rlowis2
Grumbler in Training
have a client who brought in several pieces of art she wants to hang in the bathroom. I guess I am concerned about the stean from the shower. Any advice would be of help
Opinions Wanted art in the bathroom
- Thread starter rlowis2
- Start date
MIK
SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
I have both original and poster art in my bathroom. Framed in metal and wood and matted,either either single or double. The pieces have been hanging for over 10 years with no signs of damage to the artwork or mats. Maybe I'm just lucky. Advise the customer to watch the mat and if they show any signs of warping or water stains, then remove the pieces from the location.
I tell customers it's okay to put art in a powder room; however problems will arise if it is in the main bathroom. Depending on the usage of the shower (number of people using and duration of showers/baths ie teenagers take forever!) I suggest that art stay for short terms or not at all and never original watercolours.
If the customer really wants art in the bathroom, I recommend prints behind glass and tell them to expect to replace them once they show signs of water/mildew damage.
Monitoring them is essential.
If the customer really wants art in the bathroom, I recommend prints behind glass and tell them to expect to replace them once they show signs of water/mildew damage.
Monitoring them is essential.
I second the advice already given, and would add that if it is a shower-taking bathroom, advise them to open a window a bit and then fan the bathroom door open and shut a few times after the shower. This helps to more quickly clear the room of steam so it doesn't have a chance to build up and cause problems. Not a perfect solution, but it does help.
Rick
Rick
Bob Doyle
SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
I've got print hanging in the bathroom at home. They've been there for over 5 years. No damage to them, and it's the main (Maine? 
) bathroom. One is hanging above the toilet, less than a foot from the shower, no damage. And I have a son that is already taking 15-25 minute showers. My wife also has all her prized family photos in the bathroom. Great collection of mini frames and photos covering the wall. Well 1/3 to 1/4 of the way there so far.
But yes, monitor it, if you see signs replace it. Tell customers to be sure that artwork isn't irreplaceable, but that it is there home and to enjoy it the way they want to
) bathroom. One is hanging above the toilet, less than a foot from the shower, no damage. And I have a son that is already taking 15-25 minute showers. My wife also has all her prized family photos in the bathroom. Great collection of mini frames and photos covering the wall. Well 1/3 to 1/4 of the way there so far.But yes, monitor it, if you see signs replace it. Tell customers to be sure that artwork isn't irreplaceable, but that it is there home and to enjoy it the way they want to
I have always advised customers not NOT hang 'good' art(as in prints are ok but picasso is not) in bathrooms. I also advise against frame finishes that will attract/catch cotton balls/klenex(sp) as in if they do they will also attract dirt/dust/mold(i live in FLA). I try to talk them into acrylic not glass(better 'non' conductor of humidity).Then I use a plastic tape to 'seal' the edges of the glazing and the backer. then I tape the backer/frame edge. Then I glue tyvek to the frame(ensure you have it facing the correct direction).
dont know if any/all of that does any good but it sure cant hurt(& I feel better about it) but it's about all one can do to help keep moisture incursion to minimum, yes?
dont know if any/all of that does any good but it sure cant hurt(& I feel better about it) but it's about all one can do to help keep moisture incursion to minimum, yes?
Jeff Rodier
SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
I have a double matted photo printed on Epson Enhanced Matte paper with Epson ink hanging for over a year now. Living at the beach the shower gets used quite a bit and we have lots of visitors regularly. Top mat is a smooth paper bright white. This was done as a test and the bathroom gets very steamy even though the exhaust fan is wired into the light switch. No problems and the room takes several minutes to clear the steam after the showers have ended.
Never suggest hanging good art in there but for typical designer art there should be no problems.
Never suggest hanging good art in there but for typical designer art there should be no problems.
Just curious...Who`s eye level for hanging?..... sitting on the john or standing? L.
j Paul
PFG, Picture Framing God
I remember reading that art should be hung at the level for which it is normally viewed.
IE, in a hallway where it is viewed standing, center of art should be at average eye level. In a living room where normally viewed in a sitting position, then at eye level while sitting.
