🌿✨ If someone asked me where my love for woodworking comes from, I’d have to admit it’s the result of a perfect storm: my old fascination with furniture design, my professional experience in a furniture factory, and my untamed creativity that definitely outpaces my skills, budget, and free time. To put it simply – my brain churns out ideas at the speed of a screw factory, and I try to keep up with knowledge, tools, a hammer, and a saw. 🔨
This is a never-ending story: from my first small garden projects to increasingly ambitious constructions that keep pushing my limits. My ambitions grow faster than the pile of scraps from failed ideas, and my project list is infinite – because, after all, a garden is an endless playground for woodworking experiments. 🌿
And if sometimes a board doesn’t fit or a screw is too short? Well, that’s just part of the charm of this passion! 😆 Let’s take a look at what I managed to create last year.
Mini Greenhouse for Seedlings
A project born in a rush during the first quarter of last year, inspired by the overwhelming presence of my own flower seedlings. They occupied every windowsill in my home and started asking me – if you transplant us, where will we all go? 🌱
I had to answer – I’ll build you a hostel. There was no other choice. This tiny greenhouse saved my skin and provided a safe space for my seedlings during early spring. 🌿😅
Semi-Circular Pergola for Blackberries
Thornless blackberries are a brilliant invention – the taste of summer without scratched hands or a battle with branches during every harvest. That’s why I decided to build them a rectangular pergola – a simple yet sturdy structure that gives them a place to climb while adding a touch of elegance to the garden. 🌿
Four solid pillars, a trellis between the shorter sides to keep the blackberries climbing instead of sprawling all over the place, and crossbars along the longer sides to support the structure and tie the branches. On top, two elegant semi-circles – part style, part wow factor. For stability, I reinforced the semi-circles with brackets because, while I love ambitious projects, I also prefer my constructions to survive extreme weather – mostly strong gusts of wind. 💨😂
I painted the whole thing chestnut brown – because this is a pergola, not a random scaffolding; it has to have class! ✨ Now my blackberries are thriving, and I proudly look at my creation, wondering what else I could build in the garden using this concept… Maybe a mini amphitheater for sparrows? 🎭😆
Compact Balcony Set – Chair + Three Stools
Gardening isn’t just about work – sometimes you have to sit down, sip coffee, and admire your creations. ☕ That’s why I built a compact balcony set – a chair and three stools, perfect for a quick rest on a narrow balcony like mine.
The chair is sturdy yet simple – designed for comfort, not to look like a royal throne. The stools follow the same style but are compact and stackable – they can be stored by flipping one into another at a 180-degree angle. 🔨 The whole set is made of wood in an Oregon pine color, matching my flower boxes perfectly!
White Year-Round Lanterns
I’ve always loved stylish lanterns that can be decorated for different seasons. So instead of buying mass-produced ones – I made my own! 🔨
The structure is based on glued wooden boards – both the base and roof are solid and well-fitted. A frame holds the windows and a small plexiglass door, and for ventilation, I added a small grate under the roof all around. This ensures the lanterns can be used year-round, whether with battery lights or candles. 🌟
The whole thing stands on metal legs because a bit of elevation is always a good idea. They’re versatile – great for both indoor and outdoor use. Decoration-wise, they work perfectly: in summer, they light up terrace evenings, and in winter, they transform into Christmas lanterns with fir branches and fairy lights. 🎄✨
The result? Minimalism, elegance, and versatility – and the satisfaction of knowing they’re my own creation, not mass-market replicas! 😃
Old Family Armchairs, Reborn
Two old “Lisek” armchairs – classic Polish mid-century chairs that once belonged to my grandparents – had a long and rough journey. They served the family for years but eventually ended up on the attic, then outside, where time and stray cats did whatever they pleased with them. 🌧️
I decided to bring them back to life. The wooden frames got a sleek ebony finish, while the upholstery… well, I showed no mercy and took it apart completely. After a thorough cleaning, I replaced the foam, picked a fresh fabric, and gave these chairs the makeover they deserved.
The result? See for yourself! 😏
The Final Fortress – A Castle Cabinet Among Climbing Vines
The previous year, I built a pergola for two trumpet vines, but I knew the design had a bigger vision – one that would unfold over time. I needed more than just a climbing frame for plants. That’s how the idea of an outdoor storage cabinet was born – but not just any cabinet! It had to be a castle tower, placed right in the heart of the pergola.
The entire structure is finished in ebony-gray, giving it a raw yet elegant look. The walls and doors feature wooden lattice panels, which not only add character but also blend beautifully with the climbing plants. The hinges, roof, latch, and decorative elements? All designed to mimic a real medieval castle. 🏰
Right now, it already looks solid – but the real magic is yet to come! During peak growing season, when trumpet vines start wrapping around the pergola and castle tower, the whole thing will transform into a lush green fortress. Will it still be a simple garden cabinet, or the gateway to some hidden kingdom? We’ll find out this summer! 🌿👑
What’s Next? Sawdust Will Fly!
My woodworking experiments are far from over – another year, another set of ideas! Which project do you like the most? Do you have any advice for my future builds? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Let me know in the comments which of these garden creations caught your eye – and which one you’d love to have in your own space! I’m looking forward to your opinions, and in the meantime – I’m off to get more wood, because the woodworking machine never stops! 🔨😎