But doesn’t it need to match?

But doesn’t it need to match? It is a question I hear often.
A client will bring in a piece of art, and say ‘I want a black frame for this’, when you can see a totally different direction for the art. So when asked the reasoning for a black frame, usually the answer is ‘I’ve got another piece framed with a black frame that is going to be next to this one, so doesn’t it need to match?’ Well, my answer is ‘What are you trying to achieve? If it is a gallery look, then yes, you probably do want the frames to match.’
Or, ‘I’ve got a very contemporary home, so this art needs a very contemporary frame’, and I’m visualizing a traditional gold frame on the art.
There are many frames that will fit a piece of art, the trick is to keep an open mind, and explore the possibilities. I have a mix of frames in my home – some match, some don’t depending on what I’m trying to achieve.
The picture below is a hallway in my home. I don’t think there are any 2 frames alike, and I can say the same for the people in the pictures! These are pictures of my family, past & present, so I want each piece to reflect the feel of the art (the period, say 1920, for instance), or the personality of the person. Or maybe it’s a wedding, or a school picture. All of these pieces are very close together, but it works for me.

The next picture is in a bedroom, so I want a calmer feel. Even though I have chosen pink as the primary color, it is a subdued value, and the 1 piece becomes more of a focal piece, but notice the chair, table & lamp – very traditional. The pillow & art offer a bit of the unexpected. Traditional & contemporary mix better than you would think.

Here’s my advice on how to make it work:
Pick a theme – in the case of the bedroom, I chose color. For the hallway, it was more important for the personality of the art to come through, creating an eclectic mix.
Open your mind – look at an assortment of frames. Frame the art, not the color of the wall. Remember why you chose that particular piece of art - you like it; if the frame works with the art, you will love it too. The bottom line is ‘If you love it, it will work’.

-Pat-