Old walkway was made of grass and tapered. I agree, I like it to be uniform width and yes, curved. Our plan is to replace the brick with concrete in the spring so we don't want want to use brick for this pathway - maybe flagstone as it was suggested? Do you use landscape edging with flagstone if I use grass or another ground cover as the "filler?" What about if we used decomposed granite? I like this look - http://www.greenerimagelandscaping.net/flagstonewalk.html Think it suits this space? How about this - http://www.flickr.com/photos/sinnickel/4544138134/ Wonder which is easier to lay out and then to keep up... And you are correct - relationships are far more important than landscaping which is why I'm struggling with the pros/cons of the situation. Steps are crumbling behind containers on steps which is why these containers are there. I didn't want anyone to walk on the crumbling parts anymore - steps to be replaced in the spring and containers removed at that time! (maybe nice/more plants in them would help until then though?) Yes - trellis/arbor posts are the gate posts and not changeable - even adding 2 more posts is out of the question. (I originally wanted 4 but they nixed that idea...) Karin - I'm intrigued with the string idea. So you are saying to put string from the other posts on the ends to the tip of both sides of the trellis/arbor? (note there will eventually be caps on the post next to the house and the one on the corner - just an fyi). Do you think cutting the crossbar so it isn't 12 inches wide would help? And then maybe putting it up not as high up above the gate? Another idea many have suggested is altering the gate but I'm not sure how hard that is for the guys to fix so I'd have to look more into that. There are 2 strap hinges but they covered part of the top one w/ the board across the top. We don't have a handle or latch on it yet but it will be on there soon - maybe that will help? deviant-deziner - as mentioned above, I agree it is too wide - the bars across the top are 2x4's so maybe 6" is more proportional vs. the 12" it currently is? Would you take off the end stacks? Where did you get yours premade? We looked around but didn't have much luck hence me having him make it... I'd love to see your entire fence - it looks beautiful!

I won't be able to come. We will be in Oregon that weekend. I was hoping we would be leaving the following Sun or Mon, then I could come, but we're leaving on the 12th.

Suzi, I have seen several around town here that I liked (moon gates, I think). I agree, the octopus is so cool! Cyn, Arcy, The gate will comply with code, of course. One can probably make most of the gates pictured here code compliant. We have had pools since we bought our first home and put one in. So it's not our first rodeo. Roarah, to meet height reqmts, we will be three rails high as well. Not to put too fine a point on it, but probably where our pool fence would abut the neighbors', rather than having back to back split rail, we will have just mesh or somesuch. The side that faces our house, where the entry gate is, will be split rail with mesh, as will the side perpendicular to that. The last side, which faces the ocean, will probably be a haha in the wild grasses. I am not sure what material that will be. Prob split rail again so it looks good in winter. KSWL, yes, I do too. But I need to show the landscape architect because we would have to move the whole fence forward to be able to have that recess. As it is now, stone steps begin just the other side of the gate. Rob, We have had pools in other homes, so kind of used to it. Plus we don't really have many neighbors. We are kind of tucked back in from the main road, and there are only three other houses here, quite far apart, each on 2 to 5 acres, and 2 have pools already. Lyban, Thanks, that is a good point. Outside, I totally agree that a totally solid gate looks a bit off with the open fence. I like"roarah's gate" vm too, but it will kind of disappear. It is shown in a small expanse, in a sort of intimate setting. By contrast, when you arrive at our home, this will be in the distance some. TIbb, I agree. It's such a pain even locking doors with the salt air. Daisy, yes. We always planned on a flowering vine, but in some choices they really dominate! Heretofore I told the landscape architect that all i want is blue hydrangea, but I want a ton of them. I know there is climbing hydranagea, too. Local, I was (believe it or not), trying to cut down on all the details when describing the fence, but in fact it will have three rails on the side where the gate is. Oddly, the side where we border the neighbor with the two rail, it might look like that is our fence, too, but we will have mesh or wire there. Thank goodness we have a lot of vegetation to fudge with this, and we are not going for a manicured look at all. Show us your project!

I know you are waiting, but I'm going to put in a vote for the Kichler Ralston. I thnk the very strong, square lines of your house are plenty of linear design -- something with curves has more interest and the hanging lantern compliments the iron scroll work on the door. I like the rectangular lanterns very much, but they accentuate the straight lines of the house and the door itself, making the scroll work on the door an odd man out. The hanging latern wirh some curve brings it together. I also like that last lantern your DH doesn't, but I don't think it is right for your house. I can't put my finger on why -- contemporary -- a little too simple or delicate? Looks like it would be better against stucco rather than all the brick lines. You said you have other projects to tackle, but even if you didn't, I think it is good to look and leave -- come back at least once or twice. That helps me weed out things I like but don't love for my use or for the long term.