When I took the sketch of Scout to Michael’s a couple of weeks ago in order to find the right frame, I decided to also take the Maxfield Parrish that arrived at our cottage with all of the glass broken. It had been sitting in a corner of my office, covered in protective fabric, until I could get around to dealing with it. I knew it needed new glass, but when I measured it, I quickly discovered it was an odd size. It had been framed many, many years ago – most likely in the 1920s – and the backing was fragile.
So, off I went. The woman working in the frame department was so helpful; she carefully removed all the nails, and gently removed the print. Thank goodness, I didn’t just opt for a piece of glass. The corrugated cardboard used as backing had left its mark on the back of the print, so we caught it just in time. After discussing many options, I decided to stay with the original frame and spacers were added, as well as new glass and acid-free backing. The logo from the original framer in New Orleans was carefully cut out and tucked in a little envelope on the back.
Instead of getting an estimate, I ended up going ahead with the order, and yesterday, it was ready.
It won’t look all that different to you, but I know it’s been given the correct acid-free backing and that spacers are between the print and the glass, and that it looks more beautiful than ever!
Of course, all this cost me nearly as much as the print, thank you very much. On the other hand, if I had left it as is, the print would have soon been damaged, so I’m choosing to think of it as an unexpected blessing.
When we first purchased it, I told Don I pictured it hanging on the wall near my desk, in my soon-to-be office space. And there it is.
I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to look over to my right and see Dinky Bird by Maxfield Parrish hanging on the wall.
The machine embroidery of Scout was also ‘framed’ yesterday and looks much better than it does in this picture. I stretched it on a small canvas and it’s now leaning against the wall on the left side of my desk.
In case you think my desk is always neat, here is what I shoved to the side to take the picture of the Parrish.
Then, of course, I was on a roll, so I decided to finally do something about the bulletin board and mini pottery, etc., that are hanging on the wall between the china cabinet and the corner. They were much too close together because I added the bulletin board a few weeks after I hung ‘Claudia’ and the mini pottery.
I’m inventing a new word: Spanging. Definition: when, in the midst of hanging something on the wall, many mistakes are made with the unhappy byproduct being unnecessary holes in the wall, resulting in the person who is hanging the object simultaneously spackling the holes and rehanging the object.
That’s what I did yesterday. I had the same trouble when I originally hung everything. It’s because all three objects are hanging in a corner and the desk is in the way and I’m working under a slanted ceiling, so my body is torqued and I just can’t get things even.
It’s dark in this corner this morning, but you get the picture. And of course, I took the picture at an angle for the same reasons given above. But trust me, everything is level and there’s much more space between the bulletin board and Claudia and the mini pottery. It needed breathing space.
Sigh. Here’s my view out the window as I’m sitting at my desk.
I’m shooting directly into the light, of course, so it’s a bit blurry, but there’s the mountain ridge. The trees have obligingly provided an opening so I can see the mountains. Thank you!
Flower of the day:
My favorite daylilies are opening in the big garden bed.
Happy Friday.
HI Claudia,
I’ve been a “spanger” for years, and didn’t even know it! Thanks for sharing your office with us.
You’re welcome! Perhaps we should form a Spanger Support Group?
lovely art, flowers and view!
hope you have a nice holiday.
kathy
You too, Kathy!
Love your view Claudia and everything looks wonderful in your office! Hope you and Don enjoy a relaxing, long weekend!
You too, Vera! Have a lovely weekend!
I’m glad you kept the original frame – it looks very nice on the wall of your office. Finally we have a day without torrential rain/hail/scary lightning – just in time to celebrate our national holiday!
We’re getting that kind of rain and lightning this afternoon, Barbara.
Happy Canada Day!
Looks great!!
Thank you, Mamey!
The Parrish looks very nice in it’s new location…very rich coloring! I’m a lazy Spangler…I fix my holey mistakes much later! Enjoy your day! ;)
Well, there are lots of holes elsewhere in this house that have yet to be filled!
I love this print and happy to hear it is now safely framed and hung. It looks great. I am a horrible hanger of things and spacing isn’t my best gift. I did finally buy a level but oh I make some holes in the walls, whoops. Wishing you a happy Friday!
hugs,
Linda
There are whole bunch of holds under the bulletin board that I haven’t speckled yet. Yikes, that was a pain in the tush!
It looks wonderful and cozy for you to work at. When you are distracted from work you can enjoy all of it.
Yes, and I’m frequently distracted, Doris!
