Monday, June 21, 2010

Architectural Salvage: Make Some, Buy Some


Architectural salvage


My living room/dining room is one big, boring rectangle with no architectural interest whatsoever. When remodeling this room recently we thought about putting in some columns with shelves but that just wouldn't work as it would have cramped the living room.  The next best thing would be to have the "illusion" that the two rooms were separated without losing the views from both sides or losing precious space.  That's when I started looking for a pair of antique corbels.


Antique Finial Corbels

I won bought a pair on eBay. Couldn't live without them.  You know how that goes!  I wanted to hang them between the two rooms.  But normally corbels are attached to a beam.

Beam?  What Beam?


 
Not a problem when you have a junk heap corporation yard like we do.
There's some nice aged redwood in there.  Just enough for a beam! 


We made a trial beam.  Thumbs up!

Making an














Gerry and my husband (The Professor) building the beam.


Supports are up.

How to attach beam to ceiling
Beam is up.  Time to nail it in place.


  Oops.  Poor baby. Not a good thing to hammer your finger instead of the beam :(



I love my new beam!

attach corbels to beam
Once that finger isn't so sore we'll put the corbels up.


architectural salvage in decor
For now the corbels look nice on the sideboard.  Can you see the beam in the mirror?

Posted by Nancy at 2:35 PM
Labels: , ,

54 comments:

  1. UnknownJune 21, 2010 at 3:58 PM

    Nancy!
    This is so much fun to read and see the development of your beams.
    Poor Professor's finger, that does look sore.
    M

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  2. Ticking and ToileJune 21, 2010 at 3:58 PM

    Wow you did a fantastic job ~ I have always wondered about doing such a thing. It looks so awesome!! That's so wonderful your hubby wanted to do it too. Sometimes that's half the battle huh? ;)

    xo,
    Shellagh

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  3. DebbieJune 21, 2010 at 4:18 PM

    Holey moley Nancy! This is wonderful! Cannot wait to see it all put together. GREAT idea you came up with girlie!
    Debbie@houseatthelake

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  4. mousedobsonJune 21, 2010 at 4:30 PM

    Hey Aunty Nancy! Its all looking amazing, Your photos are great! x Mouse

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  5. PriorJune 21, 2010 at 4:32 PM

    What a difference that beam makes! I love the corbels... Poor finger! Lezlee

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  6. Kim @ Starshine ChicJune 21, 2010 at 4:41 PM

    The corbels are fabulous. Sorry about hubby's finger.

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  7. Vicki@MorePowerfulBeyondMeasureJune 21, 2010 at 5:49 PM

    I, too, have a long rectangle, boring living room. I'm sitting here now trying to picture a beam like yours in mine...My ceiling has too much of a pitch though. I love the corbel idea, however! I'll keep thinking, because that is such a wonderful solution! Thanks for visiting my blog. Best, Vicki

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  8. DarlaJune 21, 2010 at 7:54 PM

    That made a big difference, love the look. I need beams in my room too.You will have to show pics of the whole thing put together cant wait to see them. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  9. Christine@Sally,Ry,andLaLaJune 21, 2010 at 10:00 PM

    Found my way here from Between Naps on the Porch.... what a great idea for a room transition...I love those corbels!
    Christine

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  10. Rory from Tools Are For Women Too!June 22, 2010 at 7:01 AM

    Love this! Thanks for showing it to us on Modern Craftswoman Monday! Rory

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  11. Cathy~Mille FleurJune 22, 2010 at 7:47 AM

    Wow...this is gorgeous! The beam and corbels just make the space! Love!

    Enjoy!
    Cathy

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  12. Donna @ The House on the CornerJune 22, 2010 at 9:41 AM

    Good Job!! The beam add so much to your space! Can't wait to see it finished.

    (Found you on ATR)

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  13. The Smith HotelJune 22, 2010 at 11:52 AM

    Wow! Great idea for separating the spaces without losing any room!

    Jody

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  14. Sweet Bee CottageJune 22, 2010 at 12:20 PM

    That looks great! The corbels will just be the perfect finishing touch.

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  15. jenJune 22, 2010 at 2:13 PM

    Gorgeous colors in there. I love it. And the corbels are a great touch. This idea may help me divide wall colors in my great room, between the kitchen and family areas.
    Thanks!

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  16. Angie HoldenJune 22, 2010 at 2:20 PM

    That is going to look amazing!! Nice job!

