Choosing a Frame For Your Artwork

Here are some of the things that you want to keep in mind when choosing a frame.

Size: The trick to making any size frame "work" with a piece of art is to control the proportion with matting. A wide frame requires more matting than a narrow frame. A solid background requires a wider frame for balance.

Style: The color, subject matter, and tone of your artwork will all point you toward an appropriate selection of frames. The frame should contiue to carry the "message" of the art. If you feel what you are framing doesn't really have a message, use the decor of the room in which your piece will hang as your guide.

Type: Wood frames will look great on almost any piece of art. We use walnut, cherry, oak, ash, basswood, poplar and pine- all domestic woods- in our frames. Stained wood can be plain, carved, simple or ornate. And many wood frames are available in lacquer finishes (a popular trend), faux finishes, or gold or silver leaf. We also carry metal frames, which work well with certain decor and with modern pieces and posters.

Choosing The Mats

Mats are more than decoration. They protect the surface of the art and keep it from laying directly on the glass. To decide which mats to use, look to the colors in your art for inspiration. Using multiple mats will add to the beauty and depth of the finished piece.

Here a a few basic rules:

Dark colors tend to contain the art, while light colors tend to expand it. Mats should be at least twice as wide as the frame width for balance. In a multiple mat combination that refers to the top mat.

Vary the amount showing on each mat in multiple mat combinations to avoid "striping." A slight showing of the bottom mat can showcase a strong accent color that you want to feature in your piece. The top mat can be whatever color is predominant in the art. You can also use a nuetral top mat as an accent color.