What We're Framing Now: Hiram
What’s more satisfying than finding that final puzzle piece and completing your masterpiece? How about framing it for posterity? A popular pandemic activity, Lincoln Park framing consultant Hiram’s Paris puzzle sparked fond wanderlust memories while staying at home that he now wants to preserve and celebrate.
What piece did you frame?
I choose to frame a 1500 piece puzzle illustration of Montmartre in Paris.
What’s the back story to it?
My wife Melissa and I have fond memories of trips to Paris we made in the early 2000s. Like many people at the start of the pandemic, we were both stuck at home and decided to pass some of the time by working on a puzzle together. We completed a little bit every day and was simultaneously able to relive our travel memories while quarantined at home.
Any tips for framing a puzzle?
Many! In fact, we shared several of them when puzzle framing was at the height of its pandemic popularity that you can explore here. The biggest one for me though has to be the glue. You’ll want to glue your puzzle together at home so it’s easy to transport for framing. Pro tip: make sure you select a glue, like Mod Podge, that will dry clear.
Why did you choose the framing combination you did?
I actually chose to do a double frame combination on this piece, a framing trick and art enhancer that not everyone considers. While I contemplated many beautiful combinations, the double frame I landed on highlights the reds, blues and purple seen throughout the piece. The colors and patterns of the frames add even more energy to the scene depicted in the puzzle.
What's your favorite part about how it turned out?
It’s not so much the what, but the who. I did not tell my wife I was framing it, so bringing home this beautiful completed piece was a total surprise. She was very excited and wanted to hang it right away.
Where will you display it?
Front and center in our living room so we can continue to be inspired by our Paris travels, and hopefully plan another trip there soon!
Puzzle framing piqued your interest? Come see the expert himself, Hiram, in Lincoln Park, or visit us in Highland Park or River North.