One of our biggest DIY Summer prep projects has been finishing our pergola. We’re almost there!
Pergola Part II
We’ve worked another 3 days on the pergola since the last post.
Day 3… we finished cementing the other 4 posts and put the support rafters on the first pergola.
Day 4… we put support rafters on pergola 2 and added additional rafters on both pergolas.
Day 5… SHADE ~ we decided to use drop cloth canvas to make a cover for the pergolas. We get HOT here in the summer… most of July & August we’re hovering around 100 degrees. We were thrilled to discover that they made drop cloths large enough. The one we used was 12×15 feet. In the future we may take the cover off and add cross beams.
I am LOVIN’ this transform to our backyard + I’m lovin’ the shade on our patio and the shade to our home.
Each pergola is 12×12 feet, so we kept those extra 3 feet on the drop cloth so we could have a nice little overhang. This side of the house faces the west… so another bonus to keep the heat out of the house.
We couldn’t have done this project without my dad & mom. My dad designed the pergola and helped us build them & my mom was sewer extraordinaire on the drop cloths. She sewed around the slits we made to slide the cloth over the posts and the pocket on the overhang where we inserted a 2×2 to help weigh it down.
So THANK YOU Mom & Dad!
Between the pergolas we hung a shade cloth that is 10×10 feet.
We still need to replace the pavers we pulled out, but this project is almost done…
and I’m positively GIDDY!!!
Sharing my pergola here:
Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, Transformation Thursdays @ The Shabby Chic Cottage, I’m Lovin’ It @ TidyMom, Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous, Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk, Met Monday @ BNOTP, It’s So Very Creative @ It’s So Very Cheri, Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative, The DIY Showoff
Positively love your pergola's and to have two – you are very lucky! What great parents you have!
They look awesome! We need something over our deck..we cook in the afternoon sun if we go out. This looks like a great option! Great idea with the drop cloth for the added shade!
Wendy
Wow, great job and love the drop cloth look. I think it modernizes it a bit. Enjoy your back yard.
Ooooh lookin good! Love how it looks so sophisticated, and simple! Yay! can't wait to see more!
Two!!! I wish I had one!! This looks wonderful. Great idea using drop cloths.
Debbie@houseatthelake
They look fantastic – you'll probably be out there so much more!
I love the look. It's such a wonderful shaded space now. You all did a great job!
It looks so great! You guys did a wonderful job! I hope you are out there enjoying it right now!
This looks so fantastic! You have provided me with so much inspiration. My husband has promised me we will finish off our patio this year for our anniversary and a pergola is #1 on the list of things to do!!
I am so jealous. This looks so beautiful. You did a wonderful job.
Oh man those are awesome. I really want to put a pergola on my patio for some shade. We get evening sun. Was this very difficult to do? SO J! Looks beautiful …thanks for sharing.
A Family Affair! How wonderful. I have wondered how to do a shade cover, great idea.
What a fabulous job! Those look amazing and I hope you'll enjoy your back porch even more!
~Terrell @ FrouFrouDecor~
That's almost EXACTLY what I've designed to build for our yard! Those turned out great, and it really makes your patio into the perfect entertaining space.
I love your new pergolas. Great design with the sunshade in the middle. It looks very balanced which gives it a slightly contemporary look. And I like the way the dark stained wood and light drop cloth contrast. I guess great mind think alike. I am doing the same thing to my pergola. I bought the thicker drop cloth to use but I got the wrong size and returned it. Now I have heard to of a company that you can order from that is even cheaper so I am going to give them a try.
Thanks for sharing.
Traci
What a transformation to the back of your house- it looks wonderful! Any other outside projects you have in mind? We'd love to see them over at the Tuesday Garden Party I host at AnOregonCottage.com every Tuesday.
OH! 'Thank you for the idea/tutorial/pictures!!
I have so been wanting one of these outside my basement cafe'!
I am saving the pictures to my PC–do you mind?
Lovely!!
I will have my hubby help me–unless I can borrow your mom and dad?
That looks amazing! Just asking for you to come out and sit with a cool drink in your hand. Great job!
What a fabulous set of shade you've come up with! Enjoy time under it together…
Wow MaryAnn! Gorgeous pergolas! I love the drop cloth shades! You did a fantastic job and what a beautiful place to entertain or relax! I was considering the same exact thing for our grape arbor (the drop cloths to shade underneath for more seating). I love how it's working for you. Thanks for sharing in the DIY project parade!
Roeshel
Yay!!! Congratulations on a job well done! It is both a practical and beautiful project!
Oh, your pergola looks fantastic! I know you're going to enjoy it so much!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
Just beautiful! What a big project to undertake, it turned out great-enjoy!
That came out gorgeous. What a great addition to your backyard.
Visiting from Something I Whipped Up Monday
Love it!
It looks fantastic! You are going to love it!
Now this is a gorgeous pergola! You are amazingly talented!
Turned out great!I love how you used the drop clothes…fabulous!
Marie @ Sally Lee by the Sea
http://sallyleebythesea.com
Gorgeous job! Would you consider making your dad's designs public?? I've been looking everywhere for pergola designs and have yet to find one I like as much as this
I saw this on "just something I whipped up" linky party and stopped by.
mueller_kimberly@yahoo.com
bugaboo, mini, mr & me
These look awesome!! I love pergolas (my husband makes fun of me b/c I'm always pointing them out). Great job – enjoy your new improved outdoor space!
this will be in my favs list tonight.
Cheri
This is great! You've put a lot of work into it and it turned out amaznig, enjoy!
wow, that is awesome! I am trying to talk DH into building me a pergola…love yours!
Our backyard faces West as well. We lovingly refer to it as "the face of the sun." Man I'd love to have these. I'll be showing my husband as soon as he gets home from work. Great job!!
Awesome Maryann! They look fantastic, and I love the fabric panels! Great job!
Oh, it is sososo great! Love that you made them!
your pergola is amazing, love the fabric on the top. It adds a lot of dimension to the back of your house.
Looking at your house reminded me of living in the south west…..with its terrible sun!
Thanks for visiting
LOVING it! Tucking this into my "pergola file"… working on talking my husband into helping me with one next year. Yours look great. I love the way you used the canvas too!