This charming arbor will draw you outdoors, whether for tea with a friend or some work on the laptop. The white-painted formal arbor is 80 inches wide, 38 inches deep, and 103 inches tall. It forms an inviting focal point, especially when tucked into a lushly planted garden area.
Design Details
The floor here is a brick-in-sand installation, but bluestone over stone dust, pea gravel over landscape fabric, or a grade-level deck using pressure-treated lumber would all be appropriate surfaces.
The elegant finial and pediments over the rear trellis, the trimmed arches, and the white paint finish are all classical elements that formalize the design. None require special woodworking skills or tools; just a portable jigsaw for cutting the arches and pediments.
To create your ornate profile, consider the design relationship between the table apron’s scrolled profile and the pediments.
The finial can be ordered from a woodworker supply store. The table is not only easily removable but the design also allows for adjustment of the leg to varying heights.
A painted arbor, especially one that supports vines, requires more maintenance than one that is oiled or stained. To get the most out of a paint job, apply wood preservative (especially on end grain), add primer before assembly, and finish with two topcoats of “lifetime” 100 percent acrylic latex paint.
