Brainstorm #10 and last
Five antique newel post tops, four years on a shelf, and no decision made.
It has been a while since the last one of these, and this is a good one to finish on.
A friend has a set of antique newel post toppers: the turned finials that sat on top of the posts at the bottom of a staircase. Her description: about 6 inches high and 3½ inches across at the widest, and heavier than they look. Three came from the US and two from a Paris flea market.
They have been sitting on the living room bookshelves waiting for a decision. For four years.
Honestly, they are lovely as they are, and displaying good objects is a legitimate use for them. But after four years, some options.
Nine ideas
Coat or jewellery hooks. Mount them on a board and hang things off them. This is very close to what they already are.
On the table. Bring them to dinner and mix them in among the candlesticks. Turned wood next to candlelight would reflect beautifully.
Paperweights. They are heavy enough. Mount one on a round base for stability.
Awards. Mounted on plinths and handed out at a ceremony. Best Laundry Folder. Best Dog Walker. Best Beard. You would need very little excuse.
Door knobs.
Handles for large boxes, one at each end of a lidded crate.
Curtain finials, or tie-backs.
A hat stand. Several of them on a shelf, each on its own small pedestal.
A climbing wall. For an outdoorsy household, bolted to a wall in the garden. This may not be a serious suggestion.
That is what we have. Any other ideas?