Newel posts
By Deborah Holmes
|
|
|
|
(Click on pictures for a larger view.) |
|
|
|
|
)
)
The humble definition of a newel post: the large post that anchors thehandrail at the bottom of the staircase for support belies the importanceof this architectural part in defining the character of a house.
Owners of old houses wax eloquent about stripping and refinishing newel poststhat have suffered the indignities of time -- and redecorating. Others searchthrough salvage and antique shops looking for just the right cap or light to setthe post off as the crown jewel of the staircase.
When I was growing up, our annual holiday photos always had the staging --three girls standing on the stairs, the tallest at the top and me, the youngest,smiling out from behind the newel post. That elegant piece of mahogany and pine played an even more prominentrole in our every day lives. Running downstairs from our bedrooms at breakneckspeed, we'd grab onto the newel post and swing into the living room, bypassingthe bottom two steps. This always elicited stern parental warnings aboutloosening the stair parts. Which we did. And which my ever-patient -- and handy-- father always fixed.
|
|
|
|
|
Another drawing from the Peterson competition: This entry of the newel and banister of the Second Empire Style Livingston County Courthouse (circa 1874) in Arnaudville, Illinois. This entry won 4th place in the competition. Drawing by students from the University of Illinois. (Click on the picture for a larger view.) |
|
|
)
)
Below are a variety photosof newel posts from our collection of old house photos, and from those sent inby readers. (Click on any photo for a larger view.)
|
|
|
|
|
Photos: Deb Holmes |
||
|
|
|
|
|
Photos: Steve Ciccarelli |
||
|
|
|
|
|
Photos: Deb Holmes |
||
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
The Old House Web
