Oak corbels offer solutions to a broad range of design problems. Finished
with a dark stain and hand-rubbed finish, oak corbels can contribute to creating
associations where
classic
corbels are called for with styles ranging from Tudor to G
othic Revival. One typically thinks of using these
corbels as shelf supports. A variation on the usual shelf support idea, however,
would be to consider surround the perimeter of a room with a ledge that sits about
seven feet from the floor. This is known as a plate rail and it is a feature
that is strongly associated with Tudor and Queen Anne cottages. Supported
on oak corbels, these plate rails were traditionally used to show off collectable
blue and white platters and plates. An abbreviated but equally effective version
of this idea is to flank door openings with brackets that support a ledge directly
over the opening.
Another traditional use for oak corbels is to dress up and support exposed ceiling
beams. This is a very attractive way to embellish beams. This a historically
appropriate use of oak corbels that began during the transition from exposed ceiling
beams to plaster ceilings. The first ceilings were merely the floors of the
next story above and the beams supporting these were necessarily exposed.
Eventually this necessity became embellished: the beams were more finely finished
at the wall terminations were decorated with corbels.
In England, these were often as not oak corbels as it was a favorite wood of the
period. This same effect can be replicated today with our oak corbels.
Depending on which style of corbel is chosen, these brackets can either dress up
a simple room or merely contribute to a higher level of finish while maintaining
an essentially rustic appearance associated with Tudor or Tudor Revival styles.
This is true even with our
hand carved corbels where a large amount of the level of formality is controlled
by the finish that is selected.
Of course, oak corbels may be used for more usual purposes and are not restricted
to traditional applications;
contemporary wood brackets in oak are very useful in modern room design.
A kitchen with oak cabinet work will benefit from using these as supports beneath
counter ledges. The larger scale of oak corbels may also provide visual reinforcement
to large structures such as range hoods or overhanging ledges on kitchen islands.
Oak corbels may also be used to support the ledges of mantelpieces or wall mounted
shelving.