How to Make the Most of Your Visit

The most rewarding part of art & frame design is interacting with our clients. Frame design becomes a joint creative effort combining our technical expertise with our customer's taste. Our staff will take the time to ensure you are completely satisfied, but we also know your time is valuable. Here is a list of tips to help you get the most out of your trip to J Pocker.

1) Measure the usable space where you'd like your art to hang. Make note of light switches, mouldings, sconces, etc.

2) With some newspaper and wallpaper tape you can safely experiment by creating a "mock-up" layout on your wall. When you have the correct proportions you can measure the template giving you a sense of scale for the finished product.

3) We always "frame to the art", meaning we design according to what looks best on a piece, not to match the sofa! That being said, its important to consider the elements in a room. Paint chips, fabric swatches and/or pictures of the room can help us design framing that will be right at home in your space.

4) Sometimes knowing what you don't like can be as important as what you do like. Giving thought to what does or does not appeal to you can assist your framer in presenting ideas that will showcase your art and your personal style.

5) Plan ahead. Our designers are happy to make frame recommendations in advance of your visit. We offer pick-up to the Upper East Side or you can drop off art before you come in to frame. By simply speaking with one of our employees we can arrange to look at your art and have a presentation ready for a time that is convenient for you.

Tortoise Shell: The Next Level in Luxury Framing

Luxury framing materials can range from lustrous gold leaf to mirror inlay, exotic woods to modern resins. Real tortoise shell has been prized since ancient Roman times as a veneer to accent everything from furniture to jewelry- and eventually frames. In 1973 the trade of tortoise shell was banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Demand from the design community for something fresh has brought about the comeback of tortoise shell and due to advances in frame materials, its finally possible. Though we see many items called "tortoise shell" they rarely, if ever, capture the correct translucency and texture of the real thing. J Pocker's new line of tortoise shell veneer frames do just that. Gold leaf frames embellished with high quality faux tortoise shell are statement pieces that will stand the test of time. They are also versatile, complimenting natural history subjects and mirrors alike.