No ideas here but I hope you get some good ones. I have a steel design that my dad made for a window for a go-between room in the house I grew up in. Dad passed away and I have his welded creation with no idea what to do with something so heavy. I'll be watching to see what you decide to do. Good luck.

Joanie38 - when I figure something out I will post a picture. For some reason, maybe it's the way I post the subject, I don't seem to get many answers on my posts. I'm feeling overly sensitive today because I'm starting to take it personally. Can you believe that. Feeling bad over posts that are hardly answered by strangers. Go figure. Maybe it's like not getting picked to be on a team in PE class. I never was very athletic. Thanks for your one and only answers.

Winker, don't take anything personally! I think you'd get a lot of responses if people could see what the items are that they're supposed to get creative with. :o)

A tall window can mean something different to everyone. How big is it? One year for Christmas I hung an old 48 X 24 window on the wall like a picture, decorated it with ribbons & greenery and tucked Christmas cards into the edges between the glass & the window frame. It was unexpected and got a lot of attention that year. :o) The next year I turned it the long way, added cup hooks to the bottom of the frame and hung stocking from it. It was pretty cute too!

Are you wanting to use the gate inside or outside?

I've seen garden gates used as headboards and vice versa: in fact, I want a pair of twin sized to use for railings outside. If you aren't into the rusted look, you can have it sand blasted, but make sure the person doing it knows you don't want the details obliterated. It'll have to be painted or sealed after sandblasting, as any moisture in the air will cause it to very quickly rust again. If it's very decorative, you could always sink a pair of posts in the yard and hang it outside. Not necessarilly along a fenceline, just to frame a view.

Does the window have the original glass, or is it just the frame? What about adding a mirror behind to use in a bath?

What about mounting the gate above a buffet or other antique cab instead of a mirror or picture?

Lean the window against a wall (somewhere no one will accidently put their foot thru it) and then hang a wreath on a wide ribbon down the middle of the window. Or mount the window over a bufffet or cab and glue some antique botanical prints on the back side of the glass so it acts like a large frame.

Thanks for the ideas. For now I am just going to lean it in a corner of my bedroom (vaulted ceiling - highest on that side of the room) and the height of the window will work well on that tall wall. I hung a wreath on the front and draped a sheer throw over the side. Looks nice.

Hi Winker! I just want to say that I know how you feel when you don't get a response to a post. So many times I feel I leave a post that closes the entire thread! Hope I don't your thread, tho!

Another thing: It's hard to picture where the window and iron gate will go because I've never been to your home and can't picture the perfect place. Sometimes posting a photo of either a problem area or the newly acquired item goes a long way. Being on the Garden Web forum I wonder if you are a gardener? I hung out on that side so long it was only recently that I even browsed the home forums. Many gardeners love the iron gates to support their climbing plants like morning glories, sweet peas, cucumbers or pumpkins....anything viney. I'd love to see your window. I do have a few panels of leaded glass that we removed from my in-laws built in buffet when they were remodeling. They sat in my garage for about 10 years before I saw someone else mount them with chain and hang them on the wall. I'm attaching a link to a photo album to show you. HTH.

Here is a link that might be useful: window idea

Just noticed your thread, winker, and had to post! I love old windows and also old wrought iron things.

I often use old windows in my decor, either propped on a window sill or my mantel. I use them as is, just scrub them well but leave the layers of paint showing - I love that shabby patina. If there are loose flakes of old paint which could contain lead you can clear coat it. I've also had mirrors added to old window frames (as well as old picture frames).

I have part of an old wrought iron gate and just love it. It's a one-of-a-kind item as my DH took apart a very shabby old gate and made it into a lovely piece. It's hanging between our great room and the kitchen. Heavy things like this need to be firmly attached to the joists of course.

Am adding a link showing many ways old windows have been decorated. May not be your style, many are quite "country" for my taste but there could be inspiration there.

Here is a link that might be useful: lots of old windows here

I just saw your post.Guess who just just came home with 2 cast iron gates today?? We are using them for the front of a custom radiator cover that my DH will build in the kitchen. We bought 2- they matched but it turns out we only need one- we didnt have the measurements.Dang it, now I will need to find a place for it! The other will go on a wall somewhere... :)

Winker, could you find a way to post a photo?

It seems to me that posts with photos get a lot more attention -- maybe because decorating is such a visual thing...

You say you bought a window and a gate, but from those words, I don't get an image in my mind. How big are they? What do they look like? A photo would help us understand your situation so much better.

I just opened this thread in the hopes of seeing a photo, because I love things like old iron gates! - sorry but if there hadn't been any other responses I wouldn't have said anything either. It's true, it's just such a VISUAL thing.

I would still like to see photos, if you have a way to post them :)