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Saturday, June 26, 2010

The quest for a gallery wall, and introducing the architectural renderings


I have always loved gallery style walls.

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This striking example is from the portfolio of the architectural firm of Bates Corkern, as seen in Cottage Living.

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The Louis Phillipe mirror, combined with sketches, giclees, and lithographs in random sizes and shapes, is incredibly beautiful.

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A very French and very unique gallery wall, as seen on Trouvais. The beautifully displayed items add a layer of interest to the room.

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A more geometrically arranged gallery wall, using framed of different finishes, makes a visually pleasing vignette.

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A favorite from a recent project by Beth Webb, one of Atlanta’s most talented designers. She combines framed elements with a mirror to great effect.

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One of my challenges has been sourcing sketches and renderings that are worthy of a gallery wall, of interesting size and shape, and within the budget too. Ever resourceful, I decided to start creating my own gallery wall based on architectural elements that I love. Image via Quatrefoil Design (taken in low light – see close up pictures for natural light colors).

I approached one of the most talented architects in Atlanta, Jonathan Lacrosse, to collaborate on a limited series of architectural renderings for the Quatrefoil Design store. Jonathan has won awards for his superb skill at architecture and architectural drawings – among his achievements are the Measured Architectural Drawing Prize awarded by HRH the Prince of Wales in 2008, the Neel Reid Fellowship Prize, and the 2010 Georgia Award for Excellence in Restoration. Jonathan was also selected as one the ‘top 10 under 40’ designers in Atlanta by AH&L in recent years, and had a significant role on a Shutze award winning project in 2006. The picture above is a glimpse of the amazing renderings that Jonathan created for the Quatrefoil Design store; they can also been seen in the Architectural section of the Quatrefoil Design store - http://www.quatrefoildesign.bigcartel.com/category/architectural.

Jonathan created an initial set of five graphite renderings based on historical architectural elements; the renderings are reminiscent of 18th and 19th century engravings, and recapture an art that is all but lost in the modern day world. Each original rendering is a one of a kind; art quality giclees were created from the original rendering in an exclusive and limited production of 100. Each giclee was individually produced through a high-resolution, high-fidelity process using a special large format art printer on thick archival art paper, and is signed and numbered by the artist. The giclees are exquisitely and finely crafted, and as detailed as the original. The renderings were designed to be hung alone or as part of a series.

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The first in our exclusive series is a charming rosette. This rosette is surrounded by a moulding motif referred to as “bead and reel”, and is drawn from the Augustan Cornice from the Temple of Concord. This cornice is currently displayed in the Tabularium at the Musei Capitolini in Rome, Italy. http://www.quatrefoildesign.bigcartel.com/product/architectural-rendering-rosette-limited-edition (Please note: the watermark image is for internet display only, and does not appear on the renderings).

A series of four rosettes are planned, this is the first.

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The renderings are custom framed and matted, with a French line to subtly emphasize and outline the rendering. The standard frame has slim lines and can be finished in gilver (silver with a very light wash of translucent gold) or matte black. http://www.quatrefoildesign.bigcartel.com/product/architectural-rendering-rosette-limited-edition


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The second in our exclusive architectural series is a detailed bracket. This bracket that modeled for this piece is from the famed Owens-Thomas House in Savannah, Georgia, designed by English Architect William Jay in 1816. The bracket is one of four which help support the unique porch above; it was on this porch that the Marquis de Lafayette addressed the citizens of Savannah during his tour of the United States in 1825. The porch and brackets are made of cast iron and were manufactured in Birmingham, England, and are possibly the first example of the use of structural iron construction in the United States. http://www.quatrefoildesign.bigcartel.com/product/architectural-rendering-bracket-limited-edition

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We also can also frame in matte black. http://www.quatrefoildesign.bigcartel.com/product/architectural-rendering-bracket-limited-edition


