Frame Your Favorite Collectables

Nothing adds interest to a room quicker and easier than custom-framed photos, artwork, and memorabilia. The first step to successful decorating with picture frames is to select creative and interesting artwork or items for framing. Aside from photographs, posters and paintings, consider the following:

A Family Heirloom
This might be a piece of needlepoint, tapestry, or a family tree.

A Mom's Treasure
The first birthday card your child ever sent to you is something worth preserving. Treat it like a masterpiece. What better way than matting and hanging it in a colorful frame.

Pure Poetry
A favorite poem or illustration from a book is an inexpensive way to decorate with something that pleases you.

Personally Yours
Frame a diary entry from a special day. It will have meaning every time you see it framed and hanging in a special niche.

Quilts and Wall hangings
Add country warmth and charm with any size quilted item on the wall. Do not hang where the sun will fade the fabric.

Say It With Love
A stenciled or cross stitched saying adds a personal touch to the kitchen.

Ask The Pros
Framing materials come in numerous colors, styles, and textures. Professional picture framers can provide you with a wide selection of moldings and mats that are appropriate for the items to be framed.

Getting The Hang Of It
When hanging a single piece of art, always hang it at eye level. Placing a piece too high or low is distracting and draws attention away from it.

Balancing Act
Try to achieve balance when positioning framed work on a wall. For example, if the picture will hang over furniture, center it above the piece, or lined up with one edge of the furniture. Generally, a large frame doesn't look too great over a small item.

Drawing Attention
A dark frame on a light wall will attract the most attention.

Busy Background
Don't hesitate to hang pictures on patterned wallpaper. Busy walls, however, need bold, strong frames and artwork.

Liven Things Up
A plain room can come alive with an arrangement of artwork on one wall. Consider mixing shapes, such as ovals, squares and rectangles in one group.

Small Room
If your room is small with low ceilings stay away from group displays. Hanging pictures close together will make the room seem crowded and smaller.

Fool The Eye
If you don't have a headboard, hang a large framed picture above the bed to add interest.

Conservation Know-How
Frame your work with conservation in mind. Years of exposure can cause fading, especially to fabric, such as a quilt. Consult a professional or do research before framing.

Family Fun
Groups of vacation snapshots can create a wall of interest in a hallway and will become a conversation piece. This is always fun to share.

Appropriate Framing
If you have something sentimental, an old valentine, a piece of lace, a pressed flower corsage, a wedding invitation, an ornate frame will add a romantic touch.

Copyright Leslie Linsley, author
Reprinted with permission, HouseNet, Inc

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