I think the darker mat makes the pictures stand out better. Since the prints are ivory toned, I think a light mat (even ivory) would diminish the actual art. Like your colors alot.

Another vote for the darker mat.

I love those prints!

I don't like the white, as I think it is too stark for the warm tones in the print, tho it could work in the room since your ceiling appears to be white.

Not a fan of the dark brown, as it blends too much with the frame.

Is there a common color in the prints that might work and also bring out say the olive green that you have in the drapery?

You want a darker ivory to light tan. The brown is too dark and the light ivory is too white against the darker colors. And remember to ask for acid free matting and use archival tape to mount the prints. Museum glass would be in order if the prints are valuable, but if they're just old, the archival mounting will at least keep them from yellowing more.

I prefer the light over the dark, but maybe a color closer to your woodwork/crown, or a little darker. I think the dark mat makes the art appear too small for the frames and they lose their presence.

Thanks for the thoughts. I've done some (bad) mock-ups using several different shades of off-white/cream along with a stone color, an olive green and a silver.

Any of these speak to you?

Number 1

I would double mat the prints with the inner mat an olive green pulled from the green I can see in several of the prints and the outer mat an antique white/ivory. I've matted several prints in my home I strongly recommend double matting. Use 1/4" for an offset between the two mats.

I think the mats need to be a vintage linen in color and texture.

I agree double matting but I would do black and a soft linen color with the linen sandwiched between the black and the frame.

I need to see the curtains first before giving a direction. Of the ones that you've shown I like the darker better however that could all change becuase of the curtain fabric. Also - where is the art in relation to the window?

Same wall, opposite wall?

Lastly I also recommend doing exactly what Les suggested. The varying shades of mats is unbelievable. I couldn't believe how many whites I had to choose from for one of my pics!

I just got a few things matted in a linen mat that is an off-white with little slubs of brown and black. It gives a very subtle texture and looks great.

I would use a double mat with the mat closest to the print, the same color as the frame and then use the vintage off- white color of the mat closest to the frame.

I agree with Les and I would also like to see the fabric you used for the drapes. I think these prints will play I major role in your beautiful room so the matting will be a very important choice. I do like the idea of using a textured linen for matting. Silk could be beautiful as well. I have been meaning to ask you what sheen you used in the BM Iron Mountain and if you like it. Everything looks GREAT so far.

Also wanted to add that I ordered several of my mats custom cut over the internet through pictureframes.com (no affiliation). I found them to be cheaper than Michaels and as I was ordering several the savings was significant.

They will send you out sample mat swatches of all of the mats they sell which is nice as then you can select the mats that coordinate the best, not only with your overall decor, but most importantly, the art you are matting.

Here is a link that might be useful: PictureFrames custom mats

The ONLY way to select a mat color is to take the artwork into the framer's shop and lay the mat colors onto the print, one by one, until you find the mat color that makes the print look the best. Ignore the wall color, pick what makes the print look good.

I do it with 4 mat samples at once, one at each corner, and discard the two worst ones ... replace with 2 more and keep going until I have the 4 best colors. Sometimes there is only one color that really works, sometimes there are several.

Yes, it is a tedious PITA, but having "not quite" colors in the matting makes the artwork look less than its best.

If you need to bridge between a dramatic wall and the art, a double mat with the inner one selected as best for the artwork and the outer one selected to ,look good with the frame and the wall works well.

For those of you that read my previous thread about painting my dining room black you may remember that I took on that project in April. Since then I have painted the study across the hall gray and made 8 (well 6 of 8) curtain panels. I completed the art work for the study and am now waiting on a new light fixture and paint for the ceiling in that room before calling it complete. In the meantime, I needed to get back to the DR since I've had these prints on hold while I found frames and mats. I don't seem to be able to move as quickly as I'd like.

caminnc, I used the Ben Moore Aura in a matte finish in this room. I still really like it but the drapes aren't playing as well with the paint color as I'd hoped. The silk fabric I ended up going with was beautiful in the little swatch but is actually rather boring against the wall.

The prints are on the wall opposite the windows which is making it very difficult to photograph as they are getting direct sunlight.

The room is coming together. I still need accessories and want to paint the ceiling either slate blue or olive green, both are in the drapes and the prints.

Here are some more pics of the room....

These prints are by the same artist in ready made frames (which included mats) from Michaels. I plan to change out these mats too at some point.

Here are the drapes. The colors are pretty much true to life....

And another angle...

Oh and an overall view....

I've very intrigued by the idea of a slate blue, especially if you'll be painting your ceiling in that color.

I choose mats in the same way that Lazygardens describes... by process of elimination in the framer's shop. I find that having their professional opinion can be helpful as well.

I'd go a step further in your case and, if you don't already have a large sample board, paint a poster board with your wall color and take that to the framer's with you. Then, you can lay all of your choices out against the wall color and eliminate anything that is obviously not going to work. Of course the lighting may change the appearance somewhat but I think you'd get a good enough read on what works. Perhaps they'd let you sign out a sample or order a sample if you feel that you need to see it in your own space.

Good luck... I've always been shocked at how much of an "investment" it is to have art professionally framed. I think that's what makes me hang onto some of my pieces long after I've tired of them and want to change the look of my rooms.

I believe greendesign has listed the best solution as I breeze through the postings. These are old prints right? Expensive or not a classic rag mat is what is in order in my opinion. Archival mounting as well. You have a beautiful classic room design. Rag matting is classic Ivory color and would really stand out on your walls. It is neutral for your images. I think of an art gallery when I think of old prints and art galleries use archival matting systems. It you want more "pop" on the wall then get an oil painting or print.