Not every sign we make has to be read at 30 miles an hour. Some exist simply to catch the eye. A gilded window, a bronze plaque on a lobby wall, a quarterboard over a bar, or a gold leaf life ring hanging in a den all work as display, not just identification. That is the part of our craft closer to art than infrastructure. It is also some of our favorite work to build.
Decorative Quarterboards: A Boat Name on the Wall
Quarterboards were made for boats, but many of ours never go near the water. Owners hang them over a bar, in a den, or above a cottage door, where a carved and gilded name becomes the centerpiece of the room. The Burgee Bar is a good example. We made a pair of mahogany name boards for TATA NO FEAR and a Slobberknocker sailfish sign in palladium leaf for its walls. Likewise, our palladium leaf quarterboard for Katalyst now hangs on display in Key Largo, alongside a carved Happy Hour sign. We make every board to order and ship quarterboards anywhere. Browse our carved quarterboards for more.
Glass Gilding: The Window as a Display Case
Gold leaf on glass turns a storefront window into a display in its own right. It is more than a place to put a business name. We gild the glass by hand from behind, so weather never touches the leaf. From the sidewalk, it looks brilliant. We have used the technique on restaurants and specialty shops around Annapolis and DC, including our work at the Mt. Washington Tavern in Baltimore. See more of our glass gilding projects.
Plaques: A Display Built to Hang and Be Read Up Close
A plaque is a different kind of display than a storefront sign. Someone standing a foot or two away will read the names, dates, or dedication. So the approach changes. The letterforms get finer, and the finish gets more formal. We make cast bronze and cast aluminum plaques, as well as etched plaques, depending on the budget and the look a client wants. Browse our plaques for examples.
Life Rings: A Nautical Display Piece
Not every life ring we make goes on a boat. We letter plenty with a family’s boat name, and they hang them on a wall at home as a keepsake. It is a small project, but people tend to love it. It turns a boat name into something they can display indoors year-round. See more in our custom life rings gallery.
Murals: A Display at Building Scale
Sometimes the whole wall is the display. We hand-paint architectural murals, and it is slow, careful work. However, the payoff is a mural that can last for decades. Our mural at Bond Street Wharf is one of the largest hand-painted murals in North America. Our piece for E.J. Codd Co. in Fells Point is another good example. Browse our architectural murals for more.
Display Projects to Explore
- Mahogany name boards for TATA NO FEAR at the Burgee Bar
- Palladium leaf quarterboard for Katalyst
- Mahogany boat sign with a gold leaf marlin for reKUPPERation
- Glass gilding at the Mt. Washington Tavern
- Architectural mural at Bond Street Wharf
- Architectural mural for E.J. Codd Co.
Contact Designs & Signs
The quickest way to get started on your project is to send us an email.
We can also be reached by phone at (410) 798-5115.