Decorative corbels or not?

11 years ago

So my ginormous DR window is in and it's gorgeous! We had originally planned to finish the exterior of it similar to this:

Under Construction · More Info

Here's what it looks like now:

These are the corbels we chose:

We'd do the trim board below the window with 4 corbels against it, as shown in our inspiration pic. The roof will be a hip roof (ala inspiration pic), standing seam metal roof in a color to complement our home's slate-colored concrete tile.

We don't have as much room below our box window as there is below our
inspiration box window. You'll see the corbels, just not as much of them and once I re-plant this bed, they may be nearly completely hidden from view.

So I'm wondering if perhaps finishing it off with flat stock (trim boards) all around it and forgoing the corbels would work, too. We don't need the corbels for support. This
box is built for stout and isn't going to go anywhere.The city inspector gave it a thumbs up.

Our home is transitional, leaning more traditional than modern. Corbels would be a traditional finish; leaving it with flat stock all around .. does that make it more modern? Or will it matter because pretty soon, my plants will fill in the space below the window?

It would be similar to the following without corbels:

Wyckoff James Hardie Exterior · More Info

Kinda hard to see in this one but there aren't any corbels below it, only plants.

PA Street of Dreams 2014 Best of Show · More Info

What do you think? Going without would save us some money so that's a plus in its favor.

Featured Answer

lisa_a
Original Author

11 years ago

Thanks, Suzi! I am leaning that way already so good to know I have one vote in support of forgoing corbels.

LOL about heading to the "how do I prune my shrub" forum later. But I think I'll be okay on that count. I've interviewed pruning experts for articles about pruning and I prune my friends' trees and shrubs regularly. It all started because I couldn't stand to see the husband butcher the Japanese maple by their front door. I'd mutter under my breath each time we visited until finally I could stand it no longer and rescued the poor tree. I told Dave to never pick up pruners again, not without calling me first (only half kidding, seriously, the man trimmed trees like he was mowing the lawn). Now they sit and watch, drinking an adult beverage, while I prune. = )

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (15)

Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
11 years ago
Your inspiration is on an upper story. Yours is not. I would not worry about the corbels. Just make it look pretty. Plants will cover the whole thing. Easy! Then you'll be in the "How do I prune my shrub" forum.
Related Professionals
Owensboro Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Brainerd Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Hackettstown Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Lancaster Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Roswell Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Amarillo Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Tuscaloosa Kitchen Remodelers · Vineland Kitchen Remodelers · Huntington Kitchen Remodelers · Waterbury Kitchen Remodelers · Sheboygan Kitchen Remodelers · Jackson Custom Countertops · Sioux Falls Custom Countertops · Pullman Custom Countertops · Kahului Custom Countertops
Texas_Gem
11 years ago
I agree, no corbels. They aren't needed for support and you won't see them anyway.

Gorgeous window by the way, that is gonna let in a TON of light!
lisa_a
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks, Texax_Gem!

I'm so excited about how much light this window will bring in and how large and airy it will make the room feel. So glad we did this!
funkycamper
11 years ago
No corbels. Wonderful window! Can't wait to see more of your inside progress.
Fori
11 years ago
Yes plants no corbels.
lisa_a
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you, all, for helping me figure this out. Hubby and I also agree: no corbels. Yay, a decision that will save us money; gotta like that!
CEFreeman_GW DC/MD Burbs 7b/8a
11 years ago
I don't see the point in corbels, to be straight about it. Just $$ you could spend on your own JM. (Owner of 127 speaking here.)

Your home is going to be lovely and I'm glad you told your [strike through] idiot [/end] neighbor to step away from the clippers. Or the lawn mower, which ever comes first!

I look forward to your finished pics!
dcward89
11 years ago
Definitely no corbels...just put that money into some beautiful flowers/plants. It will be beautiful!
amykath
11 years ago
It is beautiful. No corbels.
lisa_a
Original Author
11 years ago
So good to hear that there is a consensus. Thank you, everyone! I really appreciate it as I'm decisioned-out.

Christine, you have 127 Japanese maples?! Holy cow! You must either have a huge piece of property or you bonsai them or door #3.

My friend isn't an idiot but he is guilty of being clueless about pruning. But hey, once upon a time, I didn't know better either. = ) There is definitely an art to pruning well.
CEFreeman_GW DC/MD Burbs 7b/8a
11 years ago
A huge piece of property, although most are still in pots. Last year I put 6 in the ground and have about 10 planned for this fall. They need to have proved themselves tough enough for zone 8a, unrelenting, awful sun.

I've recently started to prune my trees, after oh, some, 10 years of not. I was afraid to do it wrong, so I saved all year and bought myself a day with a JM/Bonsai consultant. Evidently where I did prune, I was on the right track. My fear resulted in inaction, which might be as bad as not pruning!
lisa_a
Original Author
11 years ago
"My fear resulted in inaction, which might be as bad as not pruning!" So true, Christine!

Are you in the PNW? I visited the garden of ... shoot, can't remember his name but he's big in Oregon's nursery industry. Anyhoo, he had a huge piece of property almost solely planted in JMs (he's a grower). It was full sun and low water. Contrary to common cultural advice for JMs, they were doing very well. The property has a shallow slope and it was the east side of PDX so drainage was good, unlike my heavy clay soil on the west side of PDX.
agk2003
11 years ago
i think it's personal preference but i am not a fan of corbels so i vote no. i think the trim you are doing is very pretty though.
lisa_a
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you, agk2003!