So same reasoning would follow for the "john" but it is even complicated more if you are hanging art for a guy or a gal.
Jeff Rodier
SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
Ours is at guys eye view because for the ladies it would need to be mounted to the back of the door
Bogframe
SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
I have this one on my bathroom wall:
Those aren't thumbtacks, are they?
Rick
(Or would that be Crumb-tacks?)
Rick(Or would that be Crumb-tacks?)
Pat Murphey
SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
I remember reading that art should be hung at the level for which it is normally viewed.
IE, in a hallway where it is viewed standing, center of art should be at average eye level. In a living room where normally viewed in a sitting position, then at eye level while sitting.
So same reasoning would follow for the "john" but it is even complicated more if you are hanging art for a guy or a gal.
Not complicated at all - just attach a cable from the lid to the art.
jsuth
CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
I have this one on my bathroom wall:
Seth,
Martha Stewart has the same print in her bathroom.
I only put krapp in my bathroom.
Couture's Gallery
PFG, Picture Framing God
art at eye level..for the guys, standing up..for the gals, sitting down..rig it up to the toilet seat ( some engineering required) so that it moves up and down the wall or door when the seat is raised and lowered.....can you tell it's slow around here?
I have a Picasso in my bathroom, at "eye level".
Rick
Rick
janetj1968
PFG, Picture Framing God
I usually recommend open edition art only for bathrooms...nothing that's not replaceable. Some people have no problems...and I've redone pieces that look like they were soaked in a river and left to dry.
Oil paintings hung above a fireplace make me cringe, too.
Oil paintings hung above a fireplace make me cringe, too.
Baer Charlton
SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
My brother had three girls (only 30 minute showers each), then adopted 7 more. They had cheap WalMart, Goodwill, Target on sale type poster art (with paper thin plex glazing (?) or none. Not once did I walk into either bathroom and find the posters wrinkled or damaged. (other than the occasional toothpaste splatter on the poster with all the barn animals.... Ricky liked to brush his teeth as he stood looking at all the animals)
With cheap hygrometers thoughout my house, I've never found the bathrooms to be more than 5% above the ambiante. [thats after my wife who still likes to drain the 80gal hot tank with the heater on instead of the vent fans.
]
AND I have never had the audasity to dictate where or what my customers hang. Their art, house, life, money. Funny, I've never had them complain either.
Canvas / oils over a fireplace.... I have no problem either. When my aunt died in 2007, the Robert Wood seascape that they hung over their fireplace in 1959 finally came down. Other than a little cleaning of the cigarette smoke, it was in fine shape... as was the Mexican frame he used to slap them into. I replace the liner, Old Englished the frame, the cleaning was $200 and it was fresh as could be and up onto her sons fireplace for another 50 years.
the secret it seems is 1" stand offs on the bottom. It levels the plane of the painting, and allows the heat and cold to waft by.
Yes, I've heard all of the old framer's tales about the "extreme heat" and cooling. Well, if that were true, you wouldn't see people putting tapers on the mantles or they would melt as they do when in the windows of a desert house in the summer.
With cheap hygrometers thoughout my house, I've never found the bathrooms to be more than 5% above the ambiante. [thats after my wife who still likes to drain the 80gal hot tank with the heater on instead of the vent fans.
]AND I have never had the audasity to dictate where or what my customers hang. Their art, house, life, money. Funny, I've never had them complain either.
Canvas / oils over a fireplace.... I have no problem either. When my aunt died in 2007, the Robert Wood seascape that they hung over their fireplace in 1959 finally came down. Other than a little cleaning of the cigarette smoke, it was in fine shape... as was the Mexican frame he used to slap them into. I replace the liner, Old Englished the frame, the cleaning was $200 and it was fresh as could be and up onto her sons fireplace for another 50 years.
the secret it seems is 1" stand offs on the bottom. It levels the plane of the painting, and allows the heat and cold to waft by.
Yes, I've heard all of the old framer's tales about the "extreme heat" and cooling. Well, if that were true, you wouldn't see people putting tapers on the mantles or they would melt as they do when in the windows of a desert house in the summer.