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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

The intaglio decision (feedback would be much appreciated!)

I have been asked numerous times for my source for framed intaglios at a reasonable price. My source is Quatrefoil Design, which can be found online.
I have had a fascination with framed intaglios for years, even before they started to become so popular. 


Recently, when visiting a neighbor, I saw some framed intaglios that were both beautiful and reasonably priced. The picture above is an example of the framed intaglios. (For more information on purchase of the framed intaglios, please see the Quatrefoil Design Store)



I am possibly going to get a set for my front hall. I would love an opinion from my readers....do you think this would be a good place for a set of framed intaglios? I did a rough markup on the walls with painters tape (seen above - I could not make an outline for the upper level as I am not very tall, but you get the idea). If I do intaglios, I am debating whether to do 6 more spaced out, or 8 hung a little closer.



I used to have one painting in this space, but took it down years ago. I was planning on putting three paintings, 18x18 each, but I have a 24x24 square painting at the top of the stairs (seen in the picture above), and I thought it would be too many square paintings. Also, the painting at the top of the stairs is very colorful, so something a little more subdued would probably work better.


Or, I could put nothing there! Thank you in advance for any opinions and advice you might have.

Please visit Quatrefoil Design for more inspirational images.

28 comments:

  1. Folks need to get up close to appreciate the intaglios. I don't they the look their best from a distance. My eye goes straight to that colorful abstract at the landing. I love having a window at the landing.

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  2. I think a group of 8 would look great... like you have taped off.

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  3. Have you considered perhaps putting 4,6, or 8 together to form a bigger square or rectangle?

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  4. I would agree with Terry that they are probably something you want to see close-up. I like small images (objects in your case) displayed in hallways and places where you can stop and inspect closely. I struggle with this in my house, because I also like small and delicate art (I have quite a few ethcings) and find they require prime real estate.

    But I do think that stairwells need something. Mine are empty too and dreary, but I am not very good at deciding what to put there. I don't want it to be knocked down. I do think a collection looks nice, like you mapped out with the tape. But your intaglios might be too pretty to not be "seen". Sorry I'm not much help. xo T.

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  5. Thank you for the comments everyone!

    Yes, intaglios are nice in a place where they can be appreciated. I have two other places in mind where they might work - in my family room, or in the front hall across from my mirror. I think 6 in a rectangular shape would be very effective there.

    I once worked with a designer who said that it is better to have a wall empty than to put the wrong thing there...I think of this at least once a week when looking at my blank stairwell! I do love looking at that bright and cheerful painting at the top of the stairs, though.

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  6. Oh I agree - six would be stunning in the front hall across from the mirror, where they could be fully admired!

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  7. no - put there where you can stop and enjoy them, not just running up and down the stairs

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  8. I agree with everyone else that they should go where they can really be seen. I also LOVE the advice of leaving a wall empty rather than just "filling" it with the wrong thing. i think people make this mistake with their whole houses all the time. A lot of our art is till sitting on the floor since we moved (my husband is so frustrated) but I want to wait until I am certain of where it goes. I love intaglios though and think they would look great in the right spot.

    Kim

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  9. The good thing about having multiple small frames is that they can be moved or rearranged as your needs change.

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  10. Yes, I am going to buy them (they really are a bargain) and put them wherever they look best. There are several places they would work, even if they don't end up on the stairs.

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  11. I agree with everyone, they need to be seen up close to be appreciated, plus they are not enough contrast on the wall - they blend in too much to the background color. I have a photo somewhere if I can find it of a stairwell blanketed with art, like charcoals and watercolors in different frames and mats, if I find it I'll send it over to you! It looked great!

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  12. Don't give up on the stair wall. I think it's a natural place for a gallery. I'm with "avidHOME." The one's I've liked best are overstuffed with art/pictures in a variety of subjects, sizes and frames. I'd rather have too much than too little. It can be a place that stops guests (and your family) in their tracks every time. You can try things out, move things around, mix things up. I'm not the right person to tell you how though.

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  13. I like the idea of the framed intaglios on your stair wall. They are more neutral so they won't compete with your beautiful painting and yet they provide interest along that long wall. I like the idea that they aren't in a rectangular pattern (again because of your other artwork as well as just being more interesting to look at). They will still read as one art piece. I enjoy the artwork I have on my stairway every day, several time a day. I walk up and down my stairs constantly. Why shouldn't those walls be pretty?

    xo
    Brooke

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  14. I have a folder full of images (on my computer) of the most beautiful stairwells with great galleries of framed pieces placed seemingly randomly, but there is probably some sort of order. It looks beautiful, but I think it takes time to create a collection like this. I do have one piece - a framed oil on paper that I have never found a home for - that would be a great starting point.

