The Frame Changes the Mood
Choosing a frame isn't simply about finding something that “matches” your room. The frame can change the scale, personality and mood of the artwork.
Ornate and gilded frames bring drama, history and presence. And don't reserve them for traditional interiors. I love an elaborate antique frame against clean architecture or contemporary furnishings. That contrast can be incredibly sophisticated.
Natural wood frames—oak, walnut, burl or beautifully aged wood—bring warmth and texture. They work particularly well in interiors layered with natural materials, but there's no need to match every wood tone in the room.
Simple contemporary frames in black, bronze, white or natural wood allow the artwork to take center stage. For photography and works on paper, a generous mat can make even a very small piece feel important.
Float frames and shadow boxes offer another possibility. A float frame gives a canvas room to breathe, while a shadow box can transform a textile, travel find or meaningful object into something worthy of the wall.
And sometimes?
Don't frame it at all.
Certain canvases, textiles and sculptural pieces are more powerful left alone.
Ask What the Art Needs
Before choosing a frame, I like to start with the artwork itself.
Does it need more presence?
Does it need quiet?
Could a larger mat change its scale?
Would something old make a contemporary piece more interesting?
Instead of asking, “What frame matches my room?” try asking:
“What does the art need?”
The answer may lead you somewhere much more interesting.
Let the Art Start the Room
We often design a room and then wonder what to put on the walls. But if you already own a piece you love, why not reverse the process?
Art can become the starting point for an entire room.
A color within a painting might inspire a textile. The mood of a photograph can influence the materials and lighting. A large piece may determine the furniture placement or become the focal point the room was missing.
The goal isn't to make the room match the art. Let the art set the mood and allow the room to grow around it.
Most importantly, don't be intimidated by art.
It doesn't need to be expensive, famous or collectible. It might be something you discovered while traveling, inherited from your family, found at a local gallery or simply couldn't stop thinking about.
If you love it, it belongs in your story.
And if you have a piece you love but aren't quite sure how to make it work, don't give up on it.
Maybe it just needs the right frame.
A Few Framing Resources I Recommend
Finding the right framer can be just as important as choosing the frame itself. A knowledgeable framer can help you explore proportion, matting, materials, finishes and conservation options while seeing how each choice changes the character of the artwork.
For clients in Chicago and the North Shore, a few resources worth exploring are:
Artists Frame Service — A longtime Chicago framing resource with a Highland Park location and an extensive selection of custom framing options.
Artists Frame Service
Gemini Builds It — A valuable resource for custom and museum-quality framing, as well as more specialized pieces and custom display solutions.
Gemini Builds It
The Custom Framer of Highland Park — A convenient North Shore resource for personalized custom framing and conservation framing.
The Custom Framer of Highland Park
And you don't have to make these decisions alone. When I'm working with a client, I'm happy to visit a framer together and help select the frame, mat, scale and finish in the context of the room we're creating. Sometimes seeing the possibilities in person is exactly what helps us find the right solution.
Because framing isn't separate from the design of a home. It's another layer in telling its story.
Bring Your Art Into the Story of Your Home
At Matte & Gloss Interiors, we believe the most memorable homes feel personal and collected—not simply decorated. Art, travel finds and meaningful pieces are often where the best rooms begin.
Have a piece of art you love but aren't sure where—or how—it belongs in your home? Let's start there.
Schedule a design consultation with Matte & Gloss Interiors, and let's create a room around what you already love.
