Museum of Fine Arts Boston: A Grand Gallery Makeover

<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jZnDQaEiKgs?list=UUI5_RrU163lo9Sbbb9fx4Rw&hl=en_US" width="640"></iframe><br /><br />If you notice, on the right hand wall, they are installing what looks like plates and other porcelains on the wall, so they install a wood base over the marble walls to anchor the shelves. But they also have large photographs of the wall mounted at first, which I assume is for positioning. A great tip when figuring out how to hang art on a wall - even without the ginormous color printers that the museum has access to! <br /><br />If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Museum of Fine Arts Boston: A Grand Gallery Makeover

If you notice, on the right hand wall, they are installing what looks like plates and other porcelains on the wall, so they install a wood b...

Read more »

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: The Tapestry Room

 <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RafAs8ts77k/UBLYD-Oi34I/AAAAAAAALQs/brRV7eeRmHw/s2048/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A11%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="548" id="blogsy-1343417266750.513" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RafAs8ts77k/UBLYD-Oi34I/AAAAAAAALQs/brRV7eeRmHw/s733/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A11%252520AM.jpg" width="733"></a></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">As mentioned last week, I attended a private tour at the <a href="http://www.gardnermuseum.org/" target="_self" title="">Gardner Museum</a> in Boston with several design bloggers. The best part is that we were allowed to take photos (no flash!) as long as we were with the museum staff members. Last week I shared images of the famous <a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-courtyard-at-isabella-stewart.html" target="_self" title="">courtyard</a> from various vantage points. This post will focus on the Tapestry Room, which is very large and very dark. It's fabulous. These pics were taken with my iPad, by the way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-abNJ5bo1duU/UBLX0a4mxbI/AAAAAAAALQk/Mv8sqkrMikk/s2048/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A13%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="546" id="blogsy-1343417266765.442" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-abNJ5bo1duU/UBLX0a4mxbI/AAAAAAAALQk/Mv8sqkrMikk/s730/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A13%252520AM.jpg" width="730"></a></div> There are two big focal points in this room - the fireplace and the tapestries. Showing Mrs. Gardner's truly international viewpoint, elements in this space come from all over the world. The first focus in the room is the enormous stone fireplace that comes from France. It's so big that it was impossible for me to capture it in one image! In the above photo, you will see the shadows of someone's head standing in front of the fireplace that's how tall it is. <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dTWx3hKe_wY/UBLXeK9l5OI/AAAAAAAALQc/LLc5oyIYAmU/s2048/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A14%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="543" id="blogsy-1343417266762.7722" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dTWx3hKe_wY/UBLXeK9l5OI/AAAAAAAALQc/LLc5oyIYAmU/s726/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A14%252520AM.jpg" width="726"></a></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">Here's a close up of the center piece of the mantel which shows carves angels, fleur-de-lys motif, court jesters, griffins, and more. <br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xAlwnPcIhwM/UBLXSDlU2XI/AAAAAAAALQU/0L2DBZMA_QU/s2048/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A16%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="542" id="blogsy-1343417266770.548" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xAlwnPcIhwM/UBLXSDlU2XI/AAAAAAAALQU/0L2DBZMA_QU/s725/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A16%252520AM.jpg" width="725"></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qEEWBvEsP9U/UBLmFc8VxRI/AAAAAAAALR0/TmPmMH3ZbRk/s396/Photo%252520Jul%25252027%25252C%2525202012%2525203%25253A03%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="650" id="blogsy-1343417266682.5044" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qEEWBvEsP9U/UBLmFc8VxRI/AAAAAAAALR0/TmPmMH3ZbRk/s514/Photo%252520Jul%25252027%25252C%2525202012%2525203%25253A03%252520PM.jpg" width="514"></a></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">Over