Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Partial Reveal


There was quite a lot going on a CdlV this weekend, and even tonight - as we finished (well, partially finished) the clean up of the debris from Saturday's long day of work. Above - the garden, casually snapped tonight after I mowed the grass. Don't mind the pots of plants that have yet to be planted ... but can you believe the growth? It's hard to believe that this is only 2 years old, heck - one year old in some parts, AND that it's still May in Zone 5!


I like to add touches of whimsy to the garden each year, and last year - you'll probably remember the addition of Earl. Earl has been a good guard in the garden, thwarting off the enemy and doing his best to control the slugs. This year, he's joined by vintage chimney liners planted with Canna Lily. I'm sure that come summer it'll be a beautiful show.

But, I'm sure this wasn't the surprise you were looking for - right? Right! So we better get to it. First, I have to tell you that it was hard work. HARD HARD HARD work, and though I've not styled it to the degree I wanted, it was time to post SOMETHING, so here it goes! When we moved into the house, the prior owner, or perhaps the prior prior owner had a dog "kennel" in the back yard to the left of the garage. You might remember my post about Scott taming the yew?

We moved into the house in December, 2006. In April, 2007 - I took this picture. Pretty, right? Those yew bushes were the bain of my existence. We did everything we could to get them to stop growing - including burning out the trunk! Finally, they're gone - along with the dreaded chain link fencing, to allow for what else?


That danged pergola I've been going on and on about for how many months? Yes, Saturday it was built, by me and Scott, in just about 10-hours. We also added a new (small) perennial garden with a beautiful Royal Frost Birch tree. Oh and from the teaser ... spy those lanterns hanging? I promise that I'll have more on those and a post dedicated to the beauty of this pergola in just a few short days ... but til' then - here's a few of the highlights ...

It was my intention *(when planning) to have notched rafters. But Scott, always the wise one, asked me during the dry fit: "Do you really think you can make 60 Perfect cuts?" It took me a few minutes to see his point - and in the end - they were braced with hurricane straps and toe-nailed into the 2x6 stringers. But I hated *(STILL hate) the look of the galvanized joist supports - especially from the front. So Scott and I set out to find an option that could cover that up. Voila! A couple of 89 cent pressure treated stair spindles, and a 6x6 post cap and the solution was made. I have to give all that credit to Scott - ever so resourceful!

It's my intention to have drapes (hmmm hmmm, $4 flat sheets from WalMart) like these on all corners of the pergola - just as soon as I can find where I stored them. Don't you love that?

So what do you think of that before and after? Now ... what else can I build?

25 comments:

  1. Hi Artie...

    What a treat...getting to see your beautiful yard and that long awaited pergola!!! It's gorgeous, my friend! You guys did GOOD! I know that this is just the beginning...can't wait to see what all you do with it! Thanks for sharing more of your beautiful home and yard with us!!!

    Warmest wishes,
    Chari @Happy To Design

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  2. Your garden is coming along nicely!!!! And the pergola! Perfection! I love the brick floor underfoot! It's absolutely perfect! What fun you'll have entertaining in your new space!

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  3. Oooh lovin' me your pergola! Love the capping off idea, gives it even more heft and architectural interest!

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  4. You can head right down here (you'd like to visit the South, right??) and build me one!! I WANT a pergola and Ray rolls his eyes at me! WAAHH! Love, love, love it- I can't wait to see some tablescape posts come out of there!
    xoxo Pattie

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  5. Amazing Artie! We've been working our fingers to the bone here too. It's so worth it. :)

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  6. Hi Artie,
    Looking so great, I remember that before photo and now look, so cool! Wish you could come work on a few things for us!
    Linda

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  7. Love it Artie! I need one too. xo kelley

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  8. Oh twin! It's happening! You are racing through your to do list and as expected, the pergola is fabulous. Summer is going to be THE place to be. Please send me a ticket, the calgon mantra just isn't working on its own.
    xoxoxoxo Piza

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  9. It ALL looks so gorgeous!! Love your gardens and the new pergola!

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  10. OOO, I am so in love with your pergola...it is beautiful. I've been begging Mr. Sweet for one in our front side yard....with brick flooring just like this...Of course, out here in West Texas, where the wind blows until June and then the bugs are thick, we wouldn't use it all that much but...THEY ARE SO COOL LOOKING !

    Your garden looks amazing. It has REALLY grown a lot
    xo bj

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  11. Artie, it is beautiful and I LOOOVE the brick floor! It all turned out so nicely! (knew it would). ENJOY!!!!!! XO, Pinky

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  12. I like what you did to the arbor with the curtain..
    I too live in zone 5 in Maine and I can't remember so much growth last year.

    yvonne

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  13. Artie, I love your new pergola! You guys did such a fantastic job. What a difference from the previous pictures of your yard.
    Take care,
    Sherry

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  14. WOW! I am SO in LOVE with it and the flooring!! GREAT JOB!!!!! You two are AMAZING!!!! Good for you, finally getting it up! Very nice!

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  15. It looks great, love the drapes (drape). We've talked of doing something like this on our deck, but I've decided that this just isn't the spring/summer we are going to get much done around here. Life stepped in and changed things a bit. There is always next spring:)

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  16. Your garden is beautiful! (I need to know the name of your plants...we are starting to plant at our house, finally). Your pergola turned out great!

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  17. Hey...You are the winner of the CSN Lantern - hop on over and email me your home addy - patti

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  18. Hey winner...don't forget to email me your addy so I can have the lantern sent...ppultorak (at) gmail. com

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  19. We've been working on our backyard . . . I sure hope I have your green thumb! Wow to your Zone 5 garden!! Looks amazing so soon. best, -s

    p.s. i want a pergola, too!!!

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  20. We've been working on our backyard . . . I sure hope I have your green thumb! Wow to your Zone 5 garden!! Looks amazing so soon. best, -s

    p.s. i want a pergola, too!!!

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  21. Artie-It's as if you added a room onto the house! I am so impressed with your and Scott's skills. I can't believe the growth either--usually only weeds grow that fast !

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  22. Artie, you did an amazing job! I cannot get over the fact that you guys built this and did it in only ten hours! I want you to come help me next! Can't wait to see more...

    XO,

    Sheila

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  23. Your pergola looks great...it'll last forever! We had a Frosted Birch for a couple of years...but it didn't survive our climate. Great looking garden too.

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