By Danielle Peterson

Joyce Roseman’s pergola project started as a way to recycle deck wood from a neighbor, but as Joyce and her husband created the structure together, it turned into a labor of love. “My husband and I built this pergola as a Mother’s Day gift for me in 2007,” Joyce says.

Joyce had a vision of what her dream pergola looked like, so she drew out the plans and the couple cut the lumber to size. They used concrete to anchor the four corner posts in the ground and made crossbeams from 2X4s for added stability. The corner posts and 2X4s used were created from pressure-treated lumber.  “To secure the beams overhead, we used metal clasps. The cleats were the easiest way to secure the wood; they kept us from having to cut notches in all the beams,” Joyce says. For extra stability, the duo anchored the pergola to the house.

Using canvas drop cloths, Joyce found an inexpensive way to give the pergola more character—and provide shade. She stitched the canvas near the top to create pockets for the curtain rods but left excess fabric as a valance. To tie the room together, Joyce stenciled the extra flap and the tiebacks with the same design she used on the floor rug.

To create curtain rods, Joyce gave inexpensive metal conduit a face-lift. “I spray-painted them copper because it was much cheaper than purchasing copper pipe,” she explains. The rods are hung through large eyehooks so they are easy to remove when the curtains need cleaning. 

 
 Tip from the creator: Don’t stay away from plans requiring heavy lifting—just recruit a helpful spouse or friend to help. “I designed the pergola, and my husband did whatever I suggested!” Joyce says.

To see another photo of Joyce’s pergola, click here.

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