The choice of frames can be overwhelming, from ornate gold mouldings to rustic natural wood, and the frame you choose decides how a picture sits in a room. Yet walk into almost any contemporary gallery, in London, Paris or New York, and one choice dominates: crisp white.
The secret of the gallery look
White frames are the unsung heroes of interior design. They look simple, yet they lift almost any picture and blend easily into a modern home. Whether you are planning a minimalist living room or a lively gallery wall in the hall, here is why white is worth considering.
1. The perfect blank canvas
A frame's first job is to protect the artwork. Its second is to present it well without stealing the attention.
Dark wood and heavy black frames draw the eye. They make a strong boundary, and you find yourself looking at the frame. White does the opposite. Because it reflects light, it gives a feeling of space around the image. On a pale wall the frame all but disappears, and the viewer's attention goes to the picture.
If you have a picture that is highly detailed or means a great deal to you, one of our custom picture frames in a smooth white finish will let the art do the talking.
2. What looks best in a white frame?
White is versatile, but some things look especially good in white picture frames.
- Black and white photography. A classic pairing. The white frame makes the deep blacks and subtle greys stand out.
- Bright contemporary art. A coloured frame can clash with a colourful poster or an abstract painting. White is neutral, and makes the colours in the picture look brighter.
- Typography and quotations. Bold black lettering in a slim white frame is clean and uncluttered.
- Collections of family photos. A dozen holiday photos can look messy. In matching white frames they look tidy and unified, however different the pictures.
3. White on white
One of the looks we are asked for most often is white on white, which is a white frame with a crisp white mount.
The mount, the card border between the glass and the artwork, gives the picture room to breathe. With a white frame and a bright white mount, the line between the two blurs. The picture seems to have one broad, generous border, as it would in a good gallery.
It is especially effective for a small, delicate print. In a large white frame with a wide border from our picture mounts range, a small picture looks more substantial and more valuable.
White comes in many shades. If the paper of your print is cream or off-white, a brilliant white mount can make it look dingy. Choose a mount close to the tone of the paper.
4. Made for modern styles
- Scandinavian. Scandi design is about light, airy rooms, neutral colours and simplicity. White frames are essential to it.
- Coastal. With pale blues and natural textures, dark frames feel too heavy. A white frame with a visible wood grain suits the seaside feel.
- The modern gallery wall. Too many frame styles on one wall look chaotic. White frames in a range of sizes unify it, and tie different prints and photos into one display.
Conclusion
A white frame is an investment in lasting style. It will not clash with your furniture, it will not overpower your pictures, and it will not go out of fashion. Whether you choose smooth matt white for a modern flat, or a white-washed wood grain for a cottage, it is the easiest way to bring a touch of the gallery into your home.
EasyFrame offers a wide range of made-to-measure frames, and with long experience we can advise on the right one for your artwork. Call us on 01234 856 501 or email sales@easyframe.co.uk. We are always happy to talk, whether or not you want to buy.