“What is that thing out in the woods?,” my brother-in-law asked quizzically. When I explained to him that it was a mini conservatory made of old windows I could tell by the look on his face that he was thinking, “Ohhh-KAY!”
Y’ALL! Not everyone gets us, we diggers in old trash. I know y’all are with me on this. Why else would you read a blog like mine? The thrill-of-the-hunt-to-find-the-perfect-parts-that-will-come-together-into-one-grand-creation-of-our-own-making.
SIGH . . . Life is GOOD!
Quite awhile back I did a post showing pictures of garden houses (LINK HERE) and shared my dream of having one of my own. Back then there wasn’t a single place in our yard to add such a dream. HOWEVER, now that we are in a house with a larger yard and much of it natural woods, I found myself dreaming once again.
Dreaming and searching online for Mini Garden Conservatories. I found several on Pinterest which you can check out on my Garden Houses Board.
The following is a simple tutorial showing how Mr. OTN and I put our own Mini Conservatory together:
We began with six windows found on Craigslist. Four for each of the sides and two to make the peak of the roof.
Mr. OTN jumped right into the project (I think he enjoyed the fame of being written about in my Recaning a Vintage Chair post) and used a drill and screwdriver to attach L-brackets to three corners of the structure.
Next was the peak of the roof.
We knew we wanted a flat section on the top for attaching decorative trims so he screwed a 2×4 down into the edges of the top and added brackets on both ends to stabilize the roof.
The bottom edges of the roof windows fit down perfectly into the tops of the base windows so all Mr. OTN had to do was add screws to secure them. The door was added next and Mr. OTN shaved off a bit of the top corners with his mitre saw so the door wood swing smoothly under the roof.
We used old hardware that came with the windows as a door latch.
I wanted a tin strip over the top of the roof and after measuring I used metal snippers to cut the trim from a piece of dryer vent.
You can see here that I took my hammer to it to make it look like hammered metal. This was just the beginning. By the time I got through with my hammer and a metal chain it looked really grand!
I decided to cut a piece of wood to cover the end brackets and give my house a more finished look. This is the template I created for the wood before cutting it with the table saw. Yes, I get to use the dangerous tools!
I could hardly wait until it was all put together to begin painting. NOTE: It was a waste of time to tape everything before painting. I have a pretty steady hand and I found that I could paint and wipe away excess much faster than I could tape. Besides, this is an outdoor project so who really cares if the paint is a little sloppy? Live and learn.
The best part was trimming out my creation. I had leftover metal trim from my Outdoor Herb Shelf project.
I found an inexpensive cross at Hobby Lobby and added some plastic crystals for a little sun catching bling.
I found an old trivet at Habitat for Humanity and since it was dark like the trim I rubbed a little gold paint over it to make it stand out.
I’ve had this crystal doorknob in my spare parts box for awhile now so I was delighted to be able to use it on this project. The well patina’d doorknob plate was a cheap brass one that I also found in my spare parts box and aged with salt and vinegar. Poifect!
The decorative accent on top is two plant hooks screwed down into the wood and metal.
I wanted to elevate my Mini Conservatory so was extremely happy to find an old coffee table at Goodwill that I painted with the same outdoor paint that I used on the windows. Aren’t the legs good looking?
Finally I was able to add a bit of color with beautiful plants.
This little boy and his dog were sitting in the woods behind our house so I gave him a new place to observe the garden.
The broken pedestal piece was also out in the woods and it now serves as a stand for my plants.
I like adding a little interest to the woods behind my house . . .
. . . and the view from my screened porch makes me smile. Silly old lady that I am.
Blessings friends,
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It looks absolutely amazing. Even more beautiful than I imagined. Great job!
Awww . . . thank you sweet daughter!
Patti, this is sooo cute….LOVE IT.
Great job!!! I love it! I too have a thing about the mini conservatory/greenhouse. I have wanted to do one for ages. You have now given me the incentive to feel like I could possibly do one, once I find the windows. I love how you added the little findings they make it perfect. Thanks for the tutorial too.
Blessings,
Candy
This is absolutely beautiful! I know just where it will go after we (OK, the hubs) builds it!
