Where Can I Find Custom Built Display Cases?

Where Can I Find Custom Built Display Cases?

Where can I find custom built display cases? is an easily answered question for us. Here at SohoFrames we make beautiful custom built display cases to your exact specifications. This way your display case is perfect for both the objects or artworks that will go into it, as well as making a unique addition to your home (or office). Our work is of the very highest quality. Every part is made in our own central London five-storey Soho workshop.

A Short History of This Type of Specialist Picture Frame

This type of picture frame is also sometimes referred to as a Shadow Box Frame. The only real difference between the two is the way they are constructed. Basically, A Shadow Box Picture Frame is used to the display of 3-dimensional objects. These could be dried flowers, sports memorabilia like tennis rackets, cricket bats, boxing gloves, skateboards etc (some of which you can see on our dedicated Sports Memorabilia Framing Page) as well as music instruments etc. We once even framed a shovel…Anything that is not flat. The depth of the show box frame depends on the dimensions of the object(s) to be framed. These types of frames are sealed from the back, just like a conventional picture frame.

A Display Case can be used to frame any of the examples listed above. The difference is that whatever is inside the display case can be accessed from the front usually by a hinged door. This format is used for two main reasons. The first is to gain easy access to the object inside. Clients may wish to show off the object to family and visiting friends, and / or the owner may wish to change or update whatever is inside. These could be collectible figurines, military items like antique or deactivated firearms, but also fashion accessories.

A Case Study

The photographs below show one such display case commission that the design and framing team here at SohoFrames recently undertook for one of our clients. Here we will outline the steps taken in the production of this completely bespoke display case frame.

First Contact

The client called us as they had an idea to gift their partner an historical item for their birthday. This was an historically significant item that was attached to a string (we are keeping these details vague to protect the privacy of the client). They wanted a picture frame that would not only form a centrepiece on the wall of their home but would also allow the bag to be removed as and when. The front of the frame therefore had to be easily opened. We advised the client that in the first instance they should send us a sketch of their idea along with any other details.

Initial Design

A sketch duly arrived by email along with the proposed specifications. These were as follows.

* The frame must be made of walnut due to its gentle grain texture and patterning, stained black with a lustre finish.

* The inside should be a soft white. This included the spacers (which added depth to the inside) and the outer border.

* The inner part should consist of a dark green velvet panel itself bordered by a sharply bevelled gold edging. The edging should be 22k gold.

* The display case was to contain two hooks that the bag would be hung upon.

* The front of the shadow box should consist of a hinged door.

* The door glass should be anti-reflective.

* The display case was to be fixed to the wall with brass mirror plates.

Design Phase

After carefully reading through the specifications and looking at the client’s sketch we asked to see the item. The client then arrived in the workshop with this extremely valuable, both historically as well as in monetary terms artwork. We measured it, noting down length, width, thickness, as well as the particulars of the handles and materials it was made from and then photographed it. Using this data, the very talented Alex Vintilescu made a series of drawings of the proposed design.

When these drawings were approved, Alex then turned them into a series of specialist realistic 3-dimensional computer renders so that the client could get a firm idea of what the finished shadow box display cabinet frame would look like. If a client chooses to send us a picture or pictures of the location or place where they expect to hang the finished frame, we can actually put the computerised render “in place” on the wall too.

Fine Tuning

Several changes were asked for. These were in terms of the sizing of the various wooden parts, the border dimensions as well as the overall size of the display case. It had to be elegant and in fitting with an artefact from the 1930s. In keeping with this theme, we sourced brass fittings, hinges and a knob, from a specialist supplier of art deco furniture fittings and other period sundries. We thought that the doorknob, which was 15mm in diameter was simply exquisite. Unlike much of the fittings made today, it was beautifully made and the sleek elegant design suited the project perfectly. Once we received the okay, we set about turning the original sketch into a real living thing.

Technical Drawings

The next step was to produce a series of technical drawings to scale. The cutting files were then made from these drawings.

Construction

We cut each part of the display case frame from solid Black American Walnut plank, timber that we personally select by hand at our local timber yard. Once all the different parts were milled to the correct dimensions, we assembled them and then stained everything black using a combination or water-based and oil-based dyes. The polished finish was achieved using a selection of hard wax oils.

The door is essentially a separate picture frame, the glass held in by a beading that was nailed into place with tiny steel pins. The pins were pushed just beneath the surface of the wood with a punch and the resulting cavities filled with black furniture wax.        

The velvet was stretched around a mount board. The gold bevel surrounds this luxurious green velvet was milled from walnut, pinned and glued together and then gilded using 22k gold leaf.

The white parts were made from 2.2mm thick archival mountboard.

The Extra Touches

The rear of the frame is not seen as the client wanted the frame to be fitted to the wall with brass mirror plates. However, we decided to make a walnut back for the display case. We used an MDF base and glued thin boards of walnut onto it that we cut from the same plank that the rest of the frame was made from. It was important to us that the grain pattern of each separate board complimented the other to achieve a homogenous look. As with the rest of the frame, we stained it black and polished it with hard wax oil.

The last thing to do was to fit the hinges and doorknob. We had already mapped out the position of the fittings and tested the fit of the door before staining, so when everything was done, it was simply a matter of screwing the fittings into their pre-drilled holes with matching brass screws. The last thing to do was to adjust the door catch. It was important to make sure that it sounded right when opening and closing and had just the right amount of tension so that it felt right too. The adjustment is made by tuning the tension of a tiny spring that was fitted into the cabinet body.

Conclusions

And there you have it, a unique Shadow Box Display Case Frame made to the client’s exact specifications. So, the answer to the question where can I find custom built display cases? is here at SohoFrames. All you have to do is reach out and contact us. There is never any obligation and we enjoy a challenge.

The following photos are of the actual real physical finished cabinet. You can probably appreciate how close the design renders were.