Architectural Wood Turnings

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!

Tags: architectural design, commercial interior design, decor, interior designer, newels, stair parts, wood balusters

In my search for some of the better interior design blogs (yes, I love to read what others are saying) on the internet I came across Padstyle.com. They have compiled their list of the 25 of the best interior design and furniture blogs out there. I was familiar with Freshome.com, Desiretoinspire.com and Decore8.com but had not ever visited the others. I you have an interest in design trends, design ideas, where to buy or just inspiration you’ll do yourself a favor by visiting Padstyle

Tags: bedroom furniture set, decor, home decor, home decorating, home improvement, interior design

Pictured below are four of a set of poplar columns we made for a customer some time back. The fluted columns are tapered to simulate the Greco – Roman columns of old. The rope twist are simply cylindrical. These are solid (though laminated) poplar. They came off quite nicely I think and would make a fine addition to any home.

Poplar Columns

Tags: architectural design, architecture, decor, interior design, interior designer, wood turning

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

Walnut Newel

Tags: architectural design, architecture, commercial interior design, decor, home improvement, home renovation, stair parts, wood turning

In my last post I discussed column mantel surrounds and a few specific related ideas. In this post I would like to discuss the pilaster style mantel surround and some of the possibilities related to pilasters. Defined, a pilaster is: a slightly-projecting column built into or applied to the face of a wall most commonly flattened or rectangular in form. Pilasters are commonly designed to simulate the column on a building. As such many are designed with the same sort of fluting you would see on a Greek or Roman column. Some of the ornamental elements used in pilaster style mantel surrounds include corbels, scroll centers, drops, rosettes. Plinth blocks and capitals are useful for completing the pilaster columns. They help to simulate the Greco Roman classic look.

The mantle above displays the simple pilaster type mantle surround, The pilasters are capped with bandsawn brackets though carved corbels could be used here.

What is neat about the pilaster mantel surround above is that the bracket (or corbel) overlays the pilaster quite a bit unlike the first image where the bracket overlays just the top of the pilaster. The corbel below would make quite an impression mounted on this style mantel surround.

36 inch high X 9 inch deep X 10 3/4 inches wide

And lastly the pilasters on the mantel surround below are offset by 45 degrees. Note also that the top of the opening around the firebox is an “eyebrow” arch – a nice touch I think.

OK this is really my last design: I thought I would add this wrap around style pilaster mantel surround. It is similar to the column type wrap around in the first article except the pilasters make up the corners instead of the columns. Lots of possibilities here as well for ornamentation including fluting, carved appliques (or wood onlays), recessed panels, etc

wrap around pilaster mantel surround

Hopefully if you are indeed in the beginning stages of designing and building a mantel surround then these brief articles have been a help. If so let me know your thoughts.

Tags: architectural design, decor, interior design, wood turning

These stair newels were made for a customer in North Carolina. They were designed to emulate a pair of cherry kitchen island legs that someone else had turned for him some time back. The newels were going into three stairways that he was in the process of redoing in his 8-10 year old home. They are crafted from mahogany and are 6″ wide X various lengths to accommodate his unique situation. As you can see they are over-the-post designs with newel caps that will match 6310 style handrails. For an explanation of how these caps attach to the handrails you might like to visit here: Installing newel caps

Rope Twisted Newels

architecture interior design home improvement

Tags: architectural design, architecture, decor, interior design, newels, wood turning

These poplar stair newels were created for a customer to be painted. They are over-the-post newels that sport red oak newel caps that will be joined to a 6310 style red oak handrail. Though the newels are painted, the handrail and newel caps will be stained. I have a good article with images on explaining how to join a newel cap to a handrail/handrail fitting. You can read it here: Newel Cap Joinery.
The smaller newels are 5 1/2″, the larger are 7″ at the squares. They can be seen on my web site here:N105 fluted newel - N109 Fluted newel

Over-the-Post Fluted Newels

architectureinterior designhome improvement

Tags: architectural design, architecture, decor, interior design, newels, wood turning

Sometimes the latest styles and trends featured in design magazines are so compelling that you forget to add some of your own personality when decorating your home. You should be able to step into any room in your home and know that it reflects your unique personality and style. Here are some tips on ways you can infuse your own personality into your home.

Focus on a Hobby or Collection of Yours
If you have a favorite hobby or perhaps a special collection, considering incorporating that into your décor. You can incorporate collections of such things as dolls, airplanes, specific figurines, and hats into your décor. You might even create a focal point in the room by arranging these collections on a fireplace mantel or a wood bookshelf. For those of you who like to knit or sew, you might display some of your favorite creations in the room: a quilt thrown on the back of the couch or an embroidered picture hung on the wall.

Use Family Photographs to Decorate
Family photographs are a great way to add that personal touch to any room. You don’t necessarily need to use current ones; consider displaying old black-and-white photos of late members of your family. Or if you want to stay current, choose a few of your favorite photos of your family and friends, and arrange them in frames on the wall. This helps establish your presence in the room, as well as adding interest to a bare wall.

Use Your Favorite Colors to Decorate
When decorating a room, you first want to choose what colors you want to use and then go from there. Rather than picking out a fabric or accessory first, look for them in the color you’ve selected.

