September 24, 2009

A Frame Without a Picture

A frame without a picture - it's something I see often and am intrigued by. In the absence of a picture, it goes against the grain and begs you to recognize the frame itself as the object of beauty. And as you know, I love anything that catches your sense of intuition off guard when it comes to design.


But of course, I worry that if I tried this in my own home that less design inclined guests would look at it with a puzzled mind and think to themselves, 'what bizarre taste that Crystal has,' - similar to the reaction I get when people see all my books turned backwards with the pages facing out on my bookshelf.  

So I'd like to know, what do you think of a frame without a picture? Yay or Nay?

22 comments:

Unknown said...

I love the white on white, but sadly I think it would really puzzle people! Have a sweet day!x

Natalia | Look-A-Porter said...

I love it. It add a new dimention to the space and creates completely different patterns. Absolutely beautiful! x

Unknown said...

It's a great idea! I love it. I'd like to try it in my appartment!

Molly said...

i like the idea + have seen some beautiful interpretations but ultimately it's not for me...it takes up space i could otherwise use for art (by me, my family/friends, from the flea market, etc) & i couldn't live without tons of art on my walls.

ruthpclark said...

I'm not sure. It almost looks a little eerily ghostly, but that in itself looks kind of neat, too. I think I'm too devoted to photos to give them up, though.

I would LOVE to see your backwards books!!

Jess LC said...

I think it works if you do it in mass like you've shown in these photos. 2 or 3 wouldn't look right, but 5+ could really make a statement. And the monotone color also helps the look seem purposeful.

laurennicolelove.com said...

i've always done empty frames in my homes and i love it!

Mise said...

Oh let's have a photo of your books arranged blank side out! I've never seen that and would love to observe the effect.

froulala.blogspot.com said...

Love it empty, it creates an exciting unpredictable tension!

Crystal @ Plush Palate said...

I love how unique and individual everyone's taste is! Am really enjoying all this feed back!

@Ruth and @Mise, I will try and take a pic of my bookshelf and send it your way!

Queen of Cashmere said...

There is something intriguing and intellectual in this look. I think I prefer the black and white. Have you seen the restuarant Eve on Wabash here in Chicago? The best version of empty frames evah!

Anonymous said...

I really love the white-on-white frames. It adds texture without breaking up the space. Looks very elegant! I'm sure if you do a good-sized grouping, it'll be pretty obvious what you are up to! I am similarly curious about your books faced out. My b.f. has a TON of ugly computer textbook (ack!), that I'd love to face the other way :-)

M said...

I like the white on white, but not sure if it works in a cramped living space like my own. :D

For spacious apartments and houses where you can create that gallery look, yes, definitely!

CoffeewithZooly said...

I like the white on white. I've seen a clever lady use this concept in her house to then use as frames for her childrens paintings. Each new one goes up (non marking adhesive of course) & when they're full, the child selects which one comes down.

Great way to add colour & celebrate the child

Mademoiselle Deva said...

I absolutely love it! amazing idea! and the first pic - very my style! love it to bits!

thank you for sharing!

::levina:: said...

loving the all white frames w/ the white walls.

Robin said...

Definite YAYYYYYYY! It is uncanny how eye-to-eye we are. You are the established blogger and I am just now getting mine up and running… so I hope my blog doesn’t come across as a total copy cat, lol. Not only did I used to have a slew of frames hung salon style on my wall in my room that I spray painted all the same color (I took them down to hang my diploma, I spent a fortune to have it framed in this goddy-gold “in a good way” frame with this lovely grey mat and gold fillet, it needed to be front and center) but I also have a large number of them in my archives as well.

Robin said...

Oh and I definitely have to snag the pic of the white on white… its fantastic. If I ever post it, I will give you props! :):):)

Fee - Makeup Savvy said...

100% yay.

I love empty white gilded frames on a white wall.
Theres something almost mysterious about it from the lack of images and glass.

Love it.

Fee x

Heather said...

I actually have several in my living room right now! I scored a box of old frames from a friend and spray painted them, either white or a gorgeous shade of teal, but I haven't quite figured out what to do with them (lean them on shelves, put them on the walls, etc). Thanks for the inspiration!!

~ Kelly Ann ♥ said...

Love this idea!!! Your blog is FABULOUS_ You have a new follower

~ Kelly Ann~

http://kellyannstudio.blogspot.com/

the smiths said...

i love the idea of empty frames!

and sidenote, all of my books on my bookshelf have the pages facing out! some are on their sides, some are upright, some are on their sides with others upright on top of them! It brings a sense of uniformity (all pages) yet disorder (no pattern as to how their placed on the shelf)
my friends think i'm weird...and they hate coming over to borrow books because they can never find the one they want. but i like it. my books. my shelf.

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