First, let’s talk about framing design. Art does not go out of style, but some framing does. Frame design evolves much like furniture design. The decorating styles of 2004 are much more pared down and uncomplicated than they were a few years ago. So too are frame designs. Many pieces of art that were framed in the 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s look quite dated in today’s decorating environment.

Designs now incorporate wider mats, in many colours and textures, with wider frames in a great variety of styles. The shiny metal frames of 20 or 30 years ago have been replaced with mat finish metal frames in a variety of weights and profiles. The natural-finish carved wooden frames of that era are much less popular than they used to be.  Wooden frames are now available in sleek minimalist, rustic/casual and colour washed finishes, as well as in the ever popular gold and silver finishes, and they come in an astounding variety of styles to suit every piece of art and all types of room decor.

An equally important reason to re-frame your existing artwork is to update the quality of the framing. Your monetarily or sentimentally valuable art, if framed several years ago (and maybe even more recently if done by a framer who is not versed in conservation principles) may be suffering ongoing deterioration because of contact with the acid in non-conservation mats, tapes and backing. Custom framers all too often see the damaging effects of acid which causes discolouration, fading and brittleness and destroys valuable art on paper.

By replacing the mats, backing and mounting materials with buffered, acid-free, lignin-free materials, and using UV screening glass, you can preserve your art for many years to come. It is not normal for mats and art to noticeably fade and discolour with time. Although it is not possible to completely eliminate the effects of light and acid on art, it can be significantly reduced if today’s preservation standards are observed through quality framing.

Although conservation framing is somewhat more expensive, it is important to bear in mind that the bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.