AFter: A sneak peak… Light, light and more light. We let in a view of the historic Gurley St. Grill building, and let some sunlight in at the same time. Open and airy, our artists displays look even more fabulous now! Photo credit: RLC Design Services/Rich Charpentier
It’s been a long time coming… Our little frame shop was in dire need of an update. From the walls to the floors, the 30 year old counters, the worn out displays and paint colors, things were looking dingy. We tore that stuff out with much glee, and are happy to announce:
The Frame and I has been remodeled!
Read on, keep scrolling – We’ll start here with some “before” photos so you can see what it looked like prior to the remodel.
Before: Looking grey and worn, and much too cluttered. Window light cut in half by a tall wall. Photo credit: Rich Charpentier
Our poor floor was covered in carpet, which is bad enough. But this particular carpet was 22 years old, smog grey and covered in spots where people had tracked in tar or “carpet cleaner” salespeople had made a mess of things. We brought in some nice looking area rugs to hide the worst of it, but as you can see it wasn’t possible to hide it all. The seams where separate sections had been laid down were starting to unravel. Threadbare and shopworn would describe this carpet. Not only that, but underneath the gnasty old carpet was four layers of sticky backed vinyl tiles… ew. So, out it goes!
Before: Icky old carpet and the gallery wall that blocked the window… Photo Credit: Rich Charpentier of RLC Design Services
Next, the displays. We had a gallery wall that completely blocked half of our front window. While this was nice to hang art on, it didn’t allow light in and it made the shop feel small and enclosed. Our old ready made frame display had ratty carpet and old adhesive from tape residue marring it. It was also out of date, having been made in the 1990’s and just not up to snuff with how things are looking these days. That had to go too.
Counters! Oh my gosh… the old counter was a laminate with a beige faux marble design. The color had completely worn off on the main design area. Storage space beneath it was practically useless, having been designed in a pre-computer era and without much thought to what would be stored there. And it was tiny; a little L shaped corner in the corner of the shop. It did have one redeeming factor – our staff at one time put picture frame mouldings all over it to dress it up.
Before: Clutter clutter everywhere… not even room for the extra chair… Photo Credit: Rich Charpentier of RLC Design Services
CLUTTER! It was dreadful. Without proper space for things we kept having to put frame samples, projects and other items just anywhere. The shop was in a constant state of clutter-ness.
So without further ado, check out how The Frame and I has been remodeled!
We designed it to be more light, open and welcoming. So we brought in a warm colored hickory finished floor. It’s commercial grade waterproof and scratch resistant vinyl… seriously thick and luxurious feeling underfoot. The warmth and openness it brings to the space has changed the feeling of the Frame and I for the better.
After: Our new look, from the front entry. We repainted the walls to brighten the look. The new floor makes the place look wider! Photo credit: Rich Charpentier/RLC Design Services
Old displays were either recycled or torn down. All of our ready made frames are now hanging within easy reach, and easier to see. We don’t miss the old displays at all. The art was given a little more breathing room and frame samples carefully selected for the best selection. No more major clutter.
The Frame & I staff was an integral part of the remodel, in that they built the new design counters entirely from scratch (other than the raw butcher block tops, which they stained and finished). The new counters have a lot more surface space and are nimbly placed on casters so we can roll them wherever we want to! The beautiful hand finishing and custom craftsmanship speaks for itself. Kudos to the Frame & I staff, Zachary, Francine and Russell, for putting these beautiful counters together. We couldn’t be more proud to design frames on such beautiful counters!
After: Look at how much space we have now! Our very own staff designed and built these custom counters. We can’t wait to design art and frames on these counters. Photo credit: Rich Charpentier of RLC Design Services
The open front window allows more light in and draws in foot traffic from outside. The shop feels entirely more spacious and inviting now. We are so very happy now that The Frame and I has been remodeled!
Have a frametastic day, and thank you for reading!
-Ida
After: Colorful seating draws you in to the spacious frame design counters. Our revamped ready made frame display makes it easier to see what’s available. Isn’t the floor beautiful? Photo credit: Rich Charpentier of RLC Design Services