NeoCon is where the design world comes together - three days bursting with new thinking, new resources, and new products topped off with networking opportunities, fun and parties. This is the largest design tradeshow of its kind in the world; an opportunity to view all that is essential to this industry whether it be related to healthcare, hospitality, residential or sustainable products.

This year, we had the opportunity to showcase some of our offerings, the most innovative of which is our Prints on Demand program. Available  artwork  can be printed in any size, on any of five unique substrates including aluminum, clear acrylic, bamboo, paper and canvas. This printing innovation breaks down the barriers that used to impose limitations on the choices available to designers and clients alike - it has truly revolutionized the entire design process.

In the Chicago area, hospitals and medical centers looking to de-institutionalize their ambience are increasingly turning to H. Marion Framing, as the perfect purveyor of healing images, from limited-edition to poster-quality to fine art, and now, on any substrate.

Spring cleaning time is fast approaching, and you may find treasures that you never knew you had. A look around the house could yield photos or objects hidden in an attic, an old trunk, or even a shoebox. These items often give glimpses into family history. What better way to preserve these memories than to frame them?

Snapshots and memorabilia tell a story, and are a nice way to remember a special person or activity. Embellishing the frame design with both a photograph and added certificate of recognition makes an impressive presentation. The person you are honoring or the family you are presenting to will have a memory to last a lifetime.

A nameplate with a description of the person’s accomplishments can also add to the design. Perhaps the person wrote something, and you want to use an excerpt beneath their photo. Collages of photographs or magazine articles can also be incorporated with a small commemorative plaque for a unique arrangement.

Whatever finished product you aim to achieve, we have the resources to create a beautiful custom-made mat and frame design for your project. We can frame your family photos using design styles and colors to achieve just the right look for your home. Whether your furnishings are contemporary or antique, we have the right design for you. A wall of family history is a pleasure for you and a conversation piece for your visitors.

Frames should complement both their environment, and the art they adorn. “From a design standpoint, our frames are seen as an interior finish,” says Marion, “homes employing finishes like hardwood, granite, real stone, custom millwork and designer furniture should have art and framing of a similar caliber.”

Whether the framing project is truly valuable or simply priceless, we are seeing a definite shift in trends regarding what clients are framing. More people are preserving or restoring family heirlooms such as antique photographs, hand-made textiles, and military medals. “We are seeing a nostalgic movement where people are reflecting on their heritages,” says Marion. He maintains this trend seems most prevalent with Baby Boomer clients. “When these clients come into the store, their aim is to surround themselves with framed memories, which tell a visual story, rather than an oral one.”

The right framing treatment not only enhances the presentation of your cherished items, it can also extend the life-span of items that might otherwise fall victim to damage from excessive handling and improper storage. No matter what your project entails, the Art Consultants at H. Marion Framing will ensure that the appropriate materials and preservation framing techniques are implemented so that your project will be around to delight future generations.

July 26, 2009, Rickey Henderson accepted his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, where he was presented with a plaque, commemorating a career spanning nineteen years and nine different teams. While there are dozens of amusing anecdotes circulating about Rickey’s quirky behavior throughout his career, our favorite is this true story about a $1 million bonus check that Rickey had framed for display in his home.

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Pam Rosenberg, IIDA, ASID

featured in the Winter ‘08 issue of ASID’s
Inside Illinois Newsletter