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The third in our exclusive architectural series is an egg and dart fragment. The model for this rendering was a fragment salvaged from a historic Tennessee Theatre (which has recently been restored). The fragment shows examples of two types classical architectural elements: Egg and Dart and Dentils (the Latin word for teeth). Examples can be found all through antiquity, from the Acropoplis to the ancient Roman Forum. During the Renaissance these motifs were reintroduced into Western Architecture and continue to be used to this day. http://www.quatrefoildesign.bigcartel.com/product/architectural-rendering-egg-and-dart-moulding

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Here is the egg and dart fragment framed with the hand rubbed gilver finish. http://www.quatrefoildesign.bigcartel.com/product/architectural-rendering-egg-and-dart-moulding


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The renderings are custom framed and matted, with a French line to subtly emphasize and outline the rendering (also available without the French line). The standard frame has slim lines and can be finished in gilver (silver with a very light wash of translucent gold) or matte black. A detail shot of the French lines and the beautiful gilver finish on the frame. This is custom framing at its best.

All of the architectural renderings are available unframed, and an upgrade frame is also available; please see online store for more details.

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The first three of the series, framed in a matte black (this photo was taken in low light; please use other photos as color reference). As we add to the architectural rendering collection, I will expand the view of this gallery wall!

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For scale and proportion, I photographed the bracket, egg and dart, and rosette on the same wall (different times of day…the Farrow & Ball clunch on the walls changes color throughout the day based on the light).


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Also, newly created but not yet framed is the Palmette, or Anthemion Frize. Drawn from an existing example in Oakland Cemetery at Atlanta, Georgia (Atlanta ‘s oldest continuously used historic site), this rendering represents a Palmette Frieze, a series of artistic motifs which resemble the fan shaped leaves of a palm tree. The palmette is also a symbol of rebirth and resurrection. Incidentally it is believed that the fleur-de-lis is a variant of this ancient motif.

http://www.quatrefoildesign.bigcartel.com/product/framed-architectural-rendering-palmette-limited-edition


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And, finally, the last in the initial series of renderings – a Greek key (or meander). It can be hung either horizontally or vertically (as seen above).

The term Meander recalls the twisting and turning path of the Meander river located in present day Turkey. It is a motif that has been used throughout antiquity to our current day, in Western and non-Western cultures. This particular example was modeled after a design used by Architect Philip T. Shutze on a door for the Regency styled offices of the Insurance division for the Historic Citizens & Southern Bank in Atlanta, Georgia.

http://www.quatrefoildesign.bigcartel.com/product/architectural-rendering-greek-key-limited-edition

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Here it is seen horizontally. I am going to have my Greek key framed horizontally, as I think a horizontal element would make a great addition to the gallery wall I am starting. http://www.quatrefoildesign.bigcartel.com/product/architectural-rendering-greek-key-limited-edition


All of these beautiful architectural renderings are now available on the Quatrefoil Design store. Each design was created in a limited series of 100, and will not longer be available after the initial 100 are sold. Once I get the Greek key and the palmette framed, I will post the architectural rendering gallery wall as it evolves!

Please visit the Architectural section of the Quatrefoil Design store for more information, and email if you have any questions. Each order is custom framed the client’s specifications, so the matting can be made larger or smaller as desired. We framed these first renderings with a 4” mat. We also offer a thicker, deeper frame for an upgrade per frame (see store for more details). Also available unframed.

http://www.quatrefoildesign.bigcartel.com/category/architectural

Email: quatrefoildesign@gmail.com

Do you have a favorite? I love them all, but have a particular fondness for the rosette.

Please note: the watermark on the images is solely for the purpose of internet display, and is not on the actual architectural renderings. Copyright 2010, Jonathan Lacrosse; copyright remains with the artist. Please do not use images without express permission.

http://www.quatrefoildesign.com/

To visit my store, Quatrefoil Design, click here.

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28 comments:

  1. Great idea Holly! I particularly like the egg and dart fragment - the egg and dart motif is in my house in a couple of places.

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  2. The renderings are beautiful! I look forward to seeing what you do.

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  3. Do I ever love these, no surprise to you I'm sure. It's even better that these are drawn from local buildings. Congratulations.

