Monday, October 5, 2015

Agavegate!

Shortly after seeing my friend JJ's carrot gate I started dreaming of having an Agave gate. I sketched a few ideas, and tried to get in touch with the artist who did the carrot gate (she's also done a lot of the metal work in this garden). Well business must be good, because I never could get her to call me back.

Still the idea didn't die and Andrew finally took up the cause. He decided my birthday present this year would be the Agave gate. He worked on a few drawings, refining and refining and finally we settled on a design. He has a long list of excellent local craftsmen that he works with through his position at Schoolhouse Electric. We had the pattern we designed laser cut, in heavy aluminum, by Scientific Research Company, they did a great job. This was the exciting moment when it came home, on August 21st...(the best birthday gifts don't always arrive on time, this one was about a month late)...

This is the gate we've been making due with since 2009, when Lila came to live with us and we needed something to keep her contained. I didn't want a wooden gate, and Andrew thought the chain-link went nicely with my love for shiny metal planters/stock tanks (I wasn't convinced but didn't have a better idea then so I made due).

I've grown various vines on it over the years, to help make it a little less Whiskey Tango. This year the regular old Virginia Creeper was doing a fine job.

Here's Andrew's final drawing.

And then CAD version after a talented friend did a little refining.

It need to be solid, to help keep the critters out (and one adorable one in), and I love how the metal works with the stock tanks.

Once we had the metal panel done there was still another step, the neighborhood cats have managed to pee on every metal surface they can find, etching the metal in a way that I have not been able to clean off, ever, no matter what I use. I did not want that to happen to our gate. Below is an example of the damage from the side of stock tank.

Andrew decided we should have the panel anodized to help keep this from happening, Electro-chem did a great job. The only draw back is that it's slightly less shiny/metallic now. Here it is installed...

It was always the plan to use the existing frame from the chain-link. I think it worked out quite well.

And the shadows! I've always loved the shadows my plants make, now the gate does it too!

The flying insect is an Andrew touch, coming from a repeated theme in his artwork.

I am nothing short of thrilled with our new Agavegate!

All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

67 comments:

  1. Oh my god! This is so bitchin'!

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  2. So lovely! And lovely to meet you this weekend as well.

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  3. dear lord. that's the most fabulous gate I ever saw. and then, I saw the shadow. love love love it. happy birthday indeed.

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    1. I looked out the bedroom window the morning after Andrew installed it and saw the shadow. I feel in love all over again (with him, and the gate).

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  4. Andrew and Scientific Research Company did a great job on design and creation of this very approperate gift for you. I like it!
    John (Aberdeen Wa)

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    1. I was really nervous picking it up at SRC, what if they somehow "ruined" the design?! Thankfully they did a splendid job.

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  5. Oh Loree, this is perfect. I've been dreaming of having something like this. Andrew really outdid himself. I can't wait to see it in person.

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    1. Where is your gate? Sorry I can't remember - I was too focused on all your cool plants!

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    2. LOL. Nobody ever sees the gate because it's always propped open. It's right near the driveway as you step onto the flagstone walkway. It's just a simple wooden gate with a rounded top. If I had a cool metal gate, I'd keep it closed.

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  6. That is so cool Loree!! Fantastic design and looks great, a fab intro to the delights to be found on the other side of the gate!

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    1. It does kind of warn of things to come doesn't it?

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  7. Just so perfect for your garden and a wonderful story to go along with it too.. I love it!

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  8. Absolutely charming. I prefer the duller finish. I have a gate like that. Now I know what to with it. Outstanding post much to my liking. Thank you.

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    1. There was brief talk of going with a color, which could have been fun too. But since I love silver so much...

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  9. so very cool...big props to Andrew!

