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Collection by William Lamb
Editor’s Pick

Best Modern Fences

They say that good fences make good neighbors, but it's equally true that good fences make for good design. These fences enhance the aesthetic value of their properties.

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At the threshold between the public realm and the private. This image is taken at the point of entry to the garden, adjacent the garden shed and driveway that it conceals. In view are the brick pavers, cedar fence, bluestone treads, board form concrete water feature, and the new kitchen addition with roofdeck beyond. By RobitailleCurtis
At the threshold between the public realm and the private. This image is taken at the point of entry to the garden, adjacent the garden shed and driveway that it conceals. In view are the brick pavers, cedar fence, bluestone treads, board form concrete water feature, and the new kitchen addition with roofdeck beyond. By RobitailleCurtis
Viarengo used the espalier method—in which a plant’s branches are affixed to asurface to encourage them to grow flat—to save space. The lemon tree stretches across a fence of clear, or knot-free, red cedar.
Viarengo used the espalier method—in which a plant’s branches are affixed to asurface to encourage them to grow flat—to save space. The lemon tree stretches across a fence of clear, or knot-free, red cedar.
If good fences make good neighbors, then Shino and Ken Mori are the best neighbors ever. For our story The Hidden Fortress, they invite us past the charred cedar facade of their walled-in, introverted Southern California home, the Wabi House, designed by architect Sebastian Mariscal. Here, Shino and Ken pull an Eames LCW chair for Herman Miller outside to enjoy their koi pond, which serves as a kind of front yard.
If good fences make good neighbors, then Shino and Ken Mori are the best neighbors ever. For our story The Hidden Fortress, they invite us past the charred cedar facade of their walled-in, introverted Southern California home, the Wabi House, designed by architect Sebastian Mariscal. Here, Shino and Ken pull an Eames LCW chair for Herman Miller outside to enjoy their koi pond, which serves as a kind of front yard.
Rahman did her own landscaping in the garden outside her house. The cedar fence was made with planks that were charred and sealed following the ancient Japanese shou sugi ban technique, which is supposed to make the wood resistant to fire, rot, and insects.
Rahman did her own landscaping in the garden outside her house. The cedar fence was made with planks that were charred and sealed following the ancient Japanese shou sugi ban technique, which is supposed to make the wood resistant to fire, rot, and insects.
From the street, 67710 San Antonio Street in Desert Hot Springs, California, doesn't look all that exciting—though the streamlined wooden fence and jet-cut steel signage do give a hint of the modern style inside.
From the street, 67710 San Antonio Street in Desert Hot Springs, California, doesn't look all that exciting—though the streamlined wooden fence and jet-cut steel signage do give a hint of the modern style inside.
A sculptural picnic table by artist Michael Beitz flows over the fence like a waterfall.
A sculptural picnic table by artist Michael Beitz flows over the fence like a waterfall.
The gap between the house and the fence creates a small patio with space for raised bed vegetable gardening.
The gap between the house and the fence creates a small patio with space for raised bed vegetable gardening.
A small fence in the yard echoes the posts that support the new master suite.
A small fence in the yard echoes the posts that support the new master suite.
A horizontally-clad pine fence surrounds the home, giving its residents a measure of privacy at night despite the floor-to-ceiling windows.
A horizontally-clad pine fence surrounds the home, giving its residents a measure of privacy at night despite the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The architect used horizontal slats for privacy, but alternated them on the fence and second-floor deck to allow sunlight and breezes through. Solar panels atop the roof heat the water; a green roof is in the process of growing in. The project was awarded Green Renovation of the Year and Best Housing Detail at the 2009 Ottawa Housing Design Awards.
The architect used horizontal slats for privacy, but alternated them on the fence and second-floor deck to allow sunlight and breezes through. Solar panels atop the roof heat the water; a green roof is in the process of growing in. The project was awarded Green Renovation of the Year and Best Housing Detail at the 2009 Ottawa Housing Design Awards.
In the back, ivy climbs across the garage’s raw cedar cladding next to a gate that allows access to the laneway—but the boys prefer to climb the fence.
In the back, ivy climbs across the garage’s raw cedar cladding next to a gate that allows access to the laneway—but the boys prefer to climb the fence.
As we were driving around, I spotted this incredible gabion fence. Massive and perfectly arranged, the fence surrounded a privately owned community events space.
As we were driving around, I spotted this incredible gabion fence. Massive and perfectly arranged, the fence surrounded a privately owned community events space.
A modern stone fence made of galvanized steel mesh filled with stones surrounds the house. “We got the stones from the local stonecutter—they use the stones washed up on the beach, not the stones from the fields,” Lassen explains.
A modern stone fence made of galvanized steel mesh filled with stones surrounds the house. “We got the stones from the local stonecutter—they use the stones washed up on the beach, not the stones from the fields,” Lassen explains.
The apartments are located in an up-and-coming stretch of downtown Phoenix, where many young professionals have recently flocked. “They’re perfect for individuals who appreciate finely crafted spaces and honed design sensibilities, but might not be at a place in their life to buy or commission their dream project yet,” Hall says.
The apartments are located in an up-and-coming stretch of downtown Phoenix, where many young professionals have recently flocked. “They’re perfect for individuals who appreciate finely crafted spaces and honed design sensibilities, but might not be at a place in their life to buy or commission their dream project yet,” Hall says.
The cypresses beyond the ipe fence afford the family privacy.
The cypresses beyond the ipe fence afford the family privacy.
The couple asked for a “no maintenance, not low maintenance” backyard. However, Shino tends to “Carlsbad's largest public bathroom for cats” (otherwise known as their Japanese-style rock garden) about once a month. Don't miss a word of Dwell! Download our FREE app from iTunes, friend us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!
The couple asked for a “no maintenance, not low maintenance” backyard. However, Shino tends to “Carlsbad's largest public bathroom for cats” (otherwise known as their Japanese-style rock garden) about once a month. Don't miss a word of Dwell! Download our FREE app from iTunes, friend us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!

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