I’m jealous and I do understand. 🙂
Your conservatory is gorgeous and I’ve always wanted one.
Beautiful!! Very creative! Great job!
Thank you for the compliment Cindy! You make me smile 🙂
Patti, It looks so darn cute. Would love to have one in my garden!
It was so easy to build Kathy. You can do it!
Love the glass door knob and the chandy! What a perfect addition to your yard. Thanks for a very informative how to. Off to find some Windows.
Yay Peggy! I’m glad you liked it and happy that you will have one too! Thank you.
Not silly, delightful ! I must do this. I love the final details.
Thank you Eileen. It was one of the “funnest” projects I’ve done. 🙂
Wow!!!! You did an amazing job! I love that you made this out of old windows! Wonderful! I love the crystal knob and the doorknob plate. It’s just beautiful!
Thank you Monroe. The crystal doorknob has been waiting for just the right project and it is my favorite addition too!
I am here from Shabbilicious Friday. What a wonderful post, and great tutorial! I like your blog, too.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful idea. It turned out lovely! This is something I would love to put together for my garden. All of your special touches really added to this piece! I am glad I stopped by.
Debbie
I’m glad you stopped by too Debbie. Thank you for the compliments on my mini conservatory. I popped over to your blog and I love your romantic house at the lake! We left behind a lake house in Washington to move to SC and I still miss it even though I’m thankful for our new home and all of the wonderful SC weather.
Your gorgeous mini garden conservatory caught my eye at the Party Junk party. I’ve seen old windows repurposed into these before but what makes yours so special is the embellishments you have adorned it with. LOVE LOVE LOVE this and pinned to share 🙂 Excellent tutorial and photos too.
Thank you sweet Marie for you lovely comments on my Mini Garden Conservatory! You bless me
I am loving this!! It’s rustic and glamorous. It looks so pretty sitting outside tucked in your garden.
Thank you sweet Christine! Rustic Glam is my thing I guess 🙂
Wow i really like this, what a great job you both did. Thanks for sharing at good morning Mondays. Blessings
Thank you my friend and blessings back to you 🙂
This turned out gorgeous! Nothing like having your own mini garden conservatory. It’s beautiful. Thank you for sharing at Dishing it and Digging It link party. We love having you.
Wow this looks fabulous! How talented of you to build it….Christine
Thanks Christine! It helped to have a handy hubby 🙂
Its is just beautiful, im in awe about. How to convince my son lets make this. Thank you for sharing the details of it. Love it.. With love Janice
Thank you Janice! I do hope your son will help you make one. It is really quite simple 🙂
Your home is beautiful inside and out — just like you!
I love that shot of you inside your creation painting it!
You are the sweetest Michele Morin!
This is absolutely beautiful! You did an amazing job 🙂
Blessings,
Edye | http://gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com
Thank you dear Edye! <3
So glad you paid no attention to your brother-in-law! (I’m sure his intentions were honorable…LOL!) Your mini-conservatory is not only a beautiful piece of artwork, but also is great for growing plants! You are SO creative, using many old pieces that most would have thrown away, yet look what beauty it brings! Stopping over from “A Little R&R” link-up.
Thank you for stopping by and making my day with your wonderful compliments Ann. You bless me 🙂
That is a sweet garden centerpiece! Love it! Thank you for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
I so want one! LOL I will feature this tomorrow at Home Sweet Home!
Wow! Thank you for sharing the love Sherry. I appreciate it so very much 🙂
Patti this is really phenomenal. What makes it oh so special is the attention to detail that you have given it. The little trim here and there, the two pieces on the top. I love this. Really extraordinary and creative. Pinning and sharing. Thank you for joining us and giving us lots of sweet Inspiration.
Thank you sweet Mary! You are a blessing 🙂
Great post. And how handy you are. Thanks for sharing how you did it! I enjoyed visiting from
The Art of Homemaking. I’m following you!
I hope you can come over and say hi. I linked to http://www.mychristmasjourney.blogspot.com
Hope to see you!
Thank you for visiting and for following Sherry! I will be over to pay you a visit 🙂
It is truly amazing Patti and how lovely it must be to look out to your yard and see it there.
