Category: Decorating

How to Use Mirrors to Improve Your Business’ Image

Beautifully framed mirrors can do more for your business than provide a place to check your teeth for spinach after lunch. When placed well, they can change the entire image of your business by strategically altering people’s perception of your space. Here are some ways you can use mirrors to change the feel of your office or business.

· Create light in the space- Mirrors reflect and refract light, making it appear multiplied. They are a great way to add light to a space without calling in the electrician.

· Make it feel larger and airier- Mirrors can act a little like windows in that they make a space feel bigger and less closed in. They present the illusion of infinite space, which can make an environment more relaxing. Long, narrow mirrors hung horizontally are perfect for hallways or small rooms; they make the space seem less closed in. For low ceilings, use tall mirrors to elongate the space.

· Add décor without adding clutter- Especially in entryways, mirrors are a great way to add décor without adding a lot of clutter. The appearance of clutter in entries makes a poor first impression on customers or clients. Framed mirrors look polished but not overdone.1

· Hide ugly or unwanted architectural features- Is there a gigantic column that cuts your business’ space in half? Cover it with mirrors to make it “disappear”. Mirrors can be used to make building features that aren’t easily changed less noticeable.

For more ideas for using frames and mirrors check out the Frame Warehouse blog or Facebook page!

Use Frames to Make Your Restaurant’s Specials Eye-Catching

Specials have the power to make or break a restaurant’s bottom line. They allow for careful ordering and give you the opportunity to make the most of what you’ve already got on hand. They’re frequently overlooked by clientele, though.

This could happen because the server skims over them, or the guest is hard of hearing, or they’re trying to reign in an unruly child and paying little attention. You can eliminate those barriers to customer’s ordering of specials by placing them directly on each table.

You can do just that by using frames. Here are two ways you can create a special board on each individual table so that guests have easy access to the specials in writing.

First, create a printable template that matches your restaurant’s theme seamlessly. You’ll input the daily specials and print them off. Use a heavier cardstock or linen paper to create a classier feel. Place them in stand-up frames on each table. You don’t even need to glass over the paper in this method, the frame and heavier paper will keep the print-outs in place.

The second option is place a background paper in a frame with glass. Hang the frame on the wall above each table to prevent guests from touching and smearing the writing. Write the specials neatly with a dry erase marker each day. The looks you could create with this method are limited only by your imagination. Use black paper and neon or white dry-erase markers to create a put-together style, or use a lightly patterned paper and a complementary shade of marker.

For more ideas for using frames in your home or business, check Frame Warehouse out on Pinterest or Facebook!

Using Frames in the Garden

You’ve seen plenty of clever uses of frames on the blog here at Frame Warehouse, but there’s not much on using frames outside. When you think of frames, you probably think of pictures, which are not a very weather-proof décor item, but there are plenty of non-photo ways to use frames. They can even create the same classy, well-rounded effect they have inside the home outside. Use frames to jazz up your garden with these ideas:

Garden table: Create a simple but beautiful table or plant stand in your garden with a frame. Simply follow the directions in this custom frame serving tray blog, then screw on four prefabricated legs from a hardware store following the instructions provided. If you use a large frame, you can even create a little potting bench.
Framed wall pots: Hang pots on a fence, trellis, or the side of the garden shed and then add frames around them as a finishing touch. Be sure to purchase frames that are larger than the pots you’re using by a couple inches on each side to leave room for the plant to grow.
Outdoor Chalkboards: Add pizzazz to an outdoor chalkboard so your littles can get creative outside. Hang a chalkboard that’s ready to be used in the elements or add chalkboard paint to an existing smooth surface and frame it to create a beautiful chalk art display or custom chalk sign.

Weatherproofing

Frames, generally speaking, aren’t up to surviving intact in the elements. If you plan on doing one of these projects in an area that’s exposed, you’ll want to weatherproof your frame (and other materials) first. You can do this by spray painting the items with an outdoor-worthy clear coat.

Follow Frame Warehouse’s Facebook page for more framing advice and ideas!

Use Bright Frame Colors to Celebrate the Summer Season

If you’re a fan of seasonal home décor, summer is most likely the brightest and boldest season in your house. Pops of orange, yellow, and blue call to mind sunny days and clear skies—and are perfect accent colors for a wide range of décor palettes. If you don’t want these brighter colors to overpower your home’s décor but do want to bring a bit of bright, summery style to your living space, try swapping out your neutral frames for frames in the following bright hues.

