Pictures are what you treasure for a lifetime! Whether they are of memories to cherish; a trip to keep in mind; a special occasion not to be forgotten; a certificate to be proud of or an image stitched with love, they are visual reflections of yourself. These are the items you want to display in your home, office and cottage. These pictures are what make your home comfortable and joyous; fill your office with reminders of the greatness life has to offer; and your cottage welcoming. What care and protective measures should be taken? How should these treasures be displayed? Which artistic considerations, skills and experience do the experts have to offer?

 

Your treasured images should be properly protected. An image on photo paper or similar thin material should be mounted onto heavier board, such as foam core, to avoid puckering of the image. Images should not touch the glass. Not only does the mat board serve as a visual enhancement but also provides a practical means to allow appropriate spacing away from the glass. If an image will be exposed to frequent sunlight, it is best to use ultra-violet protective glass. Likewise, if your image is subject to be vulnerable to a glare from a light source, it is best to use non-glare glass. The backing should be acid free, sealed with a dust cover and enclosed inside the frame. Last but not least, your picture should be hung with a decent weight wire of 3 to 6 gauge and hangers that are properly secured to the frame.

 

The colour, size and layout of your framing choices should enhance your treasured images as well as reflect your decorating style. Mats come in a variety of colours, textures and fabrics. Some images may look great with a single mat whereas others may look better with a double or triple mat combination. A mat with a v-grove, which looks like a bevelled key line, can give your image a classy addition. A velvet or suede textured mat certainly enhances a needlework. A textured mat can look extraordinary with multi-medium art. Three inches for the width of a mat is the standard rule of thumb. For a special occasion, a very wide mat around a picture that guests can sign makes a terrific keepsake. The formality of a certificate tends to lend itself better to a narrower mat and a straightforward style frame such as metal or classic wood. Frame choices are numerous. Metal frames tend to give a sleek, contemporary look and can be slightly less expensive. Some frames are made of a poly-urethane material which lends itself well to exhibit ornate design patterns yet can maintain reasonable expense. Wood frames can be found to meet every style, size, colour, pattern and texture preference. The size of the frame should be proportional to the image size. A large image will require a wide solid frame. Images with a thickness such as paper-tole will be best suited to be set in a deep frame. Your frame choice should not only suit your image but also blend with your style: traditional, contemporary or casual. Style, size, colour, pattern and texture should all work well together. 

 

When choosing a framing shop, consider their reputation, skill and experience. Is framing their entire business or it is just a small corner of a larger enterprise? A shop that is solely for framing will stock materials from numerous suppliers, have a large selection of inventory to choose from and prices will be more competitive. Additionally, some shops will do all the work on site not only cutting overhead charges but also taking more care of your treasured images. How long has the company been in business?  You will receive expert assistance from someone who has been framing for years. Their familiarity with design trends, ability to select just the right colour combination and help choose what suits your style and budget will be immeasurable.