We will begin with those who actually sent hand-written notes, and
not coincidental that those who actually write hand-written notes anymore
happen to be, almost exclusively, novelists and writers. Hmmm.
"Wonderful . . .Superb!"
Richard Thalhiemer (president of the Sharpoer Image and the recipient
of a CPW home study and dressing room in 1985)
"Your gates are exuisite. Stunning.
Your workmanship is most impressive."
Mark Helprin (Novelist)
"Very handsome work."
Martin Cruz Smith (Novelist)
"Charles,
The gates are perfect. We have distressed them to match the shutters
of the house. Thank you for everything. Hope to see you
at Olivers on Sunday."
Isabelle Allende (Novelist)
"Your work is absolutely beautiful."
Susan Trott (Novelist)
"You are obviously a master craftsman,
Charles."
Danielle Steel (Novelist)
"I was truly impressed, Charles.
Magnificent work!"
Jack Finney (Novelist. --'Invasion of the Body Snatchers')
"Uncommonly beautiful. An understated
high-style."
San Francisco Chronicle in a 1975 design review of Sylvia's Continental
Restuarant, on Clement St. Designed by Prowell.
GENERAL COMMENTS
___________
Wow, you're designs are
fabulous. I can't wait until I make enough money via garage sales,
selling my husbands old golf clubs, bowling balls and, well heck, my
husband, to be able to buy a garden gate of yours. They are things
of beauty, to be sure.
The road trip story made me laugh out loud....am anxiously awaiting
the next installment. PLEASE keep writing, you are a much needed
breath of fresh air!!!!!!!!!!
--Garage sales, bowling balls, golf clubs, and
husbands; I'll be waiting forever.
____________
Charles:
Your site is truly wonderful. I live in Los Angeles but was born and
raised in Sebastopol. I stumbled across your site it looking for gate
designs to steal ideas from for one Im making myself. This is a funny
question, but I just thought I'd ask:
Are you single?
Your a handsome guy with creativity and a sense of humor and I ask because
my Mom (a very attractive, sweet, fun lady ) live s in Sebastopol too!
If by any chance you are single and looking I've would love to fix you
two up !
Write me back if you'd like more details.
Best,
Tanya
-- I just realized that I never got around to answering this one.
Probably too late by now.
_______________
First of all, what a great website!
The most complete website with some of the greatest designs I have seen,
including, accessories, technical data, and care, thanks so much. I
have read your very complete installation instructions, and for the
life of me, I can not seem to picture how I should go about the installation.
I may be over my head on this project, but I thought I would ask an
expert before calling one of your local installers to my Thousand Oaks
home???
Thanks for one great website of some beautiful wood work by a true craftsman.
Happy holiday, enjoy.
Jeff
Thousand Oaks Ca.
_____________
Thank you for your entertaining website. You
do beautiful work. I wish I could commission your group to build my
fence on my modest estate, south
of SF. Alas, your quality of work would stand out like a work of art
announcing my high tone tastes to my neighbors. This would get in the
way of our chats as they focus on HOW MUCH DID YOU PAY? I'm just looking
for regular, run of the mill fencing but was wondering
what you would do for a dog house? I'm imagining something akin to the
treehouse, something that would charge up my Spanky to want to run and
play in his own house (and leave mine alone). Just a thought and feedback
on your webpage.
Marie Ochi-Jacobs
Well, Marie, not always a bad thing to announce the state of your
tastes to your neighbors, and as a result possibly, with this new change
of high-class events-- the turn of conversation will veer away from
last night's telly to , say . . .the opera, or whatever high-class folks
discuss with their neighbors.
So Sparky needs a charge and preferably one of his own and not your
own house. Will he be inviting local Sparkettes to his new home and
are you okay with this? Or will the new doghouse require sound-proofing.
Charles
_______________
Hello!
I just needed to tell you a few things...First, your Fence #1 is just
the fence I have been dreaming of. However, my budget at this time
is strictly, as you say, "JC Penney". But I will wait
and save until I can build a "Sax" fence similar to your
Fence #1. Do it once and do it right is my motto. Second I had
to tell you your FAQ section is fantastic. It is the first and
only FAQ section that I have ever read purely for entertainment
purposes. Thank you!
Sandy
Hello Sandy.
You'll be happy and hopeful to know that I am working with a large
production shop in Massachusetts in an effort to hammer out an agreement
that will allow us to offer the fencelines in volume at what I hope
is a more affordable cost. They would come on board for the sole
purpose of these volume fence orders and I'm crossing my fingers
that it develops toward the desired end of making Fence #1 accessible
to those who may not appear on Forbes 500. But it's a lot of work.
On my part. Cajoling and charming and contriving and negotiating
and I'm utterly exhausted and today, I'll play golf.
FAQ. I should return to read that. Not something I've done since it
was composed. But reading something already written is counter productive
when that time could better be spent writing something new. This morning
six new things were written, in my inestimable boredom, and all of
which continue this wretched addiction to words.
