Matting Combinations
A mat board is both functional and decorative.
Functional
- Provides a necessary “spacing” to protect paper, art and photographs from direct contact with the frame’s glass.
- Mats prevent exposure to condensation and potential for art sticking to glass, avoiding permanent damage to artwork.
- E.g., if a photograph is framed in direct contact with glass, in a few years, silver oxide emulsion from the photograph will adhere to the glass, causing unrecoverable damage to the photo.
- The spacing provided by a custom cut mat prevents this damage, while also providing structural support for the artwork.
Decorative
- Mats accentuate. From an aesthetics point of view, mats provide several design qualities that enhance your artwork.
- One or more mats can create depth, width and color to your framed art. Using two or mats removes the flatness, giving the framed piece a three-dimensional look. This can enhance any depth the artist intended to create in the original work.
- Framing is not merely wood or metal covering the art – framing is an integral part of the artwork and can accentuate it further.
Space, simplicity…
Artwork needs space around it to prevent distractions from the surrounding wall treatment. Mats provide this space – which means the art is displayed in the most favorable way possible. Interior Home design is about finding the right combination of different layers. Framing is no different: the frame, the glass, and the mat all have to combine visually and fit within the room.
“Space is the breath of art.” – Frank Lloyd Wright
Finding the perfect fit
Mat boards come in hundreds of different colors, textures and appearances. Mats can be matched with art of all styles and themes: from elegant, opulent watercolor paintings to contemporary abstract art – to everything in-between. The choice of mat colors can be used to achieve several benefits: properly chosen mats enhance the artwork, while also acting as the transition to a room’s décor.
Mats are a layer in the art. Think of mats as another layer of paint: fabric mats can be used to add texture to your art, mats can add depth and space, mats covered in silk or suede can add elegance and match with formal décor, mats add subtle definition and are the last piece to the puzzle. Each framed piece is its own masterpiece: we look forward to finding the perfect frame and mat for the artwork.
Acid-free Mats
We use acid-free mats exclusively (or use rag mats when appropriate for piece). Don’t cheap out! Cheaper non acid-free mats will turn yellow over time, fade, and the acid will damage your work. Our custom picture framing projects use only the best materials, including mats that last a lifetime and protect your prized art and framed items from deterioration.
