How to Select Mats for Pictures
The right mat sets off a picture beautifully, and the wrong mat can ruin it. Here are some tips for selecting mats that will complement your artwork and your decor. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Remember that neutral mats such as beige, ivory, taupe and gray are best for nearly all pictures. Neutral mats allow you to move pictures from room to room - and they won't upstage the artwork.
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Limit the use of boldly colored mats to the bottom mat and put a neutral on top. This leaves just a sliver of the bold color showing so that it won't distract from the art.
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Choose a mat color that contrasts with the wall color where the picture will hang. For instance, if the wall is painted antique white, a mat of medium taupe or gray might be a good choice.
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Use a wide mat to set off a picture that will hang against a busy wall. A wallpaper or dramatic faux finish wall covering, for example, would call for a wide mat.
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A mat with a black core, which shows only on the edge of the opening for the picture, is a great choice for charcoal, pen-and-ink and other works executed in black.
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Purchase mats that are acid-free, especially for valuable artwork. The difference in price is usually small, and acid-free mats will not speed the deterioration of artwork.
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Avoid mats with elaborate cuts; they can overwhelm artwork.
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Use a wide mat to lend importance to and focus attention on a small piece of art.
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Use mats of the same color and width to unify a grouping.
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