the mantle: <em>The Archangel Michael</em> by Pedro Garcia de Benabarre, 1455-1480</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HvurupFF-PQ/UBLW5e9AldI/AAAAAAAALQE/wN1u3XiCjW8/s1530/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A17%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="869" id="blogsy-1343417266730.2693" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HvurupFF-PQ/UBLW5e9AldI/AAAAAAAALQE/wN1u3XiCjW8/s650/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A17%252520AM.jpg" width="650"></a></div> Details of the carving in the stone mantle. <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yCk0jB3JaLw/UBLWXhJH-jI/AAAAAAAALPs/5dUUtzudQPk/s1530/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A21%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="963" id="blogsy-1343417266770.2434" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yCk0jB3JaLw/UBLWXhJH-jI/AAAAAAAALPs/5dUUtzudQPk/s720/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A21%252520AM.jpg" width="720"></a></div> <br/><br/> <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TzfDGQCzTjY/UBLWkLv3xtI/AAAAAAAALP0/7_DZa2h1SEU/s2048/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A20%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="553" id="blogsy-1343417266777.7048" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TzfDGQCzTjY/UBLWkLv3xtI/AAAAAAAALP0/7_DZa2h1SEU/s740/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A20%252520AM.jpg" width="740"></a></div> The restored floor, that had been hidden under years of gunge and black paint. <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7gpT94kk_uw/UBLXHjC-PnI/AAAAAAAALQM/yQc0uSOZafA/s2048/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A17%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="555" id="blogsy-1343417266777.0535" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7gpT94kk_uw/UBLXHjC-PnI/AAAAAAAALQM/yQc0uSOZafA/s744/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A17%252520AM.jpg" width="744"></a></div>The gorgeous 16th century tapestries are going to be sent back to Belgium for restoration soon. <br/><br/>More about the Tapestry Room <a href="http://www.gardnermuseum.org/collection/browse?filter=room:1769" target="_self" title="">here</a>. <br/><br/><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2">All above photos by Linda Merrill</font><br><br/><br/> <br/><br/>Below are photos taken in 1926, TE Marr & Sons, via <a href="http://www.wbur.org/2012/01/13/gardner-tapestry-room-before-after" target="_self" title="">WBUR</a>. <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4jairQQ7bLY/UBLjxY7ZtII/AAAAAAAALRc/cvzXiNNSeT4/s1280/Photo%252520Jul%25252027%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A52%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="439" id="blogsy-1343417266741.8818" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4jairQQ7bLY/UBLjxY7ZtII/AAAAAAAALRc/cvzXiNNSeT4/s650/Photo%252520Jul%25252027%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A52%252520PM.jpg" width="650"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-57cX6yaD8fw/UBLj6vEp4hI/AAAAAAAALRs/ssYevf0ymYc/s620/Photo%252520Jul%25252027%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A51%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="486" id="blogsy-1343417266744.2" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-57cX6yaD8fw/UBLj6vEp4hI/AAAAAAAALRs/ssYevf0ymYc/s650/Photo%252520Jul%25252027%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A51%252520PM.jpg" width="650"></a></div> And a photo from early 2012, showing the renovated space, returning it to its former glory. Photo WBUR/Jesse Costa. <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5SdeWxmHDj8/UBLj4iAfH2I/AAAAAAAALRk/hU9xkUs_wZY/s1280/Photo%252520Jul%25252027%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A52%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="432" id="blogsy-1343417266757.7527" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5SdeWxmHDj8/UBLj4iAfH2I/AAAAAAAALRk/hU9xkUs_wZY/s650/Photo%252520Jul%25252027%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A52%252520PM.jpg" width="650"></a></div> <br/><br/> Coming soon, the new Renzo Piano Wing! <br/><br/> <br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: The Tapestry Room

