From out of the primordial soup that once formed our planet came amazing elements and minerals and a host of life sustaining nutrients, but one in particular has the most intriguing history of all – and that is iron.

What other material either in its purest form or alloyed started out over 6,000 years ago as a lowly, basic everyday tool of ancient man (at that time in competition with the more widely used bronze) either as a sword, axe head or plow and is still used to this very day as a decorative piece in all types of design situations – traditional or contemporary? It is iron. That iron has stood the test of time is putting it mildly indeed since wrought iron furniture has been decorating homes as far back as the early days of civilization. Its evolution has taken it a long way from the sword and the plow to a place of honor in many design schemes.

Wrought iron is a term that we are all familiar with but probably not sure what it stands for except that we use it to describe any iron coffee table, outdoor bench or ice cream parlor type chair. And of course it is iron that we are dealing with – but iron that has been “wrought” (which is an old English term) for “worked” in this case into some artistically formed shape. Early on this was done by forging with the hammer while the iron was white or red hot and then later on ironsmiths began to work with the metal when it was cold with the invention of such tools as the saw and file sometime during the 14th century. But even modern technology has not altered this basic artform that graces us to this day
with furniture that is timeless, classic and strong and that more often than not adds elegance and beauty to its surroundings.

As a designer of furniture and interiors wrought iron intrigues me on many levels when I stop to think about its applications in design – the many times I have turned to it to solve the dilemma of finding just the right piece for a particular job. In its present incarnation we use it as furniture (chairs, consoles, tables, etc.) that display graceful slender lines with the advantage of having added strength over wood while not having to settle for the restrictions that wood joinery often dictates. Iron is strong and practically forever nowadays (with the invention of powder coating and the myriad choice of colors that has solved the inherent problem of rusting and decay) and so it of course can be used with great success both indoors and out.

There is almost a magical quality about wrought iron that borders on the mystical to my mind – so chameleon in nature is this material. The thin, light and airy designs for which it is famous doesn’t detract from its strength at all while at the same time bringing an old world feeling that is either a great foil in a contemporary setting or a memorable addition of old world grace and charm to a traditional space. Not many other tools of the designers’ trade are this versatile, believe me.

Recently I completed a job in a home of outstanding grace and beauty complete with limestone floors and staircases, Abusson rugs and gilt furniture that required just the right type of console tables both in the entry and main hallway. There was never a doubt in my mind that these pieces would be made of elegant wrought iron crowned with beautiful marble tops complete with double OG edge detail. These tables were a perfect complement to the home’s setting and made the stunningly dramatic impression that I knew they would. Iron consoles always work especially well in foyers and on stair landings if you are out to make a design statement and impress your guests.

But wrought iron can be a focal point in any room in any number of finishes that will be enjoyed by you over a lifetime for its sheer beauty and durability as it maintains its investment value by never going out of style. To see iron “wrought” in the time-honored way why not visit the wonderful people at “Zocalos” here in Las Vegas where today’s ironsmiths can be seen creating iron furniture sure to be tomorrow’s cherished heirlooms.