Post #399812 by Hakalugi on Fri, Aug 8, 2008 1:23 AM

Play Structure Tiki Makeover Phase 1:

Another backyard project far enough along so that I can share some photos.

We wanted to get one of those wooden play structures for our daughter. Something like this:

Unfortunately our backyard is so small, I was unable to find a prefab one that would fit the bill. I did however find a somewhat local place (Play-Well) that was willing to customize their designs based on my own specifications. Here is the space I had to work with:

Here's the partial installation and completed stucture:

Changes to their design included a narrower side porch and installing the steps on the inside.

Now that the structure was in place, the transformation could begin. The plan is to totally Tikify the stucture and it would be done in three phases.

Phase 1 - Extended roof beam, thatching and trim
Phase 2 - Bamboo trim and matting on second level
Phase 3 - Awning and trim for the ground level

So on to Phase 1:

Of course any good Tiki A-frame needs to have a nice beam that protruds up. So I started with a stock piece of wood from Home Depot which is meant to build stairs:

Connect that to a longer piece using some big black brackets (unfortunately a bit hard to see in this photo).

Once the beam was complete all I had to do was open up the roof, shave some of the existing wood a bit, and drop in the beam.
Front view:

Back:

Now of course you've got to have some sort of hanging lamp. I didn't want to use a glass float because it would probably somehow get inadvertantly smashed by my daughter or one of her overly rambunctious friends. And a fake plastic float wouldn't hold up to the sun too well over time (plus they're fake). So I bought an outdoor light at Home Depot for $20.00.

All I had to do was strip the lamp down to a bare frame and with some bamboo, sea grass braid, mica, and a hot glue gun, I ended up with this:

Then I extended the roof and begun adding matting:

Now the thatch goes on as well as bamboo trim. You can also see the tar roofing material I've added.

The trim and thatch is complete.

We chose to turn down a plastic ships wheel and added our own:

View from second level of the structure:

Even though the thatch is nailed down it might still get a bit thrashed from the wind, so I made a bamboo retainer. Not only is it functional, but it looks good:

Tiki Bo Peep approves:

Here's the extension and pulley for the lift bucket. You can also see the brass telescope:

Tiki Bo Peep still approves:

And so does some of the other wildlife:

Here's a night shot from our second floor living room window:

And a few more night shots:

Phase 2 will soon commence, but for now, it's time for a double Zombie.

[ Edited by: Hakalugi 2008-08-08 02:05 ]