A Custom Doghouse

Landscape architect Louise Leff chose a bare, shady corner of their garden, under a canopy of redwoods, for a cool spot for the doghouse. She recommends choosing a location that is not in full sun and that needs some visual interest. Also, look at your house and garden to identify some design elements (such as shingles and window boxes) that you can incorporate into a doghouse design. For the Vanderdrifts, she designed a canine retreat made of plywood painted to complement the house and added whitewashed lattice, a cedar shingle roof, and decorative trim molding. She also chose shade-tolerant, hardy, nonpoisonous flowers and plants to brighten up the shady corner.

Leff estimates that a professional would charge about $800 for the custom doghouse and plants, but do-it-yourselfers can build and plant their own for about $275. This project can be completed in a day and rates a 1 on a difficulty scale of 1 (easy ) to 5 (difficult). It does require some basic carpentry skills but is simple enough that you'll have plenty of energy left over to play with your dogs.

Step One: Cutting the Plywood Panels

Bo Williams, the carpenter, uses CDX plywood for the doghouse; CDX is exterior grade, waterproof, and available for about $20 per sheet. For a standard size doghouse, you will need one sheet for all panels.

Lay the plywood on two sawhorses, and snap a chalk line to divide the plywood into 3 sections. Measure and draw out the panels. The front and rear panels are 24 inches wide and 30 inches high at the peak, sloping down to 18 inches high. The side panels are 16 inches high, to allow for two-inch gaps between the walls and eaves of the roof to serve as air vents. The roof panels are 19" x 30". Be sure that the measurements are accurate and consistent so that the doghouse won't be lopsided.

Cut out the panels with a circular saw (available for rent at about $20/day), starting with the front and back panels and continuing with the rest.

Step Two: Constructing the Doghouse

Lay the front panel of plywood over a sheet of lattice, and trace around it. Cut the lattice with a circular saw. To cut an opening for the doorway, lay the cut-out lattice on top of the front plywood panel, and mark the doorway, with the doorway peak centered under the peak of the panel. For this project, the doorway is 19 1 /2 inches high by 12 inches wide, but you should make sure that the opening is large enough to accommodate your dog.

Predrill the panels, spacing the holes a few inches apart. Line up a side piece with the front panel, and clamp it in place. Attach the panels with deck screws (figure B). Use a countersink drill bit to recess the screws into the plywood.

Attach the other side panel, and then clamp the floor in place and attach with screws. Attach the roof panels, cantilevering them over the sides to protect the doghouse from rain. Remember to leave a two-inch gap between the roof and sides for air vents (figure C).

Step Three: Painting the Doghouse

Paint the doghouse to match the house, using an exterior latex, water-based paint and a sponge roller. Set the doghouse in the sun for 30 minutes to speed up the drying process.

Paint the lattice with whitewash, composed of equal parts of white paint diluted with water, applied with a sponge brush.

Step Four: Adding the Finishing Touches

Attach the lattice to the front, back, and side panels, using a nail gun. Then cut, whitewash, and nail corner molding to the exposed corners of the doghouse (figure E) for a finished look.

Place the doghouse in a clear, level, shady spot, and it's ready for your furry friend to enjoy.

Planting a Pet-Friendly Garden

To lighten up the shady corner where the doghouse would go, Lett selected an assortment of plants with light-colored, variegated foliage and vibrant flowers. She chose plants that are nonpoisonous to pets and hardy enough to be walked on, including:

• (Liriope muscari 'Silver Dragon'), Zones 6-10
• (Lysimachia punctata 'Alexander'), Zones 4-8
• (Astilbe 'Erica'), Zones 5-8