![\"Photobucket\"align=\"left\"](\"http:\/\/i52.photobucket.com\/albums\/g23\/botanizeme\/feb2013\/P1017366.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWe’re in the early planning stages of another project, and I’ve started to notice a pattern here. Often projects start out with stuff we’ve found, which gets stored deep in the recesses of the garage and is completely forgotten, but gets triumphantly unearthed a couple years later, at which point we become infatuated all over again with its potential. Case in point, this solid-wood door, circa 1950s. It’s huge, leaning against the narrow side of the garage now, so a larger photo isn’t possible, but take my word, the door is pristine and a lovely golden color. One edge became slightly termite-chewed during storage, but that can be easily cleaned up with a saw. <\/p>\n
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Like all our projects, the early stage revolves around deciding what it will be. There can be — let’s see. How can I put this? — spirited disagreement<\/em> in these early stages and sometimes even — yes, it’s true — diametrically opposed opinions on the thing’s ultimate purpose. <\/p>\n For this door, I can vividly imagine a built-in bench for an awkward space against the east wall of the house in the biggest outdoor patio we have. Marty sees workbench. The common ground is, we both see a functional bench of some sort from this beautiful door, but in one version it gets the crap beat out of it as a workbench, riddled with gouges from hammers and saws. In another version, it has cushions and pillows and an iPad open to The New Yorker<\/em>. It’s a conceptual gulf, to be sure, but one that can be bridged, as they all have been, by judicious argument and persuasion. Defending one’s position helps sharpen rhetorical chops too. <\/p>\n We are mad about benches here. Indoors a bench is a low bookshelf, both underneath and on top. A bench provides extra holiday seating around the table. A bench is a coffee table. A bench is anything you need it to be at the moment you need it most. <\/p>\n For small houses, small patios, I’m convinced a bench is the answer to nearly every spatial question.<\/p>\n I’m fairly certain the door was intially going to be a table. I’m even more certain that it will not<\/em> be a workbench. Every project starts with some aspirational\/inspirational photos. Although open and free-standing, a concrete bench at Reuben and Paul’s Rancho Reubidoux<\/a> is about the right size. Water garden doubling as a bench from which a Narcissus can ignore the water lilies and gaze at his own reflection. Potted’s<\/a> built-in bench for California Home+Design showhouse at The Hollywood Lofts has the proportions I’m after.<\/p>\n <\/center><\/p>\n With each successive “planning session,” I can feel my opponent weakening. I’m not above using the blog as a bully pulpit. I’m Martha and he’s George arguing about what to do about the “baby” in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?<\/em> except not quite that nasty and we laugh more. <\/p>\n Right now, I think bench has got the edge.<\/p>\n <\/big><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We’re in the early planning stages of another project, and I’ve started to notice a pattern here. Often projects start out with stuff we’ve found, which gets stored deep in the recesses of the garage and is completely forgotten, but … Continue reading
\nBut since I’m only the persuader, not the builder, the outcome is still uncertain.<\/p>\n![\"via](\"http:\/\/i52.photobucket.com\/albums\/g23\/botanizeme\/tearsheet\/via16housedaybed.jpg\")
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\nAlthough this isn’t a bench but more of a divan, this is the general idea of the envisioned use. (via Riazzoli<\/a>)<\/p>\n![\"Photobucket\"](\"http:\/\/i52.photobucket.com\/albums\/g23\/botanizeme\/2011\/410rancho024.jpg\")
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\nWhere does Reuben find this great stuff, and how does he get it home?<\/p>\n![\"Photobucket\"](\"http:\/\/i52.photobucket.com\/albums\/g23\/botanizeme\/Fall%20Vacation%202010\/_MG_0379.jpg\")
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\nGreat seating at New York City’s Battery Park, but too municipal for a home.<\/p>\n![\"Photobucket\"](\"http:\/\/i52.photobucket.com\/albums\/g23\/botanizeme\/2011\/garden650tank.jpg\")
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\nA bigger project than I can manage at the moment.
\n(Robert Smaus’ 1990’s Los Angeles garden)<\/p>\n
<\/a\n\nNot slatted wood like here, but the size is about right. (Denver Architect Roth Sheppard Architects via Houzz)\n\n![\"Photobucket\"](\"http:\/\/i52.photobucket.com\/albums\/g23\/botanizeme\/september2012\/DSC_0280_zps913f6dc0.jpg\")
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