Thank you for sharing at Shabbilicious Friday. I’m delighted to be featuring your mini garden conservatory at tomorrow’s party.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
I LOVE being featured at your Shabby Art Boutique Kerryanne! Thank you 🙂
My jealousy continues! Thanks for sharing this at Thoughts of Home on Thursday.
Posting on Facebook right now. 🙂
Jealous in a good Christian way I’m sure Stacey, just like I am of all your talent. You are the sweetest!
What a fun outdoor project Patti! I love it 🙂 Thank you for sharing with us on the Art of Home-Making Mondays at Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth!
Thank you sweet Jes 🙂
Patti, you are my feature for the Sweet Inspiration Link party tomorrow. Come by and grab your button. And thank you for linking up with us.
I am honored to have my project featured Mary. Thank you 🙂
I have always wanted to do this! Thanks for the tutorial! I’m bookmarking and pinning!
Yay! I’m so glad you were helped my this post Lisa 🙂
That is so lovely! And the perfect setting for it, too.
Thank you Lisa. We are blessed for sure to have such a peaceful setting in our backyard.
You’re right now everyone gets us! I would love to have a mini conservatory in my backyard and I love the touches of bling. Thanks for adding this to the line up at Celebrate Your Story and have a great weekend.
I’m glad we have each other Sandra! Thank you for the wonderful compliment 🙂
I LOVE your mini garden conservatory, Patti. It is filled with delight and whimsy. Me thinks I am going to have to fashion one. I must say I love the view from your porch. Just visiting your lovely blog from way down here at the bottom of the world…so happy I found you.
Thank you Kim. I hope you do create one for your own garden. You could hang some of your lovely quilted creations on the windows! Wouldn’t that be fun? I’m so glad you came on over my way.
How, you are so amazing! Thank you for sharing your awesome talents at SYC! xx Jo
You are the sweetest Joanne! Your words make me love you all the more 🙂
Oh, Patti! What a joy to find OTN today! The mini-conservatory is delightful but your comments about transformed lives just made me cry! I’m also a daughter of The King, Jesus, and am blessed to find another who is so willing to share Him with others.
You’re a great inspiration to this grandma!
Blessings,
Bunny
I’m SO glad you found me too Bunny! It is a delight to meet another Jesus girl! Blessings 🙂
Oh Patti, I get it!! I have wanted one for years and showed hubby many times. I have not found the perfect windows yet. I’m also not sure where I could fit one, but I want one so badly. Yours is gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Silly? Never! This project is inspired and just the thing for those of us who don’t have a big glass orangerie, but would like something pretty and just a tiny big practical for the garden. Well done!
Awww, thank you for the sweet compliment 🙂
Well, it’s truly amazing! You two did an amazing job on this! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the fan favorites at the Sunday Showcase from the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link so you can check out your feature. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2016/07/sunday-showcase-make-pretty-monday.html Hope to see you again tomorrow night at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Wow! I’m so happy to be one of the fan favs! Thank you so much for featuring my project Kathryn.
Love, love, love! You are so talented!!!
Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings,
Cindy
Thank you dear Cindy. YOU are so talented that it makes me happy to receive this compliment from you.
Oh my goodness, this project is beautiful! The details are so sweet and perfect for this greenhouse. I’m impressed!
Thank you sweet Julie. It was really more fun than it was difficult. I appreciate your comment though.
Hi Patti, just hopping back to let you know that you will be featured at SYC this week.
hugs,
Jann
Thank you SO much for featuring my little conservatory Jann. You are a blessing!
I think its gorgeous! You and the mister did a beautiful job on it. I love all the little touches like the metal trim, cross, and door knob. I would love to have a big version of this some day.
Awww, thank you Linda. I would love a big version too. Maybe once we move out of a neighborhood with restrictions on what we can put in our yard. This can’t be seen from the front yard so it is deemed acceptable 🙂
I love your Mini Conservatory! What a great idea! I love formal gardens and fountains and have been wanting to build a hedge maze in our wild back yard but my husband isn’t for that. But maybe I can talk him into the conservatory. 😉 Thank you so much for sharing this.
What a delight to find my little conservatory featured on your site this week! Thank you 🙂
Thank you for featuring my project!