Good Questions: Hanging a hunk of carved wood

Hi AT,

I found this beautiful carved piece of wood at a furniture store I've driven by many times. I have always wanted one, and the very nice guy who works there made me an offer too good to pass up.

The piece is carved horizontally so I can't lean it against the wall as in the picture. I would like to hang it on the wall but I have no idea how to do so.

Email us with QUESTIONS in subject line:
sf (at) apartmenttherapy (dot) com
Note: Include pix and your question gets posted first.
Link To All Good Questions

It's 5'x 36" and weighs 80+ lbs! Luckily there are 2 holes in the front and 8 notches in the back.

I've also thought about turning it into a table top. Help please!

Joann

Dear Joann,

You will need some seriously substantial mounting hardware to hang this baby on the wall. Visit your local hardware store and ask for metal brackets which will hold 80 lbs and which can also be attached to those notches. With something this heavy you should attach the brackets to the wall's framing, so if you're not up for a job this involved, bring in a pro. (Most local hardware stores will be able to recommend someone.)

But we really loved your idea of turning this treasure into a totally unique console table. The custom carpentry team over at Stumasa will be able to fashion a simple wooden console table base to your specifications, and you can top it with your panel and a sheet of glass (they'll cut it to size for you at Acacia Glass), which is next to Stumasa.

Anyone else?

Comments (4)

I'm not so sure about a console table, just because the carving is so intricate that I feel that it should really stand out on its own, rather than have all the various add-ons required for making it a table. Plus I feel it needs contrast with a lighter wall to highlight all the nooks and crannies in its motif. I would make it the centerpiece of a blank wall (like above a sofa or another console table), either in the middle or using it to 'underline' some framed photos or art. But whatever you do with it, I'm sure it will look great because it's gorgeous. What a find!

Use a ledge. Use nails or screws to hang it flush to the wall. Put it on top of a table or high cabinet. There's no rule that says you have to hang it horizontal. Shake it up by leaving it that way.

I agree, don't turn it into a table--definitely hang it on the wall. It reminds me of the elaborate hanging in Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston's apartment in The Break Up (one of my favorite movie interiors, by the by).

I hung a similar piece using fishing line. I threaded it through the openwork at both ends and used small hooks on the wall.