My Project of the Week

by
It’s not the greenhouse, at least not today or tomorrow. Over the last couple years (yes I said years) my father and I have been working on a project in his backyard. It began as a patio in the middle of their yard where they could enjoy their backyard spaces and gradually grew into a patio covered with a pavilion that will eventually be screened. With the help of my brother, who lives in California, we put up the structure over the patio. Earlier this summer I roofed it with asphalt shingles and today’s project was putting together the railing. (And no I won’t come do your roof!)
We researched various designs for railings and settled on something that is somewhat Japanese inspired. Using 2’x2′ lumber we built a frame then pieced together four smaller 2’x2′ pieces to fit within several other spindles. Hopefully we’ll finish the project tomorrow but here’s a look at the work we’ve accomplished so far.
Only one side is complete at this point but several other frames have been put together. All the wood is pressure treated lumber and will eventually get a coat of stain.

16 thoughts on “My Project of the Week”

  1. What a lovely little "patio covered with a pavilion that will eventually be screened. With the help of my [Dave's] brother, who lives in California." Great job guys!

  5. A patio is a useful piece of hardscape. A roof makes it much more convenient. Screening increases the usefulness.

    The word, 'pavilion' and Chinese chippendale style railings are among my favorite things. Great project.

  10. I just stumbled across your blog via Chiot's Run, and I have enjoyed your recent posts so much. I plan to subscribe to your feed and visit again regularly.

    I, too, am a Middle Tennessee blogger, and I look forward to reading your gardening posts that are specific to our climate! Yay for a local gardening blog that has information that applies to us!

    And, I really like your pavilion with the Asian inspired pattern. What a great job you are doing.

    Have a great day!

  12. Super job, Dave. I have a covered pavillion in my backyard which started out as a pergola until my Engineering hubby got a hold of it and added a roof. We enjoy sitting out in the evenings when the mosquito netting is up.

  13. Thanks TC!

    Anna,

    That was a concern when doing the roofing. I'm glad I didn't fall off either!

    Gail,

    I'm pretty happy with the result so far.

    Nancy,

    I hope my parents feel the same… 😉

    Nell Jean,

    With the fall weather approaching it's usability increases. Once it is screened in the bugs won't be an issue during the summer.

    Thanks Janet!

    Tina,

    A place to hang out was the goal. Mom and dad are calling it "The Retreat" as its a place to just get away from the house.

    Frances,

    I was pleasantly surprised by how strong the rails actually are. We pieced them together in panels to make it easy to put up and they are probably more solid than my deck rail on our house.

    Heather,

    Thanks! Hopefully we'll get the rest of the rail done today. We still need to fit together a doorway so that everything can be effectively screened in.

    Elizabeth,

    Thanks for coming by! You should stop by and visit Gail and Tina on their blogs. Both of them are also here in Middle Tennessee and offer some unique perspectives on gardening. Middle TN is a great place to live!

    Thanks Meredith!

    Carolyn Gail,

    That's the goal, to give mom and dad a place to relax while not being pestered by the mosquitoes. Originally I suggested a pergola but they wanted to enclose it so a roof was necessary!

  15. Hi Dave, That looks so wonderful – and I'm just a little jealous. Don't worry about me, though. I just wish I had a little help finishing a project I started all by myself this Spring. I have four sections of fence units I created that look Very Similar to what you created. They're different, though. But I should get a similar effect. Perhaps next Spring? ha. I want to create a little fence to cordon off the main yard from the raised beds.

Comments are closed.