Almost Finished
When I moved into my home I had grand plans for an arbor to welcome people to my home. That was put on the back burner for a couple of years but about 5 years ago I started looking for the right arbor. I looked at plans, kits, pre-made, you name it. Try as I might I couldn't find what I wanted. I finally decided to just build it myself. After all, how hard can it be?
OH MY GOSH! Let me tell you, it is hard! The first thing I learned is that I am not a master carpenter. Seams and joints that should have lined up perfectly didn't. The next thing I learned is that if I think it is going to take a half hour it takes three hours! Despite all that, I am almost finished and here is the preview...
A fence like the one you see on the east side of the arbor will also be installed along the west side of the arbor. It is hard to see it in the picture but there is a climbing rose bush on the east side and I just planted one on the west side as well. Eventually the arbor will be covered with beautiful yellow and orange climbing roses. Won't that be nice?
Looking at the arbor from an angle you can see the lattice panels on the sides and the planks on the roof. You might have noticed that the fence is designed to mimic the lattice panels.
So, here is my dilemma. You will see in the next picture the peak of the roof looks somewhat unfinished. Do I leave it like it is or do I do something to make it look more finished?
I had wanted to attach a celestial looking sun decoration to each peak but I have not been able to find what I want. Instead I found a couple of plaques but I don't know whether or not to use them. I don't want to be thought of as cheesy, after all.
Here are pictures of the plaques. I included my hand so you can kind of gauge their size. The plaques fit perfectly at the peak of the roof and I like the sentiment. What do you think? Should I use them or should I just leave the peaks alone? Or... should I wait and try to find the sun decoration that I want...,
(keeping in mind that after 5 years I never did find the arbor I wanted)? OR... does anyone have any other suggestions?
Let me know what you think :)
OH MY GOSH! Let me tell you, it is hard! The first thing I learned is that I am not a master carpenter. Seams and joints that should have lined up perfectly didn't. The next thing I learned is that if I think it is going to take a half hour it takes three hours! Despite all that, I am almost finished and here is the preview...
A fence like the one you see on the east side of the arbor will also be installed along the west side of the arbor. It is hard to see it in the picture but there is a climbing rose bush on the east side and I just planted one on the west side as well. Eventually the arbor will be covered with beautiful yellow and orange climbing roses. Won't that be nice?Looking at the arbor from an angle you can see the lattice panels on the sides and the planks on the roof. You might have noticed that the fence is designed to mimic the lattice panels.
So, here is my dilemma. You will see in the next picture the peak of the roof looks somewhat unfinished. Do I leave it like it is or do I do something to make it look more finished?I had wanted to attach a celestial looking sun decoration to each peak but I have not been able to find what I want. Instead I found a couple of plaques but I don't know whether or not to use them. I don't want to be thought of as cheesy, after all.
Here are pictures of the plaques. I included my hand so you can kind of gauge their size. The plaques fit perfectly at the peak of the roof and I like the sentiment. What do you think? Should I use them or should I just leave the peaks alone? Or... should I wait and try to find the sun decoration that I want...,(keeping in mind that after 5 years I never did find the arbor I wanted)? OR... does anyone have any other suggestions?
Let me know what you think :)
posted by Kathleen Hawkins at 9:20 PM
9 Comments:
THE ARBOR IS AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL!!!! YOU ARE A MASTER CARPENTER!!! I AM SOOOOOO IMPRESSED AND AWE STRUCK!!! I ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY NO DOUBT ABOUT IT LOVE IT LOVE LOVE IT! You really did a wonderful job. I want to copy you and make one in my backyard too. Maybe I'll get to it in 5 years or so too? As for the peak. I think it looks great as is and doesn't look unfinished at all. I don't like the plaques. Its not because its too cheezy, I just am not a fan of the style. That said, if you are, you should put them up. Its your arbor, your house, and your choice. It looks great without and will still look great with (even if they aren't my favorite). I think holding out for the sun isn't a bad idea at all though. Have you searched the internet? If you tell me more of what you're looking for I could look too. I could also make you a sun or different plaques with exactly what you want to say on them in clay. I have clay and a friend with a kiln. Or when you come in June to visit we could do it together? Anything you do will be great, I'm sure. It is stunning and you did such a good job!!!! Who helped you build it?
Thanks Sasha :)
I had no help building the arbor. It has taken me several weeks. I first built the trellis panels. Then I sunk the corner posts and hung the panels. Then it sat for awhile while I decided whether to put a flat top on or to put a pitched top on (like I had originally wanted). I wasn't sure if the pitched top would look good because the arbor is so wide (8 ft) but I too think it turned out awesome!
When it came to putting the top on I really struggled trying to think of how I would accomplish it (by my self!). Then it came to me... I made a type of scaffolding by putting 2X4's across using the trellis panels as supports (the trellis panels are leveled). Then I crossed those with 2X4's and it made the perfect support for the top pieces while I secured them in place. This project cost me about $250.00.
I think I might hold out for the Sun since that is what I originally had in mind. Thanks for your support :)
Great job, Mom! I say use the plaques and just swap 'em out if/when you find something you prefer.
Thanks Dillon. The only way I can figure out to put the plaques on is with Gorilla Glue. Once they are put on with that stuff there is no taking them off! So, I still don't know but I think I will start looking for the perfect sun :)
AMAZING! I was impressed when I thought you were the designer and helping hand. But, knowing that you were the designer and sole builder is remarkable, to say the least. You did such a wonderful job!
You are a tremendous carpenter. Go to Kohls.com or Costplus.com to find an outdoor sun! Love, Romy
I saw this and it kind of reminded me of a sun and your tiles... -Romy
http://www.worldmarket.com/Garden/Windchimes--Accessories/WALL-PLAQUE-TC-ANTQ/lev/4/productId/5919/No/18/Ne/1100001/Nao/18/pCategoryId/1100426/sectionId/3190/Ns/TOP_SELLER_INDEX%7C1%7C%7CCATEGORY_SEQ_3099%7C0/N/1100427/Nty/1/categoryId/1100427/gpCategoryId/1100426/index.pro
This is my last comment on suns. You can go to Target.com and search for "sun". There are many to choose from: stone ones, copper ones, a Morrocan one that was pretty... - Romy
Thanks Romy. I will certainly check it out :)
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