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This could go in garden art I suppose, or maybe another forum, but if you want to build something nice, fairly cheap and simple that will make a shady place to sit while taking breaks, this is for you.
it's an 8x8 area inside, with a wooden swing, but could just house chairs or a bench. The "wings" of lattice on the front are an additional 4' on either side, and make it appear larger, and will give a place to let vines and such grow while providing additional shade.
The paving stones add a finished look, and keeps the maintenance low, since no mowing is needed here.
A cover of clear polycarb panels would increase cost, but would keep the rain out while still allowing a view of moon and stars through the roof at night. By extending the the paving stones out as an "apron", we were able to safely add a decorative freestanding wood fireplace, for interest and cool night enjoyment.
The "Windows" on either side were cut out, and the scraps used for the decoration on the entry and top. Two small lanterns are hung in these "Windows".
This took 9 4x4's, 3 2x4's, 4 (4x8) white pvc lattice boards, white paint, and a swing. The 4x4 that holds the swing is countersunk to keep the top level. Joints are filled with acrylic calk to increase longivity in the weather.
It's already provided myself husband and visitors hours of peaceful playtime. We've since added two small glass covered tables to either end of the swing, and come spring, I'll plant flowers and vines for additional shade, color, and fragrance.
the forums are being incredibly slow, yet posted multiples? I'll try to delete these repeats, or edit to answer questions, or add pics...but I'll have to do it later when it doesn't take so long!!! I guess I can't edit out or change the pics either!! ah well...
Don't sweat it (the multiple/REPEAT posts) .. for all indication is that this is truly a DG web-wide phenomenon goin' on. The glitches will get ironed out soon ... And if my post, jes happens to 'show up' in multiples .. try to forgive me also!! .. (hee)
I absolutely LUV your pergola! An absolutely beautiful creation!!
* Once things on DG 'normalize' a bit, (and, IF you don't mind) .. may I make a request of a larger photo of your beauty -?- (of course, if it's possible for you to do so, also!). Sure would be nice to be able to see much greater wonderful detail of all of the items you've described ...
Was about to ask for the same Magpye...I wanted to see detail. I've seen something close to that done by a guy up near Cullman, he does wonderful Amish type building.
I'm sitting here, with self-admitted 'difficult-to-deal-with' anticipation (hee) - jes HOPIN' that lagata2 see's our horrific cases of 'curiousity' .. and opts to post, SOON!! .. LOL ..
From the lil 'peak' we've been given .. I'm beginning to wonder if it twern't done, to jes tease & drive us nanners with curiousity!! .. heehee .. ( .. merely teasin' you lagata2! .. )
Lol! No intent to tease, DH takes the pics (I'm usually working on something!) and then sends them to me. Maybe these will turn out a bit larger?
Going back in time, this is the pergola before I finished laying the block, while I was still busy leveling the goose pool (I can't think of when I had only one project going at a time!)
I also recall the "Wings" are only three feet on either side: I wanted a foot of the lattice to put on the side, at the top. As it is here, it gave me a place in the shade to rest in an area that had no shade otherwise. (those small pecan and cherry trees have a lot of growing to do!)
Hopefully, this pic will be as big; Here you can see in the reflection the way the roof looks from inside/underneath. I've also finished the pond edges, and it's ready to seed beyond the walk area. Vines, Ivy, and Brugmansia (angels trumpets) will be planted around the sides and in front of the wings to add shade and privacy.
The waterfall on the far end is still under construction, needing the back filled in yet to hide the filter and stuff, and plants to be put in the areas made for them. I've got strawberries in the cracks there, as well as some ivy. There is another similar pile on the other end, with just the rocks and plants, and the "ghost horse" on top. [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
I consider the waterfall and rock garden a separate project, and will probably show them in some other forum when they are done. I don't think this one is really the place? But I decided to go ahead and mention them, since they are in the picture.
In the far background is the chicken house I'm still working on. Just got most of the wiring in that today, having finished up the plumbing to it a few days ago.
No wonder it takes me so long to get any one project done!!!!!!
I can just see that with a couple of climbing roses going up against the white. How pretty! You have so much room there to plant. I wish I was starting over with a blank space and another 50 years ahead of me to plant and plan. LOL Do you swim in that pool or are you going to plant in it?
