Our unfinished hallway
Home of Kate and Andy Spade, published in The World of Interiors, Dec'06, designer Steven Sclaroff.I have long been inspired by the 'salon' look of Kate and Andy Spade's foyer and have decided to try and create a similar look in our hallway (pictured above). It is a rather long hallway (twenty five feet in length), eight doors and a lot of wall space.
Right now I am in the process of framing and reframing some of our art. Having looked at several rooms I admire over the past few weeks (see below) it feels as though many of our pieces were framed ad hoc over the years. There just seems to be a general lack of cohesiveness. However, I don't want a matchy-matchy look either. Unfortunately framing a work of art is a significant expense, so I want to get it right this time. I'll keep you posted on the progress...
Upper East Side home of Camilla and Carl Sorenson, published in Elle Decor, Dec/Jan '05, designer Steven Sclaroff.
Home of San Francisco art dealer Martin Muller, published in the book San Francisco Interiors.
The Venetian home of Lars Rachen, published in The World of Interiors, Dec'06.
Another view of Lars Rachen's home.
Home of Nicolas Berggruen, son of the late renowned art collector Heinz Berggruen, published in the book Bright Young Things.
Framing is indeed an art and a major investment.
ReplyDeleteInvest in what you love! The art and artist will thank you! Your hallway is lovely and I for one, cannot wait to see it "framed"
Thanks Patricia! I can always count on you for kind words and advice.
ReplyDeleteI think any part of the Spade's apartment is a fantastic inspiration point! That article is what started my love of 'the world of interiors' and I've since collected about 20 yrs worth! haha
ReplyDeleteYour hallway looks beautiful, I can't wait to see it 'finished'!
Thanks Be the Change! I so agree with you...it's one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see your hallway in all its glory!
ReplyDeleteI just got the greatest tool... a laser level. I had hung a long row of pictures by eyeballing them when i moved into my house. when i got the level, i checked and they're almost perfect. one's about a half an inch too low, but i am not worried, since it's the last one.
ReplyDeletePigtown, I have one as well and they rock. Sadly nothing in my 100condo is level (it's in a townhouse that is over 100 years old), the floors, walls, molding are all akimbo. I've had to align the frames with the verticals otherwise it always looks wrong to me. The picture rails are neat but I hate how they make the paintings hang so I am still working on that aspect.
ReplyDeleteAs far as a gallery wall, I have a large wall space that I want to turn into a gallery wall. Most of my art is figurative so I know that will help. None of it is framed so I will either place the works in black frames or gilded ones. The nice thing about choosing one color range for the frames means that I can go nuts with the carving, widths, and decoration on the frames yet it should still look cohesive.
My only quandary is still what colors to paint my walls. I am leaning towards gray but the two windows are north facing and I am afraid it will make the living room seem too cold.
Cindy
Cindy I decided to go with a gilded range of frames and I am also planning to paint (perhaps this weekend). A light shade of gray is what I am considering. But you are right, it has to be the shade or it can seem too cold.
ReplyDeleteGray can be a little cold - try a french gray -which in cooler lights will almost look warmer -almost like a beige! I've used this color for years!
ReplyDeleteI hope it meet my expectations Jennifer ;-)
ReplyDeleteI may need one of those Meg...my walls have lots of holes hiding behind pictures!
Ronda,
ReplyDeleteAre you thinking about painting your wall first?
I noticed that artwork look best when hang on colorful wall, especially in the hallway where is no day light.Gosia
www.bluebellbazaar.etsy.com
Be the change,
ReplyDeleteany recommendations on manufacturers of the french gray? Someone recommended a gray with red in it, but I've only seen one shade that looked like that to me...it was at the ace hardware shop and they were out of samples.
Cindy
Cindy, try Devine Paints (see website below to find a dealer near you or order online). Their colors have a lot of depth.
