What is a Corbel?

People often ask "what would I use a corbel for? Where do you put them?" Corbels are the workhorses of architecture. Traditionally, a piece of masonry jutting out of a wall to carry an overhanging weight is called a corbel. This technique has been used by builders since prehistoric times in all types of architecture. As buildings evolved and became more ornate so did the corbels. The Mayans, Romans and Greeks all found corbels an ideal place to add carved ornamentation making them decorative as well as functional. When architectural styles trended toward excess ornamentation, corbels were frequently added strictly for decorative purposes.

So what about today? Most modern architects, designers and decorators restrict the use of corbels to places where they support or appear to support something. Does this restrict their use? Hardly. Let's look at some popular examples.

1. Fireplace Mantels. Easily one of the most obvious places to find functioning corbels. Something has to hold up the mantle. They are available in any style from simple rough sawn timber to deeply carved and highly ornate. The corbels you choose can easily help make your fireplace the focal point of any room design.

2. Countertops. Another often overlooked place that corbels are frequently used is to support countertops, especially natural stone tops. The amount of overhang for a countertop is limited by the material. By adding the appropriate size and number of corbels for support it's possible to dramatically increase the overhang and create usable breakfast bars and desk areas.

3. Doorways. Using corbels on the inside of an opening between the header and the doorjamb to create an effect not unlike an arch is a common use of corbels. But you can also use corbels to create a capital at the top of the casing before, a great idea for more decorative designs. This is especially effective with an exterior entry.

4. Wall Hung Cabinets. Corbels are a great way to add support and ornamentation to wall hung cabinets. Adding carved hardwood corbels finished to match your cabinet takes it to the realm of fine furniture. As an added bonus the corbels can be used to help hide any undercabinet lighting you might be using.

5. Curtain Rods and Valances. Using corbels for the end support pieces of curtain rods and curtain valances is a natural. With the huge selection available you're sure to be able to find something you like.

6. Shelves. When appearance counts, replace those ugly metal brackets with corbels. Want to add a plate rail to your breakfast nook? Use polyurethane corbels and three-quarter inch lumber painted to match your trim. Want to add a shelf above your beautiful stained oak mantle? Use carved or plain Oak corbels and a piece of three-quarter inch oak from your favorite lumberyard.

These are just some of the ways that you can use corbels to add a decorative element to the interior of your home. However, the exterior of your home has an equal number of appropriate places to use corbels as well. Any overhanging surface is fair game to add a row of corbels for decoration. Here are just a few examples.

1. Windowboxes. These are a great way to add garden space to even the smallest of homes. You can make them as decorative or as plain as you would like just by your choice of corbel.

2. Bay Windows. The addition of corbels to a bay window can add interest and define style.

3. Exposed Rafters Tails. Attaching corbels to the bottom edge of exposed rafters tails can add a lot of interesting detail to the eaves.

4. Eaves. A row of corbels along the eaves will add a feeling of weight along with needed ornamentation to revival designs.

There is really no end to the places you can use corbels and it's been that way for thousands of years. Corbels come in sizes as small as 2 inches to as tall as 4 feet. You can use a corbel anywhere that could use a little support or a little ornamentation. You are sure to find a decorative design that fits your style.

Fresh Ideas for a Decorative Ceiling

There are lots of ways to use decorative products to help you bring the elements of your design together. Personalize by coordinating! Here are a few ideas to help you design the perfect look for your home.

1) Use a ceiling ring, or decorative rim, with your ceiling medallion. You can also use the area between the "ceiling rim and the ceiling medallion to coordinate colors. For a truly personal touch, fill in the area with a leftover scrap of wall covering or upholstery fabric. Your local upholstery shop could even build you a custom padded or pleated filler for a million dollar look.

2) Piercings are hot! For an easy way to turn it up a notch and add a whole new level of detail with a minimum amount of work, pierced medallions and moldings are just the ticket. Paint them separately and then assemble. It couldn’t be easier. Painting the wall or ceiling behind the pierced medallion or molding a complementary contrasting color can create an extremely crisp and detailed 2-color design. The same thing can be done for pierced chair rails and frieze moldings. Metallic foils, including gold leaf, can also be used for added flash.

3) Builders love “can” lights, or recessed lighting. They are cheap and easy to install during construction and allow for unlimited customization to put light right where you want it. The only drawback is they are undeniably modern looking. When the rest of the room has a nice Victorian or farmhouse feel, sometimes those lights can stick out like a sore thumb. There is a solution. Not for everyone or every room, but if you hate the plain modern look of your recessed lighting, try ceiling medallions designed specifically with recessed lighting in mind.

