Fretting over fretwork

Pick any country between the Bay of Biscay and the Bay of Bengal and you'll see examples of fretwork in the indigenous architecture. Repetitive geometric fretwork patterns were used by gothic, byzantine and mughal architects to create elaborate panels, doors and archways. In warmer places like India and Northern Africa, wood or marble fretwork panels were used as screens to keep rooms ventilated, while maintaining a level of privacy. In cooler places like Greece and Italy, fretwork was ornamental and used to decorate mouldings, gates, doors and columns. In modern times, CNC machines and fretsaws are used to create latticework and reliefwork that resembles fretwork from a bygone era. Although fretwork is uncommon in modern architecture, its made its way into interior design - the two most recognizable designations for fretwork in modern design are "greek key" and "chippendale".


I was recently browsing through House Beautiful Magazine's Dec/Jan issue and saw this beautiful Florida home of designer Thomas Hamel. Check out the fretwork paneling in the entryway!

Fretwork panels and wall art

1. Carved Wood Screen from Tazi Designs: $159 - use these as wall panels in groups or instead of windows on a patio. Stain it in a dark elm wood color against white-washed walls for added effect.  
2. Faux bamboo greek key mirror from Neiman Marcus: $495 - a great amalgamation of the east and the west. 
3. Mousharabi Lattice Screen from Tazi Designs: $1,800 - divide your living and dining room with this gorgous carved screen.
4. Round Fretwork mirror from Neiman Marcus: $295 - elegant and universally appealing.
5. Fretwork Mirrors from Neiman Marcus: $295 - elongate your walls by placing these mirrors vertically or place them above a fireplace. 
6. Fretwork Doors from Tazi Designs: $2,999 - best in a warm climate - use these doors as an entryway into your patio. 


Fretwork Seating




1. Imperial Chair from Gumps: $380 - a modern rendition of Victorian Chippendale.
2. Chinese Chippendale Armchair by Jonathan Adler: $550 - doesn't this chair make you smile? This chair would do wonderfully in a hollywood regency style dining room or in a modern Asian setting.
3. Openwork chair from Gumps: $395 - amazingly regal and perfect for the head of the table.
4. Outdoor fretwork table and chair from Horchow: $395 - a nice mix of greek key and chinese chippendale, this chair would make a great addition to your patio or sunroom.
5. Fretwork lounge chair by Barbara Barry: $4,600 - this chair screams LA and hollywood regency to me. In fact, I recently discovered that Jennifer Lopez has one of these in her home!
6. Chinese Chippendale chair from Wisteria: $379 - the black lacquer and faux bamboo give it a decidely Asian flair.
7. Moorish Armchair from Tazi Designs: $950 - love, love, LOVE this chair. Its the perfect blend of clean-lined modern, yet with intricate moorish fretwork detailing. This piece is on my wishlist!