I should have added. I love these (bought them this way and this is an old picture from old house)) but I don't like the glass. is it crazy to do one size frame and have the matt be different sizes depending on the picture? does that not go with Oil on board?

Generally oil paintings are framed without glass, and traditionally one way to do it which I like is a frame plus a fillet which is not the same as a mat, but does separate the frame from the art

Thanks Pal. That looks like what is on those on the stairs. Those might not be oils. Do you think it would look better to put a consistent amount of the fillet around theM all? Make the frames the same size and vary the millet or, make the millet proportionate to the picture size..

Or or am I overthinking it?

off to look up millet!

I went one framing place. I liked a frame a lot. I got a price for the smaller one, but now that i am looking at pictures the bigger one might look better? do you all get multiple quotes? (for the thinner frames it was $810 for all 7 pictures)

smaller one:

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Bigger one:

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I did not like it with the linen fillet/matt like I thought I would:

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Any opinions? How about on pricing?

for the smaller ones with the thinner gold frame it is $85 for a 9x12 picture.

$125 for the larger onese which are 12x16

I would not mat. It is generally either a frame or a frame plus fillet for oils.

I think the prices seem okay. I like the smaller frame.

I prefer the smaller frame, and based on my experiences, the price is what I would expect. Unfortunately, custom framing is expensive.

If the paintings are certain standard sizes, you might be able to find off-the-shelf frames and DIY (less selection, though, and if you have an oddball size you may not be able to find anything).

Definitely prefer the smaller frames with such small pictures. Those are common enough sizes that in a large store like Hobby Lobby or Michael’s, you should be able to find nice frames already made, other than pay through your nose for custom framing.

The gold is pretty with the art. I really like the smaller frames but would also be searching elsewhere unless you know you'll love and use them forever. The custom framing I've done feels like money wasted (basically is!) since I'm tired of the pieces.

Have a look at American Frame on-line. They will do custom frames for any size at a very reasonable price and the process of ordering is easy to understand. I really like this user-friendly company.

The paintings are probably standard size precut boards. Measure them, and comb the thrift and antique shops for frames that will fit. I've found a number of very nice gold frames with a crappy print or bad painting in them, in standard sizes that fit paintings on board that I already had.

The frames don't have to match, they should just be similar in style.

I knew it would cost way more to frame this art than it did to buy it. I usually try to buy art framed at auctions because I know how expensive framing is. BUT I fell in love with these, so what can you do? I paid about $75 for the framed three pictures I posted above. and I paid about $75 for these 8 paintings that are unframed.

Of course I would not mind paying less than $850 to frame them, but I do think I want them to be all the same frame as Pal noted.

I did see some places on line that you can order custom frames. Of course I fell in love with one(I think) that is as expensive as the local place :( but maybe some of these could work? thoughts?

On super sale:

expensive one I am hoping you talk me out of :)

Some more views of different pictures. The more I look at it the more I think maybe the sale one could work, and I mean it is a serious sale. ($15 vs $85 for the small ones, but I don't want to get something that will look bad. i would rather keep looking. thoughts???

OK so Option 1

option 2

option 3

option 5

The only one I don't like is #3 but 3 would look good with the right decor ...I'm not a 100% sure what your overall look is. My fav is #2. Number 1 would look nice with the vibe those cool drapes are giving off.

There really aren't any rules. It's really a matter of eclectic decor or traditional or contemporary or other. If I had more of a traditional or eclectic traditional lean I would go for a frame only or frame and fillet. Glass is not meant to be added to oil paintings until they have dried for many years. I recently purchased some quick study oils on canvas board that I framed with "sale" Michael's frames/w mats. My decor is sort of eclectic and I wanted a more contemporary lean. To make the frames look the same but different I hand painted some black or metallic gold on the frames by masking off areas with tape and painting in some lines. I spent very little money.

I actually quite like option 1, but it's a more informal look and I'd weigh how well that works with the rest of your decor. I don't like option 2 at all, and option 4 is okay, but not as nice as 3, 5, or 1. I like 3 and 5 equally well in isolation, though if I had a better sense of your decor, one would emerge as preferred.

Buying pre-made frames is kind of limiting; there is a good selection of fairly simple black, white, and basic brown wood frames, but not a lot in gold or in more ornate profiles. You might find more option online. Also, I'm sure I've read about web-based company that will build frames to order for a reasonable price (you'd have to measure and then put the art in the frame yourself; this may be the company that Ingrid mentioned).

Thank you so much for weighing in justerrilynn and cawaps.

Justerrilynn- your oils look lovely!

cawaps it is interesting. I thought you were supposed to ignore your decor, but you bring up a good point. right now my foyer is kind of informal looking I think. and that is where these will go for now.

