colors for walls

[Jillcpf]

Well My husband just bought a frameshop.
It needs a little ;) work so here is my querry.
What is the best color for the showroom walls?
I Know there is a study somewhere on the mental reaction of customers to the look, smell and sound, of a store. But I have not ben able to find any information on it.
Any information on this and layout in a very small space would be appreciated.
He takes posseson of the shop May 1.

Thanks all

Jill Hennes CPF

[CharlesL]

Jill!!
Congratulations!!! You go, girl!

I have no advice on wall colors, as Janet maintains that I am color blind. But, I am thrilled for you!!

Best of luck! I feel you will do well.

[Lance E]

Well... best you get working on that business plan then...

Blue is a draw colour (dark), don't use too much. IMHO using a colour such as a cream (most common colour used for interiors (here anyhow)) for your display areas makes much more sense as customers will feel more "relaxed" with their own home when they are in your shop.

As for layout there is only one way for me, put stuff where you think it looks right and feels right, walk in as if you want to get straight to the cash register and out again. Then ask yourself (or an observer) how much did I see and where did I go, the rest is obvious.

Best wishes for your new opportunity.

[CharlesL]

Jill, if you need some tools/equipment, I will look on ebay and send you the items. I have found some really good Stanley mitre vises, at a good price.
Let me know.

[Dermot]

Jill congratulations……way to go.

Cream colours are the choice for walls over here for most retail outlets including frame shops, white if the shop is mainly gallery.

Fittings are either very modern lot’s of glass counters display modules (laminated btw)and shelving with either chrome, brass or bronzed finishes flooring light to mid grey or some shades of blue are used or old Victorian/Edwardian counters, displays and shelving with wood flooring a bit on the dark side if carpet something to go with the furniture.

A good colour on the outside IMHO is dark red/maroon with some slightly dark cream to tie in, this is the presentation that the up market businesses use over here and also those business that want to give the impression that they have being around foe ever.

[H. Gibson]

Jill, congratulations on the purchase of a store.

For walls, the store I work at has a light grey carpet covering the walls. This allows us to move pictures around, without leaving any hole showing. We do this fairly often.

The only problem, we have never been able to sell anything with a grey mat.

Heather graemlins/icon21.gif

[Elaine]

Way to Go!!

I have had a lot of compliments on the color I chose for my studio and for my gallery. It is Ralph Lauren's "Cameroon Green" - sage color but darker. I find the color chips at Home Depot, but I don't buy the Ralph Lauren paint because of price - I have the Home Depot paint counter people do a color match and use the Home Depot brand. I also used "sail white" in a combination in the gallery - not white, but not cream, nice color.

I have found this color to be a very relaxing, soothing color and I even used it on the cathederal ceilings in my studio ! A friend of mine is into color and energy, etc., and said it was a great choice. But, its every person't choice, and the area and trends play a part on your choices. This works for me! Good luck!! I took my framing fulltime in september and have added a second location with a gallery and design area by April - things are going well, and I am loving every minute of working for myself.

Keep us posted!

Elaine

[Bob Carter]

Certainly not meaning to stir the pot, but isn't picking the high priced paint sample and getting it knocked off at Home Depot the same kind of thing we get riled about when someone takes our bid and design effort to Brand X for framing. All because it's cheaper at Brand X?

Hey, we've done stuff just like it, also. But the irony was too rich to pass up

[Framerguy]

I have painted the walls in my downstairs part of the gallery light beige, almost an off-white towards beige. White is too stark for me and I have alot of outside light in my downstairs from some old picture windows that were part of this old house when I bought it.

Upstairs, in what were originally the bedrooms, I used very pale shades of green with slightly darker green trim in my "prozac" room, a very light powder blue with slightly darker blue trim in my "kids" room, and a light shade of brown-yellow with a slightly darker "caramel" trim. The 4th room is the same light beige with slightly darker trim as was used downstairs.

I would recommend staying with pale colored walls or light neutrals as you can hang most any framed art on them and not put the framed piece in competition with the surrounding wall space.

FGII

[Merrill Grayson MCPF]

Bob, you've got the wrong idea.

It is the same as when one of your customers says, "My that is expensive, do you have anything less expensive?" and you change to a lower cost moulding from a different vendor.

Or like the difference between selling a 22kt gold or metal leaf.

[po' framer]

I think it's the perfect color when you can't really tell what it is, and you see different highlights in it depending on the art at the moment. We carpeted our walls too and it's been a good thing, as Martha would say.

