The photo above was shot by our talented contributor Bethany Nauert and was the winner of last year's first photo contest. I think we were all attracted to it not only because it's an amazing photo, but a wonderfully dreamy place. The photo is a great example of why pergolas are so awesome: the open structures help define space and create an outdoor room that is shaded during the day, and with a few vines and twinkle lights, can be romantic or festive at night.
Here are some other great examples of beautifully built pergolas (also known as trellises or arbors):
TOP ROW
1. via The Style Files
2. via HGTV
3. via Apartment Therapy
4. via Apartment Therapy
5. via HGTV
MIDDLE ROW
6. via Apartment Therapy
7. via HGTV
8. via Apartment Therapy
9. via Apartment Therapy
10. via Chicago Home + Garden
BOTTOM ROW
11. via The Style Files
12. via Martha Stewart
13. via Downsize My Space
14. via Decordir
15. via Habitually Chic
MORE PERGOLAS ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
• Outdoor Inspiration: Pergola Paradise
• Look! Reclaimed Wood Pergola and Table
(Images: Above the jump - Bethany Nauert; Below the jump - As linked)
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We have a patch of unused lawn in the back yard, just outside the door, where we want to put down flagstone or pavers. I had thought to just put an outdoor dining set from Home Depot or Lowe's out there, with an umbrella over, for our al fresco dining space. But the first photo reminds me so much of many of the outdoor living areas I got to share with friends in Germany and Italy and the south of France while living in Europe. I would really love to recreate that here, and living in the southern US, we can use all the shade we can get.
I love our big pergola, but just remember: you still have to clean it, and birds love to make nests where tree branches settle in the brise-soleil or slats -- and then there's the bird poop from birds perching up there throughout the day. :) Pergolas are also great for hanging plants and flower baskets if you don't have much greenery already planted.
The featured picture, as well the photo in #6, are TO DIE FOR. I do not have a yard, but when I do, I have been dreaming of making a little area like that!!!!
Ah, I dream of having a pergola. Bookmarking this page!
Lazy photo crediting. If the photos were part of a tour, your link can and should say Apartment Therapy. If it's from another source, even if it was featured in an AT post, you should be linking to the original source. #6 is actually House Beautiful, #8 is Chicago Home + Garden, #9 is the blog Anything Pretty.