Design Blog

Visit our website instead!

2010-09-15T10:13:00.001+01:00

We've redesigned our website to feature case studies and design news, so this blog is now inactive. Please visit www.johnjones.co.uk for insider tips, advice and an amazing array of design projects.

Hand Gilded Frames

2010-02-19T16:44:00.013Z

This imposing triptych painting is a feature work in the private dining rooms of London's prestigious Ivy Restaurant.

We collaborated with both The Ivy and artist Sebastian Horsley to develop a unique design that enhances the work without overwhelming.

Each piece is framed individually whilst presenting one iconic artwork that sits in harmony with the signature interior of The Ivy.

The elegant frames are gilded with gold leaf, whilst the deep sides are hand painted to subtly reflect the colour of nearby artworks, unifying the overall impact.

Gilding is a centuries old craft, using layers of gold leaf, painstakingly applied by hand, to achieve a luxe finish.

Framing Photography

2010-01-22T10:34:00.007Z

We are delighted to have framed over three hundred photographic works for the latest show Where Three Dreams Cross at London's Whitechapel Gallery.

This exhibition is a major survey of photography from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh from the past 150 years.

Many public galleries opt for straight forward black or white frames on photographic works as an easy option. However, we wanted to ensure these fascinating images were presented to their very best, helping the gallery in their aim to develop a highly professional, beautifully executed exhibition.

Using Walnut wood from sustainable sources, our frame designers experimented with a variety of different finishes, finally selecting a dark green-black finish that enhances both black and white and colour works, drawing out the warm tones in the images and maximising their impact.

The works have been presented with 4 PLY unbuffered museum board, which we recommend on all photographic works. Museum board is the highest grade of board available and offers maximum protection. Unbuffered board does not contain an alkaline buffering agent which is added to standard board to reduce acidity. Photographic works should not be presented in an alkaline environment due to the processing and printing chemicals used in their production.

Works were then glazed with Ultra Violet filtering Perspex glazing, which reduces the fading effects caused by natural light. We always recommend Perspex over glass as it does not shatter and therefore reduces potential damage to the image should it break.

We work with the very best materials and would like to thank three of our excellent trade suppliers for their kind and generous support with this important exhibition:

John Purcell Paper for the museum board
Perspex for the Ultra Violet filtering glazing
Brooks Brothers for the American Walnut

Framing Street Art

2010-01-14T16:14:00.013Z

The bold subject matter of street art enables us to really push the boundaries with framing. We've recently framed this great image by Dran - its float mounted on a white museum board background, with a white timber frame that has been splattered with paint to reflect whats going on in the work.

The value of the frame in comparison to the print is often questioned with street art. This print was £130 from Pictures on Walls (now sold out), whilst the frame was over three times that amount. This is due not only to the high standard of craftsmanship and design (all our frame moulding is run by hand from FSC certified timber), but most importantly its the high quality museum standard materials - in particular the glazing which is ultra violet filtering and low reflective. We believe its worth protecting art that you love, especially if you expect it to rise in value.

Watch this space for images of works we've framed by Adam Neate and Banksy.

Free Speech, Dran

Framing for Interior Design

2010-01-14T11:07:00.019Z

Our talk at London Art Fair went well last night, with a good turn out despite the snow. Through a series of case studies, we addressed how a frame can be used to create a statement piece or to blend artwork into an interior.

We also discussed the various design elements that can be used in framing - shape, material, finish, proportion, glazing and installation.

We'll be uploading a document of the presentation to our website later this week.

There will be more talks later in the year, so keep an eye on our website, or sign up to our newsletter.

The Connaught Hotel, London

Talk for Interior Designers at London Art Fair

2009-12-18T10:36:00.002Z

Join us for our talk at London Art Fair - press release below:

‘Picture framing is an area that is often underestimated in Interior Design’ says Matthew Jones, Managing Director of master frame maker John Jones. ‘The earlier we’re involved in a project, the more successful the art will be. Its not just about framing a work of art to look amazing, its about connecting it with the interior too. We work closely with designers to develop handmade frames that are statement pieces, enhancing both the art and the interior’. With an impressive portfolio of clients including Candy & Candy, Ralph Lauren and David Collins, John Jones are the experts when it comes to frame design and art installation.

On 13th January join John Jones as they share their knowledge on framing for interiors. As well as covering the key elements to consider in frame design and installation, John Jones will present recent case studies including The Connaught Hotel, The Ivy, Luciano’s restaurant and various residential projects, talking through their design approach and specific considerations.

