DO YOU NEED A MIRROR?

There are so many benefits to incorporating a mirror in your décor!

Mirrors make small spaces feel larger, add variety to plain walls, increase light in dark areas, reflect the beauty of a fine piece of furniture, bring a lackluster room to life, and serve as a functional appearance check as you walk out the door. A custom framed mirror is the perfect addition to almost any décor.

Take this quiz to determine if you need a custom mirror:

Do you have an odd sized space?
Do you need to match a piece of furniture?
Do you have a space that needs punch?
Do you have a unique, hard to define personal style?
Do you want to create a focal point or conversation piece?
Do you have a dark area in your home?
Do you need to duplicate a scene in your home?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, you need a custom mirror built just for you! We can help!

Why do you need a custom-built mirror?

These days, it’s easy to find cheap premade mirrors; these mirrors tend to be flimsy and warped. When professional custom framers like us build your mirror, we are building it to your specifications – right down to the last detail – exactly sized for your space and your style. You get to be involved in the design process, choosing from hundreds of frame samples and mirror choices to build a unique, one-of-a-kind mirror for your home. Because it is built by hand, the quality is unsurpassed; pre-manufactured mirrors cannot compare to the care that our custom framers will commit to your framed mirror. Our framers will make sure your mirror will safely stand the test of time, hang properly, and fit beautifully in your space.

By simply changing the frame, you can design a mirror perfectly suited to your own personal style.

TIPS & HINTS

If you choose a mirror with a beveled edge, make the mirror large enough so that the edge does not interrupt the main reflection.

Only use one large mirror per room. Too many reflections can be visually confusing.

Avoid small ‘face only’ mirrors – save the small mirrors for trays.

Also …

Avoid small ‘face only’ mirrors – save the small mirrors for trays.

A mirror should take up ½ to ¾ of the viewable wall space if it is not bundled with other wall décor items. Balance your positive and negative space.

For tight areas like bathrooms, measure your maximum available space and make sure your framer knows your size limitation.

DID YOU KNOW?

The most primitive ‘mirror’ was looking at one’s reflection in a dark pool of water.

At one time, mirrors were quite expensive and rare. In 1835, German chemist Justus von Liebig applied a silver metallic coating to one side of a piece of glass. This process made mass production of mirrors available and mirror use became widespread.

Some cultures cover mirrors after the death of a loved one, believing that mirrors would trap the soul of the departed and prevent them from going to the afterlife.

Some believe that hanging a mirror (which represents the element water) over a fireplace (which represents the element fire) balances the elements of nature.

Hang it right the first time!

When you are ready to hang your mirror, consider these tips for proper placement:

  • Think about the tallest person using it – don’t make them bend down or visually cut their head off!
  • Look at what the mirror is reflecting – is it pleasing? Do you want that visual duplicated?
  • Don’t let a mirror startle you. For example, if you place a mirror directly in front of your door, you may get startled by your own reflection as you walk into your home.
  • Don’t place a mirror across from another mirror – your home isn’t a carnival funhouse.

 

DELIVERY & INSTALLATION

Mirrors are heavy and difficult to transport and hang properly and safely. Let us help!

We would love to deliver and hang your mirror for you! Ask us for details.

A Custom Framed Mirror Can…

...add visual interest to a specific area!

...match furniture!

...fill odd sized spaces!

...reflect elegant surroundings!

...lighten up dark areas!

...dress up boring bathrooms!

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Color of the Year for 2023!

COLOUR TRENDS 2023

Viva Magenta is Pantone’s Colour of the Year!

Viva Magenta! The top colour forecasted for 2023 has verve, and that is exactly what we need right now. Pantone© has declared the colour to set a trend this year because it merges the warm strength of the natural world with the rich, open horizons of the digital world. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, joyous and optimistic, powerful and empowering. It is assertive, but not aggressive; dynamic and bold, but fun; warm but also cool. The Red colour family is an energetic group, encouraging experimentation and self expression. Viva Magenta represents a positive future in an uncertain world. This colour provides a psychological power and grace, giving us the verve we have been grasping for.

