Gallery Design Ideas

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C

Curly's Mom

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Joined
Nov 11, 2000
Posts
788
Loc
Morristown, NJ
It's been 10 years since I opened my business in this location and time for a redesign. I have a Art Gallery consisting of 3 rooms (1500 sq.ft.) and a Framing Showroom (1000 sq.ft.) Any thoughts on redecorating? i.e. wall colors, lighting, drapes, etc. Currently walls are basic white, carpet charcoal grey, 3 large picture windows with mini-blinds. Thanks
 
Curly,

You have come up with a doozy.

It reminds me of my autobody days. One Sunday morning a lady called me at my home and asked if I couldn't give her an estimate on the damage to her car over the phone so her husband could have an idea what to look for when he took the vehicle around to get written estimates the next morning. Now I had never seen this vehicle when it was in unwrecked condition let alone creamed in the rear end.

Point is, Curly, I am missing the visual impact of the situation. I am sure that somebody out there is preparing a draft for you at this moment on what to do. I don't have the imagination to visualize what your shop actually looks like and, like giving that lady an "estimate" over the phone without actually seeing the extent of damage, I don't feel like I could offer much to work with.

I do wish you good luck in your renovation work and hope that it turns out to your liking.

Framerguy
 
Lighting is everything. Absolutely NO flourescent. I have a mix of halogen and incandescant. Also have invested in some very creative halogen light fixtures I found at www.lightbulbwarehouse.com
---Mike
 
I would also like to suggest a bit of color.
We have one wall that is painted "eggplant"-very dramatic- and some artwork really pops on that wall. And things that have not sold from the yellow walls, WILL sell from that wall.
I also use a lot of table lamps to keep things warm and cozy-lookin'.
I guess it depends on the look you want to achieve.
 
FG,

I bet that wall is gorgeous!!

Has anyone ever had a red wall? I'm thinking of one red wall, one black for the gold and silver samples, and one khaki (think Burberry). Or does this do something physiologically or psycologically nasty to some people?

Michael, your light bulb site is temporarily under refurbishment, but I've bookmarked it. I'm in the market for fixtures, as well. Did you ban fluorescent lights in the workroom part of your shop as well?

Good subject, Curly. :cool:
 
I've never been a fan of how frame shops display the corner samples. For my shop I bought flashing, took all the velcro off my mouldings and used business card magnets trimmed to the backs of each corner sample. It looks great! I've covered the top and bottom of the flashing with tin roof shingles for that industrial/rural/heylookythere feel. People always comment on my wall and I have noticed that another local frame shop has borrowed my idea. Means she has been peeking in my windows when I'm not around.
 
Curly try www.columbapublishing.com I believe Vivian Kistler has written a book on gallery design and layout, I think PPFA site has books on this subject also. Personnelly I like green walls
cry.gif
with green carpet :rolleyes: and green lights. :D
Jim
Ohio
 
Don't you have any interior designers for customers? Might be worth hiring one to help make the big decisions. Pictures of what you already have would help. Some ideas worth a thought:

Better lighting is always a good place to start.

Different colored accent wall in each of your 3 rooms?

Miniblinds suck...dump them. When they're up they're ugly and with them down you end up with those nasty lines reflecting off the artwork. If you must have something for light control try Silhouetts (sp?) (those translucent fabric blind thingies). Personally I'm not big on drapes in a retail area.

Maybe some cornices on the windows either fabric or use fancy frame mouldings? Low enough to hide the ugly miniblinds but not so low as to block the light.

New design counters? One shop I know of uses antique tables, they've set them up on carpet covered boxes for added height (just a thought).

Upgrade the framing hanging on the wall if you haven't already. Go as high end as possible...if you don't show it you won't sell it.

Or do it the easy way and just open a can of really smelly paint and slosh it around a little everyday so it just smells like you're making some changes. Your customers will then look around just to see what's different. You get the advantages without the work!
 
Hey CURLY - I just did this 1 1/2 years ago after a car crashed through my front window and destroyed my front room!

LIGHTING - for every dollar you spend you will get $100.00 in impact

KILL THE BLINDS

COLOR - I have eggplant for my carpet. Everyone comments on how sharp it is. The rest is silvery neutrals and light woods. www.hudsonriverimage.com for a peek.

ACCENT WALL - try a rag/sponged finnish. Not like the stuff you see in crafty magazines. Do a monotone ( three shades of the same color )it is less intense, and just like speckle tone mats is more open and forgiving to the colors of the art you hang. HIRE A PRO. I bartered with a guy, after watching him work for hours, I was glad I did not tackle it myself. Good Luck !!!!

HEY MEL - That combo sound great! High energy and classy. But black on a whole wall? IT WILL IMPACT THE LIGHTING AND ENERGY OF THE WHOLE ROOM. how about trim? or lots of hardware and fixtures.

HEY KATIE - PLEASE, PLEASE post photos of your metal corner hanging system. It sounds fantastic.
And remember - immitation if the highest form of flattery, (stealing too!)
 
MEL
I do use flourescent in the workshop area.

I wasnt aware the lightbulbwarehouse site was down. Here is their ph # 800-495-5554.
I recently received a 1 page flyer I would be happy to fax if you would like.

Also, check out Tech Lighting
www.techlighting.com
773-883-6110
for some REALLY cool stuff. A little more of an investment but well worth it.
---Mike
 
Michael,

Is there a chance you can post a couple of photos of your shop? Sounds inspiring. Thanks for the lighting sites. I'm still browsing, and if you know of more sites, I'd be appreciative.

Eric,

The black wall would only be a small one, or a portion of another larger wall to show off the golds and silvers. In my mind's eye, your idea of the black trim is very good--and it should be glossy. :cool:
 
Hey Mel - I was just at Decor/Expo and outside I saw a woman with a Burburry's scarf on and I thought of your color idea. What bothers me is that the scarf caught my eye before her beauty. Do I take all this stuff too seriously?!?

Also try www.usalight.com
 
Hey, but it caught your eye, right? Whereas her beauty may have never caught it. ;)

Besides, I'm not selling my showroom, just the framing. :D
 
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