Spring 2020
The quarantine meant we had time for home improvements; first off was backyard projects! Since we have been home for a considerable amount of time we decided that we would put some love into our yard (especially since there were no vacations in our foreseeable future). This project was completed in April, but we are just getting around to sharing!
The inspiration for this project came from a phenomenal artist we met in Troy, NY last summer. She created and built a similar greenhouse and we absolutely fell in love.
So next came the task of where to build it and gathering materials. After reaching out to our wonderful family and friends on Facebook, we were given a handful of windows from our great friend and neighbor, Kevin. Next, we bought some industrial windows from an old factory in Cohoes to finish off the sides. For years, we wanted to build a greenhouse complete with a stained glass window, but sadly they are very expensive. After finishing the sides of the greenhouse, we got a call from our friend Kevin who said he had a few extra windows for us to look at. To our amazement, he had a beautiful stained glass window and door that fit perfectly in the front of the greenhouse.
Other than the time commitment, the only costs for this project were the 2×4’s used to connect the windows/ walls, the sheet of corrugated steel for the built-in workbench, and the grey patio pavers that were used as the foundation.
*When considering a project like this reach out to friends and family (social media is a plus here) to see if they have any materials that they no longer want. If all else fails, there are some great restoration places to search for unique and historical pieces.
Take a look at the before pictures and progression of the greenhouse below!
Before
Both Rick and Elisabeth spent a weekend in early April building the foundation and putting up the windows. Elisabeth held the boards and windows in place as Rick put everything together. Rick also built a nice potting bench along the far wall to use for planting. After the walls were up, clear plastic roofing was used for the top. Although a tedious project, it was a fun project that is a beautiful addition to our backyard oasis!
This was a really fun project and turned out to be a major success! Check out the after pictures from our weekend task of building a greenhouse. Stay tuned for other backyard projects!
After
Upstate Vintage Living 