Vintage Corbels in the Reading Nook

Well guys, my antique-loving heart is so full today because I finally found the perfect vintage corbels for our reading nook. I’ve literally been searching for corbels for at least a year now, maybe longer, but I just never found any that were the right size or shape for this little space. But I was antiquing recently (as I always do!) and I came across the most glorious pile of vintage porch railings and corbels I have ever seen. Seriously, it felt like Christmas. I was alone, so unfortunately I didn’t have anyone to hug, but dang. I was one happy lady. Anyway, I bought one of the railings and we just got it hung up in our reading nook this weekend. I can’t wait to show you guys how it looks! But first let me show you the original railing and how it looked:

Here she is! As you can see it was pretty long, so I definitely needed to trim it down to work in our reading nook. I started by removing the two corbels from the ends and then measuring the length of our reading nook. After I popped off the two corbels, I simply cut the railing down to size and then re-attached the corbels on both ends.

The corbels were a little wobbly, so we stabilized those with a few extra nails just to hold everything in place. Then my husband used a nail gun and nailed it into our reading nook. BOOM. Done.

And here’s how it looks now!

Farmhouse style reading nook with vintage corbels. Cozy living room decor ideas! Farmhouse style reading nook with vintage corbels. Cozy living room decor ideas! Farmhouse style reading nook with vintage corbels. Cozy living room decor ideas!

CUE THE HAPPY DANCE. I seriously love the design of these corbels. They remind me of something you’d see on the porch of an old Victorian style farmhouse. They kind of have an elegant flair to them, right?

Farmhouse style reading nook with vintage corbels. Cozy living room decor ideas! Farmhouse style reading nook with vintage corbels. Cozy living room decor ideas!
Farmhouse style reading nook with vintage corbels. Cozy living room decor ideas!

Farmhouse style reading nook with vintage corbels. Cozy living room decor ideas!

Adding this vintage porch railing and corbels to our reading nook was seriously so much fun. It’s like I have my very own little, cozy porch in our living room. Isn’t it funny how the smallest things like this can bring so much joy? I mean, it’s always projects like this that I love doing the most because they give our home so much more character and charm. Our fixer upper just keeps evolving and it’s so fun to share that process with you guys. And even though it isn’t the biggest or the fanciest place, it’s perfect for us and I’m so grateful.Anyway, thanks for stopping in today! I’d love to hear what you think of my new corbels. You know I love to chat!

Sources:

Here’s a couple more posts you might want to check out while you’re here:

New Farmhouse Cabinet in the Entryway

3 Tips to Decorate for Fall on a Budget

Simple Farmhouse Fall Entryway

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The Comments

  • AnnTN
    August 29, 2018

    YES! Perfect!

    • Kimberly
      > AnnTN
      August 29, 2018

      Soooo darling! What an inviting little nook. Love it. Question: where can I get those lights — the black ones shown in these photos?? I see them almost in EVERYone’s insta at one point or another. I think I need some. Thx!!

  • Cara
    August 29, 2018

    That is AMAZING!

  • Becky
    August 29, 2018

    Hi Sarah, Did you do the happy dance sweet girl?? Love your reading nook! Cute as can be! Thanks Sarah enjoy your blog so much. xoxo 💞💓💙

  • Kim
    August 29, 2018

    So, sooooo charming! Love it 😍💕

  • Sandee
    August 29, 2018

    oh my vintage heart just skipped a beat. I love this, it’s so perfect.

  • Chrissy
    August 29, 2018

    Love it!

  • Sheila Sanchez
    August 29, 2018

    Oooooh I just love that idea!

  • Suzanne
    August 29, 2018

    I always enjoy watching this space evolve. Every time I think it’s perfect….you change it. And it’s perfect again. Just LOVE your blog!

    • Sarah
      > Suzanne
      August 30, 2018

      aw thank you Suzanne, I really appreciate that!!

  • Dacia
    August 29, 2018

    Adorable! I love it!

  • Deanna
    August 29, 2018

    Love it! Looks awesome!

  • Pam
    August 29, 2018

    Where did u find your gather sign?

  • Valerie
    August 29, 2018

    I absolutely love it. Another thumbs up idea!

    • Sarah
      > Valerie
      August 30, 2018

      thank you Valerie!

  • Diane
    August 29, 2018

    I LOVE it! The perfect spot to curl up with a book! I’d probably fall asleep!

    • Sarah
      > Diane
      August 30, 2018

      It’s definitely a good napping spot Diane!

  • Shannon
    August 29, 2018

    So freakin adorable!! I wish I had a spot to put a reading nook like that 🙂

    • Sarah
      > Shannon
      August 30, 2018

      thank you Shannon!

  • Angela Servello
    August 29, 2018

    Aweeeeeeeeeesome!!!!!!!! Best idea ever👏👏

    • Sarah
      > Angela Servello
      August 30, 2018

      thanks girl!

