[artalis]

I have been after a nice looking wooden bin tidy for months now, but there aren't too many companies importing into Ireland or else manufacturing them.

Even when I do find one it's at least three hundred euros for a double wheelie tidy. The alternative is plastic, that looks as ugly as the wheelie bins themselves.

Finally, we decided to go for a cheaper alternative and make one ourselves.
I am not at all handy with power tools etc but I managed to construct a metal framework, covered it in a plastic mesh for extra strength and then overlaid it with willow. Total cost was 50 euros. Just hope it lasts at least one year....or until I can figure out how to handle power drills etc and construct a bin tidy one entirely from wood.

Like our hand made gate, with traditional iron fittings? We needed a wider gate for motorbike access, so we moved the hanging post to the rear of the house and had a gate built from scratch.

Cost saving......the front door project. Couldn't get ironware, at the right scale for the much smaller front door ( except for designer pieces at 60 to 100 euros per piece-eh no thanks!) I drew the iron hinge shape onto hardwood and cut it out with a small hacksaw, painted it black and fixed it to the door. Fixed ironware nail heads and hand painted existing metallic door furniture with decorative design embellishments to match.....

Now I suprised myself with the hand carved/cut wooden hinges...didn't know I could do that until I did, he he......

Next project is to make some trellis work for either side of the front door. There will be an oak half barrel on one side which will contain a winter jasmine ( hopefully). Should I make the trellis from willow, wood or ironware ( prob faux ironwork in steel or aluminium.) ? What materials would work best with existing features?

artalis

[Sive]

Well done artalis....LOVE the purple...and your lovely garden.

[artalis]

Thanks Sive,

Me too, every time that I look at the violet colour my eyes brighten and sparkle.

Bees seem to love visiting the garden too and I wonder is the violet coloured painted garden railing etc something to do with it coz bees love purples and blues, as flowers in this colour range offer the best nectar/pollen.

Glad you like it too!

artalis