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  10. Oh my goodness, that is beyond fabulous!! I LOVE it! And it's so YOU, so Danger Garden. Perfect. Just perfect. And......it gives me an idea. Now if I can just get my husband on board with it. *sigh*

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    1. Oh...an idea...I hope you can! (and that you'll share it)

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  11. That is freakin' fantastic! Great job, Andrew, you outdid yourself this birthday. And man, Loree, you've really kept this under your hat for a while!

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    1. Actually it just got installed on the 27th of Sept, so not all that long. Andrew had to drill holes before it could go to ElectroChem and it was there for awhile. Then one of the clamps broke while he was installing it, so we had to track down another. It's been a process!

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  12. I love it! And the shadow is fantastic. Damn those neighborhood cats. (We spent the better part of a weekend recently fixing/protecting the garden/fence from cat destruction - from our own kitty no less.) Your gate is just lovely!

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    1. Yikes, at least I get to badmouth the neighbors. If it were my own cat I'm not sure what I'd do!

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  13. Finally a noun with "gate" in it means something wonderfully cool (and not another scandal). How are the plans for mass production coming....? You and Andrew are unstoppable!

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    1. I was hoping that someone would enjoy the "gate" wordplay. Shipping would be a pain in the butt, don't you think?

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  14. I love this! So creative, so cool, and so clever to use the existing gate support. You've got me thinking about a solution for our chain-link gate... Congrats on a totally perfect birthday present, Andrew!

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    1. Is your gate on your side of the garden or Ben's?

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    1. Agreed! (since you know it was my husband that did all the work)

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  16. Best birthday gift ever. I love it. That Andrew is so talented. Both artistic and handy, what a great combination. Also, disgusting neighborhood cats.

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  17. That's beautiful! What a perfect birthday present. That shot of the shadow was amazing, too.

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    1. I took close to 15 of them (the shadow shots), could have done a post entirely on that alone...

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  18. I am more than a little green with envy... Dang, that's one amazing gate! I can't imagine a more perfect birthday gift for the Queen of Spikes, esp. since it designed by your fave guy! Happy Belated Birthday!

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  19. That is seriously fabulous! Potted might want to sell those. The shadow it makes is an extra-added delight.

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    1. I would be honored if Annette/Potted thought it worthy.

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  20. Fabulous!!!! It is great on so many levels! Perfect birthday gift. Lucky gal.

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  21. Perfection in both gate and life partner.

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  22. I love it , I've always admired that carrot gate and your agavegate is just as wonderful !

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  23. This is so wonderful!!! When I saw the title of the post I was thinking something sinister must be afoot, like the midnight theft of an agave. I'm glad to know that the agaves are safe and you have a gate befitting your garden.

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    1. I think the theft an Agave might lead to swearing in the title of the post.

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  24. You are the coolest person alive. Just saying. You could sell those. Start up a web shop. ship them round the globe to agave freaks like me. Seriously … Love that!

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    1. Thanks Lewis, I appreciate your enthusiasm!

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  25. Love this so much!! It really is perfect. The design, the shadows, it's all just killing me [swoons]. Looks incredible with the stock tanks, and exactly right in the existing frame. Andrew is beyond awesome. Etsy...!

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    1. We've long talked about Etsy for his artwork, there could be the garden line as well. Although shipping, ugh.

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  26. It's perfect and looks great in your garden! Those shadows are gorgeous! So happy for you!

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  27. This gate is beautiful! It's a lovely addition to you garden

    Greetings, Sofie
    http://sofies-succulent-beads.blogspot.be/

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  28. Perfect for you and your garden! Happy belated birthday:-)

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    1. Talk about stretching my birthday out for awhile right? July to October, I think that's a new record.

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  29. I love your gate! I also have chain link, and have been wracking my grain for ideas. I never thought about using the frame and inserting something else. DOH! LOL. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  30. I think my favourite part is the shadow that it casts.

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  31. Your position as coolest couple alive has been secured.

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  32. That's fantastic! I especially love the shadow it casts. The bug is the perfect touch. I love how it brings a bit of Andrew's artwork into the garden. You and Andrew make a great pair.

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