Wrought Iron Home Decor |
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 | Many people might think of iron as something heavy, and utilitarian, as opposed to decorative. But the difference is in the metal itself, with wrought iron being the finer form.
As primitive as we might think early Man was, by 1,000B.C. he was smart enough to have discovered the process whereby iron ore was smelted by firing it to melting point along with carbon which acted as a flux, an agent that attracted the impurities and was beaten out as slag when the metal was worked into shape on the forge.
Wrought iron has less than 1/10 of one percent carbon, and less than 2 percent slag remains after it is formed. This produces a soft, and malleable metal, as opposed to cast iron, which tends to be hard and rigid, due to the high carbon content.
Being a more available and workable material than bronze, by 300B.C. it was in wide use through Asia Minor, India, China and the Mediterranean for weaponry, and eventually as a construction material throughout Europe. But with development in the late 1800s of new processes for rendering steel from pig iron, wrought iron’s very workability spelled its end as a structural material, and for more than a century now, it has served primarily as a decorative substance.
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Wrought Iron Chandelier
- Elegant Design
- Made of Wrought Iron
- 17 3/8 Inches Tall
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Wrought Iron Pot Holder
- Takes Less Counter Space
- Made of Wrought Iron
- 31 5/16 Inches Long
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Wrought Iron Towel Rack
- Wonderful Shabby Chic Design
- Made of Wrought Iron
- 22 1/4 Inches Tall
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Wrought Iron Mantle Clock
- Unique Desk Clock
- Antique Roman Design
- 13 3/4 Inches Tall
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Wood Dresser Mirror
- Wood, Wrought Iron
- Colonial British Design
- 16 Inches Tall
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Wrought Iron Candle Holders
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Wrought Iron
Wrought iron has entered the realm of home décor in many forms. First, as elegant and very effective fencing with long rows of joined spikes, perhaps topped by a fleur-da-lis. Manors, and smaller castles may have added natural stone pillars to the fence, and then guarded their property with massive, and intricately designed wrought iron gates.
A resurgence of interest in items from the Baroque and Medieval periods has resulted in such fittings as wall sconces for candles or electric lights, and chandeliers, as centerpieces for the dining or living rooms. Mirrors and clocks with wrought iron frames, add to the overall impression of standing on the verge of a historical time.
Fittings can also be had for the bathroom, in the form of towel racks, wall shelves for towels, mirrors, and magazine racks.
Outdoor furniture in wrought iron has never gone out of style, and it’s still quite common to find garden benches or love seats that are either made entirely of that material, or a combination of wood and wrought iron. Patio sets are another popular item of furniture that utilizes the material to advantage.
Because it has been around for a long time, you can often find wrought iron items at garage sales and flea markets. It’s a bargain, even when the side table or plant stand you find is a little rusted and looks like it’s seen better days. A good cleaning, a little sanding to take off the rust and rough spots, and you’re ready to paint it white, and have the smartest piece of Shabby Chic furniture in the neighborhood. If you want something even snazzier, go for the historical look and “antique” your white wrought iron with gold metallic paint. This is done by first painting the piece white, and letting it dry completely. Then apply the gold paint lavishly to one section at a time, and have a very damp, soft rag ready to wipe off the majority of the gold paint. What you are left with, is a beautiful piece of white furniture, where gold gleams from all the nooks and crevices. |
