Ornamental iron makes its way into interior decoration

Across the Ozarks, many homeowners are taking a second look at iron, finding new ways to bring this building material indoors, leading to what industry professionals characterize as a surge in the use of ornamental iron as a decorating idea.

Jay Zimmerman, president and CEO of Welhener Awning Co., said that like most trends, ideas often start on both coasts and gradually move toward the Midwest. He believes this explains the popularity that ornamental iron is experiencing.

"Iron as a decorating idea is not a new design," Zimmerman said. "The craft can be traced back to the Roman Republic between the 4th and 1st centuries B.C., but really didn't get to be intricate until the Baroque era in the 1600s."

Zimmerman believes that ornamental metals, besides offering strength, provide a homeowner with a chance to customize his or her home and add a rich look.

Stacey Hammit, vice president and general manager of Carnahan-White Fence Co., and his brother Kevin Hammit, who serves as the chief financial officer and secretary-treasurer,also have noticed a change in how ornamental iron is being used.

"Ornamental iron was used, for the most part, as fencing and gates up until the last few years, now we are seeing it used in a variety of ways within the home," Kevin Hammit said.

Clients have used ornamental iron as bannister railings, chandeliers, lamps, plant stands, tables, curtain rods, frames and fireplace grates.

"I think a large surge toward iron happened because people are seeking unique items. They do not want what everyone else has and therefore look for something that is unique to them," said Kevin Hammit.

Another large reason for the turn to ornamental iron could be a trend toward more rustic looking items, which became the style in the 1990s, Stacey Hammit said.

Zimmerman said his company uses iron for interior doors, wine cellars or tasting rooms, staircases, and in the use of gates and fences for subdivisions.

"Like it or not, security has become a real issue in the construction and development industry and I see no reason that it won't continue," Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman said that his company works with clients to "marry" materials and textures to one another so that the onlooker doesn't focus on just one article. Iron provides an extremely flexible combination in color texture and form to accommodate a home or business design, Zimmerman said.

Even though the ornamental iron trend has increased, Zimmerman said that Welhener Awning is a custom manufacturer and this dictates most of its inventory control. As far as costs of materials go, Zimmerman said that iron is a bit more expensive, but the advantages of investing in the material for the flexibility and strength far outweigh those of other materials.

"The client also has the benefit of controlling their costs by being either very elaborate or basic in the design of their project," Zimmerman said.

The homeowner certainly needs to consider the alternatives to what material they use and what it adds, from a value perspective, Zimmerman said.

The ornamental iron boom gave the Hammits the ability to expand their ironworks division, vastly increasing the work force to include several blacksmiths, welders, crafters and painters.

Because Carnahan-White Fence Co. tends to lean toward more custom work, Kevin Hammit said that they build or create for ornamental iron items as needed and do not have a fixed inventory. Similarly, the cost to clients depends on the size of the project. Factors such as how ornate an item is, the complexity and the amount of building involved are cost considerations.

"People are starting to consider the value that ornamental iron adds to home value," Kevin Hammit said. "Iron is a selling factor as well; custom and unique materials always drive values up."

He added that ornamental iron gives individuals a way to express a more artistic and personal side of themselves, while enriching their homes.