Here are some of our latest projects. Enjoy!
Category: Vintage
Gallery Walls
Gallery walls are a great way to make your home or office a place that feels just right. Here are some articles that you might want to check out before designing a gallery wall.
- Apartment Therapy has dozens of articles pertaining to gallery walls.
- Here’s a great collection of gallery walls from Better Homes & Gardens.
- The New York Times also shares ideas for creating gallery walls.
This is your area so don’t be hung up about breaking the rules! If you think that it works, consider it! Many of the articles suggest not using the same frame for the entire collection. In the above photo, our client wanted to unify his family photos by using the same frame for all on of the items on his gallery wall. For his situation, it works.
Don’t be afraid to add three dimensional objects of different shapes and sizes to your gallery wall. A flea-market find, souvenir from vacation or family heirloom is an appropriate addition. Refer to Instagram and Pinterest for unusual ideas and layouts.
If you have a large amount of items to be framed for your wall, take your time, plan it out and work with an experienced framer who will help you through the process. Since it can be time consuming it’s best to call ahead to reserve a time period.
Here are a few pointers for hanging your gallery wall:
- Cut out the shape of each item from newspaper or kraft paper and use painters tape to arrange the cutouts on the wall to experience the final effect.
- Lay the arrangement out on the floor near the wall to see the overall balance before committing to making holes in the wall.
- Make sure that the items have proper hanging hardware. Wires attached to D-Rings used with professional picture hooks work in most cases. Frames with sawtooth hangers in the top center often get knocked down and should be used with caution. Screw eyes frequently come loose over time so you might please consider other options.
- Don’t be afraid to hire a professional installer. If you cannot fit it into your schedule, don’t have the proper ladders or simply don’t enjoy the process, contact us and we can refer you to some local installers in the Philadelphia area.
In Memory of Dad
In honor of Father’s Day I recently custom framed my Dad’s high school photo. This original photo is dear to me because it was displayed in my Grandmother’s dining room on top of the china cabinet. I have fond memories of the 1920’s house at 2522 North Second Street in Harrisburg, PA. Growing up, I always admired the beautiful soft photography and how well that it captured my father. This photograph survived several damaging floods from the Susquehanna River throughout the years when most of the house contents were destroyed.
The framing is masculine and suited for my father. He was always well coordinated and stylish. My Dad loved neckties and the pattern of the frame reminds me of the patterns that he used to wear. I added an engraved plate so that he will always be remembered. I will add some details to the back of the framed photo so that others will know about his life. Stop by Whispering Woods Gallery to see this and many other examples of our fine custom framing. Do you have a memory that you would like to preserve? I am happy to help.
“Vintage is Now” Day 30 – My First “Bad Hair Day”
Today we complete the “Vintage is Now” photo series. We end it with a photo from the beginning of this framer’s photo album. This was the first photo taken of me and I was obviously starting the pattern of bad hair days.
This is a small photo with a simple rag mat embellished with five ruled French lines. I framed this years ago and it still looks classic. It hangs in a grouping in my home with other vintage photos. It makes me smile! Thanks for watching!
“Vintage is Now” Day 29 – Where will our images be 100 years from now?
As our month of showing vintage photo projects comes to an end, we wonder what will become of the photographic images of today? Photos like the two above have been treated well over the years. When our customers bring in vintage photos to be framed, we frame them to be protected and enjoyed. Sometimes we scan and reproduce so that other family members can have their own copies.
One hundred years ago, a printed image was precious. Times have changed due to digital photography. Most images are stored and not printed. It is so easy to lose a flash drive, hard drive or other storage device. Will our descendants be able to access our photos from dated devices?
Right now, a printed photo is still the best way to preserve an image. Having a digital back up is a smart idea too. Do you have a plan for your photo storage?
Thanks to Gary of Holland for letting us share his framed photos of his Mom. We know that he will enjoy the framed photos for years to come.
“Vintage is Now” Day 28 – Grandparents Remembered
Welcome to “Vintage is Now” Day 28. For the past month I have posted a framed vintage project every day.
For those who visit our shop, you will see this restored framed photo with the original, which has a crack across the faces. This was one of the our first photo restorations, and one of my favorites. These are my grandparents, most likely taken in the late 1910’s. There are only a few photographs of my grandparents together as my grandfather was killed in 1929 in an automobile accident. When I look at them I remember all that they have passed on to me. My grandfather was a successful businessman and my grandmother was a gracious and giving woman.
The design of this piece is elegant. I used two suede mats and beaded fillet between the mats and in the lip of the ornate frame. I truly wanted this to look like the most important photo in my collection. Although my grandparents are no longer with us, they are remembered every day. We are happy to help you with your vintage project. Just give us a call.
