Art Wall of Black Frames
Hi, everyone, how was your weekend? My weekend in New York was great (as always) and it was just what I needed to get recharged and start tackling more boxes around here. Here’s my quick review:
Per Se – fantastic, stupendous, awesome, amazing, etc., etc., etc.
6 Columbus – meh.
In the Heights – great.
Rock of Ages – so-so.
The Drawings of Bronzino – totally inspiring.
If you want details, please feel free to ask but I’ll leave it at that so I can talk about my latest obsession. I think you all know I love a good art wall. I’ve always been partial to a mix of frames like the one I used to have in my old dining room:
But lately, I’m really drawn to walls of black frames.
I never liked black frames before because they reminded me of documents framed in generic offices. But I just love the impact that these walls of bold black frames make.
I think it also has something to do with my renewed love of black and white.
This may be another project for when/if I ever finish unpacking(!) What do you think of this look?
(Photos: 1.From the Right Bank 2.via Willow Decor 3.Skona Hem 4.via Houzz)
Hhhmm. I think you are right they look amazing in your images but you need a lot to get that WOW impact, otherwise as you say they look like those office walls (or indeed those black metal frames you can buy everywhere now).
I think for more individuality and style your old dining room wall still looks wonderful.
xoxo
.-= Jane´s last post ..Begone Lilac Walls =-.
I'm completely decided on this one, since my wall is all black frames: I love it. But, with one proviso, I think it works better for a collection of black and white artwork. If there's going to be colour in the artwork, I'd mix-and-match the frames to suit each individual work. The black frames create a sort of uniform and I think it works best when that uniform is totally consistent. Though, that may also be because I totally lack imagination!
.-= Jane Flanagan´s last post ..Industrial and feminine =-.
i love a collaboration of fun and interesting tidbits on a wall… i think it always makes a persons home tell a wonderful story…
glad you had a nice weekend… xx pam
Love this look, just finished a wall of black framed art myself, with a twist. Mine are hung on a chalkboard wall. Love it. Have fun with your arrangement! Looking forward to seeing what you do. Janell
I would have thought I would be more attracted to the black framed walls, but I just had a royal blue accent wall painted in my apartment and I think white frames would look stunning on it now!
.-= Elle´s last post ..Outblush Guest Post! =-.
The black frames look fantastic in those images – if you had a large collection of B/W photographs or charcoals it would be amazing. Since I have neither, eclectic it has to be.
.-= Brismod´s last post ..Outdoor lantern installed =-.
I'm partial to dark browns and wood, but I've also had an interest in black frames lately. I even bought a small black frame to see what it would look like in our staircase (which is impressing to be me, I've always banned black…)
The staircase you posted is really stunning. Love it!
.-= Dagny @ Beautiful Living´s last post ..LCD, NOT LBD!! / LCD, IKKE LBD!! =-.
I like all the pics along the landing wall as it has space at the top and bottom but the wall that is full from top to bottom would make me feel claustrophobic. We did this in one house up along a narrow stairwell and it looked great.
.-= Lorna´s last post ..Garrendenny Lane Interiors (and Paperboy) in the Sunday Business Post =-.
Well, since I recently made the decision to stick with all black frames, I love the idea. I think it's a bit more in keeping with our modern aesthetic (even though we have an old craftsman house with dark mahogany woodwork).
However, we're about to paint our walls a deep blue-black (Farrow & Ball) and I'm wondering if I'm going to want more contrast now. Decisions, decisions….
I fell in love with #2, you can still have a beautiful monochromatic look even if all the pictures aren't black and white.
.-= Lumo´s last post ..Photo books =-.
I like the graphic impact of the black frames, but also really like your own white frames. If I had to choose, I'd go for white. Maybe I'm just not ready for black.
.-= mise´s last post ..a new tin tea set =-.
I love this look… I have a big family photo wall and most of the frames are black (they are all mix and match) – but your eyes are drawn to the wall immediately.
.-= Jill ´s last post ..my outfit: winter blahs?! =-.
Fantastic! Gallery walls are my fav! I especially like the last pic with the black frames against the gray walls! Very sophisticated!
Karen
I do gravitate to a black picture wall but I agree with Jane – love to mix frames when there is an assortment of picture types (B/W, Color). I like that third picture more and more each time I scroll back up to take a look…
.-= Marija´s last post ..Fri. Style + Mon. Distraction =-.
