From the moment you arrive at the Mullin family home in Chester County, PA, you’ll immediately be struck by two things: its beauty and its intentionality. After all, a gilded, fox-shaped front door knocker doesn’t just happen. It’s chosen.
So when Kate Mullin started dreaming of adding an enclosed garden to the property, it’s no surprise that the same thoughtfulness and care went into every detail.
“Everything is done on purpose in my home. Even the smallest [choices] do something, so every decision is made with intention,” said Kate, who documents the styling of her English country-style home on the Instagram account, Cedarbrook Lane.
That’s why Kate knew she needed trusted partners to bring her dream garden to life. Her longtime landscaper referred her to Backyards Eats to lead the design of the overall garden. And Backyard Eats brought on our Integrous team to build and install the custom fence enclosure that would surround it.
Our first step was learning all about Cedarbrook Lane and Kate’s vision for the garden. We quickly realized our English Hurdle style garden fence would be the ideal fit, for both the aesthetics and the functionality essential to the project.
In terms of aesthetics, our five-rail, red cedar fence complements Kate’s English country style with its natural materials and classic design. We decided to add tasteful personality with an arbor over the entrance gate, copper clad post caps, and cottage-style hinges and latch.
With frequent deer, rabbit, and groundhog sightings on the property, this garden fence isn’t just focused on aesthetics.
The posts are made of metal, set in concrete footers below the frost line and sleeved with red cedar to match the rails. The 6′ tall top rail and diagonal bracing ensures the wire mesh doesn’t bend or waver over time. And an additional bottom rail is buried under ground to prevent particularly determined critters from digging their way into the garden.
We collaborated closely with our partner Backyard Eats to make sure the fence and garden complemented each other both visually and functionally. And soon, the custom garden fence design was complete.
Our woodshop got to work building the fence to the exact dimensions and specifications determined in the design phase. The team of expert Integrous craftsmen hand selects each piece of lumber when building our custom wood fences, bringing a similar passion to their work that Kate brings to her home.
“One of the things I loved most about Integrous was that they were a company that aligns with our values,” said Kate, explaining how much she prioritizes choosing contractors her and her husband can trust to work on their personal, family property.
With such careful preparation, the actual installation of the fence was seamless. Our crew started by installing the posts and sent even more exact measurements back to the shop for final adjustment. As expected, the fence sections, double gate entrance, and pergola topper fit perfectly.
In only a matter of days from our crew’s arrival on site, Kate’s dream garden fence was complete.
“I had an idea, and they were able to bring that idea to life,” Kate said. “We were able to express what we wanted and for it to be able to come to fruition has really been a dream come true.”
In its first season after install, the Mullin family enjoyed a harvest of peppers, tomatoes, herbs, and flowers. Just as Kate dreamed, the garden is bringing delight and abundance to both her family and their neighbors. And the fence is keeping curious critters away… other than that beloved fox on the front door.
Get a video tour of Kate’s English country-style garden: