Sunday, November 6, 2011

A picture is worth a thousand words?


Mood Indigo by Vinny Lee

Have you ever seen something that makes you stop and think...

The New Eighteenth Century Style

Something so profoundly simple but elegant....

Linda Chase Associates

Used in ways you've never dreamed.....

Vogue Living Australia, 2010

Just because you love their beauty....

Veranda 2004

I love frames, even better empty frames in their purest form.

Michael Trapp's Home

The way they can lead your eye in.....

via pinterest

Making you take notice of them rather then what they frame.

Cote Sud Magazine, 2004

The frame has had a long and noble history, often being commissioned before determining what to put in it. Now the frame takes center stage rather then a supporting role.

Monique Meij-Beekman, Elle Decoration UK 2009

Designs evoke a time when craftsmanship was an art unto itself. Instead of being diminished or destroyed by the passage of time, frames, like fine wine, are enhanced by age.

via Pinterest

via pinterest

So is it any wonder that people now collect frames for their stand-alone beauty.

via decorpad

my frames & image

A few of my antique frames, an 18th century Spanish frame with a carved niche for holding a reliquary framing out two 17th century Italian frames and 16th century angel bust.

Frames no longer need a job and have come to be admired for themselves. So how about you, do you have a frame or two without a piece of artwork? Would you ever want just a frame without a picture?





42 comments:

NikAntik said...

Debra, your frames are wonderful. I just love to look at them. And when they are empty you also have the advantage to imagine into it whatever you want whenever you want... Very flexible... Love to you and Dylan-boy... Nik

The enchanted home said...

Debra, I will never look at an empty frame the same way! What a beautiful example of how they can be used in the simpliest unadorned state...breathtaking!

Divine Theatre said...

I have an Italianate mirror frame over my dressing table in my bedroom. I love it. With the mirror it looked whorehouse-y. LOL!
These images are breathtaking!
I have a few (or more) frames I bought just because I love the shape. I was thinking I might put a cherub bracket or to inside one for another wall in my bedroom.
I remember your frame vignette from another post. You have such an eye for that. When i do it, it looks like a garage sale!
Thank you for these lovely images. I am going back to look at them again!
Kisses to Dylan and Kitty!

xoxo
Andie

Divine Theatre said...

Oh! I absolutely LOVE the blue wall color!

Room Seventeen said...

Empty frames are so beautiful! I recognize the frame at picture 9 ( Elle Decoration)
The image is from www.voorhaven7.nl
A beautiful interior/art shop here in Holland.

Ivy Clad said...

These are great ideas, and the frames are beautiful! Thank you so much for visiting my blog!

A new follower,
Keri

La Brocanteuse said...

Hello D, L O V E your frames, really superb. The Veranda image is one of my absolute favorit inspiring pic's..
Thank you for sharing and inspiring.
Hugs Col Afrique du Sud

Mona Thompson Providence Ltd. said...

Oh Debra...I absolutely love old frames hung alone or with architectural pieces like you have done here. Gorgeous...and when I scrolled to the bottom of the post, thought.. wow this is my favorite and it was yours. That is a to die for large frame and so is everything within it. Love, love this post. XO, Mona

debra @ 5th and state said...

oh i m besotted with empty frames and that overly large one behind the desk is breathtaking!

we just re-did our shop and have many instances of empty frames, just not as lovely.
have a great week debra

debra

Divine Theatre said...

It is too, blue! I was talking about the first one! LOL! The one in your home is the same color as my bedroom, I think. I also have that Veranda photo saved in a folio!

xoxo
Andie

Sharon Lee Johnson said...

I don't have any empty frames, but after seeing this post, that is all going to change! I loved every single picture you showed us. What great inspiration for a Monday morning. x Sharon

Cindy Albert said...

Debra, this is a beautiful post. I agree that the frames themselves are works of art and these pictures show how artfully they can be displayed.

I have empty white frames above my mantel with a weathered piece of driftwood. A friend is always giving me grief about putting a picture in them. I just like the way they look with the mantel and the driftwood.

I would love to have frames like you showed in your last picture. I'm always drawn to Spanish Colonial art.

Happy Monday, Cindy

Victoria said...

I love displaying beautiful frames without anything in them. A friend of my family when I was a child, worked for Heydenryk, a prestigious frame maker in NYC. I treasure the pieces he framed for my grandmother more for the frames than what is in them.

You and I are certainly not alone in our love of frames; Eli Wilner made a very successful business out of selling beautiful frames. His displays of empty frames are truly works of art.
Have a great day.
Best...Victoria

michele said...

absolutely!

if this post does not convince everyone they are unsung heroes, nothing will.

i love old frames, and when i haunt a tag sale, none are safe from me.

gorgeous gorgeous images and thoughts!!! omg that mantel!

michele

lvroftiques said...

Love your frames D! And all your beautiful inspirational frame pix are wonderful too! I only wish I had more wall space at my house. I'd love to do a large wall with nothing but empty gilded frames. Oh well maybe in my next house..... Vanna

Ispirato Design said...

This post is just dreamy and poetic- really, really excellent!

Sami Pat said...

I loved seeing these but I didn't catch on right away. In photo #3 I was so focused on the wonderful purple chair that I almost didn't see the giant frame. Good presentation!

