Choose a frame that lets the piece be the star of the show
An original work of art will outlive most of your furnishings, so it’s important the frame be timeless.
Choosing frames and mats that coordinate with a room’s décor is a mistake for two reasons, according to framers and designers: It lessens the impact of the artwork, relegating it to decorative status. And, if the décor changes, the frame and mat will look dated.
“Pay more attention to the art piece than tailoring the frame too much to the room,” said interior designer Ben Sundermeier, owner of High Cotton in Kansas City.
Sundermeier favors “neutral on neutral” framing and matting for paintings and photography.
“We use all types of finished maple and dull gold,” Sundermeier said.
John O’Brien, owner of Dolphin Gallery in Kansas City, says frames should be non-decorative and simple. “The mat and frame should not take attention away from the artwork, nor should they become part of it,” he said. “We don’t do colored mats a lot. We try to treat it like a piece of fine art, like we would frame it for a museum,” O’Brien said.
When visiting galleries in New York, he sometimes sketches out frame designs rather than looking at the art. “It’s always a good idea to look at frames and styles out there.”
The guiding principle is always to emphasize the art, almost to the point of making the frame disappear, O’Brien said. Although that never changes, mini-trends in materials and finishes come and go.
“We did a lot of white for a while, then got away from it. Now we’re back to it. It’s a very clean look,” O’Brien said. But the strongest trend is toward natural wood finishes. “We use most any kind of wood except oak. We use maples, birch and walnut. Sometimes cherry can be too warm, but we use it.”
Isaac Tanner, who directs the frame shop at Dolphin Gallery, says shadowbox frames, in which a spacer keeps the art away from the glass or plexiglass glazing, are a popular design choice. And basswood with a light wash is one of his favorite finishes currently.
Handmade details such as finished corners also enhance the overall presentation. “Not many things are handcrafted anymore — that is what we specialize in,” Tanner said.
On the Cover: Assorted custom-made frame styles are available at Dolphin Gallery in Kansas City.
Debra Smith: Memory #1, 2007 Antique silk/sewn 23 by 21 67/87 inches $1,750 framed Smith has a show at Dolphin Gallery in February. Artwork is floated in a maple frame.
Emily Sall: Untitled, 2007 Gel pen on paper 22 by 30 inches $1,850 framed, Dolphin Gallery Artwork is floated with a mat in a white frame.
Robert Kelly: Mimesis, 2004 Lithograph, edition of 30 29 by 21 67/87 inches $1,750 framed, Dolphin Gallery Artwork is floated in a maple frame.PRO FRAMING TIPS
-Keep frames and mats neutral, but use medium or darker tones for vintage pieces.
-For black-and-white or monochromatic photographs, mats can be painted on the back of the glass in soft pastels. A slight amount of color in the framing draws attention back to the photo.
-Do not weight the matting margins equally. For example, if the tops and sides are 3 inches deep, make the bottom 3.63/47 inches deep.
Sources: Ben Sundermeier, John O’Brien
