Garden Gate

This particular project was more like a close collaboration between builder and clients / designers. Both of these clients have an impressively extensive background in science, design and aesthetic. Their house is a shining example of quality craftsmanship and restoration from the inside and out. It was imperative to get JUST the right look and function.


We worked closely to design a definite barrier between the driveway approach and the inviting back yard. This garden is stunning in all four seasons, even when lying fallow in winter it has shape, life and color--thanks in part to Judy's expert eye and thumb. She is a licensed professional specializing in beautiful and unique garden design. Her yard gets an annual visit from the garden tour experts and it shows with so many passers by stopping to admire the roses ect.

The all cedar gate helps to keep the "Grandcat" in the back yard and gives the occupants in the back a bit more privacy from the busy street at the front. The gentle curve of the gate helps open up this busy world though, and allows the numerous and fantastically friendly neighbors to pass through and say hello.


Since the gate would often remain open, we devised a "Latch" system utilizing rare earth magnets. A hinge plate-sized piece of metal securely mounted on the door catches a small inset magnet on the strike side of the gate post. No latches actually are there to mis-align or warp with the wood over time. Another magnet was inserted on the body of the fence to act as a "catch" to keep the gate secure in the open position. The magnets secure to the metal plate with a pleasant and confident "click".

We installed a traditional bolt latch on the inside of the gate to enable a padlock to be used for security and additional holding power in case of a powerful windstorm rolls through and turns the gate door into a sail.



An inset oil-rubbed bronze pull handle completes the look of the gate. It was necessary to find an inset handle due to the 180 degree swing of the door to catch in the "open" position. Any conventional gate handle would have interfered with the magnetic latching system. This overall look makes the design quite sleek and operation smooth for decades to come.