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Planted Bench by Jessica Carter
Design Showcase 2009

Materials: Reclaimed wood, steel, clay, and a jade plant
Price Point: $450

"My husband and I have a studio in an old dye factory in North Philadelphia, where we make furniture and design objects with our dog, Old Bill. The wood used for this project was 3x5 tongue and groove wall boards from our space that we milled down. The ceramic ring sits into the wood and is home to the small Jade Plant..."

 
 

Designer: Jessica Carter
Link: claywoodsteelspace.com
Location: Philadelphia, PA

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Previous Design:
Hello Block Shelving by Kenn Archibald

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All Designs

About Design Showcase 2009: This summer we're celebrating the best in design for the home. We're taking submissions from independent and student designers from around the world and letting our readers vote on who they think has the best design. There's also a panel of august judges. Two winners will win $20,000 in targeted advertising placements on our sites to help launch their career. All info is here.

Tags

entryway, GREEN IDEAS, seating - benches & stools, Design Showcase 2009, reclaimed wood

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Comments (16)

Classically beautiful. Milling your own wood sounds ambitious!

posted by muirwoods08 on August 28th 2009 at 10:36am
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That is a Beautiful piece and set up! Old Bill is a Pimp =)

posted by CraigDeBo on August 28th 2009 at 10:51am
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I really enjoy the construction and material quality -
- but $450 for a bench w/ no back legs and a hole in the top?

posted by bepsf on August 28th 2009 at 11:03am
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I like the idea of incorporating a plant with furniture, but this is a little weird (and not in a good way). Succulents are too small and dainty for this concept. They don't make much of a visual impact against such a big piece of furniture. Plus, I'd always worry about someone inadvertently crushing my poor plant.

posted by slowdown on August 28th 2009 at 11:24am
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And I know the plant will get bigger (though given the size of the container, not by a whole lot). I think my criticism still stands. I would like a different sort of plant anyway, something more leafy and viney and exuberant to play off the spareness of the bench.

posted by slowdown on August 28th 2009 at 11:26am
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Visually stunning. My brain says benches have four legs, this one has two? I have to keep looking....

posted by deltazulu on August 28th 2009 at 11:58am
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i agree about the succulents. also, wall mounted seating doesn't seem too flexible.

posted by curlyhead on August 28th 2009 at 12:05pm
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I'm with bepsf... why so expensive?

posted by Laucus116 on August 28th 2009 at 12:05pm
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Great idea! I like the tapered legs, they complete the feel of lightness.

posted by jeff83 on August 28th 2009 at 12:05pm
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That is a beautiful bench

posted by misspretty on August 28th 2009 at 3:42pm
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Beautiful, Sleek, Elegant, Stylish. Great Design!

posted by cbunches on August 28th 2009 at 4:35pm
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It's a beautiful bench, like so many other beautiful benches. I don't see the surplus value (no - not the plant).
Four stars for old Bill though.

posted by Elise_B on August 28th 2009 at 4:48pm
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i get the bench but not understanding the jade tree holder. am i slow?

posted by judylisabrenner on August 28th 2009 at 7:05pm
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Clean. elegant design with fine workmanship. Something different but simple with a lightness to it. The ceramic ring is a great mix of material and color. Good job.

posted by jkoo on August 30th 2009 at 10:56am
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I love the bench! And Old Bill is a nice touch!

posted by charpentier on August 30th 2009 at 8:54pm
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I like the design and the lovely color and finish.

The support bracket and joinery style in the drawing looks too small to support the weight of several people (200-300 lbs?) Please say you used something beefier in the actual piece.

posted by Elvis on September 9th 2009 at 1:48pm
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