Framing and reframing pictures is so expensive that I decided how to do it on my own. It is hard to get the preferred color of mat but I have found it a lot of fun to strip a picture of its frame and re do it, especially in non acid materials. Very satisfying and a lot cheaper. Now I just need to learn the spackling part.
I usually do it on my own – but this is a valuable antique and it’s very precious – plus the frame is irregularly sized. That means a professional for me!
You’ve probably already looked it up by now, but an easy way to arrange art is to cut out paper the same size as your frames and tape it on the wall with painters tape, until you get the arrangement in the space that you want. You can also arrange the art itself on the floor, but I’ve had more success with the paper on the wall thing.
Looks very nice!
Oh yeah, I know all that. I knew the arrangement I wanted, but even with paper, I would have been crouching and trying to get in that corner. I fear it wouldn’t have helped one bit!
lolololo….I thought…”Oh, what a clean desk!!!” thanks for keeping it real.
My house is on the market and I HAVE to keep it that way…..ugh!!! Which brings me to this idea
that maybe you would be interested in. While house hunting I viewed a home with an upstairs slanted ceiling- like yours. They had a picture wall with a bulletin board up against the slant (like you). They cut the board corner on the slant but still gave a little space so it didi’t touch the wall/ceiling. They, with some figuring, were able to put the frame back on the slant. Since it was a bulletin board it didn’t matter to cut into it- unlike a picture would be. It looked GREAT!!! When I commented on it, the real estate agent said, “more people have commented on that then anything else!!!” I bet you could cut a piece of cardboard to see if you would like it also.
Of course, it is another project and it looks nice the way it is. It just looked a bit more interesting/finished.
Have a happy 4th!!!
Addie
Thanks, Addie. I think it’s working the way it is, because I’m not using a larger bulletin board, but if it was larger, I’d definitely try out that idea!
It’s so good to have things around you that you love, looking up from work and having something give you a smile. The print is so unique, love the colors; it was lucky the broken glass didn’t mar the image. I’ve had that happen; ruined.
Very lucky about the glass. As soon as it arrived, I picked all the pieces of glass out of the frame.
What a gift to get things done! I have piles of good intentions around my house. No mater how small the task, doesn’t it feel great to complete something? Now that’s it’s done, you can sit at your desk and enjoy. For a collector, you certainly maintain a neat, well ordered space and it’s clear you truly LOVE your home. Nesting is an important part of your life. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your holiday. Happy Birthday AMERICA!
Yes, I’m happy that I tackled all those things yesterday. My work space is important to me, as our my collections and yes to nesting!
Home has always been incredibly important to me. Thanks, Lyndia!
Everything looks great Claudia, and it always feels good to get something done that you’ve been wanting to get off the ‘to do’ list!
Yes, and that particular list is very long right now. So striking at least one thing off the list is a good thing, Debbie.
The Parrish looks great..I think having it framed professionally was a good choice considering how valuable and old it is…It’s such a happy picture…Love the new word..lol..What a pretty view of the mountain..is that where you and Don walk the trail?..
We’ve hiked there in previous years, but the trail is just down the road from us. It’s a rail trail that goes right through the middle of our small town.
I can relate. A short time after finishing college, I was shopping in one of those terrific, jammed-to-the-rafters-with-merchandise little general stores in Vermont with my Mom. We found 3 square unframed prints that perfectly matched what I was planning as a theme for my future kitchen/dining room, which was essentially botanical fruit & veggies. And the prints were only a dime apiece! So of course I bought them and then carefully wrapped them up for storage. Once I finally had my own place I took them to JoAnn’s to have them framed. We chose a simple dark sagey green frame with a white mat and a second “piping” mat of butter yellow. Very plain overall, and the prints themselves were only about 9 or 10 inches square. The final bill for this little project was $147 – and that includes a coupon I had! The art itself cost me 30 cents, and a darn good thing too – haha. Very worth it though, I must say, because they look terrific together over the sideboard in my little dining room.
Although at the time these things can seem very expensive, in the end, if it’s something you love, it’s worth it!
I know that it must feel incredibly rewarding to have had your picture repaired properly and to now be able to enjoy seeing it hanging up in your studio. I agree that it was worth the extra cash to have it done right because not only is it is valuable but it means something to you.
Exactly, Elizabeth! I love seeing it as I work at my desk. I’m just thrilled to have it here!
Pale day lily pink is the best!
It sure is beautiful, Kathy!