It was high time that we had a proper fire pit area and I wanted it in time for the summer so I worked double time to knock this out in just 2 weekends (plus months of drawing diagrams… like I do…). I set it with good visual symmetry to my back yard where it establishes a square visual area by placing a “corner” into the yard. I used a lot of stone and wood decking that complemented the rest of the features in the back and I am pleased with the raised table like area in the seating that actually opens up to reveal integrated storage! I also sewed the custom bench cushions that bring a great splash of color and fun to what might otherwise be a little cold stone. The key feature is the firepit itself, it is all loose stacked stone surrounded by river stone and capped with a customer poured concrete table top inscribed in latin.
The table top is 4x4ft with a lipped hole in the center that the fire pan sits in. I made the top using fiber reinforced concrete with pig-wire for additional reinforcement. The mold was made from ¾ melamine, plastic shoe molding, styrofoam and the engraving was made by gluing foam letters down backwards. The letters worked fairly well, a little too much water to the mix lead to some gaps around the letter and some of the letters (which I didn’t secure completely with super glue) moved about a bit. I touched up all the lettering with a dremel and some dry mix and then filled with black oil paint which dramatically improved the look.
The engraving reads as follows: QUICQUID MANU HOMINIS FACTUM EST MANU HOMINIS POTEST REFICI MMXVI
Translation: That which was made by the hand of man can be repaired by the hand of man – 2016
I had this translated for me as an ode to my father; I remember him quoting this from my grandfather when I was a kid and it always stuck with me and I am proud in how it characterizes my family’s approach. It suggests that if something that was made by God has broken then you might just not be able to fix it, but short of that it was made by man and you certainly can so don’t be lazy or a coward, take it apart and get’r done!
