The Garden Fence
That’s where you are right now…
Yeah ok, I admit it’s from one extreme to the other, but there lies the beauty of keeping your mind open to all sorts of inspiration.
No doubt there’s a few things to straighten out, etc, so I’ll continue to tweak it as I get time. But, before I do, let me just explain the major reason I went for this look…
Foundation: The Bedrock Grid
I decided to keep the Bedrock Grid as the foundation of a new redesign, so that I could show just how much potential there is in having a solid structure and layout like it. Without tweaking anything which would break the grid, I decided to use graphics and other styling elements to make it look completely different.
Of course, it’s nothing like the designs I showed you the other day, but I decided last night that I wanted to try and pull off a ‘wood effect’ design. As I browsed around, I came across a few wooden designs, but most of them were using a tiled background image, and were dangerously close to looking rather ‘tacky’ (you’ll find the best of them here).
Home, sweet home…
This is my home. In fact, it’s the only ‘home’ which I have on earth and can actually say it’s mine. It’s my ‘detached residence’, in that it’s not a terrace, or semi-detached property; it’s completely detached from this world. With such a home, you need a fence, and I built mine within the last 24 hours…
Yeah, so welcome to my Garden Fence.
Why the yellow sign?
I don’t know. I was looking for stock image signs online, and couldn’t find anything suitable. On my search, I came across one of those yellow warning signs, and decided to try and make my own from scratch in Photoshop. So, I did what I could, and then nailed it to my fence before you arrived.
Anyway…that’s enough chat from me. I’d love to hear your thoughts, just make sure you don’t knock the head off my flower!
Pretty interesting. I like the sign and the wood texture, but I’m a little concerned about readability. When the flower’s behind text, for example, it can be hard to make out the words quickly. Also, these input fields could be hard to find.
Mostly, I like it. I also like the high-concept nature of it and think that far outweighs these minor—perhaps even trifling—gripes.
David - I have a concern for legibility too. I’m working on it as I write this.
Thanks for informing me about the comment form fields. They’re a little bigger now, so they should be easier to see, but I might lighten the border colour around them, to help them stand out.
I’m flattered that you regard it as “high-concept”. I don’t believe graphics are necessary for a nice design. For the most part, they’re used to often, and not executed well. However, I like to test myself, and try new looks, just to see if I can do it to an acceptable level.
Overall - very attractive theme. Asides from reading almost white text on almost black background I give you 9/10.
Davey - 9/10?? Thanks! I suppose that’s not bad at all, especially on the Boydy scale!
I like it…overall!
The only thing I have some reservation about are the horizontal lines between the Recent Posts and Categories….might be more pleasing without them?
Like the sign, and contrasting links at the top, and as for the flower…it is really only a tiny portion of it which conflicts with the text…could the centre be muted down a little? Might help. Or choose a different image to be stationary…one without such highlights? (like an ammonite fossil, or a sea shell/pine cone, a striking moth shot….not the one from your windscreen)
Interesting turn!
Wow, I love it, wooden, but not the type of real wooden effect. Congrats.
One thing: you might erase the WP meta version tag as well as the browser access to your wp directory via a .htaccess file.
Try accessing this folder via the browser : address.com/wp-content/plugins/
to see what I mean.
My goodness!!!!
I love it!!!
Very well done all the way ’round.
Glenn - Your suggestion about the border lines between the sidebar links was a good one. They’re removed.
Also, the flower was clearly causing problems when it came to reading, so I’ve removed it. My fence stands vertical, so to have a pine cone up on it would be impossible, no? I’ve tried using a butterfly, but I still might have a look for a moth. What do you think?
Milo - Thanks!
Also, the issue you raised, is it better now? I appreciate you pointing this out. I’m not very good when it comes to security.
Brian - Thanks buddy. I appreciate the encouragement.
Again…I like it (wouldn’t say that if I didn’t!)
But I am going to be very nit-picky here…
Firstly (and this isn’t criticism here…just fact) even with the title, it wasn’t obvious to me that this background was a fence…I thought you were undecided between two ideas: hence the title. I thought it was more like flooring/decking and therefore you could have something sitting on it, ie pine cone etc.
Secondly, I think possibly, the fence/decking would look better fading off on the right side, the way it is on the left?
I also liked the stationary item on the wood idea, better than the “floating with the text” one.
Having said all that, it is only my opinion, and I am being very nit-picky….it looks great!
Wow, that Glenn boy is good, isn’t he??
All-in-all I love it!! Very quirky…like your style bro (and that’s quite a compliment coming from myself I’ll have you know…hehe
).
Was singing at Hillsbourogh last night…Rev. Goodes is mightily impressed with your page…check you out…about time you put that artistic flare into action instead of wasting your talents…go go… ciao.
I am viewing this on a work computer and i cant see the box were I am typing currently, kinder trippy!
I dont think I am seeing everything of this theme so I will have to leave my opinion until I get to a different computer .
Glenn - Thanks for the keen eye. I took the time to sort of even up the right side a bit.
Taleen - “Artistic flair”?
I wish you’d comment more often sis, you always give me a laugh.
I’m sure the folks at Hillsbourogh enjoyed your singing; I know I miss it.
Jermayn - I meant to change the black border around the input fields. They’re changed now. Thanks my friend.
Yeah the text comment boxes are much better now! Maybe the background of the boxes could be a different colour as its a bit too black!
The yellow is slightly jarring, but I like the design of the sign,if not exactly the color. Really like the moth! Overall, the woodgrain is nice and not too overt as to be distracting.
Armen, some of your posts resonate deeply with me as I’ve recently been going through a number of tests of faith. The Lord often counterbalances joy with adversity or sorrow. And given that our journey progresses as per His agenda rather than our own, it can be easy to become impatient or frustrated. We are so very much His children in so many ways. So much to learn…
Your comment on my blog drew me back to here and I appreciate your inspiring words.
Rob - You must have your screen turned up too brightly
Good to ’see’ you here. I’m glad you can connect with some of the things I’ve written. None of us get it ‘easy’, it’s worth it for every one of us.