STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

ILoveChoo · Hermes

framed photos?

ILoveChoo · Hermes

I also really love the way this looks (it'll be going on a brck red wall). so maybe not set one balck and white., as logn as they're all framed the same. So I guess, just where can I find cheap architectural prints that have some artistic interest to them?

it wont let me post the picture:

http://www.originalphotoart.com/framing.asp?id=137&mountid=2&wallid=4&frameid=25

-- Edited by ILoveChoo at 14:18, 2007-08-31

BargainQueen · Marc Jacobs

I've seen a lot of B&W photos at Target and IKEA. I was also leaving my class Wednesday and there was a guy selling $5 frames w/pictures in the college quad and noticed he had a lot of nice B&W pics. I dont know if in your area those pop up like at college campuses or in the gas station corner lots?

Drew · Gucci

Have you considered taking your own photographs? Even if you can't print them, you could have them printed at almost any office supply store on the cheap. You don't have to have any experience, just a digital camera so you can play around with shots until you get something you like. Plus, it would be way cooler to have photos of your hometown or other cool things/places/people that you took.

Anyway, this is what I am working on right now, so that's why I offer up that suggestion. I am no professional photographer, but just printing in black and white can make a shot look really good... Also, craft stores sell matting and framing seperately so you could even mat and frame your work really, really cheap. Just pick out the frame and mat before printing your picture so you know the right size to have printed. Also, there are a few online stores that sell custom size matting. Here is a site I have been checking out for my own project: http://www.pictureframes.com/scripts/WebObjects/PictureFrames.woa/wa/CustomMat

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Look for a site like iStock Photo or something that has quality photos that you can download and print on quality photo paper. You can get pretty, simple, black frames with offwhite matting at Target or Michaels and put them together yourself. Many more choices with this option. I bet you can do it cheaper this way too - - especially if Michaels is having one of their frame sales.

I was going to do a quick search on iStock photo for you, but they're doing maintenance on the site. It's free to sign up with iStock and downloads are reasonably priced.

-- Edited by pollyjean23 at 15:53, 2007-08-31

halleybird · Hermes

check TJMaxx and Marshalls, too.

joy0302 · Kate Spade

I agree with Drew about trying to take your own. I have a collage in my hall with pictures I have taken and I am by no means a great photographer, but it adds a personal touch. If that is not your thing though, I usually find stuff at Allposters.com. If you have a Hobby Lobby near you they have frames on sale now I believe they are 40% off. Target has some nice ones too, especially online.

hotcocoa · Kate Spade

these nielsen bainbridge frames are fantastic:

http://www.dickblick.com/zz188/31/

i did a photo wall similiar to what you are describing in my entry hall using these frames. i love the extra wide width of the matting. it makes the photographs look really professional. the pre-cut mats you get at michaels or target etc. usually only have the standard skimpy 2" mat.

try etsy.com for reasonable photos and prints. i just finished framing and hanging a collection of art, prints and photos in my living room gallery style. several of my favorites i got on etsy.

ILoveChoo · Hermes

I hadnt even thought of etsy!

I'll look there and maybe take some of my own. It might be fun to dedicate a day to exploring some older parts of town and finding neat things to photograph.

blubirde · Chanel

I'm a big fan of postcards framed. I buy mine at the gift shop in the modern art museum downtown. I also always pick some up when I'm at a good museum in another city. If you have a Met store around or a local museum with a gift shop, you can find some beautiful prints in postcard format. I frame them in the black box frames from craft stores (the same ones I frame magazine pics in). You can buy them in all sizes. I sometimes buy the ones that fit the postcards just right (for smaller spaces) and sometimes I buy the ones that are a bit larger so they have a black, 1-2" border around them.

I was at Borders tonight and they had a bunch of geometric postcards with all kinds of different designs. I didn't have a chance to look at them thoroughly so I don't know what kinds of pics they had, but if you're in the area it might not hurt to look.

You might also hit up some vintage stores as well. I find all kinds of awesome vintage postcards that I frame as well. They have all kinds - it might take some looking but I'm sure you can find some architectural ones.

Another thought is buying a book with lots of prints in them that you like (best architects or something?) and cutting out the pics to frame. I've also done that with some discount art books I've picked up at bookstores along the way.

Post pics!