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corbel bar brackets-edgewood custom cabinetry-raleigh nc

The What, When, Where and Why of Corbels and Brackets

Corbels and brackets are, basically, decorative architectural pieces that support or enhance another object.

While we are usually all about the importance of adding items that totally renovate a room, or add functionality to a space, in this case we call attention to the importance of small details. Just as jewelry adds pizazz to a basic outfit, embellishing the existing structural elements of your home with budget friendly adornments, like  corbels, adds character. What you get is a huge impact for a minimal investment.

Make a statement and express your personal style by strategically incorporating decorative corbels and brackets into your overall room design. Framing a window, beneath a range hood, supporting an open shelf or flanking a doorway, these design elements are suitable for every decorating style.

Today’s kitchens are prime real estate for utilizing corbels.

  • Supporting the overhang on islands and peninsulas. (position chairs or stools under the countertop before deciding on the placement of the brackets)
  • On either side of a wall of cabinetry
  • Under a built in desk top
  • Placed as bookends on an open shelf

When placed under a cabinet or counter, corbels give the illusion of support, adding to the visual impact of the structure. Let your imagination run rampant and visualize a mantel, library table or entryway surrounded by iconic, classic sophistication.

Available in a variety of sizes and materials, decorative and supportive brackets give homeowners quite a bang for their buck.

The dimensions of your space, and the application itself determines the correct size corbel. Contact us for help in choosing the perfect accent pieces.

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granite overhangs-edgewood cabinetry

Avoiding The Breakage Of Your Granite Overhangs

Everyone loves granite in their kitchens, and for good reason. It’s durable, comes in countless colors and patterns, and is stunning in appearance.

When designing your counter tops, however, many home owners find themselves asking “How much granite overhang is acceptable?”

If you consult with The Marble Institute, they will recommend no more than twelve inches for granite tops. However, this is assuming that 2/3’s or more is cantilevered to offset the dead weight of the overhang. You can’t just have a foot of free hanging granite, that spells disaster for the feet of whomever is unlucky enough to be standing at the counter.

The 2/3’s rule should be applied to all situations, not just the ones in which the maximum amount of overhang is used. For example, if you have six inches of stone atop a wall cap, then using the 2/3’s should tell you its safe to have two inches of unsupported stone. If you want more stone hangover, or maybe you want to take the better-safe-than-sorry route, these pieces of hardware can set your mind at ease;

Corbels

A type of bracket which can be made from stone, used to offset the weight of an overhanging surface. These are highly decorative and practical pieces.

Rods

Rods can be run down the length of your stone counter top. This will help strengthen brittle stones, however it doesn’t pardon you of the 2/3’s rule.

Legs

Ground length support system for bracing counter overhang. Using legs to support your counter top surface can be stylish but it can also limit the amount of furniture which can be placed around the area.

Granite Top Support Brackets

These specially designed brackets are specifically made to support overhang. They are concealed within the counter top itself, and must be installed before the top is placed.

Brackets

Both inexpensive and effective when installed correctly, brackets can be used to support counter tops as well as cabinets themselves.

All of these components can be purchased at your local cabinetry shop. When making the decision of how much stone overhang to have on your counter tops, always stop to ask yourself if your households individual needs will be too much for your current choice size of stone overhang. After all, the needs of a fraternity house would be far different from that of a retirement home. If you would like to know more about supporting stone overhang, cabinets, or other support related questions feel free to contact us at our website.

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Why choose onlays & appliques for your cabinetry

A popular design choice for cabinets is the use of onlays & appliques, decorative additions such as scrolling wood and other designs carved in different materials that add a unique and atmospheric touch to your cabinetry.
What are some good reasons to select onlays and appliques?
Variety.  There’s a wide range of onlays and appliques you can choose from.  Some of the designs include fleur-de-lis, leaf scrolls, rosettes, and even faces, such as the visage of a classic lion.  Other designs are more abstract.  You would be able to find something suited to your personal taste and to the overall decor in a particular room.  For instance, while some designs might seem out of place in a room that has minimalistic or modern decor, they would be at home in a room with a more traditional or antique appearance.
Uniqueness.  Adding these decorative features could enhance the uniqueness of your cabinetry.  Just as the cabinets themselves can be customized for any room in your home, the onlays and appliques will make your cabinets look truly individualized, as if they were carved just for you.
Visual interest and aesthetic appeal.  Well-chosen onlays and appliques draw the eye and make the cabinetry look not only more visually interesting, but also beautiful; they highlight other features in the cabinetry and in the room as a whole.  Your cabinets shouldn’t be purely functional.  Along with their utility, they should also look lovely and contribute to the overall beauty of your home.
Richness.  High-quality onlays and appliques can make your cabinetry appear more expensive.  But you won’t need to spend a lot of money to achieve this effect.
Contact us to discuss cabinetry designs that are suited to your personal tastes and fit well with your home.  Poorly designed cabinets, along with improperly chosen design features, will detract from your interior decor.  You want every aspect of your cabinetry to work together as a harmonious whole, both functionally and aesthetically.

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