The first thing written, as a proviso to certain bay area patrons:
"And of course the standard we-forgot-to-mention up-charge
for eastbay patrons that states, in very fine print, that if delivery
falls on a day when there is a shooting in either Oakland or Richmond,
a 22% combat fee is added. If the shootings result in fatalities, the
combat rates doubles. If there is a gang war, in full bloom, and the
Fedex driver must penetrate either Richmond or Oakland to access Berkeley,
fully armed, the up-charge is a discretionary sum arrived at pretty
much by how the papers play it up and how the cpw staff reacts to such
playing-up from the country-bumpkin safe-haven distance of rural sebastopol,
where there was once a shooting back in the 80s when Edgar Edgar and
his son Edgar Edgar Jr went dove hunting in the Laguna behind the Ford
dealer and their one shot ricocheted off a no-trespassing sign to carom
off the side mirror of a new F-150 and eventually clean through the
front tire of little Adlai Means new tricycle and you'd a thought it
was a gang ! war, given all the hullabaloo. People over-reacted--hippies
mostly--and they boycotted the Ford dealer, who had only the one truck
to sell anyway, and had lots of meetings and basic hippy effrontery
that resulted in a sign posted on Hwy 116 to announce Sebastopol as
a Dpve-free Zone."
___________________
Hi Charley,
I hope you are doing well and still building beautiful gates.
Our next door neighbor had a new fence put in and the builder asked
if our gate was a Charles Prowell gate! It still looks great,
but needs a little cleaning and oil, or something. Hope to get
to it this summer.
Take care.
Robin
Hi Robin,
How wonderful to hear from you. How nice that your neighbor's contractor
recognized your gate. You belong to a club, of sorts.
Charley
_____________
7-30-07
Hi Charles,
While browsing the Internet for couple of garden panels I came across
your "works of art". I cannot call your products fencing for
they are beautiful pieces of functional and decorative outdoor art.
Now the problem and solution....
I live in Massachusetts and the closest you come to us is Chicago.
Have you thought of expanding to the East Coast? There is a market for
your products (I still want to call them "art") here!
Alexandra
Thanks Alexandra.
We just lost our east shop a few months ago, as he found himself head-over-heels
in love with a woman who happened to live in Portugal and decided to
throw it all up in lieu of love and move to Portugal. As a consequence,
our east commissions have dropped dramatically, although the only advantage
to the location (Baltimore) was a smallish break on shipping. I had
also looked for a long time to secure a facility in Massachusetts, taking
an apt in Andover last summer and Fall to this end. but what i discovered
is that this is an area dominated by boring colonial architecture and
vinyl fences and not a good recipient for CPW designs. It was also a
shock to me, Massachusetts, from the tranquil existence of Northern
CA Sonoma County to the dense traffic and high RPM of that area. The
sharp disparity between the affluence of some areas and the almost old-world
factory mentality and economy of the rest of the state. Believe it or
not, it was my first experience of having ever seen an actual factory
building, and although they were all long-ago boarded up, the culture
of these little towns seemed rooted by generations in this factory culture.
It was both fascinating, and depressing at the same time.
So, regarding your fence. Get yourself in the hopper for the chicago
shop; the cost of shipping/crating is miniscule compared to what you're
going to spend anyway on the panels themselves.
_______________
Mr. Prowell,
Beautiful work; one gets the impression your fences are a piece of
furniture that just happen to be fences. Even in pictures it's clear
they're not the usual fence.
_______________
Dear Charles,
Thanks for your ideas on the porch swing.
How do we proceed?
Steffanie
Dear Steffanie,
I am thrilled by this project. Offering subsequent patrons a modified
style suitable for a scene right out of To Kill a Mockingbird. So we
would press you for photos.
Charles
Hi Charles,
I enjoyed the reference to To Kill a Mockingbird! I spent every summer
of my childhood visiting my grandmother in Ohio. Most nights we had
7-Up floats while swinging on the old porch swing, talking to the neighbors
- soon I'll be able to do the same here in Coronado! I think you will
have several subsequent patrons wanting this swing design. I have been
searching for such a swing for 6 months - new or antique, and there
is nothing out there! I even have an architectural salvage firm in Pasadena
keeping an eye out for me!
Steffanie
Steffanie,
We'll get started and I'll have the fellas wearing slightly disheveled
cardigan sweaters and a somewhat distant, weighty bearing to themselves
all to invest the swing with something of Mockingbird's Atticus.
Charles
Hello Charles - Surprise - the porch swing is
FINALLY being hung today! It should be up when I get home from work
today!! I will send
photos shortly. I am very excited! It had to be drilled through a stucco
arch, up into a supporting beam, etc. and my contractor finally
had a few days to send out his exterior carpenters.
p.s. He was very impressed with the design and construction and may
refer some clients to you. (Lorton Mitchell Custom Homes - Coronado)
Steffenie
Yippee! And I'm glad to hear it's being
installed with all the safeguards to insure a long life span.
