Pergolating, Part I
Here we go, part I. It’s up but there’s still a ton to do. You can see a pair of the new iron chairs. They look super designer and light but they weigh a whopping 15 kg each. Enough for any Rugby player sized guest to sit on without fear 🙂 Also, now I want things that are going to last the rest of my life.
Climbing hydrangeas are going on each of the uprights at the front. Ivy from the back. The whole thing was designed by the incredibly talented people at the Ferronerie Bouzac here in Mazamet. They’ve been open for generations and have created much of the beautiful ironwork in town; including our coffee table in the red room. I’m re-finishing the table and chairs in the pergola to match the finish of the structure. That’s my job for next week. I’ve also power-washed the floor. We’re now in the process of choosing a lantern/chandelier, because every outdoor space needs one! Once it’s all cleaned up there will be new proper pictures.
My Mazamet 
Ooh. I want one. I have been holding off because every idea I have looks crazy expensive, even to me. But maybe I could do it in phases, with a pergola — mine would be the back section of something that would surround and hide my kitchen garden — being the first phase. That is very nice, Pink. I can’t wait for progress reports.
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It was installed on a cold, muddy day – but I’ll soon clean the whole thing up 🙂 We used ours in Spain from spring to autumn. There’s something about having an indoor plan outdoors that makes one feel particularly comfortable.
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P.S. If you decide to go for it, there’s a company called Unopiù that has gorgeous ready-made structures at very reasonable prices and impeccable quality.
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I love Unopiù and there is a dealer near here. Thanks! And I’ll take that as a hint that yours was not a budget option. It certainly doesn’t look like one.
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I would have gone for Unopiù but they had nothing to fit the pre-existing terrace space we created when we moved in. And we really weren’t going to change the size of the terrace as it was made to fit between the plants that were already there. So it had to be the expensive option 🙂
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How good to be able to have a long established firm to do the work. Looking forward to see the finished result. What style of lantern/chandelier are you thinking of?
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They’re fabulous, and they don’t stop until everything is absolutely perfect. There was particular trouble because the floor was uneven so they had to modify various heights and it came out beautifully.
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I would want to plant climbers with a scent there, but I don’t know whether your bees are aggressive or not! Lovely! Can’t weight to see the end result. And those chairs must have been made from tubing that was then filled with lead, 15 kg each . . .amazing!
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Scented climbers would be lovely although I’m not sure what would work in that position as it gets very little direct sunlight – any ideas? The chairs are very impressive, moving them, on the other hand, isn’t fun!
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If it is in part shade then star jasmine ought to work…and if you could tolerate a rose which only flowers once you might think of Paul’s Himalayan Musk, or Rambling Rector, both of which thrived in shady corners for me in France, though the latter can be a bit of a thug.
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The rambling rector is glorious! I think that’s my choice. Thank you yet again 😉
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Just keep it under control….to say it is vigorous is an understatement, but it’s worth the effort.
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That sounds perfect. Vigorous will work well in that position.
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I am glad to see someone from France chime in as my experience is in California and I am not at all sure the climes match up.
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This is looking good, Pink.
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Can you buy well-established creepers/vines around your way? There’s a Friday wholesale nursery up the road from us and you can get ten year-old vines ready to go in the ground.
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We’ve always been able to for trees, now we’re going to try for creepers 😀
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Good luck! Will cut years of work.
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Cool (it will be, come summer!). I would not want lightweight chairs – if there’s a wind, you’ve got chairs all over your lawn! Love the hefty feel of these. And love that you’re planting up the pergola!
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This is super exciting. The pergola will make a lovely spot to relax in come summer. Dappled shade, cool micro-climate from the plants, and a nice bottle of wine. Perfect. 🙂
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