Garden Benches -- Take a Seat, Please

If you're fortunate to have a back yard garden that is a place of respite after a long day, it's likely that your garden has a number of focal points -- perhaps a bubbling fountain, waterfall, or pond -- and you need a way to pause and enjoy the peace. Enter the garden bench, a place to sit and decompress after a long day.

Here's a perfect example -- the Plow Hearth All-Weather Garden Bench ($200); a solid wood bench in your choice of either sustainably harvested all-weather smooth eucalyptus or painted hardwoods. Both are hand-made with classic mortise and tenon joinery and will last for many years. You need no cushions on this artfully designed bench and the high back will comfortably support you for hours of contemplative relaxation. The assembly of this garden bench is a breeze; you'll be pleased to have this back yard accessory.

If you're a traditionalist, this seat may be for you; the Worldwide Corporation's Backless Bench ($166). With a slatted seat and classic rolled sides, this no-back bench is crafted from premium, sustainably forested and harvested eucalyptus that is slowly kiln-dried; it is decay, mold and mildew, and pest-resistant hardwood that is topped with a beautiful rubbed oil finish. There's a one year warranty on this easily assembled bench.

For the fans of stone garden benches, this Campania International Dragonfly Cast Stone Backless Garden Bench ($440). The curved hand-poured bench is an original design by Campania artisans. The deeply relieved artwork is a classic counterpoint to the alpine stone surface and makes for slowly moving shadowing in the sun, as the day moves along. With a crush strength of nearly four tons, this backless garden bench will stand the test of time. Free shipping through the month of May.

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