WORD OF THE DAY:

 

Verve: (noun)

enthusiasm or vigor; vivaciousness; liveliness; spirit

 

PANTONE 18-1750

FUN FACT:

The origins of the magenta shade can be traced back to the cochineal beetle, which produces red carmine dye, one of the most precious natural dyes.
Image credit: Huge / Pantone

Art & Colour Consultations

Do you want advice on how to use colour in your home? It can be overwhelming to put a colour scheme together. We can help! Our design experts will help you pick out colours that match your space and style. We offer in home design consultations at your convenience. Call, come in, or email us to schedule an appointment

Remember Framing

Using Viva Magenta in Your Home

Many of us have neutral coloured walls and furniture. It is safe, but sometimes can be a bit boring. Make a stand out statement with Viva Magenta! Neutral spaces often beg for a focal point
something as simple as changing out sofa pillows with magenta ones might do the trick. What about a fabulous piece of magenta coloured art? Or a colourful chair? Or a floral arrangement? Or will you be daring and paint a single wall Viva Magenta for a dramatic look?

Last year greens were the IT colour, and many of us embraced them; they were a soft, soothing shade. Red and Green are complementary colours, so try pairing Viva Magenta with Valspar’s colour of the year, Green Trellis. The result will be a calm vibe, mixed with an energetic pop. Add polished silver hardware or frame and you’re set!

How are you going to use these colours this year?? 

We Can Help!

Colour Trends by the Century

Of all the amazing Colour Trends for the last 100 years….
….which decade do you like best?

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Why does the Frame cost more than the Art?

LET’S TALK TURKEY

Why does the Frame cost more than the Art?

Sometimes custom framing a simple, inexpensive print or poster winds up costing more than the art itself. A basic reproduction of famous art like American Gothic can be purchased for a few dollars. Custom framing that same print can be many times the original cost of the art. If you didn’t spend that much for the art, why would you spend more on your framing? Here are some of the reasons it’s hard to compare the cost of art to framing.

What affects the price of a project custom framed with wood moulding?

•Material it’s wood! A natural product takes time to grow and process. Hardwoods, softwoods, veneers, and pressed woods will all cost different amounts.
•Location of origin was the frame made in the Canada,USA, Italy or China?
•Production has the wood been hand carved or machine milled?
•Frame Finish has the frame been hand finished and/or gilded in gold leaf?
•Quantity this frame was ordered especially for you. Was the frame moulding purchased as length, already chopped to size, or pre assembled?
•Glazing is there glass or plexi? A non glare finish? UV protection? Optical coating?

Are you getting your money’s worth?

Framing protects your art from bugs, rips, and fading. A good framing display showcases your art so you can enjoy it daily. How can you really compare?

Grant Wood, artist of American Gothic

Grant Wood was an American painter best known for his paintings depicting the rural American Midwest. American Gothic was painted with oils on wood in 1930. The painting won 3rd place in a contest hosted by the Art Institute of Chicago, who then purchased it. The iconic house is in Iowa and is referred to as ‘The Dibble House’. Wood intended the characters to be Father & Daughter; the man was actually modeled after Wood’s dentist and the woman is Wood’s sister. The general reception was very favorable, but Iowans felt it made them look dowdy.
A Grant Wood landscape painting sold for $7 million in 2005, so you can imagine what American Gothic would fetch if it sold today.

Your World On Your Wall
Remember Framing

Big box shops will frequently mark their prices up specifically so they can mark them down and offer huge sales. Ask yourself what the true original price is before purchasing. Having us do the work ensures you will be happy – we guarantee it. Your dollar stays in the area, we do all the work right here, and we are well trained to assist you. You get what you paid for!.. and a bonus smile! Thanks for supporting locally owned businesses!

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How Did we Choose These Frames?

WHY DID WE CHOOSE THESE FRAMES?

 

 

Finding The Frame You’ll Love Forever

WHY DID WE CHOOSE THESE FRAMES?

Finding The Frame You’ll Love Forever

We know it can be a bit overwhelming when you walk into our shop and see a wall filled with hundreds of frame corner samples. Our designers are here to help de
mystify the design process, and show you some guidelines that will place the perfect frame on your art.

 

Go With The Flow

 

A modern take on a traditional frame color choice! There are a lot of gold accents in this abstract landscape painting, and the gold frame complements them without taking away from the focal point. The textural paint is matched in the wavy frame pattern.