Karen T. said...

Great post! Yes, I have a few antique frames that I've been waiting for the right things to put in them. I've often thought of hanging them without anything in them. Now, I think I will. Thanks!

quintessence said...

Debra - what a beautiful post!! I love every single image including your gorgeous frames!!

Blooming Rose Musings said...

Oh Debra, all the images are exquisite and my very favorite is the last one...your frames!
Yes, I adore empty frames and admit to having a few...but none as exquisite and exciting as you have shown us. Wonderful and inspiring post.

Luciane at HomeBunch.com said...

Gosh, this is so clever! Isn't it?! I wouldn't think of doing something so great! This is just beautiful!

I'm adding you to my blogroll too. You're my must read!
I know I'm not having as much time to visit all my bog friends as I usually did because there's so much to be done still and I have less than 3 weeks to deliver my baby, but I'm trying to do my best to keep in touch. And yes, I so appreciate your comments, I read and enjoy them.
By the way, thank you so much for adding me to your blogroll. It's a honor to me! If you want it to "move" on your blogroll as I update my blog, you have to add it as: www.homebunch.com/feed
Just because my blog isn't "blogspot" and it doesn't update by itself if you don't use the "feed". :-)

Thank you again!!!

xo

Luciane at HomeBunch.com

Anonymous said...

wow..great examples!! especially the linda chase photo. Thanks for the inspiration!

Nella Miller said...

Absolutely beautiful, and thoughtful post Debra. I too am enamored of frames as art, and they are often more lovely than the contents. Very inspirational and has my mind racing!!! N.xo

A room with a view said...

I love this idea and these are really inspirational pics. Yours looks amazing.

French-Kissed said...

First let me say that I love the last image of your own empty frame design...gorgeous...yes, I do embrace to love of empty frames and have several here and there as well as a stack of empty frames leaning up against my living room wall.

Jermaine

Acanthus and Acorn said...

Oh sure Debra way to torture me first thing in the morning. Your frames and arrangement is so artfully done...exquisite!!! Yours plus image, #1 and #3 are going right into my save files...for those days I need to be tortured extra! I mean inspired :)
xo,
~R

Anonymous said...

Oh, yes! That first oversized frame made me stop and sigh... gorgeous!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!! xo

sharon santoni at my french country home said...

You have a beauitful collection of frames deborah, they compliment each other perfectly. But what really took my breath away is the pictures of your garden with its autumn colours and the snow, the light is incredible.
xx

Ivy Clad said...

Hi again, Debra! Thanks you so much for adding me to your blog roll. I'm honored

-Keri

Amber B (Simple Dwellings) said...

These are gorgeous images! I also love the look of empty frames, especially these beautiful gold ones you show! I like the layering look, with smaller frames inside of larger ones. Very creative! And thanks so much for stopping by my blog today! :) Happy to find yours.

Unknown said...

Love these examples...but I don't think I have any empty frames at my house.

Mary Ann Pickett said...

This post is stunning! I do not have any frames without art, but my daughter and I bought some at flea markets and we made a collage in her apartment. I really want to do this in my home...thanks for the lovely inspiration.

lvroftiques said...

Debra my hubby has wanted a pool table since he was knee high to a grasshopper! I couldn't say no....But I'm hoping he'll realize that it can go now...Especially since it weighs a ton and he's gonna have to move it for the floors lol! Wish me luck. *winks* Vanna

designchic said...

These images are gorgeous examples, Debra, and my favorite is the last one...yours!!

Decor de Provence said...

I'm such a fan of empty frames. I can't get over your gorgeous Spanish and Italian frames!! You have such amazing taste - these images made my day!
I love the fact you live in two hundred year old home... WOW! I hope you have a wonderful day!

lol,
Desiree

Loretta Fontaine (EcoHappy Blog) said...

Debra- The 18th century Spanish frame - the carved niche is underneath, the glassed in oval?

You put a bit of a Saint's pinky finger bone in there, or something like that? (Did visit some of those cathedrals in Europe years ago and have to say it's a strange thing to me... The reliquaries...)

Your frames do sit so well alone, the art they are. I'm not so bold here - and my frames not as arty!

Loretta

Jessie said...

I love the image with the grouping of gold picture frames on the fireplace mantel, it's casual yet beautiful. Thanks for visiting and following!

Great post. Have a beautiful weekend!

Jessie
www.mixandchic.com

dovecote Decor said...

What a great and thought provoking post. Did you see the Quintessence post on Venetian hotels? One hotel, the Bauer I think, had liquor shelves inset in the wall in an elaborate Rococo frame. It is an amazing idea.
Best,
liz

Taylor Greenwalt said...

Debra, I love all the open frames. You gave me a great idea for my bathroom. I have been going back and forth about what to do. thanks for the the inspiration.

Curtains in My Tree said...

I just love empty gold frames and have a few on my red wall in my office

that over sized large gold frame in one of your pictures is just over the top so glad the frame was saved after the mirror broke

d e l i g h t said...

Just found your blog this morning and really love it! A new follower. Love this post and the inspirational photos!

LaPouyette said...

A very, very beautiful post with wonderful images!
And the best - your frame collection, just fabulous!
xxxkarin

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