How to add more iron to your home’s diet

We asked Kat Woods of Kat’s Design Services in Raleigh to tell us how wrought iron fits with Triangle design sensibilities. She offers these ideas about incorporating iron into your decor:

There are several great ways to incorporate wrought iron into your house in the Triangle without breaking the bank or upsetting the architectural design of your home. The keys to successful integration of ironworks are quantity, style and placement.

Plan ahead: Hand-forged pieces are beautiful, but costs can add up quickly, so plan wisely. For example, many homes in the Triangle feature a floor plan in which a straight stairwell ends a few feet inside the front door with a wooden rail at the last few stairs. This wooden rail could easily (and economically) be replaced with a beautiful wrought iron rail.

What’s your style? Keep in mind the style of your existing décor when blending in ironwork. Traditional and contemporary styles flourish with curves and swirls, while Shaker and Modern styles thrive on straight lines and clean cuts. Try adding in a few pieces of ornamental ironwork to the top of your headboard or side of your dresser for an instantly chic boost to any style of furniture.

Place wisely: Strategic placement of ironworks in the most eye-catching spot will give you the biggest bang for your buck. In Raleigh homes with a vaulted ceiling living room, replacing the half wall in the loft area above with wrought iron will open up the space visually (with increased perception of light and square footage) while providing an exquisite decorative impact in both rooms.

from newsobserver.com