Orange: Orange has so many wonderful connotations—sunsets, carrots, orange juice. A bright pop of orange can bring energy and positivity into your home.
Yellow: Yellow brings to mind flowers, lemons, and sunshine. Pops of yellow are the perfect way to create a crisp, light, yet bold living space.
Blue: Blue is one of those colors that works well for any season, but a bright, clear blue is particularly well-suited for summer décor. If you’re looking for a somewhat softer hue that is bright but not overpowering, certain shades of blue may be the perfect choice.
Green: Green is typically associated with spring, but darker, brighter hues of green are perfect for summer (think lush, jungle greens).
Purple: Purple is one of the most beautiful colors in summer sunsets, and can bring a calm and soothing feel to your living space while providing that pop of color that you’re looking for.

Check out the selection at Frame Warehouse—we have some wonderful options for your home’s summer refresh!

DIY: Create a Unique “Wreath” with Frames

Putting up a new wreath is a fun and festive way to mark each season—but it can become expensive and difficult to maintain, especially if you’re using plants or foliage. Instead, why not try this DIY version? Cost-effective and fun to make, this will allow you to celebrate each season while decorating your home in a way that reflects your personal style.

DIY Frame Wreath Step 1: Gather Your Materials

One medium to large sized frame (depending upon the size of your door)
Paint (optional)
Ribbon, yarn, or twine, depending on your style preference
Seasonal items to hang from your wreath (ornaments, wooden letters, bells, etc.)
Stapler
Over-the-door wreath holder

DIY Frame Wreath Step 2: Assemble Your Wreath

First, decide whether or not to paint your frame. A great way to skip this step is to visit us at Frame Warehouse and choose a frame that’s already the color and style that you want. If you are painting, make sure you sand the frame first if necessary.

Next, cut strips of your ribbon, yarn, or twine to different lengths. You’ll want one strip per ornament that you’re going to hang. Once they are cut, go ahead and attach the ornaments to the bottoms of the strips.

Once your ornaments are attached, place your frame on a table so that the back is facing up. Use your stapler to attach the tops of the strips to the top of the frame. This way you’ll be able to see the strips coming down from behind the top of the frame when you have it hanging.

If you like the look of your wreath at this point, go ahead and hang it by a loop of ribbon, yarn, or twine on the over-the-door wreath holder. But don’t stop here if you want to add more decoration! Get creative and use the rest of your materials to further decorate your wreath.

Want help picking the perfect frame for this project? Stop by Frame Warehouse!

3 Tips for Creating a Classic Gallery Wall

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Nothing in the realm of home décor is quite as versatile as a gallery wall. From the most elegant to the most eclectic, examples of gallery walls that reflect a wide range of styles are available all over Pinterest. But what about a simple, classic gallery wall that lets your artwork do all the talking? If that’s the look you’re going for, follow these three tips and you’ll have a gorgeous gallery wall up in no time.

Tip 1: Go for a linear arrangement of your artwork and photos, rather than groupings

Traditional galleries and museums hang all of their art at the same level. When hanging your art and photos in this style, choose a point about five to six feet from the ground, depending upon the height of your ceilings and any other furnishings you may need to clear, and hang all of your pieces in one line. All of the tops of the frames should line up.

Tip 2: Think out your frame selections

The basic linear shape of the classic gallery wall creates a refined style that is fun to juxtapose against more eclectic frame selections—but don’t feel like this is the only way to go! Having matching frames across the entire wall will really let your artwork shine and is a great option if your pieces are bright and have various color palettes.

Tip 3: Choose which wall you use strategically

While gallery walls are often features of a home, this particular style lends itself well to less focal areas of a room. For example, it’s a great way to add some interest to a small wall that’s often overlooked.

Want to create a gallery wall but not sure where to start? Come visit us a Frame Warehouse! We can help you choose the perfect frames and think through the best way to arrange them.

3 Fun Ways to Add a Bit of Style to Your Retail Store

When decorating your retail store, you certainly want the quality of your goods to speak for itself; however, it’s critical to your brand and to creating a welcoming, warm space that you design your shop in a way that supports the aesthetic of your goods. Below are three fun ways that you can add some style to your shop without distracting from the items you’re selling.

Hang artwork. Art quickly and effectively communicates certain feelings and emotions with people, making it the ideal way to silently communicate with your customers. Frame and hang whatever best fits your brand, such as art by local artists, modern prints, etc. Make sure you have each piece professionally framed to allow it to best tell your shop’s story.
Merchandize your heart out. How you present your items will impact whether or not customers can envision them in their homes. Group like items and colors, and try to showcase them in a way that invites the customer to touch them. For instance, you’ll want customers to pick up a teapot that you have on sale in order to feel its balance and experience the joy they’ll feel every day if they purchase it.
Don’t forget about your floors. All too often, the floors in a retail space are neglected. Warm up your shop’s look and bring a bit of style to the space by laying rugs over hardwoods or concrete floors, layering rugs of different shapes, colors, and styles, and exploring other fun flooring options.

