Our new front gate! We don’t have the funds to swing for the whole fence, at least not for a while.
I tried to disguise our old gate and rusty chain link fence with vines and climbing roses.
Our fence is made out of redwood. The new fence makes such a difference. Our front entrance looks more inviting.
The design of the fence is based of a 1915 Thorburn’s Seeds advertisement. We hired a carpenter to build the gate using this advertisement as a guide. I requested that the posts be squared off to better match the architecture of our bungalow.
Our oversized letter slot from House of Antique Hardware. It is called the Bungalow Mail Slot. I admit the name sold me!
The mailbox is built onto the back of the gate.
We are in love with the new gate!
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Beautiful gate! I love the attached mailbox, that’s so smart! I’m glad to see some positive changes in your neighborhood. I’m sorry to hear about the other stuff, I wish I had some advice to offer. The only thing I can think of is that it may be easier/safer to scare away the johns rather than take on the pimps.
Beautiful!
FYI – Just saw this article at npr.com:
http://www.npr.org/2011/09/08/140291208/calif-community-takes-action-against-sex-trafficking
I’m dealing with similar (though not nearly as bad… yet) issues here in Atlanta.
Good luck.
Thanks for the link! I also reposted your comment with the “Zero” post. I think others might find it very interesting.
Gorgeous! The gate makes a wonderful welcoming statement. The vintage style mail slot and attached mailbox are icing on the cake.
On the unwelcome traffic, I like the sensor-activated sprinkler idea. If they wake you up, you might want to hose them down. Friends have used hose spray and water balloons to drive the johns (and sometimes the hookers) away. Extra deterrent – water balloons with dye and/or something smelly in them could mark the johns.
I used buckets of water in one apartment where they were under my 2nd floor windows, but that doesn’t look like a practical solution for your place.
Love this gate!
My wife and I just bought a 1921 bungalow in Monrovia and need a front gate and fence. Any chance you can let me know who made yours? We are looking for a good carpenter.
Thanks so much – and love your blog. I will be setting up one for our house in the next few weeks. I’ll send you a link.
Michael
Hi. Juan Reyes ph: 626.793.7091 Best of luck with your project and new house!
Thanks so much Heather! Really appreciate the help and link. I will give Juan a call.
If its OK – I’d love to ask you about your windows. The ones that are the stained wood in the living and dining rooms. Did you remove them to strip the paint off them or do them still hung?
And what did you varnish the exterior windows / door with?
Thanks so much again!
Mike
The windows were removed and then stripped. The exteriors of our windows are painted. The doors were sealed with a top-quality marine exterior spar varnish – sorry, I don’t recall the brand name.
Wow! That was quick! Thanks so much.
I’ve been watching videos and reading up on this stuff, but yours look so good I wanted to confirm with you. Thanks again so much.
Your house and blog is a huge inspiration to us. Can’t wait to see more.
Michael