Our landscape architect friend, Rick Griffin, says that the best way to add personality to a house is by doing something a bit special at the entrance. I like visiting Shrewsbury – I’ve written about it before – but of all the wonderful places there, the one I’d most like to receive an invite to is this private house. I know nothing at all about the people who live there, but by looking at their gate (plus a few peeks over their garden wall) I’ve formed an impression about them.
I think they are discerning and suspect that their garden gate isn’t the only interesting thing about them. But it’s a small world and before I get in trouble, I’ll turn my attention back to their gate, pictured here for your delectation. So far as you can make it out, that is, as my shot doesn’t isolate the gate too well from the interesting backdrop of the house.
Usually that would be a big disadvantage, but when this particular house is in the frame, perhaps it’s not. For instance, you might admire the gorgeous pediment over the classic front door as much as I do. And noticing that bricked up window behind the birdhouse might just start you thinking that the building itself might have a story or two to tell. But we’d better not let our imaginations run riot – back to the gate.
That can really speak for itself. It’s craftsman made, perhaps a one off, custom made for this particular opening. We see the mind and heart of the designer at work in the design, inspired by, rather than copying nature. I love the subtle play between symmetry and asymmetry, always so important a part of what designers do. The gate panel is a tree with a central trunk, branches and roots. You could call the leaves heart shaped – my guess is it’s a gingko biloba – that ancient fossil of a tree.
The whole thing has a delicate, sinuous look, despite delicacy not being the norm for its wrought iron gate peers. I love the way the functional bits flow so naturally from the design: the gate posts grow into the stone pillars; the latch is a leafy flourish; even the bolts that allow the gate to swing are well camouflaged.
The tag on the right of the latch is an unobtrusive maker’s tag, like a leaf, but slightly bronzed so it stands out, with the name Will, a date and a phone number.
Thanks Will! I’m sure the house owners love your gate and it always makes my day a touch brighter when I pass by.
Susan Rushton 
Awesome work in this unique gate. It makes all the difference, I agree with Rick Griffin. Thanks for this most interesting read!
My pleasure – glad you liked it!
Fantastic! I’m also really taken with that blue, blue door.
Tardis blue with a little extra zing.
Tardis blue! Love it!
It’s wonderful. I love that it’s a ginko. And I, too, am now curious about that bricked-in window! 🙂
I don’t know if it’s old enough to be a relic of the window tax.
I love this gate. Thanks for the introduction.
My pleasure Margaret! It’s one of those that repays the looking.
I love quirky gates and this definitely looks like the Ginkgo biloba. As for the age of the house, well I can see some timber-framed building in the background so I suspect this may be older than you think – hence the blocked up window. (Tax was only repealed in 1851)
Which part of Shrewsbury are we in here?
It’s in the historic centre, so you’re most likely right.
A thing of beauty, for sure. I love its handcrafted, enduring look. Wouldn’t it be lovely if more gardens had such a pleasing entrance.
It would. The time and talent that goes into a piece like this makes them rare. If this craftsman doesn’t have a long waiting list for his wares, he ought to have!
That is a beautiful gate.
It’s wonderful how an artist’s style can be eloquent. I sense a joy and expansiveness in every one of those tendrils.
The gate and the door behind it hit my eyes with one big splat. It was a wonderful wake-up. They work together in so many ways, at least for me. There is welcome to the visitor and a kind of guard around the residents all at once. Perfect. And what curiosity arises! I envy you your nearness to be able to peek. I see in the lower photo a stretch of neighborhood that looks completely storybook to me. Now please excuse me while I look up “window tax.”
Shrewsbury has a wonderful old-new feel to it, with lots of places of interest – it’s just that my interest tends to stray off the beaten path.
And I’m so glad it does!
yep – like everyone else I love this gate – how could you not!
Thanks, Julz.