Help me design a plant table/shelf

I would make a bench with legs so  there would be no damage to the wall.

I prefer legs, also. Simply for ease of adjustment. Locating and using slate would make an awesome base. 

I think I would use two benches; separated at the register which looks to be centered on the window. A bench over the heat register will want to trap air flow and dry out pots faster. I assume there is sunlight to the space.

From the photo and drawings I can't tell if the table legs are in line with the window mullions. I'd consider having them aligned to help unify the overall appearance.

I'd suggest a two-level arrangement with the center and "wings" reflecting the architecture.  3 pieces of soap stone would work well as would 8 legs.

Thanks, folks. Those are all things I hadn't considered, yet, which is great. 

Wife rejected the idea of styling it after G&G as being too fancy so a simpler low bench/table is probably the direction we'll go. I like the idea of slate or soapstone on top. The mullions are 40 inches on centers. I'll see how placing the legs there works with the overhangs on the ends. Two wings is an intriguing idea. That would help accommodate plants of different heights. Yes there is sunlight for half a day. The window faces directly south.

Good ideas, Ralph. Thanks.

Hi Gary,
My first notion would be to make four brackets out of something understated, bolt them to the framing, and suspend a lovely shelf of your aesthetic preference on top of them. 

Ellis

I've discussed all of the these ideas and others with my client, including have a granite or copper or tiled top. Her firm request was for just a simple bench, not a shelf, all in cherry to match a smaller cherry shelf nearby.  Which is fine with me since I have enough in hand so the total cost will be $0.00. She wants simple but I might add some beading to the aprons, and breadboard ends, and maybe have a little fun with the legs......

The final decision being to match your wife's request for a simple bench with a, er, hmm, well, simple bench rather puts into perspective all the what might be called, 'analysis paralysis' that led to that point. In keeping with the 'simple' preferences of your 'client', maybe you should drop all thoughts of beading, breadboard things and having fun with legs. Just a suggestion. Slainte.

Gary Radice wrote:

I've discussed all of the these ideas and others with my client, including have a granite or copper or tiled top. Her firm request was for just a simple bench, not a shelf, all in cherry to match a smaller cherry shelf nearby.  Which is fine with me since I have enough in hand so the total cost will be $0.00. She wants simple but I might add some beading to the aprons, and breadboard ends, and maybe have a little fun with the legs......

You run the risk of a) "I only wanted plane&simple 'uptown' but you gave me fancy-shmancy 'downtown'  and/or b) "kindly listen to my preference and give me what I asked for please"

You make a good point. I think mainly her preference is partly the style, and partly that she knows how slowly I work because I fuss over details and she'd like me to finish it in her lifetime.

And I have to keep telling myself that it is a plant shelf, not an heirloom piece. Sometimes less is more.

Gary Radice wrote:

You make a good point. I think mainly her preference is partly the style, and partly that she knows how slowly I work because I fuss over details and she'd like me to finish it in her lifetime.

And I have to keep telling myself that it is a plant shelf, not an heirloom piece. Sometimes less is more.

It's all your fault, Gary.  You've demonstrated, time and again, the high level of skills you enjoy, and  your family has come to expect nothing less than "over-the-top" work that is always well worth waiting to see.  But if you ignore the specs,  SWMBO may just bring home an IKEA kit for you to put together. 
[damhikt]

My client pulled the plug on the project. She decided that both the shelf and table would be in the way and plants that low would be too attractive to the pets (cat + two dogs). Fine by me! I can get back to building the shed....

May we suggest dog and kitty beds instead?