Wednesday, June 17, 2015

New Pergola!

I really miss our screened porch. For some time, I've been hoping to make part of our deck seem more room-like.

Last week I did a little shopping and asked on the An Inch of Gray Facebook page which of these we should keep, and which we should return:

1) 11 ft solar telescoping umbrella from Bed Bath and Beyond



Or

2) 9.5 x 9.5 Metal Pergola from Home Depot.

Well, 100% of the respondents picked the PERGOLA and Tim and two friends assembled it on Saturday. They secured it to the deck with bolts.

I am in love!

Definitely the right choice, even with one caveat.

Here's the thing:

It looks terrific, but it doesn't provide any rain protection for our furniture. I don't like heading to the deck in the morning with the doggies and my tea and getting a wet rear end from rain and dew. The kind of tent/canopy I was looking for originally would have provided rain protection, but none would fit on the side of the deck.

Here are two examples of what I originally wanted, but were just too big for the only rectangular space on our deck.






So, with our deck size/shape, it was either pergola (and only sun protection) or umbrella (rain and sun protection, but the potential for it to blow away).

Go, Team Pergola!

It makes such a cozy space, and we have eaten dinner there the past few nights. It's going to be a great place to sit with a cold beer. Truthfully,  on the hottest Virginia days, it will be too hot, and on rainy days it's a no go as well. But that doesn't mean I'm not smiling every time I walk by and look at it!

Ta-Da!



Shade cover pulled back:

 Bigger view of deck:


I'd love to add a rug, but Tim is against having a wet rug sit on a wet deck. As you can see, we need to re-stain the deck. Thoughts?


P.S.

If you like the look of a pergola and have an even smaller deck area, this (8 x 8 one) might work for you:





18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looks great...and I think you DO need a rug!

lizzied said...

there are some awesome indoor/outdoor rugs that resist mildew and staining. I know I got one from QVC years ago. looks like an indoor rug but made from outdoor materials...had to pop over there and look. there are lots. here's just the first one: http://www.qvc.com/Veranda-Living-IndoorOutdoor-Reversible-5-x-7-Paradise-Rug.product.M46722.html?sc=M46722-Zone&cm_scid=zone&cm_sp=MERCHZONE-_-Featured:+New+Arrivals-_-1

Rhonda said...

Regarding the rug, I can't stand the thought of a soggy rug...here is an alternative to give a pop of color. I had one for YEARS and it held up very well.

http://smile.amazon.com/Fab-Habitat-Rug-22099179443-Paisley/dp/B00795X8IA/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1434568593&sr=1-4&keywords=Polyurethane+Outdoor+Rugs

Paula Scott Bicknell said...

It's perfect! Thanks for letting us be a part of your backyard planning. You can send the rain and dew to California. :)

Anonymous said...

They make waterproofing spray. You might want to consider waterproofing it that way?

http://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Armor-Fabric-Waterproofing-Spray/dp/B002WLN6YW

Unknown said...

Looks so cozy! I'll be right over withs some beer! ;)

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

Waterproofing spray is a great idea!

A Speckled Trout said...

I had no idea you could buy a pergola like that. I thought you had to have a carpenter make it. Now you've got me thinking......

Also, I'm on Team Rug. Lots of great ones out there and you can hose them off if need be.

Anonymous said...

So pretty! And they do make indoor/outdoor rugs....like straw? And yes, please send ALL rain to California. ;) Love the pergola, getting ready to do a patio cover at our house. So pretty.

katrynka said...

Looks great!!!

hockeymomx2 said...

That looks amazing.. Where did you get the shade cover for the pergola?

Thanks in advance.

Leeslie

Brian's Mom said...

I stenciled and painted a "rug" around my furniture on my porch. No soggy wet rug sitting on your wood deck and it looked amazing. You love crafting and paint - seems perfect.

www.robinbotie.com said...

Maybe you could PAINT a rug on the floor planks?

Anonymous said...

I love the pergola, and have considered purchasing the same one from Home Depot. I say get the rug! I love mine, it's an indoor/outdoor rug and it drys very quickly after it rains. It really does add so much personality to the deck.

Kimberly

p.s.-my husband disliked the idea of a rug at first, but he really likes it now!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Very nice, I love it.....enjoy!

Jamie Z. said...

World Market has great outdoor mats that are pretty to look at for about $40. They do fade in the sun but don't hold rainwater, and for that price I have pretty much decided it's worth the investment to replace each summer...especially if you catch their giant outdoor sale around Memorial Day or July 4th. Here is one, they have 3 or 4 different colors/patterns each year: http://www.worldmarket.com/product/green-blue-nomad-tiles-rio-indoor-outdoor-mat.do?&from=fn

Anonymous said...

Anna--We just redid our patio and I bought the 'chat set' patio cover to cover all of the patio furniture from Costco online. It beats having to individually cover each piece of furniture. I push the chairs tables in (the thing is huge) and just drop it down over all pieces leaving patio cushions in place. It is waterproof and I don't have to bring the cushions in every time it rains. Lifesaving for the lazy:). Love the pergola! NoVa Mom Jen

Esther said...

I also had the idea to paint a rug on the deck. Here's one idea http://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/how-to-create-a-faux-rug-with-paint

Good luck!