A photo 1) of the swing in place ,2) of the swing and the porch to show
it's natural setting,and 3) one of yourself, in your swing, appearing
contemplative and dreamy all at once and I promise we'll put that one
on the site. You'll have legions of anonymous admirers.
Charles
___________
Hello,
I live in Australia and have just done a Google search for gates.
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your site. There were
lots pictures to look at. The gates are all beautiful.
It was nice to see such a well thought out web page.
Thank you and have a nice day.
Gillian
Ballina
New South Wales
Australia
Thank you, Gillian.
I only wish we could ship a single gate affordably to Australia, as
it would certainly warrant a trip to oversee its installation.
Charles
Charles if we win the big Lottery this week,
I will ORDER one from you and when you install it, I will fire up the
BBQ and throw a few Shrimp on the Barbie. Guess we both would like for
my ticket to be the right numbers.......
Have a nice day
Gillian
_______________
Charles,
Congratulations on the pictures of your beautiful gates and fences being
selected for what appears to be a very lovely book. Its great to see
our gates included. Thanks for sharing!!
Best Regards,
Robert
____________________
Well Mr. Prowell,
I just spent the last hour or so looking at your beautiful work on your
website. Just amazing! I really admire your talent. I am a lighting
designer and have bookmarked your site to show one of my clients. Anyhow
just thought I'd let you know that you have one more fan.
Thanks for the wonderful pictures!
Valerie Ash
Thank you, Valerie, and a pity how a single hour serves only to break
the surface, to cull you into the netherreaches of a 700-page entreaty
given as much to design, as a life lived.
Lighting design and a whole host of needs come to mind. My fascination
with light and how the physics of it confounds me. So many new products
these last couple of years limited because neither myself nor any of
those in the various shops are lighting designers. I wish I knew a lighting
designer. I wonder how one meets a lighting designer. Where do they
hang out?
Charles
_________________
Dear Mr. Prowell:
Built a new house in Oklahoma and have a brick pillar very much like
your G-20. Looked and looked for help on a gate. Got nowhere,
then, your web site. Couldn't believe it. Initial reaction
was, wow are these beautiful, then decided they are works of art.
Every now and then one discovers a truly superior product, and your
gates are definitely superior works of art. Magnificient work
sir, I keep this site on my favorites, just to peruse your gates.
The work is so good it affects me like a great painting.
Thanks
Greg.
Greg,
Unfortunately, I spent the formative years between 6th grade and 10th
grade in Oklahoma City, moving from our beloved Illinois farm to this
strange land which I never did grow fond of. Fortunately we returned
to southern Illinois before I was damaged beyond repair.
charles
____________
Look at your work and I think you are one of the
greatest
Kevin in atlanta
Thank you, kevin.
____________
hi. i saw a beautiful garden gate in my cottage
living magazine. it was on page 53. it was the middle picture on the
right side of the page. i didnt see this gate on your web site. i would
like to know if i could purchase one like this. thank you .
I know nothing of Cottage Living Magazine and
must confess that the gates occasionally appear in various publications
without anyone from that publication bothering to give me a heads-up.
____________
Charles,
Very, very impressive. I live in Penngrove, have been a carpenter for
16yrs, but have never seen nicer gate and fence designs
Greg
TREEHOUSE INQUIRIES
March '04
I would like to live fulltime w/ 2 cats in a treehouse, somewhere in
Northern California. I don't have land yet. I don't need a big house.
Do you build them? Is this doable? How much will it cost?
Betty
Dear Betty.
Is it the law, or texas, that has you opting out for this fantasy life?
In Northern California, we do not do Busch, and the law, well...the
law bends like straw in a hurricane. Life in a treehouse would put you
more or less squarely within the median expectations.
Oh, your question: No, probably not. It is doable, and permits are available,
but designing and building treehouses is, for me, something more of
a pastime that an occupation.
Charles
___________________
I found your site while looking for a cool tree house for my 4 1/2 yr
old son. He loves Swiss Family Robinson. Wanted to let you know,Very
impressive tree house!
Carole Carole
Carol,
A s a kid, I was in love with the movie Swiss Family Robinson. I thought
if I could manage a shipwreck, and enough tools and supplies, I
would be close to heaven. So nice that there are still boys out there
with a similar vision.
charles
___________________
Dear Mr. Prowell,
I came across your work on the internet. You are an artist with wood,
and your work is a pleasure to the eye. Loved the tree house.
Thanks for the visual delight. Sincerely,
Tiiu
Thank you Tiiu,
It is odd how many acknowledgments I receive on the treehouse. A playful,
rather funky little project that seems to have caught the fancy of so
many visitors. The treehouse itself has become, over the years, a haven
for budding young hormones with the neighborhood kids as they move through
their teen years. What they do up there---well, I dont want to know
what it is they do.
Charles
________________
CHARLES, DO YOU MAKE SKINS
FOR SIDE BY SIDE FRIDGES (CLEAR PINE?) OR AN IDEA FOR A LAGUNA BEACH,
CANYON TREE HOUSE IN 1972 BUILT BY A BOAT BUILDER. RESPECTFULLY, ANNIE
AND DAVE
ANNE AND DAVE
Dear Annie and Dave,
Let me see here, you are asking for fridge face plates in clear pine.
