The design impact of a framed series

I have always been a big fan of large grouping of framed series, and two rooms at the Atlanta Symphony Show House had dramatic examples of this design element.

 

The first room, a downstairs office by Courtney Giles, was striking because of the impact of the framed birds in a relatively small size space. Note how the framed birds go all the way to the bottom of the wall.  Photo credit Design Indulgence.

The framed sea fans by designer Jimmy Stanton were the defining design element of the upstairs lounge.  The designer was in the room when I saw it, and I marveled at how perfectly the frames were hung.  Photo credit Jeff Roffman.

I thought I would look through my pinterest and inspiration files to see other examples of large, dramatic framed series.  This one caught my eye right away. Source unknown.

A large framed series above a sofa always strikes the right note to me.  Via ML Interiors.

Keeping with the botanical theme, this little nook was featured in Elle Décor (via Pinterest).  The smaller sized framed botanicals go floor to ceiling, even wrapping around to the adjacent walls.

Interior design by S.R. Gambrel – this is a group of 21. The color of the frames and the colors in the botanicals are ideally suited to the room.

Again, botanicals, which seem to lend themselves perfectly to framed series because of their quiet subject matter.   It’s the perfect solution to this space, and a group of 18 makes quite an impact.

This beautiful image, from Tone on Tone (I can’t remember if it is from the store website or Loi’s fantastic Tone on Tone blog)  shows a unique and beautiful way to display a framed series of 12 or more.

When crafting this post, I remembered an old image of a kitchen that has always been one of my favorite examples of a framed series.  This frames go from ceiling to the floor,  and feature mushrooms – a great subject matter for a kitchen!  Interior design by Carter Kay Interiors.

Occasionally paintings by the same artist are hung in a grouping, which is always dramatic. Via pinterest, art by Kirra Jamison.

A corporate install of Rana Rochat encaustics (via her website). 

This is a recent example of a clever framed series, in the Coastal Living House, interiors by Erika Powell of Urban Grace Interiors.

An old picture from my files - I saved the picture because I thought the framed series above the sofa was beautiful. Interior design by Angele Parlange.

A small scale framed series makes an impact both because of the number of items, and the subject matter. Via pinterest.

I also love the look of a large framed series that is hung symmetrically on either side of an architectural element, as seen in this picture. Via pinterest.

Another example of this style – 7 on each side of the fireplace, in a pleasing arrangement.

In Atlanta designer Lori Tippins’ beautiful home, she knew from the time she started to construct her house that this wall was going to be reserved for a series of framed antique egg prints. Photo credit Emily Followill, via Traditional Home.

When I visited Lori’s home several years ago, I snapped a picture of a large framed series of soldiers that she has displayed in her son’s room.

In my old house, I had a framed series of antique egg prints.

Photographs are sometimes used for a dramatic framed series, often in black and white.

Framed intaglios also make a great subject matter for a large framed series.

A lovely group of 12 framed intaglios is a central design element of the entry of this house, from a local real estate listing.

Of course, no post on a large dramatic group of a framed series can be complete without a look at the iconic dining room by Betty Burgess, graced with over 20 framed intaglios mounted on a lavender mat. 

What do you think of a large, dramatic framed series?  I love them, and would like to incorporate one in my house somewhere. Although I appreciate original art on the walls, I admire the look and style of a framed series too, and often a framed series is simply more of an interesting choice for a space.  It’s also an advantage to be able to custom size an arrangement to a wall or space.

If you have any great examples of framed series, please let me know – I find them very inspiring!

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Antique French Documents

http://www.thingsthatinspire.net/2013/03/antique-french-documents.html

I have always had a love for framed series, so when I saw this framed series in Veranda a few years ago, it caught my eye.

From Veranda, Nov/Dec 2010, via Cote de Texas, image source

A series of original antique French documents, framed beautifully in black with a bit of gold leaf on the inner lip of the frame.  There is something so fascinating to me about the script, written by hand hundreds of years ago, preserved through the years.

Original antique French documents are hard to find, so I don’t see them very often. However, I currently have a set of six available in the Quatrefoil Design store.  The documents are antiques, circa 1816, so they are one of a kind and totally unique.  They are custom framed in a hand carved, rounded edge frame with a bit of silver leaf on the inner lip of the frame. The outer measurement of the frame is 13 1/2” x 17”.

I – priced at $425 (click here for store item)

II – priced at $425 (click here for store item)

III – priced at $425 (click here for store item)

IV – priced at $425 (click here for store item)

V – priced at $425 (click here for store item)

VI – priced at $425 (click here for store item)

They would look wonderful hung as a series! Note: the frame and matting is identical in all of the framed documents, but the lighting of the photography makes them look a bit different. They were framed to be hung as a series, and are very consistent in real life.

Here is a set of antique French documents that I had custom framed and finished in the signature Quatrefoil Design ‘gilver’ leaf (a warm silvery-gold).  These sold to a designer back in 2010 (blog post on documents can be found here).

I have a large collection of unframed antique French documents also available, which we can custom frame to your specifications. Please visit the Antique French Documents section of the Quatrefoil Design store for more information.

Visit my ‘Art’ pinterest page for more inspirational ideas about hanging framed series.

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

Image via Quatrefoil Design.

I have always loved gallery style walls.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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!

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).

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

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

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/

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