“Vintage is Now” Day 27 – WWII and more
Today’s project was for a customer that I will always remember. A few years ago Karl came to me with several military medal projects to be framed. Karl and I worked on one project at a time, framing his grandfather’s and father’s German military medals. Karl was a retired college professor so he enjoyed telling me the history of each project.
The third frame consisted his own medals from WWII. I noticed that his medals were the same as my father’s Army medals from WWII. Karl’s regiment preceded my Dad’s regiment. He enthusiastically told me details of his experience in Europe as an Army interpreter for Felix Sparks. He answered my many questions. At the holidays Karl came back and presented me with a book called “The Liberator” by Alex Kershaw which is an account of the liberation of Europe.
On April 29, 1945 Karl was part of the 45th Infantry Division that helped liberate the 30,000 starving prisoners of Dachau. Thanks to Karl for sharing his story and for serving our country.
“Vintage is Now” Day 26 – Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Guitar Strings, Photo and Guitar Pick
Welcome to “Vintage is Now” day 26 where I feature a vintage photo of American blues musician Stevie Ray Vaughan, his guitar string packets and a guitar pick. Combining a photo with objects helps to tell the story. We frequently frame signed photos of musicians, sometimes with posters and concert tickets. Many of these items are purchased on Ebay, from dealers or at auctions.
The frame was a simple black and silver Larson Juhl frame that was deep enough to accomodate the packets. Museum Glass was used to prevent glare from the black mat.
Stevie Ray Vaughan was killed at the age of 35 in a helicopter crash. We were glad to frame this meaningful collection of items from a musician that left our world too soon. We know that the owner enjoys it.
“Vintage is Now” Day 25 – JFK Mass Card
During my 31 years of framing, I have framed just a few funeral Mass cards. This is one that I will always remember. This was a Mass card honoring John F. Kennedy. I framed it for Judy of Holland quite a while ago. It was an honor to frame it and I felt that I was contributing to preserve history. I was just a year old at the time when JFK was assassinated.
The framing was simple, functional, and period appropriate. An elegant ruled line in gold framed the mat opening. A second piece of glass and several mats were added to the back so that both sides could be viewed. We added an “Easel Mate” so that it could sit on a shelf. Museum Glass was used on the front to cut down on the glare.
Judy acquired this by way of a family member. There are some available for a fair price on Ebay.
“Vintage is Now” Day 24 – Here’s Lucy!
We restored, colorized and added some fun type. What a great birthday gift
Welcome to Day 24 of Whispering Woods Gallery’s “Vintage is Now” series. This is an example of how we think “outside of the frame.” We started with a small original 1956 black and white snapshot of Lucy the Elephant, my Mom and sister. It’s special because my brother is in the photo too, he’s just barely showing… Lucy is smiling and my sister is a positively precious toddler!
We have many creative elements. Our designer carefully colorized the photo and added fun type to replicate large letter vintage postcards. The vintage style frame choice is perfect for the theme and for the shore home where it is now displayed. The clear beach palette colors work well in a shore setting. Fun mat cutter embellishment were added to the top mat.
More than sixty years later Lucy is still delighting visitors in Margate, NJ. Do you have a favorite family photo? Let us create a fun piece that will be a family treasure for years to come.
“Vintage is Now” Day 23-Teaching Certificate, Ring and Photo Restoration
Welcome to Whispering Woods Gallery’s series of vintage photo projects. Every day in April we are featuring a custom framed vintage photo project from our shop.
Today’s project dates back to 1910. We framed three very dear items for Mary of Holland, Pa. The Chicago Kindergarten College certificate and photograph had been previously framed and had sadly suffered damage due to improper framing materials. We scanned the photo, fixed the imperfections digitally and made a new copy for this project. We used the original certificate, covering the discoloration with the oval mat. We sewed the ring to the backing board so if needed, it would be in it’s original condition.
The frame’s pattern mimics the flourishes of the Copperplate pen and ink writing. The warm tones of the mat and frame work well with the three items. Having a three dimensional object in the frame makes the project come alive. Do you have an idea? We are happy to help! Stop by the Gallery to see similar projects.
“Vintage is Now” Day 22- WWII USS Rawlins
This photo reprint of the USS Rawlins was recently framed to celebrate a 90th birthday for a sailor who served on this ship in the South Pacific during WWII. We were asked to include the ribbons of this very young sailor who was anxious to join the war.
We love the patriotic colors and we thank this fine soldier for protecting our country!
Whispering Woods Gallery 