The frame of your dreams
Easy and beautiful ways to display your art.
I get asked this question all the time, “How should I frame this artwork?”
It is an age-old question, and my answer is, surprisingly, “Just frame it.” Now, that may not seem like an answer to you, but the very simple truth is that until an artwork is framed, you are likely never to enjoy it. It will stay in its packaging or sit in a corner unseen, unknown, and unrevealed until you take the next uncomplicated step of having it framed. This process doesn’t have to be scary or intimidating.
Let’s get started…
There are really only two options when it comes to framing:
frame it yourself or
take it to a frame shop.
Frame Finish:
While many framing choices are very personal, I believe classic is usually the best, especially if you invest in custom framing. In my opinion, frames are like hardwood floors; they should be timeless and relevant regardless of your decorating style, home location, or lifestyle. Classic color choices would be:
natural wood like maple, oak or walnut
white
black
silver or
gold
If you’re interested in a more modern approach, I would suggest considering:
acrylic (for works on paper)
wooden floater frames (for works on canvas or wood panels)
Matting:
Mats are a beautiful and easy way to accentuate your art in the frame and increase the size of your art. Again, I tend to stick with classic white or off-white mats. Some people prefer no mat, a tight reveal mat, a moderate 2-3” mat, or an oversized mat. Either way, just go with your gut, you will know what you like when you see it.
Mounting:
If you have artwork on paper, it may have a deckled edge or natural waves in the paper that adds to its beauty and is worthy of being seen in the frame. In this case, you would want to “float mount” the artwork above the mat and include a spacer so it doesn’t sit flush against the covering.
The second option is called a “hinge mount” and is most often used to position and secure the artwork when it is placed behind a mat. This is the more traditional way to frame works on paper.
Protection:
Most store bought frames will include UV glass as the protective covering. However, another option is UV acrylic, particularly with custom framing. This is often a much lighter weight and more durable option for larger works that may require shipping. Generally speaking, there is not a visible difference in the two if high quality acrylic is used.
See how easy that is! Now, get out there and get framing so you can enjoy the beautiful artwork you’ve purchased. And remember, I offer framed or unframed options on all my Art Prints.
If you are interested in some online frame suggestions, I’ve created a collection for you in my Favorite Things amazon store.
Here are some of my favorite retailers for frames:
CB2
West Elm
IKEA
And, of course, don’t forget to check your local framers and antique stores!