The River Gate

What do you do when you are asked to create something for a custom designed and constructed home? You have a great time! That’s what you do!

I was commissioned to make the gate for a deck. The deck was situated to overlook a beautiful curve in the river.

It was a little intimidating to see the setting and know my work would have to compliment that view.

We had a conversation on style and feel for the gate. We were looking for something that had the craftsman style and feel a connection to the area where it was to be located.

The design “back and forth” is always a fun time. We emailed ideas and evaluated the value of each one until a final version was settled.

Here is a sample of an “idea”.

I was given enough leeway to be creative and enough structure to be able to satisfy the client.

Long curves with banded overlaps reminiscent of the Nuevo style dominated the design and created a style all its own.

I was off to the computer to create the drawings for the laser cutter.

There was some trouble shooting of design problems, such as curves intersecting with straights. But that is what makes the creative process so much fun.

The parts came back from the laser and seemed to go together well… the welding and banding… the on the spot adjustments and decision making… All that added up to a fun build.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The smoooth dark bronze finish looks black in darker light and has gold highlights when in the sun.

 

Installation when smoothly and the gate looked wonderful in its setting.

 

A fun addition was the latch and handle operation. The gate was to be accessed from the lower steps when entering, and the upper deck when leaving. So we added a feature to make the latch work from above and below. I have to admit it turned out cool and every one of the guys who saw it during the installation thought that was a great addition. (remember, with guys, it is all about the gadgets)

I am pleased with the overall design and how it fits into the overall look of the home and landscape.

I think it was a wonderful project, starting with a great imaginative client and ending with a great piece of metalwork I can be proud of for a long time.

And sometimes, that is what it’s all about.

 

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments.

Just use the form below;

Or email me at steve@stephenzmetaldesigns.com

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Making Rivets

I am currently creating a walk through residential gate. To add interest, I am doing some of the fastening in the “old school” riveted style.

It’s a labor intensive technique but well worth the effort when you see the finished result.

Here is what’s involved:

Step one: forge down the connecting piece so it can be attached.

Step two: drill a hole through the top and the base.

Step three: insert a rod thorough the two holes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step four:   heat the end of the rod until it is red hot.

Step five: use a light hammer to peen the ends over to form the rivet.

Step six:   flip the whole thing and start over with the other side!

 

Now, I just have do that for every other joint in the piece. But as you can see, the final effect is going to be stunning.

It’s not finished yet so I cannot show the whole gate. But trust me it is looking good.

As always, I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions…

Email me at steve@stephenzmetaldesigns.com or just use the form below.

 

A Morning Glory Gate

I recently had the opportunity to work with a client on a garden gate for their home.  I met them after that saw my work on the PBS show “Our State” North Carolina.

You can watch it here at My “Our State” episode

They called and asked if I could do something for a gate in their privacy fence.  Their backyard was enclosed but it needed a breezeway for ventilation.  So we wanted to design a gate to allow the wind to come in and add some security as well.

As we were talking about the design I noted they had planted Morning Glories on the existing gate post.   We decided to make the gate a continuation of the existing garden by having Morning Glories year round.

Oh and one other thing… the cat needed to get in and out of the yard.  A cat sized door seemed to be a fun addition to the gate.

Here are a few photos:

The studio photo:

And one installed at the home:

Let me know what you think at the link    below or at:      Steve@stephenzmetaldesigns.com

Beauty and Function

I am a member of a great organization called BNI, Business Networking International.

At our meeting each week we have one of our BNI members give a talk to help us better understand what they do and how we can help them build their business.

Well, this week was my time for the 10 minute talk.

In preparing for the talk I was thinking of the ways we design, make, and use the things around us.

You see, I am a metal artist and my goal is to make beautiful things.

I like making beautiful things that are also functional.

Japanese craftsmen were famous for this idea. They even had beautiful tools, which were incredibly functional.  If you need a tool, why not have one that is a joy to look at as well.

The earliest man decorated himself for some artistic reason.  National Geographic was full of tribesmen, totally naked except a fancy necklace.  Again the need for beauty.  Even when function was not needed.

When women select china for their wedding, they do not pick plain round white plastic disk… no they select elaborately designed fancy china.  They pick functionality, but the beauty makes them feel special. 

Think of the last car you bought…. Or the one you wanted to buy. There are a lot of cars which could have taken you from home to work.  But no you chose the black one with the leather interior. And it cost a lot more than the old beat up car.  But whether you acknowledged it or not, there was a need for beauty in the function.

Do you think your dog appreciates the pink collar you got her?  No, you bought it for you, the dog would not have known, or cared if you used an ugly piece of rope.

That is one of the things that separate us from them.  Man from the animals.

We want beauty in our lives.  The function is just icing on the cake.  But icing is important.

I have created projects for clients who told me they didn’t care about how it looks. Then later, they would ask for a different color…. beauty really did matter.

I mean, we all comb our hair…. There is no real reason to comb your hair.  We just do it because we want to feel better about ourselves.

That is what I deal with every day,   making the routine things beautiful.

Why do I do it?  Because I think we deserve things that make us smile.

Now, let me switch things around…

Making you smile does not come from beauty alone, it comes in function as well.

The blend of function and beauty?  Beauty in function and function in beauty.

That concept is where I live and work every day. 

Here is another example.

I was asked to make a gate for a small fenced in yard.  The fence was wood and did not allow ventilation.  They could have used anything to cover that door and allow access.

But I proposed a blend of beauty and function.  I noticed the gate would be at the head of the driveway and anyone driving into the yard would see it immediately.  It set the stage for the first impression of the house and yard. It was going to represent the house and their design style, whether intended or not. 

We discussed the ideas and came to an agreement on of an open picket gate design with an intertwined morning glory vine climbing up the side of the gate and flowering at the top. 

We added an overhead arch with a deep blue glass circle in the center. This arch matched the top curve of the gate and provided an arbor for the real morning glories to climb. 

The latch was a simple design, but with a unique detail to make it special.   Again, adding  beauty to function. (I will add a photo of this gate after it is installed)

That is what I love to do. 

Make the usual, unusual…. and the simple special.

I can make the client smile each time she sees her piece, knowing it is totally unique, and was designed especially for her.  I have taken the time to use my skills and construct each piece with quality and craftsmanship. It will be a piece she can pass on to her grandchildren. A special item with true beauty and exceptional function.

I always look for clients with a desire for something unique, something lasting and beautiful.  

Clients who give me the chance to make them smile.

I love my work!  I think it shows in the spirit I put into everything I create.

I hope you have treasures you look at every day…. and smile?

                             If not.…. give me a call!

Steve Zawistowski

steve@stephenzmetaldesigns.com

 

 

 

 

And here is the Bulldog photo

Earlier I spoke about a gate I made for the Dixon Buldogs.

I said I would add a photo for those of you who had not seen it.

Well…here it is

Dixon’s Bulldog, bustin out!