Gate Quest

 Rose City Gate

It's funny how I rarely notice house details until I need to make a decision about using one.  Recently we needed to install some new windows, and my contractor asked me what kind of trim I wanted around them. Since I had never given a second thought to window moulding, I drove around slowly prowling my neighborhood. After fifty or so homes, I found the trim I wanted around the new windows (OK, so I'm a little perfectionistic).  This scenario has occurred countless times in the last year while we have been remodeling our house, and my latest obsession (did I really use that word?) is side gates.  Our old wood side gates are falling apart, and we have to replace them soon.  One of the gates no longer opens (which makes trash day problematic). Using my same strategy of scouting the neighborhood, I figured I would have more than enough styles to choose from.  I was oddly disappointed after my field trip.  While there are a plethora of gorgeous custom homes all around me, most of them have really boring gates.  What's the deal?  Am I the only one drawn to a really cool gate?

This is the most common gate in my neighborhood.

There's nothing really wrong with it,

but it's kind of boring.

On to the fun stuff!

 Cottage Style...always classic

Can you believe this one is vinyl?

I love the arch over the gate!

Cool finials on the columns!

The Rustic Look 

 

Looks like it's 100 years old.  I think it's from a monastery.

Looks like twigs, but I think it's wrought iron!

  

 

 

Several websites call this the "Secret Garden" gate. 
I wish I had this garden!

 

This gate is from my friend Mimi's house.

I love the wrought iron details.

Another gate at Mimi's house. The center medallion is beautiful.
How lucky is she?
 

Craftsman

Love the peek-a-boo detail

 

An Asian influence

Gothic

Traditional

  I could live with this one

Pretty, but no privacy

 

 A chippendale-esque gate?

 

I'm leaning towards the style of the stained door in the middle...

but perhaps in a fabulous gray to match my house?

Unique

I love my dog Panda, but....

For the modern beach house?


Why would anyone want a boring gate?

My Favorite Things...part one

This is the inaugural post for the Mermaid Den! Since I've spent so much time ogling many blogs in our online community, I thought it was time to become part of it.  Today I'd love to share some of my favorite decor goodies, some which I have in my house, and some which I merely dream about!

I have been drawn to mermaids way before Disney created Ariel.  

Mermaids are powerful, they sing, and they live in the ocean. What's not to love? I lusted after this mermaid sculpture for years, and finally I have one proudly hanging in my kitchen.  Her name is Ethel and she is made by Chase Allen who lives on remote Daufuskie Island, South Carolina. Check out his website at www.ironfishart.com.

 

I'm pretty much obsessed with Mora clocks. 

Perhaps it's my Swedish heritage beckoning to me. 

I'm hoping to have one of these in my home some day!

Do you love the Paris industrial look?  We must be related.

I can only dream about this console table since it's a very expensive antique.

If we ever remodel our master bathroom, this is the tub for me.

Those bun feet! The curves! Swoon!

Have a wonderful week!