Thursday, August 2, 2012

Reader's Questions: Reasonably Priced Picture Frames

ikea frames, image unknown:
 image courtesy of pottery barn:
 image courtesy of west elm:
 image courtesy of west elm:

Kimberly asks: " Where do you suggest shopping for sturdy but reasonably priced frames?"

The thing is, framing can be pretty expensive. I know clients who spend more on the frames than their art. But there are well priced options out there.

I love the Ribba series from Ikea. They're inexpensive and I think they look great, but you get what you pay for. My art installer and friends with art collections don't especially like their quality.

Pottery Barn and West Elm have great mid-priced quality frames in various sizes and finishes and they go on sale from time to time making them even more affordable.

Americanframe.com is a great online resource. My art installer highly recommends them. There's a nice selection of finishes and sizes to create a custom frame without the high cost of a store front custom framer. They have ready made frames too.

If you have something special, try a local framing store for a wide selection of custom sizes, styles and finishes. Remember, they're more expensive because you're paying for the advice. They can help you pick a frame that goes best with the art you have as well as matting, whether to use glass or plexi to preserve the art.

Hope this helps Kimberly!

3 comments:

kimberly said...

oh thank you so much for the post, Laura! We are looking to create a collage wall of "family art," so this is super helpful. The ikea frames will go perfectly with our five year old's art :)

laura said...

you're welcome!
love the family art idea...

:O)

Kate - Art Hound said...

Ikea is a good option for small art, especially groupings.

For medium to large pieces I second the www.americanframe.com recommendation. The value is great and you can get any size or configuration you can dream of. The only thing is that you have to put it together yourself so you need an eye for detail (or a friend who has one).