An outdoor oasis 18 years in the making

During a visit to a nearby winery to research wedding venues for their daughter, the Wests spotted the ideal solution — a graceful wooden outdoor structure with trellised walls and an arched roof. JR snapped pictures and created drawings. Now, all he needed was a team with the woodworking expertise and imagination to bring his vision to life.

Inspired by a shade structure at a nearby winery, JR says the finished Forever Redwood custom pergola is “even better!"

JR searched the web for “custom woodworking” and “custom pergolas” and eventually found Forever Redwood. Over the course of six months, he worked with the engineering team to adapt his photos and drawings to a 22' L x 14' W x 14' H design. Trish and JR added their own touches including three arches on the pool-facing side and an opening in the roof to accommodate a stone fireplace with a custom Redwood mantel. They chose gorgeous, long-lasting mature Redwood as a building material.

Custom fireplace mantel by Forever Redwood in mature Redwood

“The entire process was smooth and efficient,” says JR. “We could not be happier.”

Trish and JR’s outdoor oasis is finally complete. The finished structure (which we dubbed The Victorian Trellis) sits beneath towering trees on the 22-acre property. “It’s like an outdoor secret room where you can look up and see the stars,” JR says. On cool evenings when the fireplace is ablaze, “our guests don’t want to leave!”

Engagement party for Trish and JR’s daughter

These days, their outdoor oasis is more important than ever. Trish is a nurse and JR is a school principal, so the Covid-19 pandemic has dramatically altered their daily lives. According to JR, “it’s what we need to recharge. We feel blessed to have it.”

The Wests finished their dream project in time to enter our 2019 photo contest — and win a prize for 3rd place