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I am planning to hang the on the stair wall. this is the listing picture. just to give you an idea. In my dream life the floor tile is replaced, the door is replaced, the carpet is replaced with hard wood and the walls are painted ivory (white dove)

right now these are hanging there (casual)

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and this is across from the door ( Not sure I love it but it was free :) )

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I like # 1 if you want casual.

Thanks Pal - it is tempting at $130 for all of them :)

If I wasn't going casual did you like any of the others? or would you keep looking?

Not sure if this would work for you but I like this frame.

https://www.pictureframes.com/Custom-Frames/Genuine-Pine-Picture-Frames/MOS2-Small-Honey-Frame

Option five for more formal

Thanks justerrilynn, I think there is so much plain stained wood in this house I am hesitant to add more.

I have option 5 all priced out and in my cart on the site :) I think I like it better than 1, I think the color looks richer and I like the thicker frame. I called them today, they are very helpful!

I love your paintings, and think they just cry out for gold plein air frames along this line ...

Some other examples:

Love the middle one Ida posted!

I like the gold frames Ida posted and second the idea of similar yet different frames. Personally, I'd hit up thrift stores for frames (I often buy them with art and toss or donate the art) and then would simply spray paint them the same color--maybe an antique gold metallic? Might be nice to add some antiquing with dark wax or paint in the crevasses (i feel like i described that badly, hopefully it made sense).

I'm still liking gold frames.

ok thank you all for helping. I am very excited about this. :)

I have read people do not spend enough time on frame choices so I appreciate it.

I do want them to be the same frame. for sure. :) these are all the same artist and I would like to hang them all together and I don't mind them in the same frame. I have a lot of things hung all over that are gathered over time, so I think it is fine if these are all the same.

so if we go with gold - here are three options. All significantly less than the $850 quoted by the local place. I kind of hate that, I would like to support a local artist (she is a jeweler though and happens to have framing there too). so I may go back and buy a pendant to atone ;) and because I love it.

So the three gold choices:

1 - $135 for all 8 frames.

option 2 - 185 for all 8

option 3 - $315 for all 8

some of the others in option 3:

Either one or two.

I think I like this shade of gold better than 1. Hopefully it is somewhat true to life. :)

Love the tool they have to try things out!

I realize I'm late to the party and it sounds like your decision is made but I sure wish I could dissuade you from the gold frames. I just don't think they add to your art but rather compete with it. I studied options 4 and 5 from your post last Friday at 8:59 and to my eye the gold washes out the colors in the art where the wood frame seems to bring out the richness of the art. You say you feel that you have too much wood in the house but I wish you would try a wood tone frame and one that is not so thick and heavy. The frame should enhance the art, not compete with it. Here are a few examples:

And I'm not crazy about this gold frame. One day I will replace it. Although I think it was rather expensive frame, it came with the art

However these gold frames work.

Another wood frame that pulls out colors in the painting.

Anyway, just some ideas to think about.

They are lovely paintings. Were you planning on displaying them together as a gallery wall or display them separately? If displayed together I would opt for the same frame widths of different coordinating colors or same color of various widths. I agree with the comment made about locating frames from a thrift store or raw frames and paint them yourself. I think colors to consider would be maize, olive, grey,and tan. Love your drapes. I would use them as an inspiration or frame colors perhaps in lighter hues. The two tones on your shelf baskets would also work. Good luck.

I like the latest Gold Option #2.

Why do you need to frame them? Just wondering. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The newer pics of frames in a bronze shade of gold are nice.

The frames are at the post office! i can't wait to pick them up tomorrow. I hope DH will put the hanging hardware on and hang them for me tomorrow!

Please post the final product. We are all excited to see the outcome. Sharing in your excitement.

OK well they are here!

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I would say I got what I paid for :)

I am a bit disappointed in how the joints were put together on some of them. It looks like who ever did it was a bit sloppy and it disturbed the finish of the frame at some of the joints. I showed DH and he had no idea what I was talking about. but I see it for sure. They are clearance though I think so no returns.

Now i have to figure out how to put the tension clips in and then DH has to put the D rings and wires on. (that is DIY, but they came with it.

overall they look good though and they averaged $23 each with shipping.

They look marvelous. Know you will enjoy them for many years. Congrats!

They look lovely from where I'm sitting ;) Can't wait to see them in position!

I think they're wonderful! Can't wait to see the arrangement when it's hung!

well some progress, I am thinking they will work like this?

Now to see if DH has it in him to hang two gallery (ish) walls today :)

Well it is complete! maybe one needs to move over a bit. hard to see with the light coming through the upper window but I LOVE iT!

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One more from upstairs...

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