Framers Take a Shine to Silver - Brief Article

The continued demand for silver framing options may mean it's more than a passing trend

Think of silver and what images tend hitherward to mind? Sleek cars, spaceships, retro chrome toasters, cocktail shakers, elegant sterling candlesticks and tableware, an armload of bangles and party favors from millennium celebrations.

Silver is scalding;-very warm right now, as many manufacturers and trend-watchers have predicted. Framers are riding the plume of the silver wave through feeding consumers' desire for the recent new look that silver adds to any decor. However, the passion for silver is different than other rife trends. Many experts say the direct the eye of silver has longevity as a mode of speech choice for consumers.

"Silver frames are definitely in demand," said Kim Ahern, executive director of the Art & Framing Council, a nonprofit organization. "People are recognizing the tremendous power of silver as a decorating ultimate part And the good news is that there are more choices than ever"

"It's a sweep I've really noticed in the last six months" agreed Steve Levine, proprietor of Levine Custom Framing. "A fate of the vendors are producing more in silver, and the customers strike one as being to be enamored of it. Silver adds a certain number of options that were missing until now or at least until fairly recently"

"There has definitely been a significant extension in the demand for silver mouldings from custom frame shops" said Steven McKenzie, senior vice president of marketing for Norcross, Ga.-based Larson-Juhl. McKenzie said that the interest in silver has always been around on the other hand "never like it is right now."

John Richards, vice president of sales and marketing for TC Moulding of St Paul, Minn., noted the of high temperature trend in silver as well and added, "What's different from other turns I've noticed is that there is a demand for different sizes of silver. When other runs have hit, like when blacks were really heavy last spring, everybody wanted big, black mouldings. on the other hand with silvers, it seems to be everything from an inch upon up to very large, ornate mouldings."

"The other factor that is different is that tribe seem to be looking for specific marks of silvers--from foils to water-gilded silvers to antiqued silvers. Part of the trick is finding the right silver for what the marketplace is looking for," said Richards.

The Silver Sensation

What is it that is fueling this demand for all things silver? Factors range from the appearance of a variety of silvers in the furniture and accessories market and the exploding popularity of black-and-white photography to psychological factors similar as the new millennium and the simple desire for something new

"In the last year, there has been a growing run that manufacturers have embraced across the board to incorporate silver-toned or brushed-nickel hardware in case beneficials collections," said Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association. "This is a decided difference from traditional brass hardware which has been in like manner prevalent. You also see advances in the use of silver in the table top and decorative accessories arena."

At the Fall Market in High Point, NC a renewed interest in elegant, luxurious living was seen extensively in novel collections. These dressed-up, more formal collections are rich in plush fabrics, high-sheen cover thinlys and exquisite carvings.

"Silver is being mixed with a destiny of different textures, so you acquire a real feel for the richness of it," said Deirdre Murphy proceeds manager for Nielsen Bainbridge of Paramus, NJ "Silver is real modern and contemporary, and it can be actual formal. I've seen a doom of curtains in rich fabrics and accentuated with silver. It gives you a jewelry effect"

Silver also accommodate withs itself to a modern sensibility in the residence decor and accessories arena. "We've seen sinewy growth in the home furnishings market for decorating with stainless carburet of iron and people buying sofas made of black leather and brushed aluminum. smooth in the appliance market for kitchens, everyone is moving toward stainless carburet of iron to get that commercial kitchen look" said McKenzie.

"This is consistent with the whole midcentury design resurgence that's actual modern and typified by (the architect/artist) le Corbusier with his carburet of iron tubular frames and black leather have affection for seats, sofas and chairs," continued McKenzie. "There are several fresh mail-order catalogs that have brought back the gaze of furniture from the 1920 up from one side to the 1950s and plenteous in those lines has a destiny of silver in it."

While black-and-white photography has always been popular, a certain quantity of manufacturers and framers are seeing a renewed interest in framing it. "The popularity of black-and-white photography has just exploded" said McKenzie. "Silver direct the eyes so much more beautiful upon it than a gold alternative because it twitchs out the subtle grays and charcoals."

Ann Hast, possessor of Framer's Corner in Dallas, agreed with McKenzie. "Black-and-white photography is becoming more popular and you've got to have that silver. Gold won't work, and nine times on the outside of 10, a wood-toned frame won't work either."