What We're Framing Now: Jamie
One of our favorite things about custom framing is that each project is as unique and individual as the person itself. It is often a window into, or a snapshot, of someone’s life at that moment - their achievements, passions and things they want to cherish and celebrate forever.
A much-used (and much-loved) motto of ours is to frame what you love and love what you frame. So, we thought it would be fun to share with you in a new series a window into our team members’ lives, highlighting What We’re Framing Now.
Up next? Our marketing and web guru, Jamie.
What piece did you frame?
We’re in the midst of a home renovation so I’m not spending much time or money on things in our home that don’t have to do with this project! (It’s been a long time coming.) A big part of the project is re-doing the upstairs bathroom which will serve as my kids’ bathroom as they grow.
We have an old, 1940s cottage-style house and this bathroom was uniquely placed in one of the upper dormer windows when built. It’s been quite the interesting design and space planning challenge to get it right with all the funky roof lines and eaves in the house, especially here where we need to fit a bathroom vanity mirror tucked under a slanted roof line. The space will only fit a circular mirror and one of very specific dimensions.
So, imagine my delight when vintage shopping with my husband in our hometown this past holiday season to discover an old gilded-style frame that was literally the exact dimensions we needed. Immediately, I knew with our custom mirror services at AFS, it could evolve into the perfect mirror for this space and one I never would have found at any chain store.
What do you love most about this piece?
That we were able to take what seemed like a challenging design problem and turn it into a solution that not only solves the need but has history and backstory. It’s something that only a custom project can truly do!
What was the process like to create the mirror?
After picking up the frame for a mere $80 (score!) I brought the piece to our talented framing team. I was worried that due to the age or how it was constructed it might not be able to be dissected as needed and put back together. However, our team is so skilled at working with family heirlooms, conservation pieces and all other types of unique objects that they assured me right away it could be done.
The next step from there was to choose a glass type that we have available for all our custom mirrors. I was really tempted to use the antique glass as it fit perfectly with the style of frame, however practicality prevailed due to how it would be used and we went for standard glass.
What's your favorite part about how it turned out?
It looks as if it was always made this way - like it was meant to be a mirror. And it reminded me how special it is to create your own pieces and spaces with a little imagination and ingenuity.
Where will you display it?
In our brand new bathroom (on track to be complete this fall, fingers crossed), above a vintage chest which we are having retro-fitted to function as a sink. Custom for the win!
Ready for your own custom mirror solution? Explore the options and then come see us in Lincoln Park, Highland Park or River North.
