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The frame you choose for a work of art is almost as important as the decision you made to
buy the painting ... the same piece can appear very formal, or almost whimsical, depending
on the frame in which it's mounted.
Let's look at "Mother's Day" in 4 different frames ... we've kept the size of the painting pretty
much the same in every example to help compare apples to apples.
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The first example is an ornate wood frame with gold leaf, a frame that looks decades older
than it really is. This is something you would hang over a fireplace, or on a living room
wall - in a 'special' room, one that is decorated formally. The frame is adding an element
of 'seriousness' to the painting ... and the story you project onto the woman and the girl
matches the formality of the frame.
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This traditional wood frame reads "elegant" as opposed to "formal" - the depth of the wood grain,
which is accentuated with the linen inside border, gives a richness to the art ...
this would be a good choice to display the painting in an office, or entryway, even in a bedroom.
This frame transfers its feeling into the painting, too - the relationship between the woman and
the girl is less formal than above ...
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The wood in this frame has a silver patina, and in shape and color marks one transition from 'traditional'
to 'contemporary'. There are no flat surfaces - light reflecting off the curves and rounded edges
creates the illusion of separate bands of color ... this frame would work very well in a family room,
or a dining room that's not too formal.
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This casual painted wood frame offers a very different emotion between the woman and the girl - the relationship is
much more relaxed, and the story you project onto the painting now reflects that. A frame such
as this one is not necessarily one you would hang in a living room - it would fit better in a breakfast
nook or in a bedroom, even a family room ... the caveat here - choose a frame color that picks
up on a color in the painting as well as a color in the room where it is to hang.
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When you fall in love with a piece of art - when the painting speaks to you - devote as much attention to
the frame as you do to the work itself.
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