Corbels have been cropping up in designer magazines for the last couple years as a popular decorating tool. But if you asked a most home owners what decorative corbels are, chances are they wouldn’t have a clue.
A corbel is a bracket supporting or giving the appearance of supporting a heavy load above. In effect a corbel can either be decorative or structural.
As architectural styles have developed through time, the level of decoration on a corbel has changed accordingly. In medieval times corbels often appeared in the shape of humans or mythical beasts. Gargoyles seen at Notre Dame are examples of decorative corbels rather than having a structural purpose. Some were cast as biblical figures to illustrate tales to the congregation that was unable to read. Continue reading “Decorative Corbels, A Simple Guide”
One of the great things about corbels is that they are not limited to any one use. In fact, they have many different uses, the most common of which are profiled here. As time has gone on, people have invented more and more innovative ways to take advantage of the affordability and availability of the modern corbel. The functional and attractive corbel is an important design element in today’s homes.
There are three main indoor uses for corbels these days: mantels, bookshelves, and countertops. This is where you will almost always find them today. In fact, maybe your own home is already incorporating these styles.
Mantels
Here we will find stone and marble corbels holding up fireplace mantels. Even if they are not literally supporting the weight, this is a very beautiful use. It is a great way to frame this centerpiece of so many homes: the fireplace. Without them, this area of the house is left looking a bit more plain than maybe you would like. Continue reading “Different Uses for Corbels”