[jframe]

Jill,

po framer is right, carpet is a good thing for walls. You,ll never have to worry about nail holes and other marrs like you do with paint. You won't have to repaint either. You can even hang your corner samples on it. It costs less than wall paper, less than faux finishing, and a little more than paint. Use the cheap Home Depot industrial/ commercial type carpet.

The walls where I work now are black which has a contemporary feel and works well. I have also used an "oatmeal" color (flecks of different colors) and a medium dark brown. Some folks think customers can visualize framed items being in their home when they are hanging on a warm neutral. On the other hand I believe Nona Powers used a vibrant purple and had great success with it. Think about the mood you want to project in your shop.

Good luck!

Jo

[Ron Eggers]

A small caveat about carpeting the walls, especially if you live in a city with inspectors. (If you don't, could I please have the name and location of your community?)

In my previous location (that would be #4) I had carpeting installed on my floor and walls at the same time - same grade and material, just complimentary tones. The day before I was scheduled to open, a couple fire inspectors dropped by and announced that I couldn't open for business until I had the carpeting removed from the walls. It was in violation of local fire codes. I pointed out that the carpeting was identical, right down to the installers, to what is installed in the county museum just down the street. Didn't matter. I had to go back to the manufacturer to get a written statement of the fire specs. Check on this BEFORE you purchase carpeting. BTW, the carpeted walls were great. It was like working in a padded cell!

Otherwise, pale, warm tones. Once you cover the wall with samples and art, it won't matter that much.

Ron

Ha! I just scrolled up to see who I was replying to. Where is your shop gonna be, Jill? Maybe you'll be dealing with the same inspectors!

[rosetl]

I'm surprised no one has said BLACK. I thought it was the framers choice for frame sample walls with all I've read of framers loving it. And, amazingly, the black Velcro type fabric hasn't seem to fade like colors have.

Still, I say, don't forget to use some color...look at color trends and pick accordingly with what you feel comfortable with.

Whites/Creams of the foamy fabric stuff get too dirty too fast though the samples are stunning on it. Dark colors fade fast -- so go medium all the way or be prepared to change more frequently.

My beige/oatmeal berber is my long term favorite--still looks fresh after 7 years--and I bought it as a remnant -- it's probably the most economical wall treatment I've ever done.

[CharlesL]

Originally posted by jframe:
Jill,

po framer is right, carpet is a good thing for walls. You'll never have to worry about nail holes and other marrs like you do with paint. You won't have to repaint either. You can even hang your corner samples on it. It costs less than wall paper, less than faux finishing, and a little more than paint. Use the cheap Home Depot industrial/ commercial type carpet.Jill,
Hadn't thought of that! I've been in at least 2 shops in NC that used carpet. One used black, and the other used a dark grey automotive, a la JC Whitney, carpet. Looks good, lasts a long time and the corner samples WILL stick right to it without using Velcro, which will often peel off under the weight of the samples.

Just make sure, as Ron said, that it meets local codes.

BTW: One shop I went in had had their wall carpeted, with the fancy 'style' plaques installed, by their LJ rep. Worth looking in to.

[Ron Eggers]

I think Jill is talking about showroom walls, not just the sample space.

What is the best color for the showroom walls?
I don't think I'd want a black showroom. Not in our market anyway. The carpet is worth considering for the whole showroom, but not if it comes down to a choice between buying carpet for the walls or a good matcutter for the workshop.

[Janet L]

Well, y'all are gonna think we're nuts when you read our colors. We share a store front with an artist. We're in one of the oldest buildings in our town. Extremely tall ceilings and plaster walls so we wanted to brighten the place up when we moved in. As you walk in our front door, the back wall is a buttery yellow, the wall to the right is a soft turquoise, the wall to the left is a soft lavender. All trim work is in stark white. EVERY customer that walks through our door comments on how refreshing our shop colors are. We like it and framed artwork can always find a complimentary wall to be hung on with these choices.

[Dermot]

Janet L

Very good suggestion without even seeing it I can feel it working.

[Mel]

Janet,

Could Charles take a break from glass cleaning and take a picture or two to post here? I'm sure I speak for others as well--I'd love to see your colors.

Then, would y'all go to my question about vintage poster reproductions and help me out? This is a customer worth keeping very happy, thank you. (Whine gremlin)

[nona powers]

Jo, I think where you got the purple idea was on an HH post and one of the people said they had purple and I agreed it could look smashing. I would not do a complete room in it however.

The look right now is to paint at least one wall with a rich full color. Not bright, but with just a touch of gray or black to calm it down. Never a bright red, but rather dusty rust, if that gives you an idea. It can work well with some framed art. Most museums now paint their walls with color but you do have to be careful. I've been in museums where the walls were just too bright and totally distracted from the art hanging on them. Using different colors on different walls can be invigorating, but again, make sure they don't get too bright. You do want to see the art first and with the most urgency.

