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Once you have picked out a piece of artwork for your home, the next step is to matte and frame it, if it is not already. The right matte and frame will enhance the beauty of the piece and make it look finished.
Identify the main color of the background of your piece of art. The matte color should be as close to the background color as possible. If your piece is of the outdoors, this might be the blue of the sky or the green of the grass and trees. If your piece is abstract and has mostly red in it, choose a red matte. Do not choose a matte color that is the predominant color in your home, unless it is the background color of the piece.
So many people would go into framing shops with black and white art piece and want a red matte, because they have a lot of red in the room where it will hang. Please do not be tempted to make that mistake. The matte should be an extension of the piece of art. The goal is to enhance the beauty of the artwork. The goal is not to force a competing color into the piece.
There are several reasons for this. First, it makes the piece look smaller. Second, it will visually distract you from the contrast the artist purposely used in the piece. Third, if you change the colors in your home, suddenly this piece of art looks out of place in any other setting. Choose a second matte color to match the highlights in the picture. A second matte is optional, of course, but many like the look of a second and even third matte.
The purpose of this is to pick up on the contrast of a color the artist used touches of in the piece that really stand out from the background. A second matte under the first will result in a thin band of that highlighting all around the piece. This highlight right beside the background color makes the piece really pop in a pleasing way, because you are repeating the contrasting colors that the artist intended.
Choose a frame that fits the color. You have a bit more freedom when it comes to choosing the color of your frame. If you are choosing wood or metal, use darker tones for darker pictures, and lighter tones for lighter pictures. If you have a piece of modern art, the frame can be any color from the picture that you enjoy.
Choose a frame that also fits the style. The frame should be in keeping with the color and tone of the piece, but you have a bit more freedom in terms of your personal taste in decor. A piece of modern art should have a smoother, sleeker frame in metal or plastic. A traditional landscape or portrait would look nice with metal or wood.
Most frame stores will have little samples that you can place in the corner of your picture so you can see if you like the overall look. Mix and match the matte choices and frame choices. Ask for assistance, but most employees will come over and watch because you look like you know what you are doing and they are interested in the result.
Often if you are not sure which of these options are best, they will offer their opinion. Sometimes it is great to get advice from a professional. However if you have made your choice and you love the way a different frame and matte look with the piece than they suggest, go with your instinct. You are the one who will be looking at this piece for years to come.
About the Author
Victor Epand is an expert consultant for home goods, home supplies, home automation and security. Follow these links to find the best home goods, artwork frames, and home automation and security.
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