Custom Framing Ideas

Custom frames give you autonomy over the finished look of a portrait or artwork.

The right frame for your art or photographs can make or break the piece. A frame may be the wrong color, size, material or finish, and the end result is a distracting piece of room decor. Custom framing allows you to select the perfect frame for your art or photography piece. When choosing a frame, consider not only the art, but also the decor and design of the room that will house the piece. Does this Spark an idea?

Classic Frames

Classic frames are designed to complement rather than compete with the artwork and your interior space. Classic frames feature mitered joints for seamless and understated corners. Ornate frames are finished in gold or silver, while more modern frames are left in their natural wood grain or painted a clean black or white color. For a more striking piece of wall decor, alternate between similarly-sized and -shaped frames in black or white along your hallway. Another option is to stick to one style of frame but choose difference shapes or sizes for your artwork or portraits. Clean, simple black or white frames are best paired with modern art with bright colors, while more ornate traditional frames look best with simple portraits or silhouettes.

Alternative Materials

One way to add distinction to your walls and artwork is to forgo the more traditional milled wood frames for unexpected framing materials. If you have a country-style home and simple, colorful botanical prints, or cross-stitching, a simple wooden frame wrapped in a gingham or subtle polka dotted fabric adds softness and charm to the frame. If your taste is more contemporary and your artwork more abstract or edgy, look for hammered metal frames in stainless steel or antique bronze for a bold framing choice. Black and white photographs of natural scenes look natural in frames made from reclaimed wood or bark-edged pieces of wood.

Framing Ideas

Frames aren't just for art prints or blown-up photographs. Frames are also ways to add distinction to favorite pieces of homemade art or knick-knacks. Collect several prints of your children's finger painting art or crayon drawings and arrange them in a series in a large frame for the playroom or bedroom. Instead of relegating your grandmother's china to a glass cabinet, consider holding out a few small saucers or antiqued spoons to mount and frame in a shadowbox-style wall hanging. Frames that match a single color in the framed piece create a cohesive option for wall decor.

References

• Michaels Stores: Creative Custom Framing Ideas
• Great Picture Frames: How to Choose Picture Frames for Decorative Purposes
• "Creative Matting and Framing: For Photos, Artwork, and Collections"; Trice Boerens; 2002

Resources

• Read this Article in UK English