As long as you like it then it is wonderful. Was interested in your pool more thna anything. My son is a pool contractor. he builds pools, fountains, about any type of water feature. Also all kinds of stone and concrete work. Just wondered if you husband does that down there. The demand for water features and gardens is on the rise.
Yea-YES!! .. Thank you, so very much, lagata2!!! (if I'd've stayed up last night - I'd've had every one of my fingernails bitten to the knub; I quit, while there was still some left!! .. heehee)
I DO like that pergola!! .. Along with all of the other projects you guys have, goin' on!!
I've noticed that the pvc latttice panels have had somewhat of a reduction in price, since the last time we'd priced 'em. A few years ago, even the treated lattice panels were less.
The 'wired' (ghost) horse is quite a crafty peice too! And from the looks of your (many) other diddies: the pergola, waterfall, & pond .. have probably been, a mere drop-in-the-bucket handi-work .. in your infinite (& 'envied') talents!! I bet you get 'bored' often, 'ey? .. If so: WHEN ?? .. ( heehee) Such creative talents you've been blessed with!!
The smaller wiley & twisted wired horse that you'd stated, that now hangs in a shed .. is the one that's yanked my attention! The circular play with the wire precisely emulates the 'wild' personna. I can jes see myself trying such fandangos. Talk about a 'twisted sister'! I'd've managed to knarl my fingers (& neck) right up in the middle of it! .. lol ..
(As if you'd need anymore, hee) .. Heck, can't ever too much .. so, I whole heartedly and happily applaud and praise your stupendous 'eye' and remarkable talents!!! (accompanied with a wee lil tinge of 'green' envy, I mean IVY .. on the side) .. lol ..
I regret not seeing your other threads about your artistic flair, until now tho'. I sure missed a bunch, on DG .. while we were off tinkering about in New Mexico last summer! Now, I've got go add another thread or two to my 'watched' items. Seems, it jes never ends ...
Thanks again, 'Kristi' .. for sharing your outstandingly beautiful creations with us. Especially, the larger pitters!!
Yes, I like it, and while nothing like as fancy (or expensive!) as what can be purchased, it adds a little flair, and makes a really pleasant place to sit. It was just an empty field for the critters to graze in until recently. I know what you mean Kell; at 50 I know I have only a limited amount of time that I will be able to do the kind of work I want done! Hopefully, If I hurry, it will be the way I want it by the time I can't do anything but look at it!
The pool is for our 5 African geese and 2 call ducks to swim in. (hoping for babies soon!) it's 4 ft deep, 16x20 as I recall. Yes, just a goose pond; but is that any reason for it to be just a bare hole in the ground? I have a bunch of big gold fish in there too, and a couple of giant bull frogs took up residence in it last summer.
No on DH; he is learning to wield a hammer a little, but his life has been overseeing the maintenance of choppers/Chinooks in the Army;(Top Sergeant, aviation branch ) and he's turned those skills toward maintaining the lawn mower and other tools instead! He keeps the place like a park with all the mowing, trimming, and branch removal, and spends a LOT of time running for building/gardening supplies for me! He has nearly 20 years on me, yet had his first garden only recently. Did real well too! He jokes about his extensive training and education while shoveling goat manure out of the stalls lol!
I wish I knew more about cement/stone work, but for now I'll settle for stepping stones and stacking rocks. (Those rocks were my happiest x-mas present!! ;)
Rocks and such can be expensive and be very happy he is doing these things. My sons swimming pools start around $300k. When we get our new fax I want to post apicture of one of my sons pools from Better Homes and Gardens. In that particular pool he used 245 tons of stone.
Thank you PeggieK :) It is very pleasant indeed!
Thank you too for your offer Picabo, (I seem to have missed it when you posted) but the geese play in the water all day, and would either eat the plants or rip them up while playing.
Lagata2, First off, nice pergola. ;) But what I really want to know about is your pond. Is it a rubber lined pond or (excuse the phrase) a cement pond? :) Do the sides slope down or do they go straight down? I'd love to put a reflecting pool in my back yard. Thanks. :)
Thank you ;) The sides are a steep slope, the ends are straight down, and it's got a black rubber liner. We have pure sand in this part of the country, so didn't need to line it with anything to protect it from rocks.
