Phil Schmidt - The complete guide to gazebos & arbors: ideas, techniques and complete plans for 15 great landscape projects

Philip Schmidt

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
www.creativepub.com

Copyright 2007, 2011
Creative Publishing international, Inc.
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Digital edition: 978-1-61673-313-1
Softcover edition: 978-1-58923-285-3

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President/CEO: Ken Fund

Home Improvement Group

Publisher: Bryan Trandem
Managing Editor: Tracy Stanley
Senior Editor: Mark Johanson
Editor: Jennifer Gehlhar

Senior Design Manager: Brad Springer
Design Managers: Jon Simpson, Mary Rohl
Production Artist: Dave Schelitzche

Director of Photography: Tim Himsel
Lead Photographer: Steve Galvin
Photo Coordinators: Julie Caruso, Joanne Wawra
Shop Manager: Randy Austin

Production Managers: Linda Halls, Laura Hokkanen

Author: Philip Schmidt
Project Designer: Brian K. Nelson
Page Layout Artist: Kari Johnston
Photographers: Peter Caley, Joel Schnell, Andrea Rugg

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO GAZEBOS & ARBORS
Created by: The Editors of Creative Publishing international, Inc., in cooperation with Black & Decker. Black & Decker is a trademark of The Black & Decker Corporation and is used under license.

NOTICE TO READERS

For safety, use caution, care, and good judgment when following the procedures described in this book. The publisher and Black & Decker cannot assume responsibility for any damage to property or injury to persons as a result of misuse of the information provided. The techniques shown in this book are general techniques for various applications. In some instances, additional techniques not shown in this book may be required. Always follow manufacturers safety warnings and instructions included with products. Deviation from the directions may create injury exposure and void warranties. The projects in this book vary widely as to skill levels required. Some may not be appropriate for all do-it-yourselfers, and some may require professional help. Consult your local building department for information on building permits, codes, and other laws as they apply to your project.

Contents

The Complete Guide to Gazebos & Arbors

Garden structures are born of a unique blend of architecture and landscaping. While they define our natural spaces and provide comfortable rooms for outdoor living, they are often just as sculptural and ornamental as they are practical. They are havens for people and plants alike. Vines love to climb the framework, and in doing so they create a cool shady spot for lounging.

Gazebos and arborsboth quintessential garden structuresrepresent a range of outdoor architecture meant for everything from alfresco dining to afternoon naps; thus the inspiration for this book. All 15 original building projects are variations on the theme of better outdoor living.

Some tend toward the exotic, like the lattice-walled gazebo inspired by Japanese teahouses, while others are playful and lighthearted, like the arbor that mimics a beach umbrella. Of course, there are plenty of traditional favorites, including a stately garden pergola with classical columns and a 6-sided gazebo designed for year-round use.

Each project comes with complete plans and instructions on how to build the structure. Once youve picked a project, have the plans reviewed by the local building and zoning departments to make sure your project conforms to the building codes in your area. Finally, when it comes to decorative details, dont be afraid to embellish. After all, an outdoor room, like a garden, is best when marked by personal touches.

Time to dream. When you look through the kitchen window and out over the yard, whats missing? What could you place in the garden to make it the perfect outdoor retreat? And what about that spot just beyond the hedge, or on the deck, or by the pool?

A deep arbor with built-in seating is both an inviting destination and a casual outdoor room.

Lightweight, trellis-like arbors often play a supporting role in dramatic garden presentations.

Arbors

Big brother to the trellis, an arbor can be anything from a quaint archway over a garden gate to a heavy timber structure shading an entire patio. A typical design uses post-and-beam construction, with horizontal roof slats providing not only shade but also support for climbing plants and vines.

With its simple form, an arbor conveys a sense of wellbeing, especially when host to a tangle of leafy climbers or bundles of colorful blooms. As an inherently versatile structure, an arbor can arch over a path, become a canopy above a garden bench, or serve as a focal point to break up a large expanse of ground.

One traditional use of arbors is to create fragrant, light-dappled tunnels to draw strollers between areas of the grounds.

Adding simple custom details to a garden structure make it seem right at home.