Similar But Different

This rustic birch tree image is framed in a wood moulding that mimics the texture of the trees. A white frame could have been chosen because birch trees have white bark; instead, the colorful frame creates a warm feeling due to the rust-colored accents in the art.

 

Embrace the Culture

 

Sometimes it is best to honor the feel of the region/country where the art came from. This hand-embroidered silk art from Asia looks natural in a bamboo frame. Texture and tone complement the stitching while not overpowering this gentle piece.

Have Fun With It

You can’t deny how fun this art is! It needs a frame that can give it a musical vibe, one with movement. This frame design has a rhythmic element reminiscent of a drumbeat or piano keys. The blue tone of both artwork and frame encourages the viewer to relax and feel the chill energy.

Art & Design Consultations

Our designers can guide you toward that perfect frame for your art. We offer in home consultations, or you can stop in the shop at your convenience.

Poster Frames

Do you have a teen going off to college? Help them decorate the right way put that poster in a frame, rather than thumbtacking it to the wall. We have well priced poster frames perfect for dorms rooms and first apartments.

Design Preview

See It Framed Before You Buy It! We know how painful it can be to make a decision from a corner sample. But not anymore! We can show you what that corner sample will look like all around your art BEFORE you say yes.

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How to Preserve Your Vacation Memory!

HOW TO PRESERVE A VACATION MEMORY!

 

Old photos for framing

Taking A Shadowbox Project From Conception to Completion

Shadowboxes are sometimes called ‘Memory Boxes’ for a reason. They are the perfect way to showcase special objects and photos that celebrate a memory, achievement, event, or person. What better memories are those made on a beloved vacation? Relive those wonderful memories every day by putting them on display. We are experts in creating artistic presentations from your memories. All you need to do is bring them to us and we will create a one-of-a-kind framed shadowbox.

 

Here are the 4 steps to create a memorable vacation-themed framing project!

STEP 1:
Choose a vacation memory, such as the Caribbean Cruise you went on last summer.
STEP 2:
Gather all the mementos and souvenirs that relate to your theme – photos, tickets, clothing, mementos, medals, coins, maps, certificates… the more the better. We can curate while we design the project.
STEP 3:
Bring all of it to us. We will help you arrange them in an aesthetically pleasing way. Once we narrow down your items and layout, we can help you pick a suitable mat and frame.
Do you need those photos printed? Email them to us and we’ll take care of it! We know what size will work best for the layout.
STEP 4:
We’ll work our framing magic and present you with a framed memory to last a lifetime! Now it’s ready to hang so everyone can relive that magical Caribbean Cruise with you.

How easy was that?

Let’s take a closer look at our specific project:

When you bring your mementos to us, you expect the best, and that is exactly what you will get from start to finish. We organize, design, and create complex framing projects from your treasures. From creative ideas to hanging hardware, we provide innovative design and quality workmanship, so you can enjoy your memories for years.

Thinking about a Caribbean cruise?

Here’s a little about the Caribbean which includes more islands than you probably realize – 700 of them!

*If you want to surf or snorkel with sea turtles, look at Anguilla or Barbados, which also has over 15,000 Rum shops.

*Bermuda has pink sand beaches.

*If you like to hike, the Dominican Republic has the highest mountain in the Caribbean – Pico Duarte. St. Vincent in the Grenadines provides many hiking trails capped with active volcanos.

*Are you a foodie? Don’t miss Grenada. It is called the “Spice Island” for its nutmeg, allspice, clove, and cinnamon production.

*On the Turks and Caicos’ islands, you’ll find some of the best beaches in the world. Grace Bay Beach is famously beautiful.

*Chocolate addict? St. Lucia has a centuries-old tradition of cacao production offering “bean to bar” estate tours, chocolate spa treatments, and cafés and bakeries doling out sweet treats.

*Music lover? In Jamaica enjoy live reggae while eating jerk cuisine.

*The Panama Canal is one of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever built. But don’t be in a rush – it takes an average of 12 hours to pass through.

Museum© Glass

If you’ve used Museum© Glass, you know how wonderful it is. If you haven’t yet, now is the time to try it! When you want to be able to see each and every item, Museum© Glass will provide amazing clarity while protecting these valuable mementos from UV rays and fading.

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