finial: an architectural device, typically carved in stone and employed decoratively to emphasize the apex of a gable or any of various distinctive ornaments at the top, end, or corner of a building or structure.
I finally have a finial. When I told my husband we were going to attach a pineapple finial to our bannister he simply nodded and said, "Great idea, honey." It wasn't until our wooden fruit arrived via ups and I saw the blank stare on his face that I knew why I had not received any pushback or questions about this design decision: he had no idea what a finial was. Truth be told, even I needed to be reminded of its proper name when I first began brainstorming.
To me the pineapple shape is extremely classic, often displayed in stone or metal at the end of grand stairways in sophisticated homes. Since our abode is a bit more humble we opted for carved wood, merely to capture the essence of sophistication and character...and to prevent our bannister from being completely bland.
staircase: before
staircase: after
We didn't have room in the budget for iron railings or decorative banisters so this inexpensive piece found online here was the perfect $20 addition. We added a clear glaze so that hand grease wouldn't cause discoloration over time and opted to keep it a natural wood tone so that it stood out from the trim and molding (it also happens to be the same tone as our rustic dining table which makes me internally happier than it should).
When updating a home it's essential to focus the big dollars on high impact projects (ie: the kitchen) and then find small, inexpensive ways to add character and personality in other, less significant areas.
finial fun fact: even the Grand staircase on the Titanic had pineapple finials!
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2 comments:
I think Mama Daniels once told me that in Colonial times, the pineapple was a symbol of "Welcome" hence why it's often seen as a door knocker. Perhaps we need to google this to get some more "fun finial facts" ;)
Mama Daniel's is SO wise. She is absolutely right (not surprising) and thank you for the door knocker idea...perhaps you know where I can find one since your roots are on the east coast?! :)
The Use of the Pineapple Theme in Decorating: Not only are pineapple designs prevalent in the home in places like the foyer and living areas as well as kitchen, they are also visibly displayed in the form of pineapple finials on gateposts or as fountains for the garden. The use of pineapple plaques highlighted with the warm, inviting words "Welcome to our Home" has become a common sight. Virginia still continues to be one of the primary states that ardently displays pineapple motifs and designs in many of their household accessories, still highlighting the pineapple symbol as the highest form of hospitality rendered.
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