Natural materials intermix to evoke a “wild garden” ambiance.
The furniture has a texture that imitates wicker. It is covered with soft cushions, making it comfortable for lounging and soaking in the sun’s summer rays. Earth tone colours and discreet candle lighting accentuate the garden’s warm atmosphere and make it a simple and enjoyable place to spend time in. A swing hangs from a pergola at the back of the garden, perfect for moments of relaxation and reading.
A light installed behind large plants creates shadows on the fence, which is made of wide cedar planks. Intimate, warm and comfortable under the midday sun and during nightfall, the authentic garden is made to spend time with close ones.
SOPHIA
CHAT SET
BASKET SOLAR GARDEN LIGHT
HOLIDAY
SQUARE CUSHION
DECORATIVE CYLINDER POT
Build a cedar pergola and hanging seat
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A charming, secluded spot to while away the time on a warm summer’s evening.
The seat is suspended from a pergola measuring 96" high by 60" deep and 92" wide. The pergola is framed by palisade panels which integrate it with the fence, but it can also be built without the panels to stand alone or as part of another landscaping feature.
NOTE: This hanging garden seat is not a play swing. It is designed for gentle rocking only, hence the fence panels to limit the swinging motion.
Level 1, ½ day.
To download the PDF plan of this project, you will need Acrobat Reader. |
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Cedar wood
Cedar is a naturally weather-resistant wood and so does not need to be specially treated or painted. But there’s nothing to prevent you from staining it to go with the decor – this will not detract from its beauty. |
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List of tools
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- Table saw with dado blade
- Circular saw
- Driver drill
- Sledgehammer
- Pencil
- Measuring tape
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List of materials
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- 4 cedar posts, 4" x 4" x 96"
- 2 cedar boards, 2" x 4" x 96"
- 10 cedar boards, 1 ¼ x 6" x 96"
- 28 cedar boards, 1" x 6" x 72"
- 2 ½" treated-wood screws
- 4 metal stakes
- ¾" rope (4 lengths of 96")
- Stain
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Elevations
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| Seat and pergola - Top view |
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| Seat and pergola - Front view |
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Build a cedar fence with open panels
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This elegant palisade fence, 6′ high, provides plenty of privacy for the garden but also lets daylight through. Each panel is 72" wide.
The fence is easy to build and requires very few materials because the boards are simply inserted into grooves made in the posts.
For this project we suggest using metal stakes to secure the 6' posts because they are easy to position accurately and adjust if necessary. Alternatively, you could use 10' fence posts and set them into concrete form tubes.
Level 1: ½ hour per panel (not including post installation). |
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Cedar wood
Cedar is a naturally weather-resistant material and so does not need to be specially treated or painted. But there’s nothing to prevent you from staining it to go with the decor – this will not detract from its beauty. |
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We have chosen to use cedar for this project because of its weather-resistant qualities. You could also make the fence from treated wood, but bear in mind, in that case, that your fence will not have the same rich aspect that natural cedar provides.
A fence is made up of a series of panels connected by posts. Each panel needs to be supported by two posts. The following list of materials is for one panel with one support post. You will need an additional post to complete the end of the fence. |
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List of tools
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- Table saw with dado blade
- Driver drill
- Sledgehammer
- Pencil
- Measuring tape
- String and wooden stakes
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List of materials
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(Materials for one panel)
- 1 cedar post, 4" x 4" x 72"
- 12 cedar boards, 1" x 6" x 72"
- 2 ½" treated-wood screws
- Metal fence stakes
- Stain
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Preparing the posts
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The boards are inserted into grooves made in the posts with a dado blade on a table saw. |
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- Decide on the location of your fence and mark out the fence line with string and wooden stakes. Plant one stake for each post and calculate the number of sections you will need to assemble.
- Make grooves in the very centre of the posts using a dado blade. The grooves must be ¾" wide by ¾" deep. Only one groove needs to be made in the start and end posts.
- Stain the posts and the boards.
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Plant a metal stake into the ground at your starting point. To drive it in, insert a 10" scrap piece of post in the base of the stake and hit it with a sledgehammer.
- Plant a second metal stake along the fence line, exactly 74" from the first stake, centre to centre.
- Insert the first (start) post into the base of the first stake and a post for straight lines into the second stake.
- Insert the first board into the grooves, 3" from the bottom end of the posts. Screw into the posts at an angle.
- Slide the other boards into place following the pattern shown in the elevation, i.e. three boards at a time followed by a 1" space. Use a spacer to ensure even 1" gaps between the board sections. If necessary, cut the boards to adjust their length. Screw each board into the posts at an angle.
- Work your way along the fence line, planting one stake at a time and installing the boards as you go. Finish with an end post.
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| The design of this palisade fence prevents water from accumulating and penetrating the wood, which helps prolong the life of the naturally weather-resistant cedar. |
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