Many of the questions that Ele gets asked frequently are answered below. If you have any further questions, please get in touch with Ele here.
What does Ele need from a client to make a commission?
Ele requires some photos of the front and sides of the property for an initial quote, then once a quote is signed off any additional photos or drone photos / footage, plus architectural plans you might have. But just a few photos to start with is fine!
Does Ele need to visit a property in order to make a piece of it?
Definitely not! Ele has made pieces of houses in the Caribbean, Bahamas and the US which I never saw in person. A good series of photos and / or architectural plans to work from is enough.
How long does it take Ele to make a piece?
Each piece is different, but it usually takes 4/5 weeks per piece, plus framing. Approximately 1 week is spent working out a scale for the piece and measuring it up, then 3/4 weeks to make the piece, plus a couple of weeks is required for the bespoke framing.
What can Ele make a house from?
Ele can work from a variety of documents and anything is possible so long as it can be printed. Previous examples have included copies of OS and vintage maps, sheet music, poetry, songs, story books, old travel guides, vintage cartoons, scripts and birth or wedding certificates. Ele ensures the important words / places on each document are visible on the finished pieces.
Does Ele have to use original documents or books to make her pieces?
Ele can use an original book to construct a piece from, but more often than not Ele uses copies or photographs of the chosen documents, that are then printed to scale onto handmade paper to imitate the look and feel of a real page. This also ensures the overall colour of a finished piece, made from multiple documents, is a uniform colour.
Does the client need to provide the book that the pieces are made on?
The base book can be a sentimental book, but Ele often covers the visible book pages using copies of maps or music or another document, and prints the document to a size that fits the book underneath.
How are the lights in the pieces powered and turned on and off?
The lights inside the pieces are tiny LEDs that are powered by a AA battery pack secured on the back of the piece. The lights are turned on and off using a switch on the side or back of the box frame.
What are the pieces framed in?
Each piece is framed in a made-to-measure wooden box frame, using museum quality anti-reflective glass. The frame finish and mount colour is chosen by the client, with guidance from Ele if needed. The box frames are usually approximately 40cm wide, 22cm deep and 25cm high, but the sizes are dependent on the shape of the house and size of the book they are made on.
Does Ele ship her pieces abroad?
Yes, I can ship all finished pieces to most global destinations.
What do the bespoke pieces cost?
The starting price for a bespoke piece is £3,000, but the final cost depends on how many component parts I need to construct to make a house and it’s gardens.