  • D
    August 29, 2018

    It is so pretty! Where do you come up with these ideas? It looks perfect in that space..like it was always meant to be there! I absolutely love it! Great job my friend-Debbie❤️😍

    • Sarah
      > D
      August 30, 2018

      thanks so much Debbie!! xo

  • Patty
    August 29, 2018

    Sarah….I know exactly what you mean about being grateful for your home. I feel like God handpicked our home when we moved from N.C. to live in Colorado, to be close to our family. It is such a blessing when I do a little tweaking with my decorating and my heart swells to almost bursting with joy 😉 Usually nothing expensive and most often it is found in my prop room (lower level storage area), but just something so right! Your special area looks so perfect! I love your gather sign….may I ask where you got it? Thanks…Patty

    • Shirley
      > Patty
      August 29, 2018

      Patty you can find quite a few different ones of these on Etsy. Just type in “cut out wood gather sign” and it shows many!

      • Sarah
        > Shirley
        August 30, 2018

        Yep, that’s exactly right!

    • Sarah
      > Patty
      August 30, 2018

      That’s awesome Patty. It really sounds like God worked everything out perfectly with your move! Nothing is better than loving your home. And that gather sign is from Etsy, you can find it here: https://rstyle.me/n/c8hvs2b6hgf

  • Fran
    August 29, 2018

    Worth the wait – you nailed it!!!

    • Sarah
      > Fran
      August 30, 2018

      Thank you Fran!!

  • Tammy
    August 29, 2018

    Hi….love the reading nook even more now!!!! I also have the corners and the porch frame in the doorway leading into our dining room. I looked and looked all over for vintage ones for a good while….then boom the light went off…I went to the Orange home improvement store and purchased the exact ones you have…I painted them white did a little distressing and they were good to go!!!!
    Now I am going to order your Gather sign!!!!

    Enjoy a beautiful day
    Love your blog friend
    tammy

    • Sarah
      > Tammy
      August 30, 2018

      What?! That’s a great idea!! I bet it looks awesome in you home Tammy.

  • Carol Holtorf
    August 29, 2018

    it gave your little nook a finish touch….

    • Sarah
      > Carol Holtorf
      August 30, 2018

      I think so too Carol!

  • Vicki
    August 29, 2018

    Love😍😍😍! Your nook just keeps getting better and better! I can totally see it decorated for Christmas with garland and battery operated string lights, or perhaps hanging some vintage ornaments from the railing🎄❤️

    • Sarah
      > Vicki
      August 30, 2018

      Yesssss! That’s going to be awesome.

  • Dj white
    August 29, 2018

    This looks so great!!! What a cozy little space and the vintage railing made it even more perfect😉👍🏼

    • Sarah
      > Dj white
      August 30, 2018

      Thank you DJ!

  • Kathy McDonagh
    August 29, 2018

    I don’t think there could be a better spot for that vintage trim. It’s the perfect finish touch. Your house is the cutest!

    • Sarah
      > Kathy McDonagh
      August 30, 2018

      Aw I really appreciate that, thank you Kathy!

  • Shirley
    August 29, 2018

    Sarah it looks so cute in your nook! Truth be known I almost despise these things…lol. I grew up having to look at that same corbel, and I guess you could call it a porch railing as well, my entire childhood. It was on every screen door and porch around. So I can’t say I’m in love with it but I do like what you’ve done with it.

    • Sarah
      > Shirley
      August 30, 2018

      haha well I don’t blame you, I’d probably be tired of them too Shirley!

  • Rodney Herzner
    August 29, 2018

    love it….

    • Sarah
      > Rodney Herzner
      August 30, 2018

      thanks Rodney!

  • Tara
    August 29, 2018

    It looks perfect in your reading nook! What a fabulous find, it’s beautiful!

    • Sarah
      > Tara
      August 30, 2018

      Thanks so much Tara!

  • kimberly
    August 29, 2018

    truly adds the perfect touch. vintage charm! love it.

    kim xx

    • Sarah
      > kimberly
      August 30, 2018

      I think so too Kimberly!

  • Debra Wise
    August 29, 2018

    It’s perfect! Absolutely love it!!

    • Sarah
      > Debra Wise
      August 30, 2018

      thanks so much Debra! xo

  • Dianne Gingrich
    August 29, 2018

    The finishing detail looks perfect.

    • Sarah
      > Dianne Gingrich
      August 30, 2018

      Thank you Dianne! xo

  • Sheilah
    August 30, 2018

    I believe that’s called fretwork.Corbals are much heavier and typically found under the eaves by the soffets.This is very pretty in it’s place I must say.

    • Sarah
      > Sheilah
      August 30, 2018

      Oh good to know! I just always called them corbels, but I think you’re right. Thanks for sharing Sheilah!

  • Dana
    August 30, 2018

    Ahhhh….just when I thought my favorite little space in your home could not get any sweeter or cuter… IT DID!!! What a charming little nook… I love it so much!! You have such an amazing eye for design and beauty!

    • Sarah
      > Dana
      August 30, 2018

      Aw thank you Dana, I really appreciate that! xo

  • Amy
    August 31, 2018

    That adds a ton to that space! Nice job.

    • Sarah
      > Amy
      August 31, 2018

      Thanks Amy!

  • Lorri
    August 31, 2018

    Ok way too cute!!! I have to say…you sure know where to shop and what you like…how do you find the time to do this???