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  4. I love these! They are just so, well, classic, of course. I think you might also like the works of one of our local DC designers, a former protege of Thomas Pheasant, whose watercolor architectural sketches are stunning: Michael Hampton.
    http://www.michaelhamptondesign.com/watercolors_portfolio.html

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  5. You go girl! I love that you know what you want, and go out and make it happen. We all benefit from it when you bring your amazing creations/ inspirations/discoveries to the Quatrefoil Design store!

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  6. I LOVE your posts!!! I dream decorating and have been in the business for years, but have no connections now...I pray to get back in the business some how! Your images are EXACTLY the type of inspiration and high quality decorating that I surround myself with in my home and long to do in others....Keep posting inspiration and beautiful ideas! Thanks for making my day a little brighter. Sincerely, Stephanie~

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  7. Gorgeous renderings. I love what you're doing with Quatrefoil Design.

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  8. Beautiful selections! I love architectural renderings mixed with other black and white art. They are such wonderful reminders of the rich history of our profession,

    Cheers,

    Claudia

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  9. Holly these new renderings are just too fabulous! I love them! You have such equisite taste!

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  10. These are terrific, I love them.

    http://kat-kathleenjackson.blogspot.com

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  11. These are beautiful Holly -- and they would go so well with your intanglios. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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  12. Another wonderful collaboration Holly! My favourite would be the Palmette.

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  13. These drawings are beautiful and elegant. I would expect nothing less from Quatrefoil Design!
    I'm so excited to get my intaglios! I think I may need to get a few of these as well.
    What a wonderful addition to the Quatrefoil line.

    xo
    Brooke

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  14. I love all of the pieces you've shown. I agree with you, architectural etchings are a lost art. I love the look of these renderings, and I espcially love when these are original pieces. I think great minds think alike because I just posted about my love for architectural prints two days ago!
    Nancy

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  15. What a brilliant idea! I'm very partial to the rosette and greek key motifs....this is fantastic.

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  16. I have always loved gallery walls and you have supplied us with some excellent examples. The architectural drawings are exceptional, Jonathan LaCrosse has done a beautiful job.

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  17. i'm so happy to count you as a new follower! thanks so much for your sweet comment on my blog.

    i love a well-executed gallery wall and these ones are no exception. the architectural renderings are stunning — i'm off to check them out now! enjoy the rest of your weekend.

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  18. I already had the idea to use some architectural prints that I have for what I call Refrigerator Art, but please, try not to gasp, haha, so I was delighted to see you highlighting various ways that they could be displayed and thought you might like to see another use for the idea. You have a great site, thanks for all the inspiration that you give to us.

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  19. Bravo...these are wonderful! I'm posting on Tuesday more about our trip to Paris, including Notre Dame, which the rosette and bracket remind me of. I took some great photos of the architecture...it was and remains truly amazing.

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  20. I am new to your blog and really enjoyed it.
    Thanks so much.

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  21. My goodness, aren't they all gorgeous! I'm a big fan of the rosette. I had a friend bring me a reproduction of one from England a few years back that I use as a paperweight in our library. I love your image of the dining room with the gallery around the mirror. My daughter just finished a week at the Savannah College of Art and Design and I wanted to frame everything she created! {And she's just 15.} I'm thinking that I'd better start my own gallery wall and this was the perfect inspiration. Thank you!
    xx Suzanne

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  22. Beautiful post!
    Thank you
    David @ Ashfield Hansen Design

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  23. So pretty. I am a particular fan of the rosette. Great addition to the store!

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  24. Those renderings are truly magnificant! I love them!

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  25. I love these!! I want to find some old blueprints. I love the deep blue color and the clean lines of the design. And I like anything old, that was hand drawn!

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  26. So beautiful Holly - I adore the rosette but I think the bracket is the one for me! Great idea!! xo Terri

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  27. Beautiful art! Have a gorgeous weekend xx

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Thank you for your comments! I strive to make my blog positive in tone, and appreciate the same courtesy when comments are made. Thank you!

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