  As mentioned last week, I attended a private tour at the Gardner Museum in Boston with several design bloggers. The best part is that we ...

Read more »

The Courtyard at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B6TOaH4-yjU/UAwu9ykJrxI/AAAAAAAALI0/79-OprrCvJQ/s1530/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A03%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="965" id="blogsy-1343001946344.6948" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B6TOaH4-yjU/UAwu9ykJrxI/AAAAAAAALI0/79-OprrCvJQ/s721/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A03%252520AM.jpg" width="721"></a></div> As I mentioned last week, I was invited to spend an evening taking an "insiders" tour of the <a href="http://www.gardnermuseum.org/home/" target="_self" title="">Isabella Stewart Gardner museum</a>. The Museum's marketing department invited a group of design, wine and gardening bloggers and gave us a cook's tour starting at the top floor, working our way down the original building and over to the new Renzo Piano wing. And, we had permission to take photos - an very special privilege. <br/><br/>The centerpiece of the original museum is of course the famous Venentian villa inspired courtyard with three stories of windows overlooking gorgeous gardens and statuary. As we started in the top floor, I was able to shoot this amazing indoor courtyard from different levels and views. The sun popped out just as i wasshooting the image above. It was like the heavens were singing. I hope you enjoy!<br><br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zLl5oMxE_wM/UAw_Rb0CLvI/AAAAAAAALJY/Tvw8dZK0ynA/s1530/Photo%252520Jul%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525201%25253A56%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="944" id="blogsy-1343001946403.159" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zLl5oMxE_wM/UAw_Rb0CLvI/AAAAAAAALJY/Tvw8dZK0ynA/s706/Photo%252520Jul%25252022%25252C%2525202012%2525201%25253A56%252520PM.jpg" width="706"></a></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">Gothic and Moorish arched balcony windows on alternating floors. We were there on Thursday evening where they were holding one of their <a href="http://www.gardnermuseum.org/calendar/event_series/gardner_after_hours" target="_self" title="">Gardner After Hours</a> events, so lots of people were enjoying the space witha nice glass of wine. The tented space you can see in the middle of the above image is part of their statue restoration process that they are currently undertaking. Visitors are not allowed in the garden proper, but it certainly feels as if you're a part of it from all angles. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-J0Qyp-TNhqI/UAw92KetjBI/AAAAAAAALJQ/GknOSjcVA5c/s2048/Photo%252520Jul%25252019%25252C%2525202012%2525206%25253A33%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="550" id="blogsy-1343001946399.181" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-J0Qyp-TNhqI/UAw92KetjBI/AAAAAAAALJQ/GknOSjcVA5c/s736/Photo%252520Jul%25252019%25252C%2525202012%2525206%25253A33%252520PM.jpg" width="736"></a></div> This is the view from the second floor. <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-krPoE2U64Mw/UAwt5hhpLRI/AAAAAAAALIU/L8I6FUxVuj0/s2038/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A23%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="681" id="blogsy-1343001946334.6902" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-krPoE2U64Mw/UAwt5hhpLRI/AAAAAAAALIU/L8I6FUxVuj0/s717/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A23%252520AM.jpg" width="717"></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nLLnxa6bSSA/UAwtlOnMgEI/AAAAAAAALIM/K-CozCNAT4w/s2048/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A24%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="706" id="blogsy-1343001946407.5923" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nLLnxa6bSSA/UAwtlOnMgEI/AAAAAAAALIM/K-CozCNAT4w/s773/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A24%252520AM.jpg" width="773"></a></div> And below we're now on the first floor. <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--jnx-vOsWKM/UAwvapmK33I/AAAAAAAALI8/2sPtjRBw0CQ/s2048/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A30%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="552" id="blogsy-1343001946359.1003" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--jnx-vOsWKM/UAwvapmK33I/AAAAAAAALI8/2sPtjRBw0CQ/s738/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A30%252520AM.jpg" width="738"></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xOvA9P-bX8E/UAwuRr732mI/AAAAAAAALIk/9E3LBlqXdbM/s1530/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A28%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="866" id="blogsy-1343001946385.4214" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xOvA9P-bX8E/UAwuRr732mI/AAAAAAAALIk/9E3LBlqXdbM/s647/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A28%252520AM.jpg" width="647"></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fAHtwdGYF1I/UAwusdXzhgI/AAAAAAAALIs/NYXaZDFVQ8M/s1930/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A31%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="639" id="blogsy-1343001946382.8923" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fAHtwdGYF1I/UAwusdXzhgI/AAAAAAAALIs/NYXaZDFVQ8M/s650/Photo%252520Jul%25252021%25252C%2525202012%2525202%25253A31%252520AM.jpg" width="650"></a></div> There's more to come from the rest of our tour, including the Tapestry Room, the new Renzo Piano wing, and the greenhouses. <br/><br/> <font class="Apple-style-span" size="2">All photos by Linda Merrill. All rights reserved</font>. <br/><br/> <br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>

The Courtyard at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston

As I mentioned last week, I was invited to spend an evening taking an "insiders" tour of the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum . Th...

Read more »