's perfect for staying outdoors. It would also work great next to a grill as a prep station/ buffet area. Good luck and post pictures of it when it's done.

Diane Arnold · Answer

I can't tell from the photo if the counter is actually flat or not. It looks angled downward,but might be the way it is sitting. You could cover the bottom with boards, painted white like a picket fence. It would go with your style. If it is possible to remove the top part you could actually use it better. Serving from the back like a mini bar or serving area.

Dana O'Neill Studer · Answer

I hope you post what you did with it and we get an email with it featured that says You wont believe what she did with this countertop.

Symea · Answer

after 3 weeks of rain and a small tornado-ish thing, I can get back to this. did a palette board bottom and starting a mosaic counter top. (* there will be verdigris somewhere!*) stay tuned

Symea · Answer

ok,Ill give a peek to keep you interested, I am painting the counter 'back' verdigris, added depth with cement and plaster and whatever i could find. *hint* there will be some scroll work somewhere too. starting the mosaic this weekend.

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