Just be sure that the color you pick is practical and not one you’ll tire of in a few months. You’ll need to decide on colors for the walls, trim, and furniture like your oak bedroom furniture or your dining room set. You might want to go with different shades of your favorite color or pick out two or three favorites that are complementary.

Create Your Own Art for the Room
No matter how creative you are, you can create a piece of art to include in your décor. This might be a painting or photograph you take, or you might choose to display a collection of items. It can be any artistic outlet you choose. By adding this artwork to the room, you are making a statement about your style and personality. It’s best if you create using a medium you like and are interested in, rather than just trying to create something to match the existing décor.

By adding your personality into the décor of your home, you will end up with a home that truly feels like your own.

Tags: art, decor, decorating, Family Photographs, Favorite Colors, interior design

Many homeowners like to adjust the décor of their home according to the changing seasons. With seasonal decorating, you won’t have to worry about making any major changes like painting the walls or getting new wood furniture. Rather, you can concentrate on smaller decorating changes that will help your home look like springtime or winter. Follow some of these simple tips for changing your décor to reflect the different seasons throughout the year.

Switch Up the Slipcovers
By switching your slipcovers you can create a décor to go with every season. Dark, rich fabrics such as black velvet or dark green chenille work great for the winter. You want to go with a lighter fabric and color/pattern for the spring and summer. Then you can bring in the colors of the outdoors for fall with a brown or brown-and-orange patterned slipcover.

Change Furniture Accessories
Different seasonal accessories for your furniture can also be added or removed throughout the different seasons. Heavy throws and blankets slung over the back of couches and chairs are a great addition to any décor in the winter and then can be removed in the warmer months. You might also rotate your decorative pillows according to the seasonal fabrics you’ve chosen for your slipcovers. You might display darker and heavier pillows in the colder months and lighter ones in the warmer seasons.

Change the Window Treatments
Window treatments are a great way to either block out or allow more sunlight into your home, depending on the different seasons. By lightening up the window treatments in the winter, you can allow more sunlight to come in and warm the house, and then put up shades or blinds during the summer to block out some of that stronger sunlight that can make the house too warm.

Rotate Area Rugs
If you have area rugs as part of your home décor, they can also be changed according to the different seasons. You might even consider removing them all together during the warmer months. That’s a great time of year to simply have a hardwood or tile floor. Then you can bring them out again in the fall and winter. It’s always nice during the colder months to have a warm area rug on the ground to warm up the room.

Change Up the Small Accessories
Small accessories that go with the different seasons, like the kind that can be placed on wood coffee tables, are a quick and easy way to create a seasonal décor. In summer, consider putting out vases of fresh flowers and containers filled with seashells. For the fall, you might change things up with some fake gourds or fall flower arrangements in wicker baskets. While winter is always a time for holiday decorations, you can also choose to decorate for winter in general with things like candles and snowmen. You can bring the freshness of spring inside with flower arrangements and spring knickknacks for the shelves. You might even consider rotating the artwork on the walls according to the different seasons.

There are so many ways to adjust your interior space according to the different seasons. With a little research and creativity, you can create a series of attractive and functional décors for the entire year. With some simple changes here and there, you can transform the look of the room more than you might think.

Tags: decor, decorating, interior design, seasonal decorating

Designing a room in your home should not be a project that is quickly completed in a day. Much planning is needed in order to create a great room that you will love. Here are five things that you need to consider when designing your own room for your home.

Colors Used in the Room
An important factor that comes into play when designing a room will be your choice of colors. Be sure the colors you choose reflect the style or theme of the room. For instance, with a country décor, you don’t want to use vibrant colors like bright yellow or orange but instead more appropriate colors such as blue, cream, red, and brown. If you’re still unsure about your colors, then locate a prominent piece in the room, such as an area rug or furnishing, and then base your color scheme off that.

Space in the Room
You want to take measurements before you purchase any large addition to the room, like a arts & crafts dining table or wood desk, as you want to have enough comfortable space in your décor. When you plan accordingly, taking into consideration the space you have, you will be able to make your interior space more efficient and practical. Your room should neither look completely empty (unless that’s the style you want), nor be crammed with items and accessories. When the space flows well, your room will be an inviting place.

Use of Lines in the Room
An important thing to consider when designing a room is your use of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines. By taking into consideration all the lines in a room, you help your décor to flow and will ultimately come out with the best-looking space. Vertical lines will always help add height to a room, whereas horizontal lines will work to make a room look wider.

Textures Used in the Room
Important to any room’s décor is the addition of texture. You need to consider all the different textures in the room: from the furniture to the accessories on the table. What’s great about texture is that it can make a room look more appealing to the eye as well as to the touch. Texture requires a certain balance. You don’t want too many conflicting textures, nor do you want your textures to be too much of the same. A healthy balance will result in a great room design.

Lighting in the Room
Lighting is an important element in any room. Light can either come from natural sources such as windows and doors, or from artificial sources like light fixtures and lamps. Not only does the lighting in a room determine how colors will appear, but it also sets the mood. When designing a room, be sure to consider both sources of light when deciding on window treatments and light fixtures.

It’s not easy to design a room on your own. Not only does this process require careful planning, but all of these aspects need to be considered for you to come up with the best décor for your home.

Tags: decor, decorating, interior design