At the end of the day, the choice is yours, depending on the look you want to achieve. However, in a traditional Southern home, mismatched frames are often preferred. The key is for the frame to enhance the artwork it holds, rather than simply matching the decor of the room or other wall art.
Framing plays a crucial role in your art collection, according to Muriel Foster Schelke, curator of the Atlanta Artist Collective. It can elevate and preserve your pieces, adding dimension, color, and texture while guiding the viewer through a visual narrative.
While mixing and matching frames is generally favored, there are exceptions, especially for a cohesive look in a gallery wall, particularly for black-and-white photography. Interior designers and art experts advocate for both styles and offer practical tips for creating your own gallery wall.
Experts in the field include Muriel Foster Schelke from the Atlanta Artist Collective and DuVäl Reynolds from DuVäl Design. They emphasize the personal nature of framing and how it can enhance the individuality of each artwork within a collection.
Matching frames can provide a sense of unity and sophistication to a gallery wall, while mismatched frames offer an eclectic and dynamic aesthetic. Consider elements like color, finish, scale, and shape to create a cohesive yet visually engaging display.
Ultimately, there are no strict rules when it comes to framing art—choose a style that resonates with you and complements the unique qualities of each piece in your collection.
“Creating a sense of harmony and sophistication that exudes cleanliness, unity, and careful curation is key,” Reynolds explains. “Matching frames provide a solid base to effectively showcase artwork or photos within, allowing them to shine without distractions.” Reynolds suggests reserving matching frames for coordinating photo prints or when displaying multiple pieces by the same artist. This strategy can also be applied to a variety of pieces with similar color schemes or textures. “Matching frames offer a simplicity that complements any design style, whether modern or traditional,” Reynolds notes. “They help reduce visual clutter and direct attention effectively.”
Designer Andrew Howard advises not to stress over achieving perfection when arranging a gallery wall. “A slightly imperfect arrangement often looks more appealing,” he says.
Here are tips on curating your gallery wall:
1. Survey the room first. Consider the room’s existing finishes, furniture, and decor elements to guide your frame choices.
2. Embrace diversity. Let each piece and space’s uniqueness shine through in your frame selections.
3. Plan before hanging. Use painter’s tape and craft paper to lay out your gallery wall design before making any holes in the wall.
4. Pay attention to scale. Mix frame sizes to create visual interest and avoid clustering frames of the same size too closely together.
5. Edit as needed. Start with your favorite pieces and build around them.
6. Aim for unity. Treat your collection of images as a cohesive whole rather than individual components.
For more detailed advice on hanging pictures, refer to the original article on Southern Living.
