Picture Perfect
As evident in Biltmore House, George Vanderbilt loved artwork. From magnificent Renoirs to precious family portraits, Biltmore House is filled with abundant artwork from diverse artists. Mr. Vanderbilt often collected many pieces from an artist and chose to group work in Biltmore House according to the artist. Some rooms are even named in honor of the artist's work displayed in the room.
Discover frames offered by Biltmore For Your Home.
Every picture tells a unique and interesting story. Give the picture its due with the best presentation and frame. Here are some ideas to help you.
- Choose a theme for photos to create a story
- Family and friends
- Pets
- Nature Scenes
- Travel adventures
- Images of favorite things (flowers, old barns, skyscrapers, classic cars, sculptures)
- Frame items other than photos or along with photos
- Child's artwork
- Favorite quote hand written or created on the computer
- Picture of Dad and son at first major league outing along with game tickets
- Playbill and tickets to long awaited Broadway show
- Postcards from your travels across country
- Try black and white as a color palette
- Black and white photos have a classic, timeless quality
- Selecting your frames
- Use frames with a similar style (metal, wood, black) and keep the style simple so the photo does not compete with the frame.
- Arranging frames
- If you are grouping frames on a table or mantle, vary the sizes of the frames with the smallest ones first and the largest ones to the back.
- On a table, visualize an inverted triangle with the tip closest to the edge of the table and the widest part of the triangle further in the table. Arrange the frames within this triangle.
- On a wall, whether you are using 3 frames or 15, a balanced arrangement is most visually pleasing.
- A very simple presentation is using several of the same size frames in a vertical or horizontal line. The number of frames to use depends upon the working space.
- You can also chose to vary the sizes of the frames within an arrangement while placing the frames within a certain shape such as a larger square or rectangle.
- Experiment with the grouping of frames by cutting paper in the size of your frames and taping them to the wall in different arrangements. This quick exercise will help get the nail holes right the first time.
- Gift Giving:
- When giving a frame as a gift, insert a nice message in the frame that the recipient can enjoy until they fill the frame with their photo.
- Give 2–3 frames in various sizes of the same style so the recipient can easily create a nice presentation.
- Consider the person's home decorum and the place where they might use the frame so you select a frame they really can use.
- OR
- Give an extremely unique frame that becomes a work of art itself and the center of many conversations like the North Tower Boxer frame. This gilded bulldog has its leash clenched in its mouth and wears a "tag" to display photographs. The original mid-19th century frame can be found in the North Tower room where a photo taken around 1863 of Lila Vanderbilt, George's sister, is on display.
- Create an Original Frame
- Add new life to old frames by painting or decorating them with interesting items like feathers, marbles, colored stones, beads, guitar picks or any item that has special meaning to you.
- Decorate new frames in the same manner to add a little pizzazz or character.
- To create a fun child's frame glue on items like toy animals, favorite characters, a princess wand, or small racecars. Let your child's imagination lead the way.