    I love these advice posts, you guys always have the best suggestions!

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  15. I agree with Joni. They need to be a more prominent focal point. I know an antiques dealer who has beautiful intaglios for about $425 a piece. I'm not sure what your price range is. I know they can add up so quickly. They can be seen here:

    http://paloma81.blogspot.com/2009/01/fresh-perspective-enlightening-home.html

    You should post this on Decorum. You might be able to get some more feedback. Good luck with your project! I am sure the end result will be beautiful.

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  16. I should have mentioned in my post that these framed intaglios are only $75 each - which is a real bargain. The other framed intaglios I have priced are $425-$1200 each!

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  17. I always love when I see framed pictures hung up a staircase, but in my own life I find it a rather tricky proposal ( laundry baskets, kids, dog running up and down stairs etc.)..

    so in my own house to add visual interest going up the stairs I installed a chair rail to break up the wall- wallpapered above the rail with a Pierre Frey toile and painted a solid color below the rail to balance out the 'busy-ness' of the print. This treatment continues through the upstairs hallway.

    The wall paper is so pretty to study there is no need to put anything else on the walls.

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  18. Hi! I'm an intaglio collector and I can tell you you can't appreciate how wonderful the small details are if you can't walk up to them. A little dangerous and maybe tricky on a staircase. Also, the difference in price I'm sure has to do with whether they are original 19thc or modern plaster casts. I collect 19thc. examples in red wax. They also come in natural wax and plaster usually bound on the edge and numbered (as part of a larger collection). Modern plaster casts are very inexpensive and can be purchased in bulk on ebay and look great framed as do the antique ones. Both ways are wonderfully decorative.

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  19. I was inspired by your Jan 29 Showhouse that featured groups of 6 and 3 pictures in the entry designed by Robert Brown. I like this arrangement so much I hope to duplicate it. I prefer it to the stair-step placement, but I guess it might make the intaglios hard to see up close.

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  20. It appears that the majority vote is to go for it and I would agree. I love collections on stairways. Although I'm not familiar with intaglios it seems appropriate to hang them on the stairway wall because you'll have a chance to see them up close.

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  21. I am part of the design team at Soicher-Marin.
    www.soicher-marin.com We sell to designers and decorators and have a great collection of reproduction intaligosfrom England on our web site. We do them encrusted in seashells and red twig coral or turquise for designer Suzane Kassler- They are mounted on an antique freanch farm log from the late 1800's They are amazing! If you want to search our web site gallery look at images P-5251,P-5479,P-5129,SK-0130, SK-0131 Call me if you need wholesale costs. 310-729-7710 jen

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  22. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your comments to this post, thank you!

    I bought the intaglios today. The frame is quite beautiful, but the intaglios are definitely reproduction, and not even the best repros I have seen, but the effect is very good and these are purely decorative.

    I have received quite a few private emails suggesting that I put the intaglios at the top of the stairs, or a Mora clock at the top of stairs, since the piece of art there is a little small for the space. So many great ideas!

    I want to thank each and every one of you for your feedback, and feel free to comment or email if you have another suggestion or want to put in your 2 cents. I have a thick skin, constructive criticism is appreciated.

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  23. PS - check out the website of the website of the person who commented - Soicher-Marin - SK-0130, SK-0131 are beautiful!

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  24. I'm torn, the tape you have up is already better than nothing. I think they would look great there as a statement but only if you can get a look at them on your traverse up and down. I love a mixed art wall as well. And, I know the second one is cheaper but I love the contrast of the matte on the first.

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  25. I have to admit I'm biased toward uneven numbers in general, multiples of 3 in particular- I vote for 6. The way you taped it off is very helpful. I'm sure whatever you do will look great! Thanks for your blog- I always enjoy it.

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  26. Everyone is giving you such great advice. I was going to say I would hang them about 15" lower. Lovely idea! That's right this is your week of art! I look forward to seeing what you end up with!

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  27. I would like to see them started lower on the staircase wall, intaglios are beautiful!

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  28. Hey I really like your blog…!
    I am regular visitor of your blog..
    Sir i would request to write more about green architecture...
    architects ,architecural , interior designers Bangalore , interior designers in Bangalore , architects bangalore

    ReplyDelete

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