ReplyDeleteDevine was created by an artist from the northwest specifically to work in gray, northern light. Their paints are not arranged rainbow-like with thousands of paint chips (so overwhelming) but rather in palettes. Also Devine is the first company to offer tiny paint samples (before everyone else started doing it). So you can test out several colors for a few $ to be sure you have the right one. Their paint doesn't smell at all and if you have light colored walls you can get away with just one coat (it's very thick and creamy). It's the nicest paint i've ever used. (beware though, it's about $40 per gallon, but well worth it)
Check out the grays in this color palette (click on each color and it becomes large) If you click on the photos above the palette you'll see the other palettes. of course keep in mind colors on the screen are not the same as in real life.
http://www.devinecolor.com/casino.html
ps
Ronda you might enjoy interviewing the owner/founder of devine. her name is gretchen. poke around the site and you'll learn more.
Thanks for the info BTC!
ReplyDeleteHi Blue Bell yes, I am going to paint first. I will try samples this weekend.
Thanks anonymous I will check out her site, thank you. Sounds like it might be a good profile!
I've been thinking about this, too. I can't wait to hear about your experience and learn your tricks of the trade.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep you posted Ali!
ReplyDeleteOh I can't wait to see what you come up with Ronda!! These are some of my fav. examples too!
ReplyDelete~Kate
I had to come comment, since I love that gallery look. I am trying for that in a few rooms of my house, but I really need more art! Right now I am doing a gallery of sorts in my home office, as best I can with what I have. I am actually not painting my cream colored walls right now, due to the fact that I hate painting and it is an old house with all sorts of strange angles. I like the look of creamy walls and rugs and artwork for splashes of color, but that is just me and it just happens to work in my house.
ReplyDeleteOn the how to, I guess I need to perfect my skill. I like the haphazard look with a variety of old frames and even plates mixed in, but when my husband saw what I was doing, he said, "Interesting mix you have there." I don't think he liked it.
Devine paint is wonderful, the founder is a long ago friend of mine and she is a dynamo. Her paint is wonderful. You'd enjoy her story too.
Ok, signing off! Love these photos, thanks for sharing! Looking forward to seeing how your gallery turns out. I may or may not share mine after my husband's comment. I don't want to scare people away from hiring me.
:-)
I hope you will indeed post more pictures of your hallway as it changes.
ReplyDelete(My mum always says how framing can really make or break a picture)
Those pictures are beautiful. I love the one with the peonies (?) and piles of books: so me!
I love those two Sclaroff images - especially the Kate Spade foyer - its a lovely example of displaying a range of art in an assortment of frames. I also love the colour they've used there..not sure what you'd call it, but its a lovely warm grey - wish they'd mentioned the source in the article.
ReplyDeletethese are great inspiration photos. i agree about being too matchy matchy, but you also don't want it to look like a big mess.
ReplyDeletei loved this photo, where david netto used mostly B&W photographs, with a few photos of soft color, with white, black and grey frames. what do you think? i thought it might look good in your white hallway, too.
http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/2008/01/i-love-this-room.html
I look forward to seeing what you do! I love the gallery look, especially of framed charcoal or pencil sketches.
ReplyDeleteMrs. E. and I have recently begun to buy paintings. Interestingly enough, we have decided on gilt frames. They seem to go together well, regardless of how ornate they are. My local framing shop will add a bit of faux patina to the gold (with much pleading) to harmonize better with some of the paintings (a wash of green, for example), which has been a real eye-opener.
ReplyDeleteYour hallway will look fantastic when it's complete. You can tell just by looking at it -- magazine worthy. Keep us posted, please.
Ronda, your hall has great "bones"! I look forward to seeing all of your art displayed there. I bet it will be wonderful! :)
ReplyDeleteYour hall will look great with lots of framed pictures. I love the Spade's hallways. I really like all the pictures...they all have art to the ceiling, which I personally think makes a room.
ReplyDeleteWhat a Gorgeous collection of rooms and photos!
ReplyDelete