These, as I recall, are simply 1/4" pine plys cut to size. Surely
someone more local to you can manage this.
Something about a 1972 tree house, presented to me in a sentence so
butchered and ill-conceived that I can make no sense of it whatsoever.
The tree house exists and you want ideas for embellishing what exists?
The tree house itself, if it exists, must be interesting, as boat builders
are a breed apart.
Charles
___________________
GENERAL COMMENTS
_______
Looked at your gates, casework, etc. Really,
really nice work! Also read your interviews. Your interviewer,
Guy Beiderman, seems to be missing some gray cells... many, many gray
cells. (Just my impression.)
Nothing else. Congratulations to you for very fine craftsmanship
and wishes for much prosperity. I'd enjoy meeting and talking
with you... about gates and doors and mantles.. other stuff too.
Over coffee of course. But I live in Oregon (near Ashland.)
Still, if you should find yourself around here sometime, give me a call.
I'll buy the coffee. A muffin too, if you like pumpkin/chocolate
chip.
See you (hopefully).
Matt
PS -- Just curios. That picture of Frank Lloyd Wright.
What's he reaching for in his pocket? A tape measure? A
gun? A muffin perhaps?
Well Matt, one man's gray cells are another
man's golden eggs. Biederman's talent, I reckon, lies in the tomfoolery
of a misguided genius that manages to have me saying things I might
later regret, or deny.
Always on the lookout for coffee/cookie company and went to Ashland
two summers ago for Shakespeare that put me to sleep instantly and forced
to walk the streets of a town suffering from fatal quaintness.
Frank Lloyd Wright, like Somerset Maugham, lived and worked into his
90's and claimed to be 'active' to the end. Whereas maugham returned
to Switzerland every year for a blood transfusion he was convinced was
responsible for his 'active stamina', Wright, on the other hand, was
forever searching for the inspiration of a hard geometry. But for billiard
balls, as he simply liked how they rolled; this made for easy pickings,
as we often walked down to Palace Billiards after a long day of hard
geometry and he systematically overlooked the purpose of the game, far
more fascinated by the how they caromed off the cushions than anything
to do with pockets,
Charles
__________________
Geez! I just realized I forgot to
mention Bucky Fuller! What a guy, huh! Amazing man.
I once attended a lecture of his at the U of Washington. He spoke
for nearly six hours. Not one single person left even to go to
the bathroom. Gawd! I loved the guy. I took him literally
when he said all of Nature was constructed of equilateral triangles.
So I invented a unique kind of Mobius Band... made from nine equilateral
triangles. It does strange things. Played with it for seven
years. Didn't tell anyone. Then one day some guy on Johnny
Carson is demonstrating "Executive Playthings." One
of them is my Mobiius! Said it was discovered by some guys at
Princeton. Bullshit! I found it first! So
it goes. Fame and fortune--lost forever.
Had a good friend many years ago too, who was Fuller's Western Region
World Game Conference Director (back in the early seventies... my hippie
days). My friend since died.
As I said, just forgot to mention this in my first message.
No big deal.
Matt
Oh yes, an amazing man . . . who never showed up for class and when
he did wouldn't take questions or hardly even talk to his lowly students
and if he inspired you it's probably more because you were absolutely
desperate for someone to lead you somewhere, anywhere.
charles
__________________
Awsom designs. Wish I were rich and could have you do my fences
and gates. have to go with the mundane. Thanks for something
to shoot for.
louise
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough"
Thank you Louise.
I like your signature motto. I wish it were possible to do it right
the first time. But life is fraught with mistakes and reactions to mistakes.
Maybe resiliency is the best motto.
_________________
Mr. Powell -
As a longtime fan of the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, you woodwork is
the best I've found that matches the spirit of his works.
______________
Charles,
Just to let you know, my contractor read your installation guide and
found it to be the best all around instruction on putting in and staining
a fence he has ever come across. Just thought you would appreciate
hearing that.
Oh, and the gate and fence are getting all sorts of compliments from
the neighbors.
Bob
Thank you Bob. That your contractor actually read it--this in
itself is a milestone.
Charles
___________
I came across your website looking for ideas for
a gate. Your work is simply amazing. You are very talented.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Tracey
Thank you Tracy. Where would we be without inspiration. There is always
something or someone to show us an otherwise unknown dimension.
Charles
____________
Hello Mr. Prowell,
I want to thank you for your website. Your designs are proof that
fences and gates can truly be works of art and craft. Your work has
inspired me in my own thinking about fences and gates for my property.
We'll certainly be ordering soon, just not sure of the combination of
gate/fence panels yet.
Regards,
Joel
Thanks Joel, and good luck with your projects.
Charles
_____________
Hi There,
Just a quick note to let you know how much I wish you were situated
in Sydney, Australia as we desperately require a couple of gates that
are of your standard.