Frame Warehouse would love to help you frame artwork for your retail space. Give us a call and we’ll help you determine the best services for your store’s needs.

Don’t Forget to Add Updating Décor to Your List of Professional Goals this Year!

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You’ve probably already set your resolutions for 2017, but have you thought through your professional goals? Making professional goals is essential to building a successful career, but some people overlook just how important your actual office space is to your ability to thrive. Creating a comfortable, functional space is critical to being productive—and it’s actually quite easy to get started!

Rearrange your furniture to create a more productive flow

Whether you work as a solopreneur in your guest bedroom or are the CEO of a global company, your office space needs to be conducive to productivity. Are you always tripping over a chair, or do you have to walk to the other side of the room to pick things up from the printer? Now’s the time to switch things up and create a more functional space. When rearranging furniture, take your daily activities into consideration. For instance, you’ll need lighting where you spend most of your time and will need to create a comfortable place for client meetings if you commonly host them.

Update your office’s color scheme

Color makes a major psychological impact on people. In fact, the color of paint on your office’s walls can predispose you to certain moods. Pick a bright, cheerful new color palette that feels fresh and inviting and use these colors in your office décor, such as in new frames for your degrees.

Declutter

Many busy professionals have piles of paperwork stashed in the corners of their offices. Make it a goal for 2017 to declutter your space and create a more peaceful work environment! When going through your papers, make one pile of things you’d like to frame (such as degrees, certifications, photos, or notes from happy customers), one pile of things that need to be shredded, and one pile of things that can be recycled.

Need some help getting your office décor goals crossed off of your to do list? Contact the team at Frame Warehouse! We can help with personal and commercial framing and would love to help you create a productive space that you love spending time in.

3 Ways to Refresh Your Décor in the New Year

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The idea of getting a fresh start every new year may be a bit idealistic (you can’t really pretend the last year didn’t happen), but you can use the new year as a great opportunity to try new things, make new goals, and embark on new adventures. In the world of décor, nothing is as exciting as taking a look at a space and refreshing the elements that seem a little tired. Whether you want to update your home or office, below are three different ways you can refresh your décor in 2017.

Finally hang those photos you’ve been meaning to put up for years

You might be surprised at how many home and office spaces have bare walls. One of the best ways to quickly warm up a cold space is by hanging photos, and many people have family photos, vacation photos, and other images they’ve been meaning to hang for years. Take this opportunity to frame and hang your favorites.

Incorporate some greenery into your space

Indoor plants are absolutely wonderful additions to any room. When choosing plants, though, it’s important to pick varieties that will thrive in the indoor setting. Think about the amount of light and humidity in each room when purchasing your new plants, and make sure that you choose varieties that aren’t toxic to curious pets.

Refinish favorite furniture pieces

From reupholstering a chair to painting a dresser, there is a long list of ways that you can refresh your space by sprucing up furniture that you already own. This is also a fun way to inject a bit of personality into your space and create a look that’s entirely your own.

The team at Frame Warehouse would love to help you refresh your space this year. Feel free to stop by or call us if you have any questions—our personal and commercial framing services are at your disposal!

Want to Showcase Your Holiday Cards? Frame Them

Decorating for the holidays is fun, and you can create great amounts of cheer with just a few small touches. For instance, a centerpiece with some pine and a few candles can transform your dining room into a holiday haven. Switching out your current throw pillows for pillows in your favorite holiday colors can create a comfy, festive living room. When decorating your home, it’s important to remember the true meaning of the holiday spirit, and what better way to celebrate that spirit than to celebrate those you love most? By incorporating holiday cards from friends and family into your décor, you can create a space that is both festive and meaningful.

Frame your favorite holiday cards

Many people save holiday cards from loved ones that they’ve lost, or from when they were very young. These cards are often fragile, but you can display them in a way that allows you to enjoy your most cherished holiday greetings while keeping them protected. Simply frame them! Choose a simple, elegant frame that matches the style of your holiday décor.

Create a holiday card wreath

This is a fun project, particularly if you have little ones who want to get in on the holiday decorating. Simply choose a wreath and attach your favorite holiday cards around it. You can keep it traditional with a green wreath or get creative with a more modern metallic wreath.

Create a holiday card shadowbox

A shadowbox is a wonderful way to show off many cards at once—and it will allow you to display other holiday décor, too. Try putting some ornaments in the bottom of a shadowbox and nestling your favorite holiday cards into them (in addition to being pretty, this will prevent you from having to damage the cards by attaching them to the shadowbox with tape or pins).

The team at Frame Warehouse is ready to help you with your holiday décor needs. Check out our online shop or give us a call today!