Wood Onlays and Appliques

I remember when I was growing up I would visit my grandmother. She had one of those tri-fold mirrors on her huge vanity (It probably wasn't that big, but when you're little everything looks very large. Remember that?). Anyway, when I started building furniture I wanted to build one of those same three-sectioned mirrors. My grandfather and father had taught me the basics of woodworking years before, but I had no idea how to get that carving on the top. After talking to several other woodworkers I found out that the Classic Small Appliqué from Osborne Wood Products was exactly what I needed. I was so pleased, because my grandmother's reproduction turned out very well.

A rose is still a rose. There are some items that just scream for the addition of a rose -- or more specifically, the Rose Small Appliqué. The compound leaves of the rose make this carving like no other. In just the right proportion, this Appliqué is destined for some of the great masterpieces. When coupled with great craftsmanship, any piece of furniture would be considered a classic with just the addition of the Rose Small Appliqué.

The beauty of this particular appliqué lies not only in its flowing and symmetrical curves, but also in the timeless bunches of grapes that flank the leaf design in the center. If the heirloom that you are creating has any type of Italian flair, or if it needs one, then the Grape Small Appliqué is the clear choice. I have used these many times in the creation of a backsplash on a solid wood vanity. When you match the wood species with the actual stock used to construct the piece, it appears that the appliqué is actually high-relief, carved right into the backsplash.

The antiquing was just about the best faux finish I had ever seen. The craftsperson had done such a good job of highlighting the crevices of this beautiful rose carving. She had taken the time to rub a white glaze into the folds of each wonderfully carved petal. That, combined with the black spatter, made this beautiful armoire look as if it was made in the 1800's. If I hadn't been standing in her art studio beside her workshop, I never would have believed that this wasn't a true antique. I even commented on her expertise in carving this rose on the armoire's crown. She graciously accepted my thanks. On my way out, I saw the box. I admit I snooped to look inside. There was a packing slip still lying in the box. It was for a Rose Medium Appliqué from Osborne Wood Products. "Uh-huh," I thought. But I never let on to her what I had discovered.

Contributed by Charles Head, Beautiful Interiors

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The perfect choice for adorning your project is the Grape Medium Appliqué. At 24 inches in length, this carved work of art is the absolute choice for a classic addition to a beautiful powder room cupboard. Or, have you considered adding this ornate piece over a desk or sink? Appliqués provide the look of high relief carving without the expense or expertise.

It is the most breathtaking piece in our home, and I made it. When visitors tour our home they are blown away by the expansive mantle board that I made for my wife on her 50th birthday. The mantle board rises high above the firebox and almost fills the barrel vault ceiling above. At the very top sits the jewel of the piece, the Swirl Medium Appliqué. Starting with this one piece as inspiration, I began expanding each layer behind it. Soon, the outline of the piece had taken on a five foot width and even crown molding using this same appliqué profile sitting atop the entire unit. It took some work, but the rewards have been well worth the effort. And it all began with the Swirl medium Appliqué.

Contributed by Charles Head, Beautiful Interiors

The transom over the French doors just needed something. At the time, it was just a clear piece of glass topping these beautiful, ornate doors. We struggled for months looking for an answer. Then one day, my wife was thumbing through the Osborne Wood Products catalog, and said, "Wouldn't it be great if they made this Classic Large Appliqué in a transom? It's the perfect size and shape for what we've been looking for!" That got me to thinking. So, I ordered two of them. I painted them front and back, and I put one on each side of the glass. It is perfect. It actually looks like the glass is sandwiched between this beautiful double-sided carving. People are amazed at how I did that. Only my Osborne Wood Products customer service representative knows for sure.

Contributed by Charles Head, Beautiful Interiors

I continue to be amazed at the creative ways people use the appliqués from Osborne Wood Products. Just recently I heard about a man who used the Rose Large Appliqué as a bridge over his vanity area. He had created two tall cabinets on either side for himself and his wife, and then to bridge across them, he created an opening that was just the perfect size to accommodate the appliqué. He told me that when they leave the single light on at night behind the appliqué, it is an excellent night light, and the back lighting makes this Rose Large Appliqué just pop with beauty and excitement.

Contributed by Charles Head, Beautiful Interiors

One of the best uses I've seen for the Grape Large Appliqué was on the back of a desk unit. Now, let me explain. This desk unit in the kitchen has a granite surface. Above the desk and between the twin pantry units is an arched bridge that spans the desk width. Underneath this bridge is a light that shines down on the desk but also illuminates the wall. And there it is. Just between the granite and the bridge sits the antiqued and distressed Grape Large Appliqué, attached to the bead board that forms the back wall. This piece looks immaculate. I was impressed.

Contributed by Charles Head, Beautiful Interiors

I stepped to the sink in the kitchen at one of the model homes in this year's Street of Dreams. We always love to attend these to see what new ideas are out there (although I usually growl at the lack of craftsmanship being shown nowadays by these 'quick builders'). Anyway, I am always looking for new and inventive ideas being used today. Well, I hadn't seen this before. Above the sink, on on the cornice that spanned the distance between the wall cabinets, was a whole grouping of these small grape clusters. It was just the right expanse to put three of these little clusters in such a strategic spot (and as the designers tell us, always use odd numbers). So, that is what this designer had done here, and to perfection!

Contributed by Charles Head, Beautiful Interiors

Nothing elevates the look of a simple expanse of wood like the Grape Cluster appliqué. This appliqué provides a look of Tuscany right in your kitchen. The addition of the Grape Cluster appliqué to the exposed end of a cabinet or island increases the essence and beauty of a piece of finely crafted workmanship.

"Can you believe the detail in the grapes on this thing?" That was my first impression when I saw this Grape Cluster for the first time. At 1 inch thick, this cluster has so much depth, allowing the grapes to look as if they are going to pop right off the board and into your mouth! It is the most attention to detail that I have ever seen in a carving like this. It's a sure winner. Sometimes only the best will do, and if you have the room for 8-1/2 inches long and 7 inches wide, then this grape cluster is certainly for you.

Contributed by Charles Head, Beautiful Interiors

How many times I have wished that I had this Grape Square onlay! for years now, I have been a craftsman and have had so many opportunities to use some kind of square carving. I really do like to use grapes as a theme, because of my affinity for Italian design, but I would be reconciled to putting nothing in the place of prominence or some nondescript appliqué that would just take up space, but not really add anything to the elegance of the piece. Then Osborne Wood Products introduced this Grape Square. It was just what the doctor ordered! Now I have options. I can continue to create my own little Italian trunks and boxes, and now use the Grape Square to further the look.

Contributed by Charles Head, Beautiful Interiors