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  17. Ann @ makethebestofthingsJune 22, 2010 at 3:48 PM

    Thanks for visiting my blog with your cool comments. Love your beam project! In our case we hung a real beam of heavy rough sawn lumber. Putting that 24 foot 4 x 6 up was an adventure, I tell you! Your beam looks wonderful and the corbels...excellent! Sorry 'bout the finger.

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  18. DianeJune 22, 2010 at 4:14 PM

    Lovvve how this turned out. Beams are always great and those corbels are a wonderful touch. Hope your hubby's finger is feeling better ;o)

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  19. GingerJune 22, 2010 at 4:59 PM

    Looks awesome! Beautiful sitting room!

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  20. CindyJune 22, 2010 at 6:31 PM

    Beautiful! I love old architecture used in homes, it adds such character.
    I see in the background your burlap fabric, I bought some the other day, The lady who cut it for me was quite rude, telling me that I should not be making anything for my home with that stuff. It was for the outdoors only. I live in Canada, and sad to say, but we are more than a little behind in areas of decor. I love the slipcover that you made for your cute bench, I saw it in an earlier post.
    Hugs, Cindy S

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  21. UnknownJune 22, 2010 at 6:32 PM

    Oh wow! Thanks for joining us for Anything Related #12! ~Bridgette

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  22. MarianneJune 22, 2010 at 8:41 PM

    Wow, that is just perfect. I love your decor and the big wall of windows/glass doors. I hope your hubbys finger feels better soon. I have done that too and it is not good.

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  23. KenzieJune 22, 2010 at 8:53 PM

    This looks great! The corbels are amazing!

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  24. Linda QJune 22, 2010 at 10:32 PM

    Bravo, I love it! And I want some old corbels too but to decorate a mantel in our living room that we put in ourselves.
    Linda

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  25. AnonymousJune 23, 2010 at 8:37 AM

    Ouch, sorry about the finger. I've done that before and it smarts! Love the beam, and can't wait to see it with the corbels up.

    ReplyDelete
  26. CindyJune 23, 2010 at 9:11 AM

    Hi!
    Thank you so much for your sweet comments on my blog. The woman in the fabric store really burned me up.8)
    I think I will call my plant "snot Weed" haha!! I think that is so funny, actually I'm not crazy about it, so that would be fitting!
    My email is rstowerathotmaildotcom. (of course use symbols in place of my words, this keepss people from cutting a pasting quickly) I would love to have your pattern. Thanks so much!!!

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  27. Bonnie@Creative DecoratingJune 23, 2010 at 11:16 AM

    Stopping by from the Pumpkin Patch party! I LOVE it! I want a beam in my family room at the peak. Not sure my honey will do it for me though!!! Looks great and the corbels are awesome!

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  28. MelissaJune 23, 2010 at 1:36 PM

    I rather like them on the sideboard...

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  29. Staci JJune 24, 2010 at 9:09 AM

    Those are super fancy!! I love how you've so cleverly used your leftovers:)
    visiting from justsewsassy.com

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  30. Michella MarieJune 24, 2010 at 9:32 AM

    I looove the corbels!!! On the sideboard... on the wall... LOL!!! I just love them :))
    I can't wait to see the transformation!!
    Thank you for visiting and following my blog :)) I'm pretty new at this and it makes me feel all fuzzy inside!! Drop by anytime to see what I'm up to... See ya soon!
    ~ Michella ~
    ~ ~ xoxo ~ ~

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  31. Michella MarieJune 24, 2010 at 9:50 AM

    I forgot to mention... I share your love of Victoria Magazine!!! I have kept (and treasured) each and every one I have ever received!! I have issues back from 1995 :)) Buying that magazine was my "splurge" when I was a new wife and mother (living in a mobile home with our little blended family :)
    ~ precious and sweet times ~ Loved it!!
    I believe that magazine has (helped) shape me into the person I am today!!!
    I absolutely love your slipcovers too!!! I am off to see if you have any posts about them :))
    Have a wonderful day!!!
    ~ Michella ~
    ~ ~ xoxo ~ ~

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  32. LVJune 24, 2010 at 1:16 PM

    A lot of time, thoughta and expense went into thisd project. In the end,it will be worth it all. Nice post.

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  33. AnnaJune 24, 2010 at 1:24 PM

    Wow, what a fantastic idea. And great that you had the materials. I love the wall color and the decor, what a beautiful room.

