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Furniture Appliques: Which Kind Is Right for Your Home?

Posted  on by Heartwood Carving, Inc.

Furniture Appliques: Which Kind Is Right for Your Home?

Does your furniture feel like it's missing something? The problem could be that it’s too simple. A lot of furniture nowadays has a sleek, minimalist design, but some take it too far and end up looking drab.

How do you fix oversimplistic furniture? A detailed applique could be the missing link that your furniture needs.

But how do you know which kind of furniture applique is right for your home? Here's what you need to know about the different kinds of furniture appliques and how to choose between them.

What Are Appliques?

Appliques, also known as onlays, are decorative architectural elements used to embellish everything from doors to furniture. Appliques are three-dimensional objects, but they have a flat back, so it’s easy to stick them to surfaces.

The Different Kinds of Appliques

Appliques are normally carved from wood, with alder, cherry, maple, oak, rubberwood being some of the most common varieties used.

When it comes to design, you have a lot of different options to choose from! Acanthus, center and corners, rosettes, swags, vertical drops, and wreaths are the most popular categories of appliques. Here's a brief description of each.

Acanthus

Acanthus appliques are designed to look like the acanthus plant, which symbolized immortality, rebirth, and a long life in ancient Greece and various other ancient cultures.

Center and Corners

People traditionally use center and corner appliques to ornament doorways, with the center applique placed above the frame in the center and the corner pieces used on the edges.

Rosette

Rosettes feature a floral design inspired by the botanical rosette, which is a circular arrangement of leaves around the stem of a plant. Rosettes come in square, round, and oval varieties.

Swag

Swag appliques look like swags, which are pieces of fabric loosely slung or draped over a curtain or other rod.

Vertical Drop

Vertical drops are appliques positioned vertically. Most vertical drops have a wide top and are thin toward the bottom.

Wreath

Some appliques are shaped like wreaths. They're circular in shape and the wood is carved to look like flowers or leaves.

How To Choose the Right Applique for Your Home

So, which kind of furniture applique is right for your home? Ultimately, it comes down to what exactly you're decorating and what your personal preferences are. The applique you choose should be a suitable size for the piece of furniture you're decorating and also complement the pieces' overall design.

It's important to remember that you can paint and stain wood appliques to your desired color. If you're struggling to find an applique in the perfect shade, you can either order custom or alter the hue yourself.

Looking for carved wood appliques and onlays for your furniture? Heartwood Carving has a wide selection of masterfully carved appliques and onlays to choose from, so you're sure to find something you love. Shop with us today or contact us about ordering a custom piece.

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