Love your work. Your workmanship is unbelievable, keep up the great
work.
Regards,
Marcel
Marcel,
We occasionally receive similar notes from those in Europe. As it stands,
we can ship to both Europe or Sydney at about the same cost to ship
to NY. The departure is that it is approx 30 days rather than 7. But
since the scheduling is approximately 6 weeks out anyway, an added month
seems less of an issue.
Now of course a gate in Sydney would surely at some juncture require
a follow-up trip to inspect the finished installation that would allow
the trip in itself to be written off as a business expense, with a night
at the Opera House a necessity to ponder in depth the details of the
project.
Charles
______________
While browsing the Internet tonight, I stumbled
across your site quite by accident and spent an hour marveling at your
creative genius and tremendous output. Your writing is superb,
too. You are a true Renaissance man.
A new fan, Sylvia Hatfield
Sylvia,
Clearing out old emails this morning and coming across this which shows
no reply was ever sent. I apologize, as I look to answer every letter
that arrives. Thank you for the kind words and I am pleased you found
the site an enjoyable stop. Perhaps even more surprising, that you stumbled
upon the writing. I so seldom receive any feedback on this so it's good
to hear something.
________________
Just wanted to commend you on the quality of your
work. The gates turned out beautifully.
Terrific!
Don, Architect
Nadel Architects, Inc.
_________________
Just want to tell you how much I've enjoyed your
website. Your work looks impeccable and your designs are just
incredible! Thank you for providing such beautiful photos and
for inspiring me to buy a CPW fence other than a run-of-the-mill
fence.
Nancy
Nancy,
Nice of you to write and I'm glad to hear you have enjoyed the site.
Charles
________________
Dear Mr. Prowell,
I saw your website and am wondering if you would be interested in taking
on an apprentice. I am a highly motivated and creative individual looking
for an apprenticeship with a local woodworker. Please see my resume
and contact me at any time at: 555-398-2383.
Sincerely,
Valeriy
Valeriy,
Possibly.
Charles
________________
Good Day to Everyone,
I’m Hanna from Mauritius Island, Just drop to say
u that the web site is fabulous and the gate model is out of imagination.
Hello Hanna,
Very nice to hear from someone in your corner of the world and very
kind of you to write with a few gracious words about the web site.
_________________
Mr. Prowell:
I just thought I would send you and email and let you know how much
I appreciate your thought and sense of design when it comes to fences
and gates. I am a Landscape Architect who works mostly on commercial
projects but I know a few very repuitable high end residental designers
who I will pass your web address onto.
I am not sure where you have studied or draw inspiration from, but your
attention to detail reminds me of Japanese garden design. I placed
a link below to a very good site which has numerous Japanese gardens,
it give you an idea someday.
Kylde
Dear Mr Kibler,
Thank you for your kind words. I followed the link you provided and
spent an enjoyable half hour here, making a number of mental notes for
future considerations.
Regarding inspiration: My own past draws primarily from a heritage of
a father/builder; a grandfather/ furniture-maker; a mother who was a
fine artist/ illustrator; an uncle who was an architect; and five years
at Southern Illinois University studying architecture, art, and eventually
design, under Buckminster Fuller. Somehow that all gets thrown in the
wash, as you surely know, to whatever it is that defines us presently.
Best Wishes
Charles
_________________
Oh charlie- the gates are incredible- what a work
of art they are!!! we are truly happy and don't you worry, you will
get lots of pictures. we have cleared away the tree that was in front
of the house, unfortunately it was in the way of the driveway and we
could not pull the car in because of low hanging rather large branches,
so the gates will take center stage! i cannot wait! we will be moving
in a week from thursday and expect to get alot of compliments on our
gates. we will be sending lots of people your way. i can't thank you
enough for getting them done so quickly, i am soooooooo happy!!!!!!!!!!!
------- annie
______________
Hi Charles
I am currently looking for several items including driveway gates,
beds, mantles, and other furniture.
I have looked on your site and like the items I have seen. How
do I go about getting a price for buying and shipping some of the items
to the UK. Do you have a general price guide, or do I need to specify
each product?
Look forward to hearing from you.
Regards, Debs
Debs,
It is currently practically impossible to secure an order. If you persist,
however, we will get you prices on the specific gate your prefer, as
well as the mantle and bed, etc. Plus shipping once an order is established.
Charles
____________________
Hi Charles,
looking for inspiration for my mother in laws gates and wasn't
sure if i would find you again. I live in the san diego area and sent
you pictures of the gate i built for my house, ...but, doesn't everyone
send you pictures of "their gates"? How could you
remember?
But your work is so wonderful. I wish that I lived next door and that
I had your fence to gaze at rather than the ones that I look at.
My mother in law lives across the street so that is why I want something
"friendly". We are having her home renovated and I have to
pic out stucco, paint and trim colors, I want something rich and classy
in this old 50's neighborhood,,,i just don't want to make a mistake,
Any suggestions on colors? I am leaning towards a rich grey-brown
with taupe accents and white.
