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Greenbrae, California

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Frame of Reference

Posted at Helpful Tips by Marty Bautista

Sep. 8, 2008

Tagged with: frame of reference, picture this

One of the easiest ways to make your house feel more like a home — and also make it more appealing for showing — is to decorate the walls with framed art and photographs. It can seem like a daunting task to frame and hang art, but it’s easier than you think.

In most cases, you can do it yourself. Ready-made frames are usually available in standard sizes at stores everywhere. Odd-sized artwork, however, often requires a custom frame from a professional shop. It’s generally a pricier option, but it can be a worthy investment. To find a reputable framer in your area, go to the Professional Picture Framers Association’s Web sites: www.ppfa.pmai.org or www.findapictureframer.com. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, keep these tips in mind:

· When deciding on a mat and frame, select the mat first and then find a frame to complement it. Be sure that the subject and tone of the picture are enhanced by mat and frame selection.

· Get creative with mats. Don’t look just at color, but at texture and size.

· To make a picture look bigger, use a darker-colored mat. Lighter-colored mats draw attention away from the frame and allow the viewer to concentrate on the image within the frame.

· Consider using wide mats (greater than two inches) for prints and photos to create an updated look. Mats wider than prints give greater importance to small images.

· Layering mats can create a unique piece of custom-framed artwork. Using two or more mats is also a good way to accent colors in a room.

· Frames and mats can create a theme for your artwork, so make sure you choose frames and mats that correspond with what you want to convey.

· When choosing a frame, make sure the color of the frame doesn’t overpower the colors in the art.

· Put artwork in a frame large enough so that it doesn’t get lost in the decor of the room.

Source: HGTV.com

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User Comments

1. RE: Frame of Reference

Written by: Sue Averell

Sep. 8, 2008

Hi Marty,

I concur! Fantastic tips on framing.

Another option is unframed paintings, deep stretchers with gallery wrapped canvas (no staples showing) can also save money and time and we all need more of each.

I just may know where you can find some nice paintings; I am the artist you met at one of the properties you represent.

Happy selling!

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