More Picture Framing and Art Preservation Answers
Question Library
Ask a question about Picture Framing and Art Preservation
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login
Awards
About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer
|
| |
|
|
| |
| | | |
About Sara Tro
Expertise
I am a professional custom picture framer and designer. I have experience in all areas of
picture framing, and own my own custom framing shop. I can answer questions relating
to the design of a piece, the preservation of the artwork, color theory, photograph
restoration, decor, art placement, room balancing and installation questions.
Experience
I have owned my own retail custom frame shop for 5 years, and managed a high-end shop before that for 5.5 years. I worked for a professional restorer and archivist for 8 months prior to the management position. I am also a fine artist myself, with a BFA in Photography and Printmaking, and have been framing my own work for years and years.
Education/Credentials
BFA Fine Arts, NYSCC at Alfred University, NY
| | |
| |
You are here: Experts > Arts/Humanities > Visual Arts > Picture Framing and Art Preservation > framing
Expert: Sara Tro
Date: 1/14/2008
Subject: framing
Question
Should I go with a dark green wood frame or a gold tones frame. Do you have another suggestion. My home is traditional
I am framing a cross stitch. The theme is an all season wreath - the colors in the wreath are of all seasons. I have picked up a dark green matting for the underlay and a tan matting(the color of the bird nest within the cross stitch)for the overlay. My first choice was a dark green frame. But now I am having 2nd thoughts. (1) All the frames in my home has some gold in them. (2) I may hang this over a Cherry Secretary - How would green go with that? and (3) would gold be more versatile?
Answer
Hi Penny,
Happy new year!
and thanks for the question!
Without seeing the piece itself, I can give you a few tips as to how I would go about framing this cross stitch.
I think if all the frames in your home have some gold in them, it may be a good idea to incorporate a little gold into the piece, even if the frame isn't gold. You can have your framer add a gold fillet, (a frame/mat enhancer made of wood), to any frame, or you could use it between the tan and green mats. This is all providing there are some golden/yellow/tans in the stitchery for you to pull out with some gold. If the piece doesn't call for gold, then adding gold could be a mistake, and in the long run and you'll wind up not loving the piece and reframing it later.
As a general "rule", I usually use the matting to add breath and give the piece room by pulling out a mid-highlight color with the top mat. It sounds like you've done this with the tan of the birds nest? I'd stick with that if the nest is one of the lighter colors in the piece. Then, I usually use the frame to contain the piece, to keep it from being in a "boundary-less" situation, so I would advise the green frame instead of the gold. Gold wouldn't do a great job of supporting the piece and containing it, as it sounds like the piece has some darker tones in it. The dark green frame would pull out the darker tones while the matting is pulling out the lighter ones, which is a good balance for the finished piece. Since you may move the piece someday, I'd avoid framing it to match the secretary, and I think the other options would look fine over the piece of furniture.
So, to sum it up.. I would choose a dark green frame that has some gold in it, or added to it with a fillet, provided the gold is the right tone.. (You can find gold fillets that are darker gold with green undertones.. this may help unite the gold with the frame?).. I think the matting sounds fine, as long as the green mat isn't darker than the frame, and as long as the nest is one of the lighter colors in the piece. Because it's a stitchery you're framing, I would also recommend maybe having some detail in the frame to balance the texture of the piece, some subtleties will look best with a piece of handwork. If you decide to use glass, and it's in the budget, invest in non-glare museum glass so you can really see all the texture and stitches. Make sure your framer is using all acid-free materials, of course, and will assess whether the piece needs to be stretched/blocked etc.
I think you're on a good track with your piece, and i hope it turns out to be a something you enjoy for a long time to come!
Any other questions you have, please don't hesitate to write again..
Best of luck,
Sara
Add to this Answer
Ask a Question
|
|
