Hanging a Wall Gallery and an Interview with Frame Avenue Design

Do you have framed photos in storage, a canvas leaning against a wall waiting to be hung, or old disks/CD's/USB drives collecting dust in a drawer?  If your answer is "YES" - you need to keep reading!

Our interview today is with Meredith Forte of Frame Avenue Design.  We chose Meredith to interview because we truly believe in the importance of printing pictures and displaying them on your walls. Meredith is a rockstar when it comes to hanging artwork!  Danielle Sara Photography clients typically come to our studio and fall in love with the boutique product line we provide and the full-service experience.  We always enjoy the process of working with clients to create the perfect wall art pieces for their spaces. We even take it a step further to create multiple image gallery walls. Once that wall art is delivered, Meredith is our go-to gal for hanging up the wall art in our client's homes!  Learn more about Meredith and her business and see a start to finish project that she completed for us below.

Meredith Forte

 Frame Avenue Design (established in 2001)

Picture Framing, Picture Hanging and Wall Design

www.frameavenuedesign.com @framemastermer   www.facebook.com/FrameAvenue

What is the one thing you love most about hanging photography on the wall?

Memories. I love it when a client looks at their picture on the wall and I see them smile. It’s nostalgic for them. It takes them back to that moment in time.

What is your best piece of advice for someone who wants to hang one image/frame themselves or a wall gallery of frames themselves?

There are a couple of options for clients looking to hang and frame family pics. After deciding on a wall space, you can choose to display one BIG piece (around 30” x 40”), OR multiple pieces in a gallery wall. I tell my clients to look at examples on Pinterest to see what style they like most. I usually hang big pieces over sofas, beds or in the dining room and reserve gallery walls for hallways and bedrooms.

What happens if I hire you to hang my artwork?

When you hire me to hang your artwork, we first set a day and time for me to come to your home. Depending on the amount of pictures to be hung, I generally tell my clients to allow one to two hours for hang time. If you’re not sure on an arrangement for your pictures, I will guide you in proper placement.

How do you manage running a successful business and having a family?

Hard work and balance. I am in a fortunate situation that I run my business from home and my framing studio is in my basement. My daughters will often play arts and crafts while I work which is great because I get to hang out with them while I’m framing. It really means a lot for me to teach my children the importance of being a female business owner and to have the strength and courage to anything they put their minds to.

What is your favorite project you’ve worked on?

I have worked on so many great projects, I don’t think I have a single favorite. My greatest thrill is taking a blank wall space and creating one cohesive art piece...all from scratch. For most of the gallery walls I work on, the client has no idea where to begin, but ideas are already running through my head. The great benefit of working with me is that we meet in your home so I get a chance to see your style and what type of environment the frames will be hung in. It makes the process more of a personal experience. I have my clients email me all the artwork they love and I narrow it down to a select few. We decide on a layout, frame and then in no time they are installed on your wall. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing the look on your client’s face and the sparkle in their eyes as they stand back and see the final product.

What’s in your toolbox?

Everything a girl with a toolbox needs:) Hammer, nails, measuring tape, level, love notes from my kids, pencils...ya know the youzhe.

Can you show us some of your work?  

Sure! The below shows a multi-image gallery wall that I worked on with Danielle.  She used images from this family's session to create different wall layout options using her design software. When the frames arrived, I laid them out on the floor based on the design so I could measure and make final arrangements for hanging. The last image shows the frames hung in the hallway of their home.  Below that, the first image is an impactful array of artwork and the second one is a symmetrical layout using simple white mats with white frames. I love the finished products from each of these different options.

Meredith is offering 20% off any gallery wall package in April!