Tips & Trends

Choosing the Frame

Kelley Frame Company offers you a vast selection of frames in different woods, styles, colors, and finishes. Picking and choosing what’s right for your art piece can be a little overwhelming. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

  • Size/Proportion: The trick to making any size frame “work” with a piece is to control the proportions with matting. Remember: a wide frame requires more matting than a narrow frame.
  • Style: Keep in mind the color, subject matter, style, and tone of your art when considering a frame. The frame should continue to carry the message or feel of the art. If you think what you are framing doesn’t really have a message, consider the décor of the room in which the piece will hang. Remember: we will be on hand to help you choose what is best for your piece.
  • Type: Wood frames look good on most any piece of art. We use walnut, cherry, oak, ash, basswood, poplar, and pine - all domestic woods - in our frames. Wood frames can be plain, carved, simple or ornate. Many wood frames are available in lacquer finishes, faux finishes, and gold or sliver leaf. We also carry metal frames, which work well with certain décor, or with modern pieces and posters.

Choosing the Mats

Regular paper mats are made from wood pulp, and wood pulp produces acidity, which not only corrodes the mat itself over time, but can also harm your artwork. That is why we at Kelley Frame Company use only preservation, 100% archival cotton mats for the protection and longevity of your artwork.
Green FramesWe carry a wide variety of mats in many colors and textures, including faux suede, silk, rice paper, metal, and linen. Our mats are available in a broad range of sizes and ply options, including 1, 2, 4, 8, and even 12-ply mats. Mats are more than decoration; they protect the surface of the art and keep glass from directly laying upon your art.
To decide which mats to use, look to the colors in your art for inspiration. Using multiple mats will enhance the beauty of the finished piece. Here are a few basic rules:

  • Dark colors tend to contain the art, while light colors tend to expand it.
  • Mats should be at least twice as wide as the frame width so the frame doesn’t look likes it’s swallowing up the mats and the artwork. In a multiple mat combination, that means the top mat.
  • Vary the amount showing on each mat in multiple mat combinations to avoid “striping.” In other words, don’t have all the mats showing half an inch of color. That will create a distracting striped look –unless your artwork is a variety of stripes, which, in that case, that look may just work!
  • The top mat is usually whatever color is predominant in the art. You can also use a neutral top mat with lower mats as accent colors.

Choosing Your Glass

Glass is the window through which you view your artwork. Each type of glass has specific benefits:

  • Conservation Clear Glass: This is a laminated optical glass that should be used on artwork that is of great value or is very detailed. This glass effectively blocks 97% of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.Conservation glass is also a good choice for color photographs, which are what we call “light fugitive,” or have a propensity to fade, especially when in direct sunlight or in contact with other sources of ultra violet light.Reflection control is also available on conservation glass.
  • Reflection Control Glass: This is the best choice for artwork hung opposite a window or lamp. Because it’s only etched on one side, it does not glare or produce distracting reflections on your art. It actually enhances some images such as portrait photography and impressionistic landscapes. It is also used for darker artwork to lessen reflection. Also available with ultraviolet coating.
  • Premium Clear Glass: Use this for artwork that demands crisp, clear treatment, especially when clarity and detail are important.
  • Plexiglass: Generally, Plexiglass is used with artwork that is very large or heavy, as it reduces the total weight of the finished piece. It can also be used for art that will be hung in high traffic areas or areas where broken glass would be a hazard, such as a child’s room. You may also consider Plexiglass if your art is extremely valuable or irreplaceable, since it won’t damage your art if it’s broken. If you are shipping your piece, Plexiglass is a safe alternative to glass. Plexiglass is available with conservation properties.

Red FramesChoosing the right framing is a great way to personalize your artwork, whether you are keeping it for yourself or giving it away as a thoughtful gift. It’s fun, and with helpful suggestions from our knowledgeable friendly staff, you will know you’ve picked the perfect framing application for your art.

Hangin’

Have some art on your hands – posters, prints, photos - but don’t know how it will look in your home? Consider these elements: Grouping, balance, color, and lighting. How you will hang your art is as important as where you hang your art. We offer you a guideline below to assist you in the process of art displaying and art hanging.

Step 1: Have a Plan
You have your art, but where do you want to put it? Place your art around the house, and see if it fits with your décor and size of your room. Proper placement is very important, so give yourself time to play around with wall space, etc. Remember to keep the center of your artwork at eye level. Choose art with colors that will complement the color of your walls or furniture, while keeping in mind balance, scale, and mood or theme.

Step 2: Create a Grouping
Grouping together prints, photos, or posters of various sizes instantly creates a powerful focal point. To test it out, Lay your grouping on the floor and view it as a single unit. Odd numbered groupings create a look of asymmetry while even numbers offer a sense of balance. Each application is eye-catching. Scale is an important consideration for groupings. If you have larger pieces (12”x16” or larger), think about hanging them in a stairway, a high ceiling wall, a hallway, or in a loft setting. Smaller pieces (5”x7” or 8”x10”) will look their best in areas with less wall space like a bathroom or a kitchen.

Gold FramesStep 3: Seek Balance
Do you have too much hanging on one wall and nothing hanging on the other? Keep the weight of your composition well-distributed and maintain a general sense of scale and balance. For example, a large horizontal print such as a landscape or panoramic usually works well on a wall space over a sofa or other large furniture, while smaller prints add the perfect accent above a chair or end table.

Step 4: Take Action
To hang your art at your chosen height, measure how far from the top of the picture the hanging wire will hit when hanging on a nail. If the top of your picture should hang 72″ from the floor, and the hanging wire hits 4” below, your nail will have to be 68″ from the floor centered with your picture. (Use a light pencil mark on your wall!) Find your art inspiration here, to create a unique look.

Step 5: Add Lighting
Proper lighting works magic, instantly giving your poster art more attention. The best lighting to use is track lighting with 50 watt halogen flood light. Subdued lighting creates the best effect.

It all starts with framed art. So choose to custom frame or leave it to our experts’ eyes and go with our pre-framed art.

Sepia Frames and Print