These balusters are for a court house in Texas. They are rendered but not completed. In fact, the samples are not made yet but I thought I would draw and render them in Sketchup and Renderworks. I’ll be turning about a hundred of them in pine. They measure 2 1/2″ X 27″. I have not seen the rail profiles yet so my rendering is not yet complete.
The following renderings are different versions of a pedestal newel I am developing. They go from about 5 1/2 inch base with 3 1/2 inch turning to about a 8 inch square base with 5 1/2 inch diameter turning. All models depict over the post style newel but certainly a post to post newel could be made. These would have to be shipped in pieces so that the final length of the base could be cut. The column and moldings could be attached after the base is cut and installed.
The spiral top of the newel below is another variation on a theme. Of course, there are endless possibilities. The bases on these have recessed flat panels which could be made with raised panels or left plain. The ionic columns could be fluted as well as plain.
As you can tell I enjoy modeling and rendering probably more than creating the actual thing though I do get a kick out of seeing the finished product come into being. I design quite a few newels and balusters for stairways. I don’t however design many box newels. This one is quite simple with fluting, and an inserted star (great for the lone star state). For Louisianians, a Fleur de le (especially after the Saints won the Super Bowl) would be nice – maybe a magnolia flower for Mississippi.
The newel also has a chamfered top.
This is a table that I intend to build one day. I like the base with the four columns instead of your typical table legs and aprons. Asa bonus you have more leg room (room above your knees and thighs) -good for large folks. I prefer a painted base with stained or natural wood top. The painted base accents the wood better than having all natural or stain in my view.
These balusters were turned for a customer in San Francisco. The sort of odd thing about these is that although the center diameter is 1 3/4 inches the square ends (not shown) are 1 1/4 inches. That is why I am turning the center area separately. The square top and bottom will be added after.
We were just contracted by a customer to make these poplar balusters and starter newel for a home in Connecticut. The post-to-post newel has an octagon base middle and top. The top id quite narrow and will require the handrail to attach horizontally. As such, an up easing will have to be used. The handrail attaching on the rake angle would be too wide for the newel top. The newel measures 8″ at the widest. The design is based on the image from a magazine article and came off quite nicely. The balusters are a based on the image from the same magazine article. The pattern was a common pattern used at the turn of the last century and prior to.
I did not turn these. My partner in crime (turning crime that is) turned these. Great job Walter!
I occasionally like to look at newel and baluster designs online to “rev” up my creative juices since I often am called upon to design both for my customers. I found this beauty on Jerry West’s Flickr account and thought I would post it here. Hat’s off to him for a fine design and execution. You will enjoy seeing some of the other pieces he has posted in his account. Click on the link below the image.
walnut newel
These alder kitchen island legs are 5 1/2″ wide X 36″ long. The particular twist on these island legs is called a barley twist. I suppose it simulates barley grain or a stalk of barley??? I’ve never grown barley (seen it in pictures only) but this is what it is called. You will have to make your own judgment about whether the name is justified or not.
The alder, for some, has become a substitute for cherry. You’ll have to use your judgment on this as well as to whether alder resembles cherry. But alder it is. Alder is more plentiful in the West and not so common here in the Deep South but it is, in fact, shipped here. The alder I purchase is knot plentiful except for the select grades (which is what is pictured below). Even the select has occasional small tight knots. You can see a few on these legs.
There are many different commercial interior design firms on the market today, so it can be a hard decision to choose which one is right for a particular project. There are some commercial interior design services that specialize in creating the design for a new office building while others might specialize in lobbies or in waiting rooms. The individual who is looking to hire a commercial interior design service should ask around in the community to see what service other people have used. In this way, he can interview the individuals to see what the size of the project was and how the company did on the job for the amount of money that they charged. It is also important to ask about the contract and how the company handled customer service and whether they handled questions well or any changes that were required for the job. Once a list of commercial interior design services are compiled, then the individual can begin to contact the various providers to get estimates on the job before choosing one to begin the project.
Contracts
It is important to have more than one service come and give an estimate on the project because then the individual can hear the different ideas given by the various commercial interior design services as well as the detailed estimates for the job and see which service seems to best fit his needs. The estimates for the work should be very detailed, listing out all the work to be done and the price for each part of the work. If a commercial interior design service is not willing to give a detailed estimate, then it is probably a service to stay away from.
Once the individual decides on a particular commercial interior design service, then he can agree to the contract that the service comes up with which includes all of the work to be done in the course of the project and the estimated cost for each part.It should also list how much money will be paid for each part of the project, so that the individual can pay some money up front and a certain amount as each part of the project is completed to his satisfaction. In this way, the company and the individual are covered in the contract since every piece is laid out clearly and agreed upon from the beginning so as to relieve any arguments about it in the future. It also ensures that both parties need to talk to one another and agree in writing to any changes to the contract during the course of the project so that there are not hard feelings or lost money on either side.
About Author: Haiming Jiang is an online expert in interior design. He also offers top quality tips like: House Painting, Interior painting, Exterior Paint & House Painters etc.
When starting a new company or when desiring to give an established company a fresh look, finding a commercial office designer is essential to making the office and waiting area have the feel that the company desires. There are some office spaces that need to feel warm and inviting while others need to have a grand scale and feel imposing.Commercial interior designers help to make the spaces in the office building work according to the use of that particular space. There are some designers who will work with residential interior design as well as commercial interior design, but most will specialize in one area or another so that they can be more specialized and proficient in a field. It is hard to keep up with all of the changes in interior design if the individual is trying to keep up with offices, kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms and waiting areas all at the same time.
Choosing a Designer
Choosing a commercial interior design company should be done with care. The company should require that all of the employees be licensed according to the state’s licensing boards.If the business has offices in multiple states for which the design will be done, then the company will need to ensure that the commercial interior design company has a license to practice in all of those states so that the design work is in compliance with the state standards.
Another consideration is that the client should have a clear idea as to what rooms need to be done and the amount of work needed in each room. Usually these considerations become clearer when the consultation is conducted with the designer. The commercial interior designer will usually walk through the various office spaces and talk to the client about what the space is used for and what he hopes to accomplish in color and feel in that space. The designer will then usually make some suggestions and ask more questions so that he is able to draw up a contract with the scope of work and the estimates on the project.Once the scope and estimate is drawn up by the commercial interior design company, then both parties must agree to the terms so that the work can begin. In this way, both parties are protected by the contract so that if any changes are made, both parties have to be notified and agree upon the changes before they are made.
