April 26, 2007

Picket Fences

When you were a little girl, did you dream about having a house with a picket fence? I did and I've never given that dream up.




Due to strict covenants in our neighborhood they will only allow me to put an 8 foot section in the flowerbed pictured above. It's hard to tell from this old photo but the bed is quite large and will go about a foot away from the sidewalk towards the tree and will eventually have climbing roses etc. on it.

We have already installed a privacy fence along the back of our property and you can see the fence our neighbors installed in the house photo. These 4ft dog eared style pickets like those pictured above will be installed around the remainder of the yard.


So my question is, do I go with the dog eared pickets in the front or the more pointed pickets (the ones my builder uses are not the super pointy ones). Also would you do a decorative post? Would you paint the fence white, the color of the house trim or leave it the same wood color as the backyard fence? I've posted some picket fence inspiration and I'd love to hear your suggestions!









































24 comments:

  1. Hi,
    I love white, pointy pickets. I think a decorative post would be pretty.
    We have strict HOA rules where I live, so I understand. That is why I put the cute white picket gate in my backyard. (you can view on my blog from yesterday) I put it there, because we all feel the need for a white picket fence, somewhere.
    Rosemary
    http://rosespetitemaison.blogspot.com/

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  2. I would probably stick with the dog-ears and paint the color of the trim on the house. Your house is a Pulte isn't it?? It looks very similiar to mine...

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  3. I would love a white picket fence but my husband is anti-pickets. Bah! And I think I'd vote for the dog-eared.

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  4. Hey Jen!

    I think a picket would look PERFECT in front of your house. We recently put one up using deck type pickets...the ones used for decking rails. They are pressure treated and thin, very substantial and make a really nice looking fence. They are also pointed at top and bottom. The cool thing is you can space them anyway you want. I love them really close together and taller than normal...makes for something a little bit different. Once our weather clears up, I'll try and share a pic in my GI album. Painted or not painted...both would look good.

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  5. I have a 15ft stretch of white pointy picket fence surrounding on side of the border in my front yard that I love to grow sweet peas and english roses over. It's been a dream come true to get to have a white picket fence, and whatever you decided on with your perfect taste, it's sure to be amazing.

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  6. Hi, Jen, I love those white picket fences too & you probably remember I had all sorts of white fences & arbors at my old house. This house doesn't lend itself to that, so I'll probably stick to natural or black fencing & arbors when I add more.

    In your case, I think white would stick out too much too since your trim is a darker creamy color, so I think it would look better to match your trim too, instead of going crisp white. It will be beautiful with a climbing rose on it! Notice all your inspiration pics, the houses are all white or light colored too. You could definitely do more pointy ones though.

    Rhoda
    Southern Hospitality

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  7. Your house is so beautiful! I love picket fences too. I like the pointy ones. I like the style that swoops down in the middle...each picket gets shorter until it's in the middle and the it swoops back up...hard to explain but hopefully I haven't confused everyone. My dream house would have that kind and a rose arbor gate that you walk under. I think your trim color would look best. It would still have the same look as a white picket fence but not so harsh against your warm colored trim. I can't wait to see what you do.

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  8. I love picket fences too! Building one for the front garden was the first thing we did when we moved into our home. We went with the dog eared pickets and painted them cream to match the trim on our house and added decorative finial posts on each section. We planted an English cottage garden with hollyhock, morning glory vine, peony, lavender etc . Looking forward to seeing your pictures.

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  9. this is my second paint color post this week...I'm getting so bold! I think you want to separate (by color AND shape) the front fence from any other fence in your yard. So...I would use a decorative fence in a shape you love and paint it white. This fence is an "accessory" for your house so you should be a little more bold with it.

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  10. Whatever you decide would be pretty with roses climbing on it. I like those black iron looking fences too.

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  11. Yes, yes. I too adore picket fences. Love it so much!

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  12. I'd go with the black iron fence too.

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  13. I have white fences everywhere...you're gonna love the roses all over your...is that Susan Branch's home on the vineyard?

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  14. I love picket fences and have a section in front of our rancher that we are making into a cottage. I like all picket fences but white is my favorite! Just love them!

    mrsrabe.blogspot.com

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  15. I have been lurking on your blog for awhile now...not commenting...just looking and enjoying. When I saw the post about the picket fence I just had to comment. I love picket fences and here in Idaho everyone builds these huge 6 or 8 ft fences. They just scream "stay out" to me. But white picket fences just seem so welcoming and cozy. So my vote is not so much for the shape of the fence but for a white,white, white, fence with climbing roses and hydrangeas if possible!

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  16. I have a lovely white picket fence built by my Grandfather(sadly no longer with us) 18 years ago. My husband has had to make a few repairs but bearing in mind that Grandad made it with scrap wood it has done wonderfully and everyone seems to love it.

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  17. I love, love picket fences and if I could figure out where to put one I'd definately do it to!

    I vote for the pointy pickets and I'd do decorative posts. I would go with white especially if you plan on growing roses or viney flower on it. It makes such a pretty backdrop to the color of the flowers.

    Whatever you decide, it'll look great!

    Manuela

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  18. I think I like the pointy ones just because I'm used to them - there were a lot of those in the area around my grandmother’s cottage at Wells Beach, Maine.

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  19. I love pickets, too (I favor the pointier ones)....I especially love the fence in the front of that Father of the Bride house.

    I agree about matching it to your trim color....that would be perfect!

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  20. I love pickets! I also love white. But if you chose the trim color, it would also be nice. New to your blog and am really loving it!

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  21. I have always wanted a white picket fence and when we moved to our current house, I finally got it! Ours is similar to the last photo and has decorative squared posts (a very classic look). I will say that the painting is a chore. We have had to have the fencing painted twice in 5 years.

    Good luck with your decision-making. Whatever you choose will be just perfect.

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  22. I can't wait to see what you decide to do. I like the pickets with the points, and I like a gate that has the decorative posts on either side (with the ball finial on top). I think using the same paint color as your trim would look very nice.

    allie
    www.mycozyhome.typepad.com

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  23. Just discovered your blog and was reading through your archives. Isn;t the yellow house with the fence in the front but no side of the yard from that movie Father of the Bride with Steve Martin?

    Love your blog!

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  24. Vinyl fencing is a lifetime investment. Dollar for dollar it is the best value on the market today.

    White Fence

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