Thursday, April 03, 2014
Mark and Gaz
The red pergola, a signature piece in our garden that featured in countless of photos on our blog finally succumbed to old age and decay last year. It had been ailing for awhile, receiving patchwork repair as and when it was needed so it could keep its appearance but it's been needing a full on restoration for quite some time now.
And we thought it would only be a restoration job when we started to dismantle it early last year, thinking that at least the four posts would still be fine for use. No sooner though that we discovered that they were better off replaced as well, and the restoration job then become a full on replacement one.
Should we even bother putting another one when the entire thing needs replacing altogether? That question crossed our minds several times but the answer remained constant, how could we not replace a structure that had been a standout piece in our garden for years? It simply must be reinstated, or at least something very similar.
When we dismantled most of it early last year we were already gearing to repairing it during the summer months. And a lot of you know already what happened here during the summer that kept us from doing so...
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| It was like this for most of last year, three red wooden posts jutting out from the ground, a shadow of what was once a pergola |
The weekend before last when Gaz's dad was visiting I made a casual remark if he could help us rebuild the pergola the following weekend. I wasn't actually that serious when I said that but surprisingly he said yes! With the offer of help being there it would have been unwise to delay work even further and besides the forecast for that weekend was very good and conducive to doing some construction work.
So the restoration, rebuilding, or even resurrection of the red pergola has begun last weekend...
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| First up was to clear the area of pots that used to surround it |
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| All pots to one side now (which I also started to tidy and weed shortly after moving them) |
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| Time to remove all the remaining posts! |
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| Twinkles decided to sleep on the job instead |
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| One by one the posts went... |
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| But they were so well anchored in that it took a lot longer than we though to remove them and prepare the area (isn't that always the case?). |
With the posts removed all that was left were the two red metal posts on both sides of the entrance to the middle patio. We did contemplate on removing them too but it would have made the job a lot harder, plus we stuck by it before as part of the history and little quirks of the garden so why not stick with it again. They will blend in again once the red pergola has been finished off. Or we may even do something creative with them...
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| The two red metal posts are going nowhere |
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| An ancient Japanese art of plant bondage |
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| New posts were up by early afternoon with temporary cross beams to check the levels |
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| With the posts up it was time to sort out the beams |
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| Getting the gaps right and final positions marked |
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| Getting there... |
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| So the beams would slot in notches had to be chiseled |
And by Sunday evening, the pergola looked like this...
The side trellis still needs doing, then it needs sanding, and then on to painting. I'm not sure anymore if the same shade of red outdoor wood paint still exists but if not I'm sure there would be something very similar available out there.
The new pergola will be wider and taller than the older one, so taller visitors won't have to duck to go through it. The Aristolochia durior that grows on it hasn't leafed out yet so hopefully we'll be able to paint the pergola before it does, otherwise the job will be more tricky (and messy).
Work will hopefully recommence this coming weekend and we'll post on the updates when it does. And who knows we may be able to show the finished product soon!
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
VERY NICE! I'm so jealous, I'd love to have a pergola like that in my garden :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Gerhard! It could be a future project? :)
DeleteVery nice work and you even took the opportunity to make a couple of changes for the better. The bright red adds so much to your tropical garden.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shirley! The increased height will make the most difference :)
DeleteIt has always looked good and gosh you make it look so easy, I wonder if I could do something similar in my garden?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you can Libby :) Removing the old posts and hammering the new ones in were the ones that took the most time, especially near the bamboo as the rhizomes were so dense.
DeleteThat's great progress for one weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessica!
DeleteWell done! It's great to have help in the garden for projects like this.
ReplyDeleteIt sure does Alison! It makes the project lighter and finish much quicker (and social too!).
DeleteIt already looks good. Although I tend to shy away from strong reds in my own garden, I have to say the red pergola looked right at home in yours - maybe the paint store can match the original paint if you bring in a sample?
ReplyDeleteAhh the bright red Kris, ought to blog about why we went for something so bold :) Will see if we can find off the shelves one that looks the closest, if not we'll go for colour matching.
DeleteSome fancy looking power tools there boys! And thumbs up to Dad ...
ReplyDeleteThe wood saw was brand new and an upgrade from the old one (which got destroyed in the fire) and both of them enjoyed using the new toy :)
DeleteWhat a project! Garden history, family help, and a new structure...can't wait to see the final project.
ReplyDeleteThe new one has a happy association already Loree :)
DeleteI love the red with the foliage - hopefully you'll find a paint to match it. Or even improve, as you have with the structure!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy :) We'll try our best to find a close match to the old paint, or at least the closest to it.
DeleteI can't get over how endlessly different your garden always seems to look. Every blog and every pic seems to show different levels, pathways, vistas - how can it possibly be just the one garden? You guys are brilliant designers (as well as gardeners).
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the lovely words, appreciated :)
DeleteI'm so glad you're still going to have a red pergola in your garden. It really is a standout piece. I'm quite impressed with your building skills. And nice that you had help, too! The new pergola looks fabulous already - it will be amazing when it's painted red. Job well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Holley! We just need more good weather now to get the painting done as gloss paint takes longer to dry.
DeleteIt looks great!! I would love to be so crafty as you are!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa :) have a go at a similar garden project if you get the chance, you might be surprised what you're able to do!
DeleteThat silly Twinkles - It's so hard to get good help these days! Fortunately Gaz's dad didn't follow Twinkles example. Your pergola looks gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks Peter! And Twinkles chose to sleep on the wood to be used too, naughty cat...
DeleteIt looks great! I love the brick steps and the level change too. Looking forward to seeing it all finished!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I appreciated the steps and levels again when it got cleared out at the start.
DeleteGreat job! Glad you had a helper! Already, even unfinished, the trellis has a presence. Can't wait to see it all done and painted. We are doing arbor work this year, too. We have to completely replace the jasmine arch, and the arbor with the swing is getting a new paint job. We start this weekend with the jasmine arch. Fun!
ReplyDeleteOhh new things, sounds fun and nice Debs and looking forward to your updates!
DeleteMust be so nice to have a fresh new pergola, gosh you guys are clever. Looks great!
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy! It's nice to see something there especially it was gone for just over a year.
DeleteI'll bet a lot of people would volunteer to pitch in on one of your projects. You make it all look like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteYou're giving us ideas Ricki :) it was fun and the weather helped!
DeleteFunny how often what starts off as a restoration job leads on to something more major! Looks as if you are making great progress and look forward to seeing the red pergola's reincarnation.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anna! Like a lot of restoration jobs you tend to discover things you don't always anticipate which ends up making the job bigger. Glad it's mostly up now, just need more dry weather to do the painting.
DeleteSurprised to see you didn't rebuild it with a longer lasting post base installation using some sort of metal post anchor. Surely the past failure was rot at the post bases set into concrete directly? Is that not the same red as the famous British phone boxes?
ReplyDeleteThree of the four posts are sat in long metal post holder to protect them from rot. The fourth was a compromise as the metal post cannot be spiked down fully despite multiple force and attempts. The original colour is red on blue tone, British phone boxes are red on yellow tone strictly speaking but the difference is not easy to discern.
DeleteThe original pergola lasted over twenty years and we won't be here long enough to worry about it rotting on the basis of one post not on a metal spike ;)
I am so inspired!!!! I am having a new cool potting bench made as we speak. So in honor of you and my love of bright colors and Mexican art, I think the second coat will be red.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool Candice, we're definitely honoured and flattered!! :))
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