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, or a carved 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.
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 apply the leaf by hand from behind the glass, so weather never touches it. 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 cast plaques in both bronze and aluminum, depending on the budget and the look a client wants. Browse our cast bronze plaques and cast aluminum plaques for examples.
Life Rings: A Nautical Display Piece
Not every life ring we make goes on a boat. We paint plenty with a family’s boat name and mount 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
- Glass gilding at the Mt. Washington Tavern
- Architectural mural at Bond Street Wharf
- Architectural mural for E.J. Codd Co.
Contact Designs & Signs
Have a display piece in mind, such as a plaque, a mural, or a gilded window? Send us a message through our contact form, or call (410) 798-5115, and we’ll help you figure out the right approach.