Framing changes everything!

One of my favourite things ever is collecting framed artworks from my framer, it feels like Christmas!

Suddenly they go from a piece of paper, wood or canvas to a sturdy, strong and tangible piece ready for a wall, almost like furniture. I always recommend professional framing for the quality, durability and showing the art off in the best way possible, I have listed a few at the end of this piece.

Often, I will opt for off white or white borders and frames for a really fresh and clean look but there are of course hundreds of options depending on your room and what mood you would like to convey.

It is so much down to taste, personally I love an eclectic look, lots of different coloured frames on one wall can be so eye catching. My taste in the same breadth also loves a uniformed look with everything colour coordinated brining a look so organized and well designed.

Think about your space, what colour is your wall, for example white frames look great on colourful walls and darker or deeply coloured frames can really give a punch on a light coloured wall as it draws the eye in.

When it comes to planning, decorating and refurbishing your room or rooms, art is probably the last part that you will add. Your walls will be just dry and it will be time to consider what is staying, what is going and what new art can be added.

In some ways this is fortunate as you will already have the colours organised, the back drop is already in place. I highly recommend using Interior designers or colour specialists, their professionalism will help you so much in your decisions and in your art picking, even the colour of your frames. Look up Marina Slattery, interior designer marinaslattery.ie and check out Adele Roche, colour and design consultant, adeleroche.ie. I also recommend getting in touch with the Interiors Association, theinteriorsassociation.ie who can give you advise on the type of person in their group who can help you.

I am always happy to give advice on framing and always recommend professional framers. If you’re in Dublin try Paul Carmody of PA Framing in Lucan, Eamon Downes of Westside Framing in Chapelizod and of course the Copperhouse in Dublin 2, all are brilliant! Strand Framing in Cork come hightly reccommended and in Wicklow Steve Crozier of 360 dpi has a great reputatation. Email me at artistkarenhickey@gmail.com or phone 085 7698963.