Hope eveything has been fine with you. Keep making the world a
delightful place to look at. thanks
honestly basking in the light of your talent and genius I stand,
sissi
Sissy,
My apologies but the name calls up only the faintest recollection. Unfortunately,
i dont hang on to old emails much longer than three months. Are you
asking for advice on colors? I'm afraid i dont recall the house or the
pics you may have once sent, so I am of little use to you on this. And
please dont bask in the light of anything or anyone but your own talents.
Charles
__________________________
Beautiful work, I have been building fences for
12 years and have never seen such great work,
Thank you for the kind words
________________________
Charles,
The crate arriving yesterday...I am stunned..Wow...stunning gates ...stunning
designs. you are quite a craftman. absolute genius...fantastic...beautiful..amazing.
Dear Alexandria,
One might assume you've composed the lower passage with a thesaurus
in one hand and an alter in the other. And yet I'm flattered and will
begin my day, this Saturday, buoyed by your kind words.
Charles
______________________
Mr. Prowell,
I’ve been looking at your amazing work on your website. I’ve
never seen anyone make a gate or fence with such beauty and creativity.
I’d like to know, is cedar your primary choice for gates? Do you
dislike redwood for a reason?
Thank you.
Pamela
Pamela,
Thank you.
My aversion to redwood is drawn primarily from it's environmental standing.
But more . . .as in cost, bleeding tanins, and dimensional instability.
Charles
__________________
I am designing for Holiday Inn and Hilton and
many more..
Please send me a catalog..
Thank You
CPW products and designs are in constant motion, while the work itself
is approached by single veteran craftsman. Providing the designer for
Holiday Inn etc with product quotes in line with global vendors is asking
too much from us. We are not manufacturers and therefore seldom enter
into the competitive circles of supplying our products to chains and
the comparative costs of out-sourced manufacturers.
Charles
___________________
Hi Charles,
I own Greenwich Fence Company in West Greenwich, Rhode Island and would
like to discuss with you some of your work and ideas. I'm fairly young(23)
and really trying to get a niche in my area as the best at what I do.
Using mass produced, pre fabricated fence panels is not really my thing
and I hope this attitude will help me build my business. Your designs
are truly spectacular and no one can touch the work you do. I laugh
when customers tell me that Walpole Woodworkers is the best. No way.
Mortise and tenon joinery, custom panel fluting and functional fence
design is
where it's at. I predict that I will be designing some of the most functional,
beautiful and stable wood fences in the years to come. Write me back
when you have a chance, I know you are busy. I tried writing you before
and never heard back. Hopefully I can talk to you and get some ideas
and guidance from a true pro.Thanks,
Mike
Mike,
My apologies for not writing back to your earlier letter. I try to make
a habit of replying to all so imagine it somehow slipped away.
You sound like someone committed to a career somewhat more rewarding
than what most of our competitors experience. How can I not be drawn
to that conviction? The gates and panels were not an overnight acquisition;
there were the years with call-backs and costly re-designs and all resulting
in various amendments to the methodology to eventually arrive at a product
that not only stands up on delivery, but for years to come. I receive
so many inquiries regarding the procedures and techniques on the gates
and panels (this week an offer from somewhere back your way from a homeowner
wanting to commission a number of drive gates and pedestrian gates and
arbors and with that investment would I be willing to explain step-by-step
the techniques for the panels so they can hire their carpenter to replicate
this over 450 running feet of fenceline. Unfortunately, I had to defer
on the offer.
Your talk on design and business and the art of our shared interest,
however, is certainly welcome.
Charles
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Mr.Prowell,
I have spent many an evening gazing at the beautiful work you do
via your website. I have a list of questions to ask before procedding
forward. A big step for us, but we are committed on your work.
Should I call or write?
Rachael
Thank you Rachael. Whatever you're most comfortable with, the
phone or email is fine. I'll be here.
Charles
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Mr. Prowell,
Just wanted to thank you for your excellent craftsmanship on my two
pedestrian gates. They came out great. Currently I'm the envy of the
neighborhood because I decided to not go with the standard vinyl or
rod iron gates. Once again thank you for a job well done, Hopefully
I can drum up some business for you.
Gates did arrive in Honolulu via boat and the hardware showed up Friday
(4-16-04) regular mail.
Dennis
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Hi, I just had to take a moment to tell you what
a wonderful website you have to show your absolutely beautiful products!!!
Wonderful design, construction and imagination. Bravo. Anita
Well thank you, Anita. I am always surprised how visitors take the
time to extend the pleasantries of a simple kudo.
Charles
______________________
Hello,
I’ve been searching for fence panels or even a fence design
like yours for years! Do you have a distributor inCanada?
Thank you.
Carole Saint-Laurent
No, but we ship to Canada
_______________________
I was browsing your website and found all items
"Artistically Beautiful." May the Lord continually bless
you to build, exhibit and share your magnificant works of art!
Bless you,
~NJ~
I think this must be a first.
