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Show A gate locks the garden in, the whirlwind world out ByMASTYROSS Any gate you expect to "A gafe gives yoa a chance to pause between where yoa are aad where yoa I'lovetsii Press Syrnlt iac It is a fortunate gardener who has a garden gate, swinging open into a private haven and lockiag out the workaday world with the satisfying click iiant of a heavy latch. "When you eater a gate, you are mentally carried through into something else. . it changes your thought process," says Hugh Dargan, a landscape architect in Atlanta whose designs often include plans for garden gates. "A gate is a very important beginning into mentally entering anoth-- . er space," he says. n fur. W Hugh Dargan, landscape architect Leading ia gateway becomes positively enticing. The design of the gate, whether it is made of wood or iron, should match its setting. Magnificent iron gates with gilded spikes may be suitable for large estates of sweeping lawns and drives, but somePsychology thing less grand would be In Colonial times, fences more appropriate for a cottage were built to keep animals out garden. If your house is made of the garden and to eonfine of brick or stone, gateposts of livestock to their th same material emphasise MARY DARGAN phot of wood, stone or the relationship between the Entet t tha gste: A garden gate is more mentaf than prysicai, lockbrick separated domestic house and the garden. An iron ing out the woikaday work! and locking in a private haven. landscapes from the wilder- gate in a wooden fence is likeness around them. Gates were ly ta look a little out cf place. and unusual elements in the gate with a mirror, like a winthe way through ta the Ma trhiujj the g&rdea dow, but reflecting the garden garden." promise and challenge of be within. themselves Gates ean also should and the way back to .The gate A iron decorative "It can extend the spac in ornamental. of the the character When civilization. they express wooden small a on a tall "If out it locked gate garden," he says. "It grille garden, Dargan says. banged shut, they were a wonderful plain picket absolutely invites people to lightens up the sjvaefcs." the unknown and the undesirable, Fences and gates are no gate with roses around it, I peep through into the garden. Good latch longer so essentia), but the would think it would be a A bell is a nice touch, too, to d is know or 3 when visitor let a effects still are hinges Fancy yoa very traditionally garden psychological A handsome latch the indicated behind ail with garthe same. much the expectthrough. coming it, very dener's style and standards. "A "A gate gives you a chance ed elements," he says. "If you plaque, a nicely lettered welsmall come even or tjots good latch is as important as a to pause between where you see a contemporary gate, sign cars oil be a good doorknob on the front I of flowers no of sense to with want hung are and where you tradition, dec, wonderful-be would to door," Dargaa says. "It just occasionally gate. Dargan expect go," Dargan says. ly surprised with new ideas orates the inside of a wooden says 'stability and 'quality.'" yards-Enclosure- s r, hand-forge- Establish threshold Garden gates need rot be elaborate to be effective. An opening in a hedge is a gate in a sense. Or sink a pair of posts on either side of the front walk and you've established a threshold, a subtle mark in the landscape that defines the boundary between public and private spaco. Paint the posts blue, plant flowers at their feet or make an arch across the top and let roses clamber up. Then you've introduced some clues to ths character of the landscape inside: The IK C 1 if ir.a. i.SCO oquar ' The gardener, on the other hand, can close the gate behind a visitor and turn again to the quiet solitude of the garden. My 3W a ..... n 'tn y - p . & "J 10 .m. For information call Mu ence." h V;. $ CM J !J to 2 gun. JU1T SsLKKKi wr Make sure the gate opens into the garden, rather than out, Dargan says, so it leads the gardener or visitor in. Stepping stone3 through into the garden, or an arrangement of a few pots of bright flowers just inside reiterate the invitation to enter. A garden bench just inside the gate, with a view ever the garden, is a very welcoming gesture. "A gate is important when you're entering," Dargan says, " but when it is the exit point, it also gives you a conclusion. You walk out, close the gate behind you, and you have left that whole experi- 550 North State, Lindon Sat custom om cbs"4)fe ant use frequently should be easy to open and close, and it should swing wide enough to admit a wheelbarrow or lawn mower. If the gate needs to be wide enough for cars, Dargaa suggests making a pair of gates. "That way you still have a sense of human scale," he says. 4895673 Sssnofy i |