CasaSugar

Ask Casa: Framing Fine Photography

CasaSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:13 -0800

Hi Casa,

I am adding, for the first time ever, fine photography to my apartment. However I am at a loss when it comes to framing styles and arrangement.

One set of four photographs is horizontally-oriented and black-and-white. I'd like this set in my bedroom but don't know how to arrange them so they look more interesting seeing that they're all horizontal. Tips? Regarding framing them, I'd like to know which types of frames (color, matting, etc.) you recommend for my room seeing that the walls are white but most of the accessory pieces in my room are either antique brown wood or a few wood pieces I've painted bright coral and Yves Klein blue. Are white frames my best bet? Can you frame b&w photographs in brown wood?

The other set of photographs are two color photographs, also horizontally-oriented, that will be nearly facing each other on opposite walls. Tips on framing, matting, and color? They need not match, do they?

I appreciate any tips you might be able to offer me!

Best,
Daniela

To see my suggestions for Daniela, read more.

Hi Daniela,

How exciting! First of all, I wouldn't worry too much about making them "look more interesting" - adding fine art to your home will instantly give it a face-lift regardless of how it's arranged! But, I'll give you a few tips.

As for color, I do think white frames are your best bet. They won't compete with the artwork, and they go with everything. But, you can also go with silver or stainless steel for a more contemporary look. And yes, you can definitely frame black and white photography in brown wood. Another option is to use frameless glass clip frames, which have a more contemporary, minimal look.

I'd say for the set of four photographs, keep the frames cohesive. If you want to choose two different mat colors for the set, you can do that to give it a little edge. But don't get too crazy, maybe go with a gray mat.

For the set of two color photographs, go with a white or off-white mat. For the frames themselves, you can do two different colors or finishes if you like seeing as they'll be on different walls. Select colors that will make the images pop. But make sure the two colors don't clash.

As for arrangements, one option is to use picture ledges. This style allows you to easily move around your photography when it's feeling stale. You can also add a smaller piece of artwork, or even a knickknack, to play with scale. A layering effect (setting one frame slightly in front of the other) is nice, too.

You can't go wrong with a box-shaped arrangement. Just make sure you keep them evenly spaced.

You can also hang two rows of frames a bit off-kilter from one another. It should be enough that the arrangement doesn't look like a mistake, but not too much that the bottom frame is hung between the top two. If you choose an off-kilter arrangement, make sure the distance between the top two frames and between the bottom two frames is the same.

Or, if you happen to have a really long wall, you can hang the four of them side by side. This will give you more of an art gallery effect.

Hope that helps!
Cheers, Casa

Source and Source

Cool Idea: Urban Curators

CasaSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 05:30:22 -0700

Urban Curators is a Providence-based project that highlights "interesting and unexpected areas of urban environments," aiming to celebrate the decaying and the overlooked. Gold, gallery-style frames are hung over urban graffiti, mossy walls, layers of peeling, wheat-pasted posters, or brick peaking out from a building's exterior. In other words, the frames urge passersby to acknowledge the beauty or the cultural value in the derelict. Much like photography, this "curation" crops out the whole picture, focusing in on a singular element of an environment. I've seen empty frames hung on interior residential walls before, but never highlighting this sort of decay. If there's a place or wall in your home that needs a little fixing up, perhaps you might frame it à la Urban Curators until you can afford a remodel?
Source

Cool Idea: Instant Photo Frame

CasaSugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:00:51 -0700

Sherwood Forlee is the New York-based design engineer who created the HomeHero Fire Extinguisher, the winner of the 2007 IDSA Gold Award and a much blogged about home-safety item. But, Forlee's forté isn't only in saving lives, he also rescues photos. With framing costs high and limited space in our homes, many of our photos get thrown by the way side, never seeing the light of frame. With his Instant Photo Frame though, Forlee has made it possible to frame every photograph we take. By downloading this frame for free, cutting out its interior, and placing it in front of your camera before you take your photo, you'll have an instant (and free) frame for every photo you snap. To see how it works, read more.

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Have You Had Your Artwork Custom Framed?

