Finished up yesterday. We added a 6" cap to the top, wide enough to set stuff on. I had bought a roll-up blind for the front, but was really disappointed with how it was going to be mounted, so using the two scrap pieces of lattice from the shorter lower side, I made a pair of 'shades' (calling them that, for lack of a better idea) and hung them from a headboard screwed to a solid, existing beam. The eyebolts are exactly 24" apart, so these are interchangeable, and when not in use, they can be hung/stored on a second set of hooks behind the lattice blind.
The whole thing was a good learning experience. I knew what I wanted the end result to be, but not sure what the best way to get there was. My Ol' Man has some pretty serious carpentry skills he got from his Dad, who was a Staff carpenter and locksmith at Duke University, so this simple little front porch blind is somewhat overbuilt. The way we framed all that lattice in was time-consuming, but super-strong. After it was complete, we ended up with a very small bundle of waste. (dadgum treated lumber is expensive anymore!) The cost of the project was just over $200. It took 2 of us about 6 hours. Not counting lunch and a hardware store run.
I'll be spending a good bit of time out here soon. Back to finish up the last Kay bass.