Some art looks great on light walls and some looks good on dark walls. White would usually be too bright.

People tend to respond to warmth, stay longer and will spend more than with cool, especially gray. People don't like a cool gray that is very dark.

If you do a cream color, make sure it has an orange base and not a green base. The orange gives it a warm glow and the green can make it oppressive.

Nona Powers, CPF, GCF
www.nonapowers.com (http://www.nonapowers.com)

[Emibub]

Oh Oh, I think I broke every rule. I've got two very bright purple walls, the others are a very vibrant green. I also had a very ugly wallpaper border around the whole room and I painted that a very shocking pink. The border will eventually have words written in them (which is too long to go into here). Everything else is black and white. I did a black and white checkered floor, my counter is black with a white counter top, I reupholstered my wicker sofa in black and white toille(sp?). This place was so incredibly dull, I couldn't bare it. I'm going for a very eclectic look, I've got dressmakers dummies I'm using to sell pins on. I have an old iron baby crib which has a baby shadow box on it and eventually nursery type pictures. I have an old red and white metal kitchen table which is in the middle of the room it has my collection of odd photo frames. I bought a cool old mantel which is the focal point. I even have a bathroom sink, which usually has a framed mirror above it. Eventually I'll be selling soaps in that area. Sorry, I started off on a tangent. My colors truly are a bit wild and I have to say it has presented some challenges for displaying art. I have had so many compliments. I have heard over and over again that it is very homey, which was my intention, after all the customers art is going in their home. Of course I may have made them too comfortable, they aren't spending money yet. Thats why I have the sofa, I figure change is bound to fall out of pockets and that can help improve my margin, it is either that or turn them on their heads and shake it out of them!

Kathy
Out on a Whim Custom Framing

P.S. It is amazing what cold remedies will do for your conversational abilities, I just can't seem to shut up today. redface.gif

[JudyN]

Good luck on your venture ...
We just happen to be remodeling our sample area and adding a gallery. We went with black for the corner sample walls. We have a very pale green ( more toward the yellow side-called Bamboo ) and another wall a little darker green ( Safari )
We will add a plum or purple wall in the gallery area. All of these colors have a tint of black in them. Not too bright.
I am sure we will change it often .
The space is looking really nice...and a very upscale look.
We are building a design table with a black laminate top.....about 16 ft long. Another thing we have had for years is a mirror tilted 45 degrees and a design table below to lay artwork on so that it looks like it is hanging on the wall. We have had the mirror down for a few weeks while we work on the new space and our customers are lost without it and we are too. We will put it up again next week.

Judy Nansel CPF
Artshoppe
Bozeman, Mt

[jframe]

Right you are, Nona! Ah, the memory is a terrible thing to lose! I'm glad you responded to this topic, nobody knows color like you do.

Jo

[Amy]

Congrats Jill! Have fun and make money!
We chose two mat colors (Tru-vu 1958 and Crescent 1706) Translated ...rich sage green and burgundy. and went to the local paint store to have them mixed. We get sooooo many comments about our colors it's funny. Our frame wall is Black veltex floor to ceiling.
Last spring we repainted lavender and peach (8582 and 8595) it was very refreshing! Fall came, back to green and burgundy. We'd love to pick too more spring colors but our painter is on strike!

The local art museum started using rich colors about 2 years ago... Wyeth looks great on sage green! graemlins/icon21.gif

[Framing Goddess]

Another "yay" for color...
I have never liked white walls... remind me too much of apartment living...

Our shop walls are now yellow. It's nice and fresh, but not the best for art. We do have one wall that is eggplant (the wall that receives the most natural light) and it is dy-no-mite! I know of at least 4 customers who have painted walls at home this color once seeing it at the shop. Artwork looks very rich on it.

-e

[Alan Beitz CPF MPFQ]

When we first moved into our shop it was deadly dull boring pale grey. Had a chat to the landlord who told us we could do anything we like, as long as we kept customers coming the door. He didn't care, as long we were making a living and paying the rent. We finally repainted the show-room a beautiful cranberry colour in a velour effect. Good thing I'm a builder by trade cause I'd hate to have to pay a painter to put this stuff on. You do need a strong arm to swing the paintbrush cause it can't be sprayed or rolled. Any how it looks beautiful and everybody loves it. It really shows artwork up and compliments most colours. Two of our customers have had their Lounge Rooms painted the identical colour and finish so that's high praise indeed. Basically I am trying to say go with your gut feeling and see what happens and best of luck with your new venture. Regards Alan graemlins/smiley.gif