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  34. raggygirlvintageJune 24, 2010 at 2:06 PM

    Those corbels are divine, they are going to look fab!
    Thanks for visiting. To answer your question, though I sometimes hem or double up ruffles, in this case I just left the strips as is for that frayed look, I really like it. And yes, just sewed and gathered down the middle. Just can't get enough of ruffles!
    Tracey

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  35. farmladyJune 24, 2010 at 3:32 PM

    That's a wonderful idea. If you don't have a place for your corbels... make one.
    That beam really adds architectural interest in itself. It looks great.
    The corbels are lovely on the buffet. Maybe you should buy some more.

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  36. HelenaJune 24, 2010 at 4:30 PM

    I love your beam too! It looks really good, and the corbels are so pretty.

    Thank you for participating in the Creative Therapy Session at Life in the Pitts.

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  37. AnonymousJune 25, 2010 at 8:26 AM

    Popping over from Simply Designing. Love the beam! :)

    ~Lori@live,laugh,love,create :)

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  38. Tara BeaulieuJune 25, 2010 at 8:45 AM

    Oh I love the corbels and that beam makes such a big difference in your room! How lucky you are to have a handy hubby! Happy VTT!

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  39. GingerJune 25, 2010 at 9:27 AM

    I love it! I hope you finger feels better soon so we can see the after picture! I would love to get my hands on some old corbels!

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  40. Red Door HomeJune 25, 2010 at 2:04 PM

    What a fantastic project. Incorporating vintage finds into a home really adds character. Love it!

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  41. AngieJune 26, 2010 at 3:12 PM

    I love, love, love architectural salvage pieces! What an awesome idea and an awesome husband that supported and helped out with your vision. Its going to look AMAZING!

    Angie

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  42. Stephanie CameronJune 27, 2010 at 7:50 PM

    Ooo...I'm super jealous! So pretty!

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  43. niartistJune 28, 2010 at 9:34 AM

    Love it! And I'm going to saving this in my idea file if you don't mind. I have wanted to create false beams and this is fantastic! So excited to see this - you did a great job! Thanks for sharing! http://niagaranovice.blogspot.com
    Artie

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  44. Decor To AdoreJune 28, 2010 at 12:51 PM

    Nothing is sweeter than salvage!

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  45. Ann Marie @ Twice LovelyJune 30, 2010 at 11:59 AM

    I'm over from Remodelaholic. Love the new faux beam! I've actually been trying to talk my hubby into doing faux beams all over in our great room. :)

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  46. Miss Mustard SeedJuly 1, 2010 at 7:27 PM

    It looks awesome!

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  47. UnknownJuly 2, 2010 at 9:37 AM

    I love your beam and corbels! Such a great idea!

    Thanks for linking up! Hope to see you today for another link party and a giveaway!
    Ashley

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  48. COTTAG3July 17, 2010 at 11:41 AM

    LOVE this! I think the corbels look great just sitting around. I think you might have to get another pair for the beam!

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  49. The Pennington PointJuly 17, 2010 at 5:00 PM

    Poor finger....I have done that. Ouch! The beam is wonderful. I love it. I can't wait to see it again with the corbels. Lisa~

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  50. Funky Junk InteriorsJuly 18, 2010 at 6:57 PM

    VERY cool! Who wouldn't want a beam like that?!? Lovin' that rustic appeal from up above. And those corbels... my goodness. I'm off to go look again. :)

    Donna

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  51. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereAugust 14, 2010 at 12:48 PM

    Love, love the beam and the corbels! Lucky you to have such a handy guy. I have been wanting to add beams to our morning room. Estimate for three beams...$5000!! I don't think so. I would love for you to visit and enter my giveaway.
    Hugs, Sherry

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  52. KatyNovember 22, 2010 at 3:54 PM

    Your corbels are gorgeous. I am amazed at anyone who is talented enough to create things like that beam. I have a hard time hammering a nail! Your room is going to look awesome! :)

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  53. AudreyFebruary 11, 2012 at 1:39 PM

    The beam and the corbels are just what that space needed. Looks great. Love the corbels.
    Blessings.
    Audrey Z. Timeless Treasures
    http://audreyzumwalt.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  54. Kaden JoyFebruary 28, 2012 at 9:34 AM

    After living with a huge beam across my whole main floor for 20 years I have to say I would never do it again! It really gets to be an eye sore after a few years. I wish I would have thought of corbels but there is no way my husband would have touched his precious rustic beam.Glad I just have a small cottage with walls now, I prefer sweet and romantic not rustic charm.

    ReplyDelete

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