_______________________
Hi Charles,
I am surfing the web looking for fence/gate ideas. Just thought I'd
let you know I love your work and am impressed by your web
site. Your web page is one of the best I have ever seen. It really works
for you and the customer. What talent to be proficient in the oldest
and newest tools known to man.
Allan,
I guess I hadn't thought of quite that way before. The oldest, and newest,
tool known to man. Neat!
________________________
WOW!!! That is all i can say. Your work is absolutely
incredible. Just
wanted you to know that your work is greatly admired. I love to look
at
your webpage.
Have a gr8 day
Jeff
Well Jeff, I'll classify this one as a 'raving review.'
Charles.
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I wanted to thank you for sharing your beautiful
gates on the web. They are gorgeous! We will be finishing our
landscape in a month, or so I'm lead to believe., and then ready for
your work as a final touch
Carlos.
Thank you, Carlos. We'll be here.
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Hi Mr. Prowell -
Your gates are beautiful ! I found your website on a internet search
for “wood gates”. Yours are by far my favorites - and well
made too and your website is great ! Do you think cedar is okay for
a southern Florida climate? it is very humid here. If so,
we are ready to order #33, which I love.
Connie
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i am in awe of our amazing work. my name is matt
and i live in lagunitas. i build
outdoor structures and have recently been messing with a plunge router.
do you ever
need help? i would love to visit you and to learn from you. you are
doing all the types
of work that interest me. your work is spectacular! i am a photographer
and
wannabe woodworker. i have done some shop work for a contractor in berkeley
building cabinets. my father is a landscape designer and i have built
many thousand
feet of fencing, typically boring, but some cool designs. a couple of
other interesting
structures. anyway, if you ever need a hand i have a flexible schedule.
i would assist
for free just to learn from you. i don't currently have a computer so
if you want to
reach me please do so at 555 488 9560 thanks, matt
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Hi Charles,
The gate was installed today and looks even better than I had imagined
-- it seems to add a sparkle to the house. I can tell you that if I
ever move I'll seriously think about taking the gate.
Talk to you soon.
Robin
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DEAR CHARLES, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! I HOPE ALL IS GOING
WELL.I SAW MY PICTURES
ON YOUR WEBSITE AND THEY REALLY LOOKED GOOD. THE BEFORE AND AFTER SHOTS
!!!
P.S. I AM CONSTANTLY GETTING COMPLIMENTS ON MY FENCE AND GATES. THANKS,
DAVID
___________________________
Hello!
I am a carpenter here in rural NJ and stumbled across your Webster.
Just wanted to take a moment to write and express my appreciation for
your work. Great designs and your execution is super!
Steve
Dear Steve,
Thank you for the kind words. That you are drawn to the web site tells
me you're something more than a carpenter. Perhaps a carpenter of note.
regards,
Charles
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I just visited your web site and it is gorgeous,
just like your work. Excellent designs, information and photos. I wish
I could afford to have a fence put in by this company. The fence would
probably last longer than my brick house! The people in California should
appreciate your efforts. Congratulations on your talent.
Teresa
Knoxville, TN
Teresa,
I too wish there was a way to provide our products at a price everyone
could afford.
______________________
Hi. My husband & I live in S. Cal. in a small
Craftsman bungalow, and I just wanted to tell you that your fences are
really beautiful. We have just completed a two year remodel and
are now ready for a long-awaited CPW fence.
Have a good one.
Karen Cini
Karen,
Thanks for the photos. A lovely home and grounds and I am honored
to be a part of the final presentation. We'll have your drawings
posted within a week.
Charles
_____________________
Your company must be very proud. I am so impressed
with your designs. Your work is the most beautiful I have seen. I would
love the bowling ball arched arbor. Unfortunately that is impossible
at this time, but I shall keep Charles Prowell Woodwoorks in mind, and
direct people to your company.
Sandy
Thanks, Sandy Always nice to hear such lovely comments. The bowling
balls will wait
Charles
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Madaleine
Your completed gate images have been loaded.
Please reply per confirmation on balance due.
Charles
It looks beautiful! We
are thrilled. Please charge the balance to the same credit card.
Maybe we will get a chance to work with you again one day! The gate
is definately a highlight of our landscape project.
Madeleine & Tim
Yes, a fun project and a pleasant association.
Charles
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Your work is beautiful. promise me you will live
a long and healthy life. I cannot buy one of your tables today, but
hopeully, maybe as soon as next year, I want to. Thanks again for the
information. take care,
D.
We'll be here, D
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Charles,
While researching builders and fence designs, I came across your
website and I can only hope there is a craftsman of your caliber in
Durham, NC. I was amazed by your designs and impressed by the thoroughness
of your website. Although it is logistically impossible for you to build
my fence, I wanted to congratulate you on a fine site and thank you
for the ideas you provided.
Best regards,
Scott
Durham, NC
Thanks Scott.
We ship to NC frequently. And most projects are designed by way of sent
jpegs of the site and specifications to almost any site plan. Don't
give up so easily, Scott.
