August 24, 2010

Posts for lanterns


Posts for lanterns are one of the details most people don’t want to have to think about, yet they make a huge difference to the final look of a property. The height of the post on a residential property can generally vary from 6’8” – 7’8” depending on the topography and distance from the house or driveway. The style of the post should work with the style of the home and can be a simple square post with chamfered sides or a square base with fluted column and capital. We recommend posts with a separate tenon of pressure, treated wood, bored out with electrical hole, and buried 3” below grade. The posts are made of clear cedar and fit on the pressure treated tenon at grade level. We have seen a lot of substandard quality posts that may be cedar, but riddled with knots that prove irritating to clients when they need to be replaced in short time.

A recent question was raised for setting the post. Two methods are commonly used; cement or dirt. Curiously enough, the cement set method had valid concerns of potentially trapping water causing the wood to rot sooner than the dirt packed method. Any thoughts or experience from the field?

August 23, 2010

Classic frames with a twist

Benjamin Dhong, a talented interior designer from Berkley, CA, premiered a timeless wreath at the NY Gift Show at the suggestion of a former editor of House Beautiful. I had received his announcement and beautiful image of his wreath/ frame and felt compelled to go to the show and meet him. His love of classic design was beautifully implemented with egg and dart design on the edges, and leaves and acorns on the facade. It was beautifully printed on artist canvas; I had initially thought it was crafted in metal. I was delightfully surprised at the object in reality. Beautiful!