DIY Criss Cross Wall Trellis

By Kate Riley July 19, 2017

My friends today I’m happy to share my latest DIY project with you! For the longest time I had a blank wall in my courtyard behind the vintage iron sofa I scored at an antique faire.

You’ll recall I shared some great vertical garden support ideas a few weeks ago in the midst of designing a new trellis for myself. For years I wanted to build a simple custom trellis that fits the space just perfectly and finally got around to it just in time to enjoy it for the summer season.

 

 

 

I went through several design ideas, first I was thinking Chippendale style, then I decided to mimic the simple X pattern that exists in the DIY criss cross planters I built a few years ago. I’m so happy with how this design turned out, it fits the style of my home and frames my European style fountain that hangs on the wall. This was the final sketch I ended up with and off I went to Home Depot to buy lumber.

 

To build a similar criss cross trellis you’ll need the following: 2×2″ lumber for exterior frame; 1 3/8″ lattice to form X pattern, miter saw, power drill & drill bits, Arrow Fastener Electric Staple Gun & Nailer; Arrow Fastener 5/8” brad nails; 2 1/2″ wood screws; pencil; lag screws; finals (optional); primer & paint or stain (optional).

One of my favorite smells in the world is lumber (and sawdust), I find it inspiring because it represents something is being built! So I always enjoy picking out wood for a project like this. I made sure all the 2×2” boards were straight and then grabbed enough lattice to form the criss cross pattern.

 

To begin I used 2 x 2” lumber to create this frame:

To build the frame, I used a miter saw to trim the wood, then 2 1/2” wood screws to attach it together. Before screwing it together, it’s important to drill pilot holes first so that your wood screws go in straight and don’t split the wood.

 

 

 

 

 

I trimmed the 1 3/8” lattice to form the criss cross pattern. I left the middle X out to allow for room for my wall fountain.

 

For the corners, I cut the lattice so its edge sits at a 90 degree angle on top of the corner of the 2×2” frame.

 

 

 

I found it easiest to use a pencil to mark the edges of the lattice and trim with the miter saw as I went along. This is a close up image of the cuts made to form the outside corner of the criss cross pattern along the edge of the 2×2” frame.

 

 

This is how the frame starts to come together as you make the cuts with the miter saw:

 To visualize how the lattice comes together in the middle, here’s an image showing how I layered a second level of lattice of the design to form the criss cross pattern across the grid in the middle.

 

Using the Arrow Fastener Electric Staple Gun & Nailer and Arrow Fastener 5/8” brad nails, I stapled the entire trellis together in less than 5 minutes! This electric nailer is crazy easy to use, it has less kick back than a brad nailer attached to a compressor so it’s perfect for working with thinner wood like this. I imagine using this tool in the future for wainscoting or building picture frames, etc.

 

I used these bun feet as finials to add a little detail to the top. This is optional of course but I liked the idea of them to embellish the top corners.

 

I spray painted the entire trellis with a white primer + paint and screwed it to the wall using a lag screw like the one shown here.

 

As previously mentioned, I left the middle “X” out of the design to allow room for my wall fountain so that the criss cross pattern frames it. I’ve had it for years and since it matches the style of my home’s exterior, it stayed.

 

 

Without the fountain you’d simple finish off that center part of the grid with an additional “X” but I love how the absence of it frames the fountain perfectly.

 

 

There was a wire in the wall connected to a switch in the house, it’s been there 10 years. Finally all these years later, Matt hardwired the fountain pump so I can flip a switch on the wall inside the house.

It is SOOO very nice it is to sit out in the courtyard enjoying the new DIY criss cross trellis. I love to sit here on a cool morning and sip my coffee or in the evening enjoying a glass of wine. Even Coco the kitty loves the running water from the fountain, who can blame her.

 

The pink bower vines are thriving in this spot are weaving their way slowly up and through the design.

 

 

 

This post brought to you in partnership with Arrow Fastener, as part of a four part series showcasing their handy tools and fasteners. I’ll be bringing you more tutorials throughout the year, stay tuned! All opinions are my own.

15 comments

  1. Beautiful! Nice job! Would you mind sharing where you got your wall fountain and how it runs?

    • Hi Beth, the fountain is hardwired to the wall, when we added the kitchen extension 10 years ago we included a wire in that wall for a fountain tied to an interior switch. I’ve had the fountain so long I forget where I got it but I want to say Target, maybe?

  2. Kate, it is so beautiful! I love your decision and am impressed that you built it! The picture with your cat is so sweet.

  3. Wow, Kate, it’s perfect! This is the sort of thing that really must be done custom as you would never find this perfect a design and fit. Nice work! And very inspiring.

  4. The trellis turned out lovely; nice job. Makes me want to paint my next one instead of leaving it natural.

  5. We just had an old bush removed and now have the perfect spot for a trellis. Love your design. What material is on the exterior of your house? We have what they call synthetic stucco or dryvit and we are always worried about drilling into it or fastening something to it. It looks like you might have a similar exterior?

  6. Looks beautiful. I love a water feature. Your wrought iron sofa was a great find.

  7. So beautiful! Thank you for the inspiration and directions for recreating this work of art!

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