Charles
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Dear Charles, We live in Boulder CO. We recently
bought a home here. There is a new fence on our property. While driving
around I spotted a fence that I love. We checked with the owners and
it is one of your fences. In your photo gallery it is #13. I certainly
would have bought a fence from you, but since the fence is new its not
an option. But, ours is not stained or sealed yet. This fence is beautiful
grey with hints of pink and blue coming thru from the wood. Would you
be able to tell me what stain was used,and did you do it or a local
person. The house was recently sold so the new owners do not know. Thank
you in advance, Suzanne
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Absolutely beautiful work! I must have looked
at every page and love the creative and playful presentation of your
website.
All the best,
Bernie Wire
Thank you, Bernie. The result of too many idle
hours spent tinkering when I should have been in the shop, working.
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Dear Charles,
I have been perusing your web site for several weeks, admiring your
work when I stumbled onto the Pointless Pastimes. I absolutely
laughed out loud over the Road Trip. The funniest thing I've seen in
years. And the Contributor's Garden is unbelievable!
I love how throughout the site there are these wonderfully delectable
comic reliefs, like the Gate Checklists. And the Imposter series.
What fun you must have.
Lori
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And finally this wonderful exchange, as a parting
shot from Chicago, which we pick up with only the last three exchanges
in an ongoing quest for panels and drive gates and pedestrian gates.
The home itself is a wonderul renovated example of Prairie-Style architecture,
situated, we're told, next door to a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed residence.
<<Charles,
Can I go to your Chicago production facility and touch and feel your
product?
The guy around the corner did a courtyard with a (parking) pergola,
double drive gate, and ped. gate. It looks pretty good. Stained a whitish
grey. Older local architect designed. Prairie looking. Finished two
years ago…Frankly, beginning to show some wear in the joints even
though there is almost no use of the drive gate.
I want to see and touch the product to verify that it’s beefy
enough.
Mike
Hi Mike,
As a rule, I keep the public from the shops. These are woodworkers working,
and not so geared for dealing with the interruptions associated with
a showroom or a sales staff. We do allow folks to pick up their projects
at the shops, rather than incur the expense of delivery, as well as
satisfying what to many is an opportunity to shuffle their feet in the
sawdust of the shop where their work was made. To some, this in itself
is an experience, but the fellas are not answering questions or selling
anyone on the merits of a cpw product.
So I must treat you the same as I treat everyone everywhere. You either
know the difference between our product and the guy down the street,
or you don't. If you're uncertain, then the guy down the street is the
way to go.
If we proceed, we're still waiting for a decision on the design proposal
sent along, as well as the two corner tie-ins as either brick columns
or wood posts or CPW Columns.
<<Charles,
1) You don’t have to treat me like every other customer.
2) While you discourage it, according to your web site you will make
exceptions
3) I won’t buy your product until I’m satisfied that it’s
as good as it seems. I require that I see it and touch it. I wouldn’t
buy anything for even $2K, anything – a watch, car, suit, house,
boat, tree etc without first seeing it and touching it - much less a
fence for $16K.
4) I don’t really care a wit about your production facilities.
I’m not interested in a tour or and education.
5) I will come alone to offset your fears that I’m stealing your
methods.
6) You put all this information on your site, including all the threats
implied by your numerous patent pending notices. What’s so hard
about seeing and touching your product? It might be exactly what I looking
for. Why should I reinvent the wheel unless of course I could do it
for half the price?
As you may recall, I grew up in Woodside, CA. and my wife is from Tiburon.
I have a sense of carpentry. My fine motor skills suck. I’m a
finance MBA. There should be many examples of your work out there. Can
you give me some addresses?
…you know what? Fuck it…Keep your fucking product. You’re
an arrogant prick. I’m not good enough for you. Save your bullshit
song and dance. I’m not interested.
_______________________________
Well, we'll pick it up and carry on and while maintaining the edge
required for dealing with the rare Problem Child, nevertheless give
some consideration to the accusation of arrogance as a less than appealing
characteristic and nothing to be proud of.
Feb 2008
I am a home owner in the process of building arbors, stringing
wire, along with standing picket fencing. I came across your
web site and was blown away with your product line.
The level of craftsmanship and beauty succeeded in lifting my
project and thinking to another level. Great site!
Well I reckon how there are levels of inspiration
to all of us, but available only to those who walk with their eyes
on the bend and not the ground at their feet. So good luck.
Charles
______________________________
March 15, 2008
I just saw your new projects using plastic rods and you continue to
amaze me. You were/are my inspiration to start in the gate building
business here in Long Beach.
I have admired your work for many years and I couldn't wait any longer
to tell you how impressed I am with your creativity and workmanship.
Thanks,
Lee
Well, thanks Lee. For not waiting any longer and for the wonderful
photos. The house is absolutely gorgeous, as well as the recognizable
gate and fence. But also the white house next door looks to have
some interesting architecture. I think I appreciate architecture
the way I appreciate people, in all their varying forms and styles.
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