I'm thinking about doing a wall of black frames in my small hallway. There are already 3 in there- so I think I may just add in around them. I love the look (and it's an inexpensive project!).
.-= Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss´s last post ..Simplicity =-.
I have this look in my own home, so I can honestly say I love it. Have also seen the same beautiful affect with all white frames.
.-= The Zhush´s last post ..Channeling Diana Vreeland =-.
I've always loved an art wall…I think it can look so striking in a room. I've always been partial to black & white as well…but I just came across this great hallway designed by Steven Gambrel where he used red frames…wow, it was really stunning!!
.-= Piper´s last post ..{monday inspiration} =-.
Ooh I've wanted to eat at Per Se since it opened. So glad to hear it lived up to it's hype!
I personally love black frames. We have three walls of photos framed in black, and they're stunning, in our own home (if I don't say so myself!). So I say, go for it!
.-= christy´s last post ..Weekend update =-.
Art walls in general = lovely! (Books and art make a home). You really can't go wrong with either. I personally have gravitated more towards all white frames lately but that is also beacuse I see a new white wall… But don't make it too predictable. I love how you mixed styles and textures at your old Seattle home. You have a terrific eye, darling! xx Mon
Gallery walls have been an obsession of mine as well. I've been wanting to create a new gallery collage in my office as well as my dining room but I'm trying to figure out how to do it without making it too busy.
You've got some nice examples here. Very inspiring.
.-= Lesley @ TheDesignFile´s last post ..Geometric patterns add interest & fun to rooms =-.
I am very fond of those "jammed walls", as I call them, but if they are to be a mixture of different styles and theme of hangings, some care needs to be taken in the selection. The examples you have provided are "spot on", as the Brits say…. In my house, the wall adjoining the stairs is covered with portraits, of people we do not know but whose faces we like. Now they are like members of our family….
.-= AJ´s last post ..The Secret Life of Flowers =-.
Love the fourth photo wall best (love the gray/tan color). I am a bit traditional though.
Love your old wall too!!!
xo,
cristin
.-= cristin @ simplified bee´s last post ..Easter and Springtime Decorating Ideas =-.
Yes, love the black framed gallery look. working on one for our hallway right now, cant wait to see yours!
.-= Maria´s last post ..Snowy Park =-.
Hi! Too funny, I just (almost) finished mine a little while ago and ended up going with all black frames. (http://fermliving.blogspot.com/2010/02/gallery-wall-woes.html) I actually wanted to keep the frames one color to try to tie together photos, illustrations, etc. But, if I was feeling more crafty, I would have loved to do something like that all red frames in the hallway mentioned above. Can't wait to see how your wall turns out!
Jane: Thanks! I still really like my old wall too.
Jane F: Not at all! I think you are absolutely right. If I were to do something like this, it would be for B&W photos and/or drawings like Brismod said.
Elle & Gini GL: I think on dark walls, white (or some other lighter color) is definitely the way to go so they pop.
Dagny & Mise: I used to shy away from black in the house too but since I started to use it, I can’t seem to stop.
Piper: I know the red wall you’re talking about and it’s fabulous!
christy: It definitely is and was worth the hassle of getting a reservation. You must go some time!
its pretty. yes. like a lot.
.-= my favorite and my best´s last post ..hurts so good… =-.
Whatever you do, you'll make it look great.
.-= Bromeliad´s last post ..High/Low/Way Low/J. Lo – Task and bedside lighting =-.
I've been loving gold frames lately but you may have just changed my mind! Great inspiration and I love your blog. Also, so jealous of all those shows you've seen. I am slightly obsessed with Broadway and have been dying to see In the Heights. Must go soon!
ha! we are about to change our all black gallery to mixed frames:)
.-= paula´s last post ..A Kitchen Reno =-.
I love your old dining room AND the last pic with the gray walls, there's something so modern about it!
.-= Hilary´s last post ..Antique Chair gets a lift =-.
I love the photograph of the dining room with mixed chairs at a modern table and that lovely grouping of framed art. Perfect space!
.-= Global Atelier´s last post ..Dreams of Elephants =-.
Christiana: I love your wall!!
Emily: It was so good – you'll love it!
paula: I guess grass is always greener, huh?
Global Atelier: Why thank you, that's my old dining room.
LOVE IT! I love when there are art pieces mixed in with photos.
.-= PS~Erin´s last post ..Editing =-.