A shadow box is shallow box with a glass front that is used to display artwork and keepsakes. Because the frame is an actual box that extends from your wall, it creates shadows, much like framed art in an art gallery. If you’re looking for a unique custom frame in the San Jose or Santa Clara area , ask your framing store about shadow boxes.

A shadow box can be a more dramatic and sophisticated way to show off your trophies, medals, coins, jewelry, and even other keepsakes, like baby shoes.

A framing store specializing in custom frames can create a shadow box for you in any size, and they often offer various designs and styles. You can choose the color and type of wood you want to use, as well as the material backing the box, and the color of the box’s trim. You can even design your shadow box to coordinate with or complement existing picture frames in your house.

Matting protects your art by creating a barrier between the art and glass. This keeps the art from sticking to the glass, and allows airflow around the piece of art. Mats also provide a border around the artwork that draws attention away from the frame and onto the work itself. Choosing the right color of matting can complement the art, enhancing its value. If you’re interested in ordering custom frames in the San Jose or Santa Clara area , visit a framing store and ask about their mat color options.

Pick Matting that Suits the Art
Don’t choose your matting color to match the color of your walls or complement your existing home décor. This

will create too many competing elements in the room. Instead, choose a mat color that will enhance but not compete with the colors present in the artwork. This will also allow you to move the art into a different room, or a different house, without affecting your interior design elements.

Use Matting to Draw Viewers into the Art
Step back from the picture and view it from a distance. What is the first thing that pops out at you after a few seconds of focus? This is the focal point of the image to which you want to draw your viewers’ eyes. Find the most visually stimulating area in the picture, and choose a mat color that will not overshadow that area. Often simple colors are best, like shades of white, gray, or light blues and greens.

Choose Matting that Fits with the Style of Art
If you have a number of colorful pieces of art already hanging on your wall, you may want to frame all of them with the same color matting to create a unified theme. Colorful art often benefits from bright white matting, which allows the art’s color to be the focal point without competition. Photographs generally look best with off-white matting. Black and white artwork benefits from black, gray or silver matting. A framing store can also help you choose an appropriate mat color for your style of art.

Custom frames are the perfect accompaniment for a valued work of art. When you are selecting custom picture frames, there are several factors that you should keep in mind. For example, you should choose a frame that is the right size for your art. Smaller pieces may look best when they are placed in thinner picture frames. Additionally, custom frames can be crafted in colors that match the walls where they will be displayed. A framing store near San Jose and Santa Clara can help you create the perfect frames for your piece. With the help of a framing expert, you are sure to love the look of your brand new picture frame. For more tips on how to select the right custom frame , be sure to check out this video from Howcast.

Artists put a great deal of time, effort, and creativity into what they do, and a custom frame can be the perfect finishing touch on the project. Framing your work with the perfect frame, however, can be a tricky task. Keep reading if you would like a few tips on selecting the right custom frame in San Jose for your artwork.

Size of the Work
Ratios and proportions are very important when it comes to aesthetically pleasing images. This principle can and should be applied to the frame that you choose for your artwork. Start by considering the overall size of your artwork ; whether it is a painting, a photograph, or any other kind of medium, take a step back and carefully look at its size. Large works typically call for larger frames and wider moldings, but exactly how large you want your work to be is up to you. If you have a large piece and you would like to emphasize its size, you may want to go with a frame that adds as much as a full foot to your dimensions. If you would rather simply encase your work, you can choose a smaller frame that can add as little as an inch of extra space to the overall work.

Artist’s Style
Once you have figured out how much you want to add on to your artwork with your frame, think about the style of your piece and the style you like to work with in general. A traditional artist may choose to pair a classical style painting with an elegant frame, while more abstract personalities may be drawn to simpler frames that keep the focus on the art itself.

Flexibility and Freedom
It is important to remember that the way you frame your work is entirely up to you. Although there are styles that tend to work better together, art has no solidified rules and it is your creative process that allows you to do what you do. If you are having trouble deciding on a frame, try out several different styles and see which one suits your artwork best. A framing store in San Jose can also help you explore different options.