Landscape Design & Implementation: Arbors, Fences, Railings

   This arbor and the railing posts are made of cedar, darkened with a high quality wood preservative/stain.  The arbor was designed specifically to showcase the antique stained glass window which is backlit at night by a small low voltage spot light built into the arbor's structure.  The structural design was kept spare and simple in anticipation of being covered in Climbing Hydrangea vines, but also to preserve a feeling of openness - to be able to see through it to the garden space beyond, and the Puget Sound vistas beyond that.

   The railings, made of clear cedar and patinaed copper, are built in short sections throughout four flights of steps leading up the hillside.  They alternate from side to side of the steps and path, which is interesting because it causes the travelers' viewpoint to change frequently as they use the rails.  Since the property abounds with visual treasures from sweet little rockery plantings to grand vistas, this changing viewpoint is sort of like being taken on a guided tour through an arboretum.

   This is a lot of cedar fence!  It is a good example of one of the ways to run a fence on a slope.  You can have the top or bottom rails follow the angle of the slope or you can have it step down as it does here.  It was designed to secure the activities of little dogs and little boys.  The square section built out at the lower end was intended to be a playground.  An appropriately beautiful and fun play structure was installed shortly after the fence was constructed.

   The goal on this project was to secure the yard for the dog who lives there and to keep non-resident paws out.  It is also intended to create more privacy for the homeowner, beauty for property, and interesting gardening spaces.  The large boxes serve as glorified fence posts as well as raised bed gardens for vegies and ornamentals.  The fence is made of galvanized livestock panels and were chosen because visual screening was not the issue. They keep the look and feel of the yard open and visually inviting but still serve perfectly as a physical barrier.

   This short fence is a multi-tasker extraordinaire!  It's first purpose is to create privacy for the garden, kitchen, and breakfast nook below.  Its second purpose is to create a discreet alcove for the waste cans to be out of sight.  There is also a built-in newspaper box, and, finally an antique stained glass window built into the upper section, which can be appreciated from the breakfast nook that looks out to the garden below the fence.  The stained glass piece is protected by a clear polycarbonate shield on the street side which can be removed for cleaning.  One interesting note about the level of detail that went into this design - the rectangular openings between slats in the upper section of the fence were specifically calculated to be the same ratio as the partitions in the window panes of the house.