by Alyssa Taylor

The choice of frames on artwork makes a strong impact in the design of your home.

Jan Marion of H. Marion Framing and his team of designers have been in the framing business for over thirty years and has acquired a lot of useful knowledge on the subject.

Lead Design staff of H. Marion Framing at the grand opening of their new frame studio in Wilmette's Edens Plaza.

“There are certain techniques and materials that need to be used so that your art will last,” he says. “Both from a preservation standpoint but also from a quality of raw materials, we need to make sure that your piece will look as good in 5, 10, 50 years as it does the day you pick it up in the frame shop.”

When framing a collection of prints, drawings, or photographs, it’s wise to frame all of the pieces in similar profiles, giving the collection more impact, drawing attention to the work itself.

Many designers select simple black, ebonized frame profiles or a soft nickel or gold-leaf finish.

Marion explains that frames should complement their environment, as well as the art they hold. “From a design standpoint, our frames are seen as an interior finish,” he said. “A home that has exquisite finishes like hardwood, granite, real stone, custom millwork and designer furniture should have art and framing of a consistent quality.”

In their new Wilmette showroom Marion and his head designer, Pam Rosenberg offer numerous options for frame moldings and pictures. (more…)

before renovation

When we first considered leasing the retail space in Wilmette, we were challenged by the expansive wall of windows that took up nearly 40% of the pie-shaped store. We required more display space than our walls offered and so we were challenged to come up with an efficient & user-friendly way to display not only our gallery of framed artwork, but thousands of frame moulding samples as well. We solved this problem in a successful and space-efficient manner: by developing an innovative system that incorporates stacked, hanging panels which slide open to reveal additional layers of fabulous frame mouldings.

With just 815 sq. ft. of space, the new H. Marion Framing location is highly illuminated, with two walls of natural light beaming through the heavily windowed store. These unique features allowed us to implement a dramatic, yet neutral color sheme, and to employ unconventional hanging systems and display easels to effectively showcase a range of artwork sans the walls on which to diplay it. This method of layering creates the illusion of a much deeper and more spacious showroom than actually exists.

“We’ve made creative use of a small space,” explains Marion, “the new store is as visually striking as it is user-friendly. We succeeded in creating a design that showcases our beautiful collections of moulding and gallery of fine art in a way that is inviting from any angle, either from within the store or to window-shoppers and passers-by.” The space is itself, a work of art.

Serving the design needs of the North Shore since 1973, H. Marion Framing first opened up its doors in Wilmette, but moved its operations to other northern suburbs. Now, Marion has circled back to the company’s roots and couldn’t be happier. “It’s a really beautiful space; we’ve risen to the occasion in designing the new store and I can’t wait to share it with the people in my hometown.” says Marion.

Clients trust H. Marion Framing Studios because of employees’ artistic knowledge, use of conservation framing techniques and superior end-product. Regarded as an industry leader in every sense, H. Marion Framing Studios are committed to satisfying their customers no matter what challenges arise.

Jan Marion of H. Marion Framing shares a few tips with Roma Moulding about putting your best foot forward when approaching “how good design works.”

Storefront display at H. Marion Framing

There is no one, indisputable way to decorate a frameshop or art galley in a way that gets customers’ attention and makes a unique statement about what the staff does. Different shops can decorate their spaces in entirely different ways and from entirely different design perspectives and still enjoy great success. There are a few key, important things to keep in mind, however, such as the importance of creating window displays that peak the interest of passersby and designing interior spaces that show off the best products and services a shop has to offer. Several retailers have found that applying sound principles of design and merchandising to their decorating schemes and including high-end frames such as those from Roma Moulding help to ensure that they are putting their best design foot forward.

(more…)

Whether your facility is building a replacement hospital, giving a face lift to an existing space or preparing for a complete unit renovation, the main three factors which will insure a successful project are: design, design and design. After the floor plan has been created and wonderful interior finishes have been selected, chances are something resembling art will go on the wall. A good art consultant will make sure that art is not arbitrarily selected for the walls. We need to work with the architect and the hospital administrators to tailor an art program to suit the community served, the function of the unit and the philosophy and vision that the hospital wants to convey. We need to keep up with the latest research on art in hospitals and healthcare design trends through continuing education, attending art shows and industry round tables. This type of research allows the consultant to understand which types of images reduce stress and promote healing in certain patient populations or in certain medical arenas. In other words, a geriatric unit will require different art than a pediatrics unit; a heart transplant unit will look different than a birthing unit or an emergency department.

(more…)