4) Panel molding and matching panel molding corners can be used to create custom sized panels on both plain walls and ceilings, which can then be filled with any of the materials suggested above. Some of the most famous ceilings in the world have been created in just this way.

Fresh ideas for a fresh new look. Now you have a few ideas for livening up your room. You can use these ideas in any room you choose. You are limited only by your imagination when it comes to decorative design.

Installing Chair Rail and Frieze Molding

Chair rail and frieze molding are two ways to enhance the style and elegance of any room. Visually, these decorative elements add harmony to your room's décor. Applying chair rail molding eases the vast scale and empty feeling of large rooms or high ceilings. Mix and match window surrounds, chair rails and friezes. The large variety of sizes and styles available allows you to create a whole new look. Installing these decorative accents can be done by any do-it-yourselfer with a little planning and preparation.

Tools and Materials

Some of the tools you will need include:

Sponge or a clean cloth
Caulking gun
Miter box and saw or power miter saw
Chalk line box and pencil
Polyurethane construction adhesive
Mineral spirits

Some optional tools and materials you may consider useful: a putty knife, hammer, Elastomeric adhesive caulk, 6d or 8d finishing nails (to penetrate a substrate a minimum of ½” to ¾”, and extra fine sandpaper.

Planning Your Space

The most important step of adding chair rail or friezes to any room is to plan the layout. Chair rails are usually installed a third of the way up the wall from the floor, about 32”-36”. Frieze moldings are typically installed below your crown molding or a few inches lower to form a border.

First, measure your room to determine how many feet of molding you will need for your project. Then add 10% to that for miter waste. Divide the total feet by the molding length. For example, if the molding comes in 8 foot lengths, then divide your total by 8. If you want the pattern repeats, you might consider adding additional length to your purchase. For moldings with repeats that are greater than 6”, add another 15% to your total length.

Make sure to store the molding in a dry, well-ventilated area and NEVER store it outside.

Before Installation

You can paint or faux finish the molding either before you install it or after. If you choose to finish it before you install it, you can always touch it up later as needed. Leave the molding in the room where it will be installed for 48-72 hours to allow it to adjust to the temperature and humidity of the room. Clean all of the surfaces free of dirt and loose particles with a sponge or clean cloth. Make sure that all the surfaces are completely dry before you install your molding.

Mitering Corners

Placing the molding in the miter box correctly is the key to successful mitered corners. Since chair rail and frieze moldings are flat, they should be placed in the miter box so that the bedding edge of the molding lies against the side of the miter box opposite yourself. [A] Cut all miters and butt joints before you install the molding. Then lay the molding in place around the room to make sure that all the cuts and joints have been measured correctly.

To miter the inside corners, start by taking two pieces of the molding that you will use for your first corner. Take the “left” length and place it in the miter box as described above. Cut a 45 degree mitered corner. Your saw should be pointed LEFT. [B] Next, do the same thing with the “right” length, adjusting your cut to allow for the continuity of the pattern. Of course, in this case, your saw should be pointed RIGHT. [C] Place the two ends together to check your cuts. Are they a good fit? Great. Next we’ll talk about mitering the outside corners.

Now, get two pieces of molding that you will use for your first outside corner. Place the “left” length in the miter box and cut a 45 degree corner. This time your saw should point RIGHT. [D] Next, you’ll place the “right” length into the box to make your cut, again allowing for the continuity of the pattern. You’ll cut the right miter with your saw pointing LEFT. [E] Check your cuts again for a good fit.

If the molding lengths do not span the whole length of the room, then you will need to “butt joint” two lengths together. The repeat pattern on each length of molding will match exactly except when you cut the molding so match the repeat pattern to the cut pieces of molding. Lay the length of molding in the miter box as described above and cut a straight edge. [F]

General Installation Considerations

Now it’s time to install your chair rail or frieze molding. First, mark the wall with a chalk line. Mark the top edge of your chair rail or the bottom edge of the frieze. Start the installation behind a door or some other inconspicuous spot since the repeat pattern will most likely not match at your last joint.

Apply a ¼” bead of adhesive along the top and bottom of the back of your molding [G] and at the butt joint ends. Use the adhesive to fill in any gaps as well. Press the molding into place and apply caulking to the edges. Smooth the caulk with a putty knife. Wipe the excess adhesive from the edges and clean them with mineral spirits. One option that you have is to secure the molding with finishing nails. You can remove them after the adhesive dries if you leave about ½” of the nail exposed. Use elastomeric adhesive to fill in the nail holes, smoothing the surface with a putty knife. Once the adhesive dries, you can lightly sand the rough edges and touch up the molding as needed.

