Interior Accents - Creative Frame Collections

Interior Accents - Creative Frame Collections

Prepared by Deimantė Makarevičiūtė

Playful Wall Decor

Frames always enhance a piece of art, but the frames themselves can also become a focal point in your interior. Compositions of empty frames fit any interior style – they add playfulness and help solve the issue of empty spaces, just be sure to choose the right style, colors, and arrangement of the frames.

 

Empty frames give architectural significance to a wall. When hung in groups, they create focal points in the room while keeping the space light and airy compared to collections of framed artworks. Monochrome frame compositions can be a great solution for minimalist interiors that want to add color accents without overwhelming the space with heavy artworks or mirrors. Meanwhile, for vintage-style interiors, collections of distressed frames will add even more charming bohemian chaos. This simple and inexpensive display will look great in empty areas of the interior – above a desk, in a hallway niche, or above a fireplace.

 

 

Compositions can be easily hung with just one special nail, which you can purchase at framing centers. If the frames are very small and light, you can simply stick them on with a strong double-sided tape. A tip – before hammering the nails into the wall, lay out the composition on the floor and see if you like it. A more complex option is to stick a large sheet of paper on the wall and sketch the outlines of the frames on it. This way, you can assess whether the composition will hang at the right height and with appropriate spacing.

Color Accents

Such compositions introduce a light chaos to the interior, so don’t overdo it by mixing too many different styles. The easiest way to combine styles is through contrast – classic and modern. For example, classic, smooth-profile, white frames paired with a few bright accents – coral red, ink blue, mustard yellow patterned frames. Adding a few more accents in the same colors – patterned cushions, an ornate floor lamp, or a decorative vase – will create cohesion.

 

 

Another idea for those who love luxury – for the frame composition, choose natural colors from nature – walnut, oak, mahogany wooden frames, and as accents – luxurious, richly decorated, gold frames with a slightly distressed style. Next to such a composition, you could place an antique chair.

A Space for Imagination in the Children's Room

To create a playful environment in a child's room, it’s not necessary to spend a lot on wall decor. Together with your children, select their most beautiful drawings and frame them in brightly colored frames. Hang the pictures asymmetrically – don’t match heights and edges. The more creative chaos, the freer the children will feel in their room. As your child grows, it will be easy to add new drawings to the collection and create a different mood.

The color palette in children's rooms also affects their well-being and mood. For example, blue frames and other blue decor accents are particularly suitable for children's or teenagers' rooms as they help to calm hyperactive behavior. Brown frames in shades of chocolate, coffee beans, and others psychologically provide more order and discipline. You can frame not only pictures but also cute little items – letters of children's names, baptism shoes, or even competition medals.

Family Photo Gallery

A family photo gallery will help create a cozy atmosphere in any living room. For those creating an elegant New York style – choose ten black and white photographs and turn them into a unique family artwork. For the frames, select narrow, smooth-profile black or metal frames, then match them with cream white, ivory, or milk white mats. Make the photos in a smaller format, while choosing the mat as wide as possible, even double the width of the photograph – this will highlight the captured moments. Such a collection can be displayed directly on a sideboard in the living area, or if you prefer a traditional approach – hang it on the wall.

Matting Tricks

Since we are talking about mats – it’s worth sharing a few tricks. The options for choosing a mat allow you to turn each photograph into a gallery-worthy piece of art.

There are several matting principles that can be mixed to achieve different effects. It’s important to understand that a mat is a transitional space between the artwork and the frame, which should not "squeeze" or overshadow it. One way is the contrast principle – a light mat is chosen for a dark-colored artwork and dark frames. Alternatively, if aiming for greater harmony and cohesion – the mat color is matched to the main colors of the painting, while the frame is chosen one tone lighter or darker than the artwork. The mat serves not only a decorative but also a protective function – by creating an air gap between the artwork and the glass, it prevents moisture from accumulating.

For black and white and retro photographs, choose smooth-surfaced, pastel-colored mats – ivory, sand, snow white. If the photograph lacks space – combine two mats – a narrower and a wider one, where the outer one will be darker and more vibrant, while the inner one will be lighter and more muted. Decide based on the contrast or cohesion principle what impression you want to convey. For graphic works that require not only a mat but also glass, the most suitable is a gray-toned background, which will create a cohesive image with the artwork. To avoid blending, it should be wider or narrower than the picture frame.

For papyrus brought back from exotic travels, ancient parchments, the most suitable are mats in shades of night blue, red wine, chocolate – they will highlight the ancient golden letters. If you choose a gold or ochre-colored background, it will blend with the artwork and seem to expand it. A little trick – when framing the artwork, leave a wider strip at the bottom than at the top, while choosing equal widths for the top and sides.