Your line about "who makes the cut" has really struck a nerve with me. Let me explain. I have the strong opinion that you can do whatever you want with the photos (ie. "who makes the cut"). What you see and how you feel from the displays is all you. A display with a topic theme, color theme, or whatever theme is going to be fabulous as long as you go with your heart and your gut. I had a terrible MIL (EX now!) who actually took the time to inventory WHO was displayed in photos, HOW they were displayed, and concocted her own storylines on why I elected to leave out certain people, include others, and have some more prominent than others. She had the gall to have "sit-down talks" with me several times about my choices in displayed photos. She started sending photos with little post-it notes on where they would "look nice" & which one's I should change out. It gnawed at her to no end that I changed nothing despite her passive-aggressive instructions. I hope your family and/or friends are not the likes of the old hag I used to deal with. You should never, EVER have to explain the reasonings (themes, etc) of photos and why you display what you do. Don't want to bring a downer to this & hope I'm not making you think harder into it. This just brought back some bad memories and it's really too bad it had to go that way. End of therapeutic vent. Gayle

Too funny, Aok! Some years ago we were on a cruise with another couple. Every night at dinner we mixed up who sat with who - sometimes we were with our spouses, sometimes the guys were on one side and the gals on the other, and sometimes we were with each other's spouses. Well, of course one of the times we were sitting with the other spouse was formal photo night. We were cracking up b/c the photographer had no idea we weren't sitting with the "right" person. We were so amused by it that we both bought copies of those photos! I put the photo of me and my friend in a frame on my desk at work and he did the same. It was funny to see people do a double-take! They would admire the picture of me and DH then say...wait, that's not your DH! Donna

Unfortunately, our local framing shop went out of business a few years ago and I don't like using online for this. So, I am relegated to Hobby Lobby or Michaels. But, I have found the personnel at both to have an impeccable eye for complementing artwork with matting. The man at our local Hobby Lobby has been there as long as the store, and always has great suggestions. They'll cut it as you wait, and I don't find them pricey at all. In fact, the local framer was at least 1/3 more in cost, maybe more. I still used and supported her until she went out of business, and you may want to find a small business owner. But, don't discount Michael's because it's a chain. You also won't have to worry about the mats denting or bending in transit like online. I also don't buy frames online because I prefer glass.

You frame to the art, not to the decor. The mat is too small, and out of proportion to the frame and the watercolor itself.. You don't select this online. You go to a local frame shop. Not a cheap craft store either. Stay away from mats of color. They rarely enhance the subject matter. Try a toned in white mat. A wider mat aa well, and then it is a recommendation by a framer talent with a good eye for the frame. You can advise your decor, but it should not be the deciding factor, that is the art itself. When all you can really "see" is the art? When your eye goes right to the center of the subject? You know you have it right. :) All the elements work together to make a pleasing whole that enhances the art.