The Southgate Studio
Bespoke Framing & Exclusive Gifts
64 Southgate, Hornsea - 01964 533369
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Bespoke Framing.
Framing is so much more than simply putting a frame around your picture. The colour, size, texture and style all work together to enhance your art work, while simultaneously complementing your unique personality and style.
With the right mount and frame, the framing package can become a work of art in itself.   However  care should be taken that the design dose not overpower the art by drawing too much attention to itself. Some may mistakenly take this to mean that the frame should always be small, or simple, or that the mount should only be a small border in a neutral tone. This is not true. But by taking into consideration the colour, size, style, and visual texture of your artwork, the frame design will become part of the art, enhancing the piece as a whole.
When you look at a picture, the first thing you should see is the art itself.  If this is not the case then the chances are that the choice of framing materials used are inappropriate for that particular piece of artwork.

The Glass.
Glass, or glazing, is a very important element to the frame package, as it is the barrier that protects the visible parts of your artwork. All glass is not created equal, however, and for maximum protection care must be taken to choose the correct glazing. UV-filtering glass has an invisible coating on the inside of the glass which blocks up to 99% of harmful ultraviolet rays, compared with 50% of regular picture glass. There are over 20 different types of glass and acrylic to choose from.
Most people, when they hear the term “UV rays,” automatically think of sunlight, however, there are still UV rays present in our indoor lighting as well as everyday daylight. UV-filtering glass, alone however is not an absolute protection alone.   Just as you can still get sunburnt at the beach, even when wearing sunscreen, art protected by UV-filtering glazing can still fade if hung in direct sunlight or harsh lighting. Care should be taken when hanging the art so that its exposure to harsh lighting is minimised.
Glazing companies now produce anti-reflective water white glass that is practically invisible, so you can enjoy your art at its best.  This is also available in Museum glass which has the UV filter too.
Acrylic glazing has also moved on, anti-static, abrasion resistant, UV-filtering acrylic is now available.  This is comparable with glass, but is half the weight making it ideal for large pictures and where breakage may be a concern.

The Mount.
Attractive as well as functional, the mount is a key element in your frame design. By creating an air space between the face of the artwork and the glass, the mount helps eliminate potential issues. For example, if a photograph is framed in direct contact with the glass, condensation caused by humidity could soften the photo emulsion enough that it adheres to the glass, causing irreversible damage to the photo. Likewise with fabric art, if framed in contact with the glass, any condensation caused by changes in humidity can encourage mildew to form, which in turn can attack the fabric causing irreversible damage The space created by the mount will prevent this while providing structural support for the artwork.
The mount can also provide several design qualities that will enhance the art. The addition of a mount serves to provide size, colour and depth. Multiple mounts add even more depth, giving the framed piece a three dimensional look. Wider mounts create breathing space between the art and the frame, keeping the frame from overpowering the art. While neutral mounts are adequate in some instances, mounts come in a wide array of colour and textures, all of which will help the art to fit into its surroundings. To further co - ordinate with decor, a wide variety of fabric can be used to wrap the mount, creating something truly unique that you won’t find anywhere else.

This oil on velvet painting has a triple mount with inlay and a gold slip which has created a 6.5mm air space so the ripples in the painted velvet still have clearance from the glass.

The Frame.
As with mounts the frame has several functions. The frame lends strength to the frame package, adding structure that allows the art to be protected from the environment. A multitude of frame styles, colours, textures, and sizes are available, so your art can be framed to look its best. A bespoke frame made for the art is going to offer more protection and be more aesthetically pleasing than making the art fit a readymade frame.

This painting has been framed with a hand painted ash frame with a copper sight line and matching slip, the linen mount finishes of the look.
Frames can be stacked to make more of a statement.

Here a black reverse step frame is stacked on a white scoop frame, to draw you into the artwork.

Consider the surroundings.
While you should certainly consider your room’s decor, care should be taken to avoid matching the framing to the room decor at the expense of what compliments the art itself.  Tastes and styles change, and what looks great with that red room today, may not look so good when the room is re styled in shades of blues and greens.  A good frame design should look at home in virtually any room in the house, and attention to this detail will ensure that the art will sit well in any room of your home for years to come.
“A professional framer will help you with all the decisions that go into properly framing any artwork”
We believe that consultation with our customers is the most important element of the whole process.  It cannot be rushed, and will ensure that we are able to produce  what our customer requires so they are delighted with the finished result.