RePurpose ReUse and Green Stuff - Iron Fencing

We've all admired gorgeous old iron fencing here and there.  And these days old iron fence panels or pieces can easily be found in salvage and antique shops.

I've seen all kinds of things made from them, but what I needed was exterior porch and stair railing with an affordable wow factor.

I can't say it was easy finding the right stuff.  I found antique iron designs that would work well, but there never seemed to be enough for my project.  Finding a fabricator able and willing to take on such a task wasn't easy either.

I met with many fence and railing companies but their ideas and mine didn't exactly match up.





Finally, a local salvage shop, Black Dog Salvage in Roanoke VA, had what I was looking for! They also gave me a name and fabricator that they thought could handle the job, Glenn Raulfs, Glenn's Custom Metals.

I did not hesitate in purchasing the old iron.  I had lost out on great pieces at this salvage store before, not this time!

Glenn picked up the old fencing and took it straight to his shop.





The next step was the design process.  We worked together holding up pieces of the heavy stuff and sorted out how to best put it all together -where to cut, how high, code issues...


Then came the measuring and measuring and measuring.  Double curved steps, custom made and not exactly the same, was a bit of a challenge.



Curving new iron top and bottom railings and top cap and getting the slope had to be done in the shop.  To do that, Glenn built two curved wood stair sections, to scale, in his shop. However, he did not fabricate the total iron stair system in the shop, that would have been too heavy and cumbersome to move.

Once he had the new curved upper and lower iron rails and cap he did more measuring and added vertical support balusters.  The antique ornamental balusters were all individually cut from the old fence panels.  They were cut at an angle on the top to go under the sloping curving top rails.  Each antique baluster of the stair railings is attached to a new vertical support that had been welded in place.

The iron posts on the porch and landing were next. The railings were attached to the vertical posts.  Railing was not attached to the brick house siding, but to another vertical post.  Bottom vertical supports, under the bottom rail were added for further stability at the longer section on the landing.

Once the posts had been set and screwed and mortar cured, the cut to size antique iron fence panels were placed inside the new top and bottom rails and soldered in place.  Sounds easy.  It was a lot of work and careful skilled craftsmanship.

  After this, the stair railings with all parts and pieces could be installed.  But not before more measuring and placement of the four posts, two each at the bottom of the two stairs.  Measuring curves and slopes for fabrication takes a serious craftsman.  Then there is the placement of the posts. The new curved top and bottom railing systems had to connect at two ends with little room for error.  At the upper and lower rails on one side of each stair, more iron pieces had to be installed for the transition from porch to landing to stair steps.


After the bottom stair posts were set, screwed and mortar cured and all transition pieces were fabricated and welded in place,  the new curved top and bottom stair railing systems were installed and welded in place.







A side note is that the existing light fixtures had to be raised due to the height of the porch  top rail and cap.  These lights were important in choosing the fencing for the railing system as the iron detail needed to compliment each other.  The stairs look amazing, if I may say so!  They are structurally sound and secure.

The very best part is that the railing system looks like it has always been there.

Off The Wall and Special Things: Holiday Tables

When thinking of Holiday table settings and center pieces, it is always a good idea to go with a basic set up.  Think of it like a wardrobe.

Choose basics that will take you from Fall through New Years.  Then, add and remove accessories to fit the Holiday and the meal.  It is not that difficult to turn the unused formal dining room into a dinner party waiting to happen.

"When the table is beautiful and the lights are low with flickering candles, there is always magic.  If you add family and friends and share stories and good conversation -  the food won't matter." You don't even have to cook, just bring it home, lay it out, and enjoy your guests.

I love the natural material animals that have been trendy the last few years.  Recently I purchased two nice sized deer, a raccoon, fox, two owls, three smaller fox tree ornaments, two squirrel ornaments, and, a porcupine tree ornament.  This year they are my Holiday table settings inspiration.  No doubt, I will use them somewhere for many years to come.  The challenge was to use them this year as basic dining decoration, allowing enough accessory changes to make the table different for each Holiday.

The animals set the style.  I started with a Fall/Halloween setting, placing the animals where they would stay for the duration.  The larger fox found a spot on a silver server.

The porcupine made an unexpected statement along side a silver tea service.  The larger owl perched on a wine cooler.  The two squirrels made their way onto the chandelier.  The three smaller foxes, the smaller owl, and the two deer added whimsy to the table.  The raccoon, sporting a red vest, would wait until Christmas for his debut.  

