I Did It Myself

PROJECT: Driveway entrance

TIME: One weekend to build; a day to install

COST: $100

HOW THEY DID IT: Mary and Jearl Cauthorne wanted to replace the plain, rickety driveway entrance to their King William County home with something more inviting.

"It's an adaptation of a garden gate," Mary Cauthorne said. "We wanted something a little fancier" to enhance the entry and provide a warm welcome to visitors.

Using treated 4-by-4's, 2-by-4's and pickets, they constructed a freestanding gate. The anchoring 4-by-4 posts were topped with two plain wooden post caps with a scrap of lumber in between. The posts are buried several feet into the ground to keep the gate standing.

Mary painted a metal sign that says "welcome" on one side and has the house numbers on the reverse. She also stenciled and painted sunflowers on the sign, which was hung using eye hooks and chain.

The Cauthornes put reflectors on the outside of the posts and on the back to be sure guests don't bump it on their way in or out of the driveway. -- Julie Young

TELL US HOW YOU DID IT: Share your home or garden project in 250 words or fewer with Julie Young, Home & Garden, I Did It Myself, P.O. Box 85333, Richmond, VA 23293, or e-mail . Include your name, address, phone number and, if possible, high-resolution photos of yourself and your project. The project must be one you did yourself.