Wednesday 15 September 2010

Visit our website instead!

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.

Friday 19 February 2010

Hand Gilded Frames

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.













Friday 22 January 2010

Framing Photography

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

Thursday 14 January 2010

Framing Street Art

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























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

Friday 18 December 2009

Talk for Interior Designers at London Art Fair

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

Friday 30 October 2009

Marco Pierre White's 'Luciano' Restaurant


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.