Always Be Safe

Follow good practices when working with tools. Follow manufacturer’s instructions with the use of adhesives, paint, stain or power tools. Wear safety goggles when using power tools or hammers. Always use the right tool for the job.

Now enjoy the new look of your room knowing that you created this elegance and beauty yourself.



Patricia Tomaskovic is the President of http://www.goceilingmedallion.com, where our goal is to provide you with the best selection of high quality ceiling products, tools, supplies and ideas for creating the perfect ceiling for the room you want to live in. We help you feel right at home!

Beautiful Results

Bob:

You were very helpful with this order. Even though FedEx lost it, and it arrived just two days before Thanksgiving, and I stayed up nearly all night painting it (26 man-hours of detail painting!), and still didn't get it done in time. Got up early Thanksgiving morning and installed the medallion, touched up the paint, tried to install the chandelier so I could get the scaffolding down before the guests arrived. But the steel nipple the chandelier hangs on was 1/2" too short, on account of the depth of the medallion! Nobody open on Thanksgiving -- foiled for want of a $1.00 lamp part! So the family ate Thanksgiving beneath the scaffolding -- Ah, well.......

But it got done the next day after Home Depot opened, and I thought you might appreciate seeing a photo of the results. Use it in any way you would like.

Tom Hannah

We would love to see and publish your beautiful results. You can send yours to info@goceilingmedallion.com.

Decorative Stair Brackets

Stair brackets, also called tread brackets, are a terrific approach to decorating the treads on your staircase. They can be found in all styles of historic homes and are a popular option for decorating new homes, as well. Stair brackets are decorative details that are easily installed, adding beauty and elegance to your entry way for a lifetime.

Stair brackets are an easy and affordable way to add a touch of class with little effort. They can change the look of an unadorned and plain staircase into one that is gorgeous and elegant. Add a touch of architectural elegance to your steps with a set of stair brackets.

Stair brackets are molded from a high density furniture grade of polyurethane. They are beautifully detailed from hand-crafted molds, which ensures a consistent quality product time after time. The precision and quality that goes into the crafting of these exquisite decorative accents provides the best results for application, appearance and longevity. Stair brackets are delivered pre-primed and ready for you to finish in your unique style.

Stair brackets can also be used to complement the existing trim in your home. They resemble the look of the hand-carved accents often found in older homes scattered throughout America. They honor the timeless style, texture and ornate detail from earlier decorative eras. Decorative stair brackets will transform even the look of the most ordinary and simple staircase to one of elegance.

For a free ebook on Decorating on a Budget sign up today and receive all of the latest news and additions to our catalog at GoCeilingMedallion. We are sure to have the right product for your decorative project.

How to Decorate on a Budget

So your celebrity style doesn't match your checkbook? You want to re-decorate your home or your apartment, but you have limited funds. Does this mean that you can't design your space like a celebrity? Consider the following points for your decorating budget:

• Decide ahead of time how much you can afford to spend on a decorating project. Then set aside money in a budget or consider a payment plan. Pace your decorating and make sure that you include money for accessories and miscellaneous items.

• Pick one room at a time to re-decorate. Designate a priority project in that particular room and begin there.

• Make sure that you have a plan. Keep color schemes, style and atmosphere in mind for your project. Select a target date for completion of your project.

• Remember that what ever you are considering will affect not just you but your family as well. Therefore, if you are unsure about tackling your decorating project alone, consider consulting a professional designer. A designer can save you time, money, energy, and frustration.

• Develop a floor plan showing windows and doors. Draw your furniture to scale and place them on your floor plan, moving them around until you get an arrangement that you like. Decide on a focal point. Make sure that you measure any furniture, rugs, etc. before making large purchases. Consider the ceiling height and traffic flow as well.

• Repeat each color in your color scheme at three levels: eye level, mid-level, and floor level. You do this to achieve good visual balance. Repeat any patterns or textures at least two times throughout the room.

• Other less costly ways to update or refresh a room include paint and wallpaper with or without borders.

• Prior to spending money on your project, you want to take a look at the colors and patterns in your home during the daylight hours.

• When purchasing accessories, invest in those that can be used easily in any home. These accessories might include artwork, area rugs, or decorator pillows, for example.

