Angelo Garden Gates and Kiva Ladder

This project was a real departure from my normal commissions. The Angelos asked for me to rebuild and replace existing garden gates and a kiva ladder at the Sedona home. The original gates were deteriorating due to weather and poor construction, and the kiva ladder that they had in place had lost a couple of rungs due to Arizona sun and cold. As both projects were to live outdoors, it required some different construction techniques and glues. To ensure that the gates were long-term stable, I built them with much longer mortise and tenon joints, and used a glue specific for use in outdoor situations. Rather than the previously employed softwood, I used birch hardwood, a much denser wood far less inclined to absorb water and shift with the weather. The end result is a pair of stunning gates that will last for years.

Santa Fe Stye Garden Gates

Santa Fe Style Gates

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In addition to the gates, the Angelos asked that I rebuild a kiva ladder that had suffered similar wear and tear due to the Arizona environment. This is a form of woodworking that I have not had the opportunity to use – large rustic logs joined with mortise and tenon joints. It was a great learning opportunity and loads of fun!

Constructed of locally sourced ponderosa pine.

(click on image to enlarge)