Add Architectural Interest to your
Room Makeover with Decorative
Corbels
Room Makeover with Decorative Corbels
Just like a good bra or a rich ex-husband, decorative corbels have one purpose in life and that is to support.
A corbel is an L-shaped bracket that provides a spot for whatever it is supporting to rest on while the other side is attached to the adjoining wall. A decorative corbel is not only functional but beautiful as well with various styles and stains available.
Applications:
A corbel or bracket is an architectural element that can be used for decoration and function in many different areas of your home to add a decorative flair and interesting detail.
For example:-
- It is common to find decorative corbels supporting a kitchen or island countertop. They can be used as upper cabinet supports as well.
- In an elegantly appointed kitchen corbels can be used as a means of support or for decorative purposes on the range hood.
- A hanging fireplace mantel requires some sort of support and decorative corbels are just the answer. They can also be applied to the fireplace surround to add interest and support at the same time.
- Hanging shelves need some measure of support to be able to carry the weight of the items displayed on the shelves. Using decorative corbels in place of the usual metal brackets will give ordinary shelving some character and detail.
- Many homes today have passageways without doors that lead to other rooms. Hanging decorative corbels near the ceiling in a doorway will define the opening and add architectural interest to the area.
- Outdoor kitchens and living areas are becoming very popular and corbels can be incorporated into the countertops and bar areas for support as well as decoration.
Styles:
Corbels come in many different styles and shapes that can all be found at www.wishihadthat.com. You can choose from the popular acanthus leaves, shell designs, grape motifs, floral patterns, feathers and oak leaf designs as well as simple curved shapes and fluted designs.
These corbels are molded from polyurethane and have highly detailed features which are perfect for adding interesting decoration but are not meant to bare heavy loads. They are light weight, easy to install, mildew resistant, easy to paint and suitable for interior and exterior applications.
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There are styles designed specifically for
traditional and Victorian
homes as well as mission and arts and crafts interiors. For the
ultimate in personalization and if money is no object you can have
custom carved corbels designed to showcase a business logo or
a family
crest, for example. These corbels are often carved from rich woods such as cherry, maple, oak, alder and birch. This makes it possible to match existing cabinetry in a kitchen, family room, office or library.
Decorative corbels can also be carved from countertop material such as granite or marble for a fully coordinated look. This clean and classy uncluttered look might appeal to those with a modern or contemporary style home.
Important Notes:
As a functional item, it is important to make note of some requirements to insure the safety of your family.
- For proper support, the corbel should be a minimum of ½” to 2/3” of the depth of the item it is supporting.
- Spacing is important to insure the correct amount of support and corbels should be spaced 3 feet apart.
- Corbels made from polyurethane or other synthetic material are meant for decorative purposes only and should not be used as a means of support.
- The difference between a bracket and a corbel is shape. A bracket is usually thinner than a corbel with the long side often being twice as long as the supporting ends. A corbel can measure the same for width and depth and is often wider on the top than a bracket, offering more support.
Installing decorative corbels is one of those simple details that can transform an ordinary room into an extraordinary and pulled-together space and have a dramatic impact on the look and feel of your home.
Learn how to use decorative corbels along with decorative molding to further enhance all your wall decorating projects.
Also take a look at some more classy architectural wall decor options.