Next I chose some plates, silverware, glassware, napkins and so forth that would work with four Holiday table settings: Fall/Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.  Table items, shown below, that serve all four Holidays are: basic black table cloth; three table runners that cross and work as placemats on the round table; natural color linen napkins; knife, dinner fork, salad fork, spoon, soup spoon, and butter spreader; individual salters and peppers; and, place plate/dinner plate.

Table items, shown above, that serve two or three Holidays are:  amber forest etch goblets, small wood bowls, gold rimmed salad plates, brandy glasses, and butter pats.

Seasonal paper napkins are used as an accessory under the first course items for an easy change to fit the Holiday.  Black paper napkins are used under the wood bowls.  The same dinner napkins are used in various ways to help make the table look different for each Holiday.

White porcelain cats hold chalk board name tags, varnished sliced walnuts are scattered about, and the linen napkins are loosely displayed in the amber goblets.  This Fall/Halloween setting brings a low key ambiance to a formal dining room.




The Thanksgiving table gets a pine cone center piece and clear glass name tag holders.

The amber goblet etched with a forest scene will be used for a seafood appetizer and seafood forks are added to the table.  Crystal bread plates are used however, mismatched water and wine goblets along with the wood bowls, now used for nuts, maintain the low key ambiance.  Fall deer scene paper napkins are placed under an appetizer under plate and the linen napkins take a more formal position.

For the Christmas table, the salad plate changes and the place settings look a bit more formal with matching crystal goblets and small champagne glasses.  Yet, with the raccoon perched on the pine cone center piece, tall pine cone candle holders, and individual gift bags  - the ambiance remains somewhat low key for a formal dining space.

The whimsical animals and natural materials on the table along with the no fuss gift bags keep the formality of the dinner at a minimum.  How could one be uptight with such adorable little foxes?



Delicate Christmas paper napkins add to the Christmas spirit under green crystal appetizer compotes.  The wood bowls hold Christmas candy and colored bows appear here and there.

A large top hat is used as the main center piece for the New Year.

                                                                                              

And, some of the animals get their own hat.  New Year excitement is added with sparkle and shine.  The raccoon moves to the server sporting a bow tie, an appropriate addition for a more formal look with the red vest.

New Year table accessory changes are: gold tassel napkin rings; gold under plate with crystal shot glass for a NewYear toast; gold trimmed paper napkin; a small "Cheers!" notation: place name tags; matching etched crystal goblets; gold and silver balls as part of center piece; votive candles in brandy glasses; crown votive candles; and, other candles on crystal plates.  The wood bowls are not used.  Crocheted coasters tone it all down just a tad.

Get your dining wardrobe on!  Find something that inspires you!

Create your own Holiday magic and move from fall through New Years with great dining ambiance.

Color and Other Designer Horror Stories: Lighting Changes Paint Color

As if there isn't enough for us to consider when renovating or decorating or just painting a space  - now more than ever we need to be aware of what our lighting choices do to color!

New and more efficient lighting is available and our old incandescent bulbs/lamps are quickly disappearing.  I for one would appreciate light boxes in paint stores where we could quickly see how the various bulbs/lamps change our favorite paint colors.

In the photo, right, my gorgeous blue paint is even more blue and gorgeous with the halogen spot lights on it.  Ah, but the very same paint out of the very same paint can is quite green above the kitchen area cabinets lit by fluorescent tube lighting.



Wow.  That green was not what I had in mind next to the warmth of the Maple cabinetry and Brazilian Cherry floors.  I needed a blue to cool the place down a bit.

A mixture of lighting even changed the paint color from the gorgeous blue of the halogen spot lights to more of a green blue with the same lights mixed with natural light from the windows.  Notice the color around the white door frame in the picture below.

Regular incandescent lighting from the sconce and desk light made the paint a little greener than the rest of the large wall shown below.

Goodness Gracious!  I see at least six different paint colors from one can of paint and four lighting sources.   What can be done?

First of all, we could limit the number of lighting sources.  In this  example space, I would use halogen bulbs/lamps in the sconce and desk light and other ceiling sources.  I would remove the light above the kitchen area cabinets or change it to halogen.

These photos were taken in the early 90's.  Today we have even more lighting options.   Knowing how we see color and which color pigments are in the paint bucket would certainly help paint color decisions.  At the very least, we should do what has been recommended for years and that is to buy sample paint and put it in various places of the space to be painted.  Even natural day time lighting versus evening lighting can have dramatic and different color results.

In a recent kitchen renovation, I loved a golden yellow historic paint color next to dark walnut stained cabinets.  That is until the energy efficient fluorescent light fixtures were installed.

