What are these and what should I do with them?
+14
I found these in an antique shop and after a couple visits, I could no longer resist buying them! They are very heavy and are covered in rust and old paint chipping off. I have no clue what they are! What should I d with them? I kinda like their rustic look...yet not sure I want to leave them like this! Any suggestions?
gates or window shutter maybe! I would leave alone, they are fabulous!!! Great find!!
To make them look better but not get rid of the rusty look. Rub over with WD-40
Could have been inserts (Windows) in a Gazebo or Arch for the Garden.
Nice find!! Use wire brush leave as vintage or paint them black add them to dinning wall for that Tuscany look, twin bed headboard end of a hallway as a focal wall hanging. Even outside attaching them to the house in a flower bed with calmatis.
with calmatis,
Trellis for plants, if you stack them.
Definitely looks like a gate :)
My money is on a 2 piece garden gate.
If you want to give them a good cleaning, use a power washer with tap water & Dawn/Fairy original blue dish detergent. Dry thoroughly!
Reguardless, I would give it 2 coats of Rustolium 2× Matte Clear. 3 coats if the rust has particularly deep pockets.
The clear coat seals the patina & helps to protect any passers-by that are sloppy about getting tetanus boosters. You will want to reapply as needed: outdoor use means once or twice/year, indoor is less often.
They are wonderful for folly gates (the ones across a path without a fence), garden trellises, turn then into decorative tables by adding legs & capping with an acrylic sheet.
Indoors, you might want to wall mount amid a photo gallery. Or attach on hinges to an open door frame. If they are tall enough, hinge them together for a folding screen, with or without paper/fabric attached to the "back"
The possibilities are almost endless for these things. Try thinking about projects you've been wanting to try & ask yourself if these gates can be worked into any if them.
I wonder if they are radiator covers?
Love them! I would not paint them right away. You can seal them with a clear spray. Hang them on a wall for a charming look. If you want, you could wrap ivyaround them. What a great find!
if they where sanded down and added a little color they would be cute candle holders or photo frame hanger
I would probably attach them to my back fence.
whatever they were originally intended for they are all yours now. They are very attractive and I would probably turn them into gates for use inside or outside. I don't think it matters much if you refinish them or not. But here is a hint: years ago when I lived in NYC, painters used to wear gloves to paint the iron fencing. I mean the gloves WERE the brush/roller.
Think gates from Newport R.I. mansions! Could be artful just leaned against a house.
Hello Karen; Excellent eye!!!
These look quite old, and they look like they originally covered something.
Aside from that, I Love them.
If they were mine, I would use a wire brush on them, and I would keep the patina the way that it is.
I would clear coat them, so that they do not rust.
I would keep them inside and hang them on a wall.
I hope that this helps you!!! Take Care!
love them outside in garden would be wonderful... if inside what an interesting wall hanging
Thank you and you have two gems that nwork with, I just love them!!
Frame them out. Use as doors!!