Vanishing-point doo
This enchanting project creates the illusion of another world beyond
your garden. It's a great way to add a touch of whimsy that will ignite
the imaginations of kids of all ages. Building it is a breeze - just
construct a basic door panel from recycled timber, hang it in a colourful
architrave and add a painted landscape backboard. Install it in a corner
of your garden and complete the effect with a rocky pathway.
GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES
■ 30 x 120mm-wide recycled
hardwood or similar timber
and fence palings in lengths
to suit doorway
■ 150mm galvanised bugle-
headed batten screws
■ 45mm galvanised screws
■ 140 x 42mm treated pine
■ Hinges and handle suitable
for exterior use
■ 90 x 90mm x 1,8m H4
treated pine posts (2)
■ 1200 x 2400mm blueboard
YOU’LL ALSO NEED
Quick-set concrete (2 bags);
drill and bits; jigsaw; Dulux
Weathershield Low Sheen acrylic
in True Red or colour of choice
(doorframe); sample pots of
acrylic paints for background;
100mm galvanised strips; gravel
HERE’S HOW
STEP 1
Cut recycled hardwood
timber to length to suit doorframe
(here, 1040 x 630mm). Using
sim ple
butt joins,
predrill,
countersink and screw together
with 1 50mm batten screws to
create frame for door panel.
STEP 2
Cut recycled fence
palings to a length at least 30mm
longer than opening in doorframe
at top and bottom. Predrill ends
and
use
45mm
galvanised
screws to fix fence palings to rear
of frame, creating door panel.
STEP 3
Fit hinges to top and
bottom of door and fit handle.
STEP 4
Use 140mm treated pine
for architrave with decorative head.
Cut head to length (width of door
and side architraves plus 20mm
for clearance), mark shape and cut
with jigsaw. Cut side architraves
so they’re 30mm longer than
door. Paint in desired colour.
STEP 5
Predrill head and screw
to side architraves using 150mm
batten screws. Attach door to
finished architrave with hinges.
STEP 6
Cut blueboard so it's
50mm wider than door opening
on both sides and at top. Use
sample pots of acrylic paints to
create a distant scene, such as
a mountain landscape. Once dry,
screw to back of architrave.
STEP 7
Dig 2 holes for posts
to support completed door.
Concrete in place, ensuring they
are plumb. Screw completed
door assembly to posts. Paint
edges of posts if visible.
STEP 8
To complete the illusion,
add a perspective pathway.
Mark out path edges, gradually
becoming narrower towards the
doorway. Remove grass and
unwanted soil. Peg galvanised
strips in place for pathway edging
and finish by filling with gravel. ►
For project supplies, see Stockists page