There were only two types of light in the kitchen, the natural day lighting and the energy efficient fixtures.  Still, the fixtures changed the paint color so much during the daytime even, with lots of natural light coming in from the windows, that I was shocked.  Closer to the fixtures it looked like we carelessly painted an entirely different color  - an unnatural green!

Beware my friends and check that paint with the light fixtures and bulbs/lamps you will use!

Specific Requirements: A Bit Of Glam!

When a client tells me they want "a little glamour" I see high gloss shine and unexpected luxury.

There are many ways to do this and shiny surfaces are a great place to start.

When the dining room of this house was updated, the original Federal style dining room chandelier was moved to the center of the Den.

Hanging there alone in the middle of this large space, where a ceiling fan once hung, it seemed small and outdated.  A retro-fit fabric drum shade gave it new life and more presence.

The chandelier hung over a coffee table and worked with the L-shaped sectional to center the space.  It even had a little high gloss shine.  Although the shade was unexpectedly nice and worked well with this chandelier, the fixture needed "a bit of glam."

Prisms!  I found some triangle shaped long ones in a quaint little antique shop in St. Petersburg, FL.  It was important not to use too many or make the fixture so showy that it would grab your attention as soon as you entered the room.  I did not want it to look like a formal dining room chandelier.

It took some thinking to work out a way to attach the prisms to the arms of the fixture.  I finally stumbled upon some thin and strong clear fishing line.  By tying it around each arm at the lowest point and leaving just enough room to slide the prism hook through, the attachment was not even noticeable.

Even with prisms, the chandelier does not compete with other elements of the design, it harmonizes.  The space is inviting and comfortable -as a family room should be.  Yet the room seems special, even a little luxurious.

And, oh yes, as you enter and move about you will surely notice there is "a bit of glam."

Design Finds, One of a Kind Trash or Treasure: Put A Shade On It!

I'm not the only one who likes to use vintage lamps.  If you have not done so  and would like to give it a try you'll need to know the down side.  Finding lamp shades for odd lamps or permanent harps can be a daunting task.  Although, one can always go the expensive custom route and get the job done.

My attic once held quite a collection of old lamp shades and lamp shade wire skeletons.  However, they never seemed to fit my lamp finds or the style I was after.  I do like the way the wire skeletons are being used these days and have saved a few should there be an appropriate occasion or client.


If you are truly interested in going the vintage route you probably shouldn't pass up an opportunity to purchase nice quality new lamp shades when the price is right.  This habit along with a vintage or even new lamp find can mean the beginnings of a "One of a Kind Trash or Treasure."

And, you might want  to collect some finials as well.  Finials are often missing from vintage lamps.  New ones, or great vintage finds, in a scale to fit the lamp, plus new shade, will change the look completely.


This vintage Stiffel lamp with its strange small harp and long stem, shown below, was very outdated with the original tall drum shade and tiny finial.

I tried several new, but not such good quality, shades from the local big box stores before stumbling across this great quality lamp shade design find, shown above right.   New finials help balance the old lamps with the smaller square shades.  The more current good quality fabric shade and style makes the old lamps seem new again.   Now the lamp pair is stately, chic, and of this century.

The lamp shade design find shown right is unusually tall, a trait of vintage permanent harps.  Wouldn't you know it, though, it found a place on a lamp without a tall permanent harp.

This shade can grace a smaller lamp than one would first think of and give amazing presence to various sizes and shapes.  I love the ambient light that shines through this interesting ribbon like shade.  Once again, the finial completes the new look.

Not all vintage lamps need to be rewired.  You will need to check them over carefully though and make sure the switches are not worn out.  Most big box stores carry rewiring supplies in an inexpensive kit and turn keys for old turn switches are readily available.


Vintage lamps without harps can be updated as well.  This one, shown right, needs a glass shade.  You can buy vintage or new glass shades, just be sure to buy the kind that will securely hold your new soft shade. The ones with ridges, shown below, allow the shade frame top to sit snuggly.  You can use a screw from under the shade to hold a finial.





















The updated lamp, shown right, is probably not what you visualized when you first saw the lamp base.  Repeating a design element of the lamp in the finial often gives a good result.  This lamp has a round brass circle at the base, a green circle wreath above that, and another more detailed wreath further up.  A circle finial in a brass color works well.





















Square, rectangular,  and unusually shaped shades are popular right now.  Current style shades make instant updates.

Go ahead, give it a try.  You will love turning trash into a one of a kind  treasure.