Wednesday, March 3, 2010

G is for Gingerbread

Don't you just love gingerbread?  No, not the cookie kind.  Well, okay, the cookie kind is pretty great, but I'm talking about gingerbread trim. Like the trim on this Key West cottage.

Made popular during the Victorian era, gingerbread 
trim work includes fancy scroll work, elaborately pierced bargeboards and friezes, fancy brackets and arch braces,
as well as elaborate balusters. 
And check out the trim on this New Orleans shotgun style house.


And on this cottage on Martha's Vineyard.
 

You can find a great article on gingerbread trim at This Old House.  Aren't these beautiful examples?





In recent years, designers and artisans have begun to recognize the value and craftsmanship found in antique gingerbread, and are working to save these architectural pieces from the wrecking ball. You may be able to purchase antique pieces for your own home from sites such as Wood Natural Restoration, found here.



If you can't find antique pieces to fit your project, there are some terrific custom woodshops out there that can help you with your project.  One such place is the Victorian Woodshop. Below are some examples of their work.

Above is a before and after of one of their projects. 
Isn't it amazing how the simple addition of just a little scrollwork can make such a huge difference in the curb appeal of this home?
This post is being linked to Colorado Lady's Vintage Thingie Thursday, and  Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday.