Quality framing puts detail in focus
Artworks and mirrors can breathe new life into a room – just so long as they are properly framed and positioned.
To get the maximum impact, there is no substitute for a custom frame. This is doubly true for medals and memorabilia like rugby jerseys and cricket bats, which are increasingly being brought out of the shadows for a place of prominence on a wall.
Eco Frame and Mirror owner Graeme Patching says matching items with the right style of frame is an artform the company’s specialist framers have spent decades perfecting.
Hundreds of bespoke framing materials from around the world line the walls of Eco Frame and Mirror, along with a dizzying array of mirrors and ready-to-hang prints and posters.
Until Christmas, all framing services at the Sydenham store are being discounted by 20 per cent.
There is also a special on canvas stretching, which couldn’t be handier if you’ve been overseas and brought back a loose artwork.
‘‘It’s often said everyone has something to frame, they just need to find the time to get it done. And what a difference it makes when an empty wall finally does get something special on it. It’s a fantastic feeling,’’ Graeme says.
The best results are sometimes achieved using one of the framer’s least understood materials: the fillet.
Fillets are thin, inner frames that sit close to an image beneath the glass, separated from the outer moulding by the mat. The sense of gravitas and depth they provide makes them suitable for any piece worthy of special attention, Graeme says.
If you’ve got a big wall . . . three images hung symmetrically is an incredible way to bring it to life.
Graeme Patching
Eco Frame and Mirror owner
‘‘A fillet is great with a degree certificate, a photo or a painting, and it’s fantastic on posters because it gives them a defined boundary and extra dimension.
‘‘If you’ve got a big wall or long entranceway, three images hung symmetrically is an incredible way to bring it to life,’’ he adds. ‘‘Posters can also work well and they show that art doesn’t have to be big investment.’’
Eco Frame and Mirror’s posters are a relatively new addition to the showroom and include a variety of striking images, such as oversized prints of Jimi Hendrix and the Tin Man.
Gift vouchers are also available and there is always a selection of generously discounted floor and dress mirrors, often with savings of 50 per cent or more.
To help hang heavy or large mirrors or artworks, an expert hanging service is available, regardless of where an item was originally bought.
Feature walls can be created using a spread of photos, and entire houselots rehung for people moving home. In all cases, a secure split-batten wooden cleat system is used for absolute peace of mind.
❚ To find out more, visit Eco Frame and Mirror at
394 Colombo St, Sydenham, call 03 377 0223 or go online to frameandmirror.co.nz.