The problem: Mitigate the imposing facade of a bland 2-story
wall. The solution: Build a mini-arbor.
The owners were expecting a hefty price tag for constructing a patio
cover over the entire deck. The wall faced North so there was no need for
shade. So why cover the whole deck with an arbor? The mini-arbor freed up
funds, with plenty left over, to afford to do some other things that
weren’t even in the cards.
For one thing, there was a water pipe under the central window.
Being just outside the kitchen sink, there was also a clean-out orifice on
the wall. So it was quite easy to install an outside sink with hot and
cold water taps and a drain. This led to the idea of installing a wet-bar
flush to the window sill. Food could then be passed through the open
window directly from the kitchen counter top to the table area on the bar
top. Additionally, the wet-bar could also serve as a cabinet for storing
all of those incidental picnic items within arm’s reach.
Another
item not in the cards was the serving table built around the far post.
This provided a convenient buffet table for snacks and hors d’oeuvres at
the point of entry to the deck.
A major role is played by the low voltage lighting system. There are
recessed white-light flood lamps on the underside of each cross-brace and
one in the center under the extended bar top.
The hanging lanterns project a broad rainbow-spectrum of
crystal-colored spots from the clear portion of the tube-lens and a soft
white light from the frosted portion.
A spot light with a special optically-coated crystal lens on the
underside of each lantern bathes everything beneath it in a royal crimson
glow. The night lighting pattern is a visual experience to behold!
In the light of day hanging baskets of flowering plants provide
scattered spots of airborne color. So day or night, there is this panoply
of color broadcast in all directions.
Overall, the mini-arbor is a major work of artistic imagination and
craftsmanship. The owners gave Mr. Deck artistic license to make it
spectacular and were generously rewarded for their small investment.
