A basic guide to framing

So, you’ve fallen in love with a piece of art but you’re not sure of how to display it in your home? Here are some basic tips:

Framing prints

All of my prints are made to fit in standard frames (IKEAs frames for instance). Just pop your print behind the existing mat and secure with some acid free tape and your piece is ready to be hung. For a step by step guide click here. If you want to step up the framing quality, choose one of the options below.

Framing watercolors

Choose a frame with glass or acrylic glass but make sure it’s been treated to protect from UV rays. Use a mat! Any work on paper will look lovelier with a mat as it elevates the piece, letting it ‘breathe’ in the frame. I know some framers will offer colored mats but in my opinion - nothing beats white or off-white.

To make framing the work you purchase from me easier I offer a made-to-order mat with your purchase cut to fit into a standard frame size.

Choosing the color of the frame 

Simple black and white frames are endlessly versatile. They work with all interior styles, wall colors, and art colors. Another option is looking at the room you’re planning on hanging your art in. Matching the tone of wood floors, cabinets, countertops or even furniture with the frame can pull the whole room together.

Framing works on stretched canvas

Works on canvas can be hung unframed directly on the wall, but if you’d still like a frame around the canvas, a floater frame can be really nice. They create the illusion that your artwork is "floating" within the frame instead of being covered by it.

Custom framing

Taking the artwork to your local frame shop and having a custom frame created for your piece can get a little more pricey, but gives you a quality framing that’s hard to beat.

Online framing

There are many excellent online options for quality frames to a fraction of the price a local frame shop will offer. Choose a frame, provide them with the size of the artwork (= the opening of the mat) and the size you want the frame to be (a size bigger than the artwork). Assemble at home using acid free tape.

Some online shops will make the assembly for you. Just select the frame you like, send them the artwork and it will be returned ready to hang!