For those of us who have more taste than money, decorating our homes on a budget can often seem like an exercise in futility. As we flip through the glossy pages of home decorating magazines, we bristle at having to make do or having to do without.

However, the principles of decorating your home have always rested on expressing your own personality and your own sense of style rather than how much money you spend trying to make your home look like a picture in a magazine. You can decorate well on a limited budget when you keep this in mind.

For beautiful ideas that are inexpensive, visit GoCeilingMedallion or GoCrownMolding. We have hundreds of decorative accessories to choose from, so you are sure to find something that suits your interior decor ideas and style.

How to Organize Your Home Decorating Ideas

The first thing that anyone considering a decorating or remodeling project should do is to get organized. Your decorating project will go so much more smoothly. To do so, you can utilize a decorating file.

Your decorating file will contain everything that you need to coordinate your project. What should you include in your decorating file? You should include items such as carpet samples, fabric cuttings, paint samples, floor plans, wall paper cuttings, photos, and any pictures of inspiring rooms. When you keep all of these items together in one place the job goes smoothly from beginning to end.

Any type of file that is convenient for you will work. You can use a small canvas tote bag or briefcase. You could also try a notebook with file pockets or an expanding envelope. File boxes work well also. Just make sure that the container you select will be easy for you to carry from store to store or from store to home and that it is large enough to contain all of your samples.

The most important thing to remember about your decorating file is to keep it with you at all times, because you never know when you will need to access your samples. More than likely, you will accumulate many items in your decorating file, especially the longer you work on your decorating project.

Following is a list of the seven most important items that should be found in your decorating file:

Pens and Paper

Keep several of them with you as well as having a pad of paper or a notebook for taking any notes. The notebook will also come in handy when you need to note the particulars for ordering an item or when you see something that you really want or need to remember.

Tape Measure

When out on shopping trips, a 10 foot measuring tape will usually be adequate. However, for measuring rooms, windows, and ceiling heights you will want to have a 25 foot measuring tape. Builders tape measures are heavier, so try to find something more lightweight that you can carry around with you all day if needed.

Floor Plan

No matter what size the project you are embarking on, you need a drawing of the room or rooms with all measurements noted. Use either a simple sketch or a scale drawing on graph paper. Measure walls, windows, and distances between doors and windows accurately. Make sure that your sketch shows the placement of windows, doors, and any architectural details present with accurate measurements.

Photos of Your Room

You want to make sure you take some "before" photos, with all of the angles and details shown. They'll serve as a reminder to you of details as you're working and they are also handy when you're talking to a salesperson about your project.

Calendar

A calendar will come in handy for keeping track of appointments with carpenters, plumbers, painters, or any other reminders that are important in your schedule. Just make sure that you always have it with you as there is nothing more frustrating than needing your schedule and not having it available.

Magazine Photos

Magazines, decorating books, and photos from the Internet are great sources of inspiration for your decorating project. Keep pictures of ideas that you would like to incorporate in your own project in your file. You may see colors that you like, prints that you want to see in your own place, or arrangements of furniture that you feel would work in your space. Tear the pictures out and keep them with you or make or download copies.

Samples of Fabrics, Colors, and Flooring

While you are shopping, you will collect samples of carpet, tile, flooring, fabric, and paint chips. Keep these with you to coordinate your project later on at home. Also, keep samples of anything from your room that you may not be replacing so that you can coordinate colors, textures, carpeting, fabrics or colors. Use a small piece of fabric for your upholstered pieces. Trim off tufts of carpet fiber from an inconspicuous place or use an 8 inch square piece of carpet to carry with you in your tote. You can easily coordinate fabrics with paint and paint with flooring by using combinations from the samples that you have collected. As you settle on a scheme for your decorating project, you will be able to put together all of the elements in your decorating file.

There are several additional items that you may also find useful and wish to include in your decorating file. You can add these items and be ready to go at a moments notice:

Keep your phone list of contractors handy for easy reference.

Keep scissors and tape handy for placing items together, such as paint chips and fabrics.

Envelopes or Ziploc baggies are useful for small pieces of information or samples.

Post-it notes can be used in a variety of ways.

Color boards are useful for attaching fabrics, trims, inspirational photos, or any drawings that you have made.

Organizing your ideas into a decorating file is not only a useful tool but it can be a fun project as well. After all, you are making some major changes and you want to enjoy the process as well as the finished project. It will be that much more special.

Visit GoCeilingMedallion or GoCrownMolding for home decorating ideas.