John Jones will discuss design components such as frame shapes, materials and finishes, as well as the more subtle elements in creating impact such as proportions and glazing. The design options are infinite, from a wide variety of FSC timbers and welded aluminium and brass to Perpsex boxes and hand gilded gold and silver frames. As well as the highest quality mount board the frame designers often specify silk and linen backings, or even coloured perpsex for more contemporary works. All of John Jones’ designs can be applied to mirrors.
A family run company with over forty years experience in framing for the worlds of fine art and interior design, John Jones are based in London. Their team of eighty includes designers and craftspeople who specialise in traditional skills as well as the latest conservation techniques. Their frames can be found in museums and private homes around the world.

To reserve a free place at the talk please visit www.londonartfair.co.uk/johnjones

Marco Pierre White's 'Luciano' Restaurant

2009-10-30T15:42:00.006Z

Photography/ John Ross

This striking image of Naomi Cambell is by the late Bob Carlos Clarke and part of a series of images presented in Luciano restaurant, the joint project between Sir Rocco Forte and Marco Pierre White. The interior of the restaurant is designed by David Collins, so our brief was to marry the artwork with the interior. Taking the retro brass accessories as an inspiration, we designed welded brass frames that were patinated by hand to create seductive finishes.

All images are glazed with Ultra Violet protective plexi. Not only is this a lightweight alternative to glass, its also safer for the image, as should the glazing be broken it won't shatter and damage the image.

November House & Garden

2009-10-07T10:28:00.008+01:00

We're delighted to be featured in the latest House & Garden magazine. In an article on Design Ideas, Cathy Strongman suggests ways to decorate your home in an environmentally friendly way, without compromising on style.

'John Jones is renowned for the quality of its framing service, but the company has impeccable eco credentials as well. Frames made from FSC certified wood are coloured with water-based paints, the mount boards are made from unbleached cotton, and the frame backings, from natural fibre, acid free materials. Even the premises are heated by a biomass boiler running on woodchips from its mill.'

Image shown: Tatjana Gerhard, Untitled 2008. Courtesy Rotwand Gallery

Frames and Racing Cars

2009-07-21T16:46:00.009+01:00

We've just completed an installation of 84 framed iconic images for Speedmaster, the supercar showroom in Bradford.

Featuring a heroes wall of British Racing Champions, our team installed the entire collection in a day. http://www.speedmastercars.com/

New ideas from the John Jones Creative Team

2009-07-14T14:03:00.010+01:00

Once a month our Creative Team meets at John Jones. Its a voluntary meeting and all our staff are invited to come along and contribute. We look at new trends and developments and generate ideas. For the last meeting we all brought along a design idea based upon a found object. There were lots of fantastic ideas and it was fantastic to see craftspeople from specialist departments sharing knowledge and ideas to develop new designs.

The vintage style frame shown here is a hand painted design on gilded glass with a white gold leaf frame - by our talented gilder Tabitha.

The frame on the right is a welded brass and aluminium frame made of three sections welded together.

Featuring a decorative welded corner design, it has been named the 'Neopolitan' by metal designer Paul.

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Art Car Boot Fair 2009

2009-06-17T09:44:00.012+01:00

We made 100 flocked magnetic fridge frames for the famous Art Car Boot Fair that took place on Brick Lane, London last Sunday. In a range of bright summer colours, the frames literally flew off our van!

An opportunity for artists and arts businesses to step away from their normal practice, the Art Car Boot Fair is in its fifth year. This year saw artists such as Peter Blake, Bob & Roberta Smith and Gavin Turk peddle their wares at bargain prices to the 6,500 visitors.

Boxing Gloves

2009-06-17T09:30:00.006+01:00

We are often asked to frame objects and have designed many bespoke presentation solutions over the years. As well as David Beckham's collection of football shirts and boots, we've also framed Elvis's first guitar. Most recently we designed display cases for two full length vintage kimonos.

The image here shows a display case designed to present a pair of Lonsdale boxing gloves. To achieve a classic, stylish look, its important to keep the presentation simple and use high quality materials and finishes.

Gloss finish frames

2009-06-11T11:16:00.009+01:00

The high gloss finish on these frames has been achieved using eco friendly water based paints in a range of bright, almost neon colours. A deep museum standard mount in dark grey helps to tone down the overall effect, resulting in a stylish modern way to present classic Victorian medical imagery.

Classic black and white imagery

2009-06-03T16:19:00.010+01:00

This is a classic iconic image - a Getty Images silver gelatin print of racing driver Jackie Stewart, presented in a hand made frame with a black satin finish.

One of the projects we're working on at the moment is a large photography collection of British racing drivers. The collector contacted us after seeing our frames in Ralph Lauren Bond Street. More info to come soon as the collection will be unveiled in a vintage racing car showroom...