CasaSugar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:00:02 -0800

If you're starting your art collection, you've probably encountered the need to have your artwork framed. Unless your piece is a standard size, your bank account is in for a rough ride, since custom framing can be costly. Have you made the plunge?

Source

Do You Frame Children's Artwork?

CasaSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:15:06 -0700

A recent SFGate article tackled the question of what to do with children's artwork. Although I don't have any kiddles myself, friends' children have given me some lovely drawings, and I've often displayed them on the mantel for a while. However, I've never gotten around to framing anything. In the article, one mom is noted to "proudly displays walls' worth of her children's work. Her family's guest bathroom is covered floor to ceiling with art by her 11- and 13-year-old daughters."

Are you in this camp, or do you chuck the little ones' art in the recycling after it's served its time on the mantel or fridge?

Source: Flickr User Childrens Book Review

Su Casa: Ndchristine's Smartly Arranged Frames

CasaSugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:00:58 -0700

After moving into an old farmhouse a few months ago, Su Casa member ndchristine and her husband have slowly been updating the place, as time and money allows. I love how she has hung the frames behind her television. The organic arrangement works with the low placement of the TV, rather than fighting it - as a single, large frame or painting hung above it would. She's also balanced the frames to the right of TV with a set of candlesticks to the left. So chic and perfectly imperfect! I also LOVE her kilim rug that's peeking out there; what a good find. Have you made any changes to your home recently? Be sure to post them to our Su Casa group!

Love It or Hate It? Empty Frames

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:12:48 -0700

I think the beautiful styling of these photographs taken by Trine Thorsen makes this use of empty frames as decor work. But, I'm not sure how great they'd look if the mantel weren't arranged just so, and the dining table weren't unusually dressed with vases and a lamp. I think it might look the homeowner hadn't finished a framing project. What do you think?Source

Gift Guide: Silver Baby Frames for Parents-to-Be

CasaSugar — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 12:00:41 -0800

As you may know, the Sugar Network recently welcomed lilsugar to the team. To show them how excited we are for their arrival, we've decided to kick off the CasaSugar gift guides with gifts for new parents or parents-to-be.

I can't tell you how many parents I know (ahem) who never got around to making a baby photo album for at least one of their children, or framing their baby's first photo. This holiday season you should make it easy for the expecting or new parents in your life by giving them an elegant silver baby frame that they can cherish for years to come. You can make it a lot easier for them by including a gift certificate to a digital online print shop (Kodak, Shutterfly, etc.) with the frame, or by printing and including a photo of their wee one with the frame.

To make this a lot easier for you, I've selected several silver baby frames at various price points that you can give to your favorite parents-to-be this holiday season.

kate spade Silver Elephant Frame, Blue - $40.00	Reed & Barton Bunnykins Frame - $60.00
Cunhill Sterling Silver Frame - $164.00

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Fall Style: Crafting a Fall Landscape With an Old Frame

CasaSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:30:42 -0700

Have you been hanging on to a pretty frame that's missing glass? Not sure what to do about it? Well, take a cue from crafty lady Disney and create a three-dimensional picture with it.

Disney writes, "I've had this gorgeous black frame with no glass for a long time, and I finally thought of something to do with it! My dining room wall has a bird theme, and as I was about to clip the hanging wire off this frame, I thought "Hey, it kind of looks like a telephone wire! Just needs birds!"

Disney cut out crows from craft paper, and attached them to the wire. Then, she hot glued twigs from her yard to create trees.

This is such a smart re-use of a glass-less picture frame, and so fun for Fall decorating. It would be a great art project to try with your crafty friends or your children, and an unusual way to add some Fall or Halloween charm to your home. What a great project!

Etsy Find: Belt Buckle Frame

CasaSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 05:30:00 -0700

Since I recently suggested you repurpose your belt buckles as frames, when I came across a belt buckle for sale used in the same way, I couldn't help but share! The Domestikate Custom Belt Buckle ($26) was originally used to hold polished rock and gemstone pieces, and it has a D-ring on its back side, so it can actually be used as a buckle or just as a decorative frame. I love its 1970s Western theme, and think it just begs for a black-and-white cowboy image inside. The seller will print your photo to size and set it in the frame with a plastic protection sheet in front. Pretty neat, huh?