picking the perfect frame

Here are four great options to get you started, from professional framers to buying online

SIMPLE STYLE

As a big fan of its pared-back style, Louisa highly recommends bespoke framers Cooke’s Framing, based in southeast London. The owner Ash explains that ‘the fundamental purpose of a frame is to protect and conserve the artwork. And in my opinion a good frame does so while enhancing the aesthetic value of the artwork rather than distracting from it.’ From £150 +VAT.

PAINTED WOOD

If you lack the time or funds for a professional framer, then eframe makes it easy to custom frame just about anything online – whether a photo, a piece of art, a map or a poster. ‘Enter the size of your picture, choose a design, customise it and eframe will deliver,’ says Paul Lowther, director of growth. From £15.74 for a 15mm-wide wood madeto-measure frame with a paint finish.

VINTAGE FIND

‘We believe in everything vintage stands for; from its character to the benefits that shopping vintage has for our planet,’ say the experts at Vinterior. ‘However, we also know that visiting fairs isn’t always possible and searching takes time.’ Vinterior is an online marketplace that brings sellers together, so it’s the perfect site to find unique frames. Golden frame of Restoration period, £425.

BESPOKE OPTION

‘Our role is to enhance artwork using the most suitable design and preserve them using conservation and museum quality materials.’ says Tim Blake, framing consultant at Darbyshire. ‘The choice of frame can be influenced by the period the work was made and also the intention of the artist. The most important thing is that a frame does not overshadow or damage an artwork.’ From £185 +VAT.