If you click on the image you can see more detail of the lovely thick cotton board mount which adds a touch of luxury.

Click here for more info on Getty Images Gallery

Lavender flocked frame

2009-05-26T12:46:00.005+01:00

We're continuing to have lots of fun experimenting with flocking. This time we've taken an ornate decorative frame and flocked it in soft lavender. Its very romantic and feminine - perfect for a boudoir...

We've shown it here with a chalk board, which gives it an interesting textural contrast, but it would work equally as well on a mirror or perhaps a brightly coloured poster.

The Hollywood Deco Frame

2009-05-19T16:13:00.013+01:00

This beautiful frame is inspired by the glamorous Art Deco era.

Made from three sections of aluminium. The two outer sections have been patinated to achieve a gun metal finish to offset the steel finish on the inlaid section .

This design can be adapted with different patinated finishes and the inlay can be switched for timber or fabric. We think fake zebra skin would work well....

Artist Tamara de Lempicka's bold cubist style was clean, precise and elegant - all key qualities that we have embraced in this new frame design.

For more about Art Deco
For a unique Art Deco experience

The Botero Frame

2009-05-07T10:07:00.010+01:00

This one off mirror was inspired by the curved sculptures of Colombian artist Botero.

At an impressive 2 x 2.3 metres, with a 14cm wide frame, it is a shining example of the large format projects that come through our workshops.

The frame has been hand gilded with 23 1/4 carat gold leaf on a red clay base. This has then been rubbed through with pumice powder to achieve a red glow, before being burnished by hand.

The furniture shown is shown by furniture designer Jens Risom who is represented by Rocket Gallery.

Brand new frames!

2009-04-29T14:37:00.007+01:00

Check out our lovely new flocked frames! In neon pink, yellow and mushroom, they are the brightest things in our showroom (apart from our designers of course...).

The flocking gives the frames a really lovely soft textured appearance which highlights the subtle shapes of the frames. Flocking has been around for over 3,000 years (first used by the Chinese), but feels very modern when used on frames. We'll be experimenting with lots of other frame shapes and combining flocking with other materials too (Perspex, mirror, gilding....).

We are sailing...

2009-04-28T13:56:00.005+01:00

Yachts are wonderful projects to work on - beautiful, bespoke boats designed for their owners to cross oceans in the ultimate comfort and luxury... Our first yacht project was a few years back for Ralph Lauren. We framed a number of paintings and mirrors for the boat (which was purchased by John Travolta).

Today we work with the leading yacht specialists around the world to ensure that their incredible environments are enhanced with the most beautiful (and seaworthy) of frames and mirrors. There are a number of special considerations to take into account when framing artwork for a boat - increased humidity from the water and stability requirements due to the motion of the boat.

Rockstar

2009-04-23T14:22:00.005+01:00

Hot from our workshops, our new Rockstar frame is a hybrid of glamour and punk. Love it or hate it, it's certainly dramatic, with a highly polished brass front and a cracked leather style finish on the sides. The subtly curved front adds a touch of delicacy to the overall impact.

Invisible display case

2009-04-23T12:09:00.004+01:00

Can't believe we didn't think of this before - we've made a display box from the low reflective perspex that we glaze artwork with... its superb!

Not sure if this image really does it justice, but it actually disappears when you stand in front of it. Feels as though you could put your hand straight in and touch the object (which in this case is a beautiful urn made from stella beer cans by artist Liz Neal).

Its on display as part of our art collection at JJ for anyone who would like to come and see it.

Beautiful hand gilding

2009-04-15T16:25:00.002+01:00

The most beautiful frames are hand gilded and I really do believe that our contemporary colouring department is the best in the world. We've travelled far and wide, visited art fairs, galleries, collectors homes, interior designers, hotels - but have never found finishes as delicate and subtle as ours. The application is crucial in achieving consistency and tone. Our colourists have incredible patience and commitment to their work, using a creative eye to ensure our frames achieve that certain gleam that exudes quality and luxury.

Coming soon...

2009-04-09T16:55:00.008+01:00

Hello and welcome to the new blog for John Jones that focuses on design. Our sister blog www.arthuddle.blogspot.com features our art projects and discussions, but this blog is dedicated purely to design innovations.

Our interior design clients include many inspirational interior designers such as Ralph Lauren, Candy & Candy, Keech Green, Katharine Pooley, as well as many stylish private individuals. Keep an eye on this blog for the latest news on our fabulous new designs and finishes, including sprayed rubber frames, neon flock and perspex, anodised metals... We have a stunning range of framed mirrors which will also be featured.

(Image shown is the Garrard showrooms NYC courtesy of Chameleon Visuals)