Many thanks for the comps on our views and artwork. Much of the art was very reasonably priced, as this is an artist's mecca out here in New Mexico. Richpoor, with no views, you might consider framing a view of your own. By that I mean, find a poster or print of a view that would fit your area of the country and that you like, and frame it nicely to give your kitchen the view it's missing. In our DD's room, I bought one of those inexpensive window mirrors on sale at Hobby Lobby. One that looks like it has window panes. I took it apart, threw away the mirror, had glass put in it and had HL cut down a poster and insert a great "view" for her one wall. The eye really is fooled into seeing the view beyond the window. Here's a pic of DD's other view. I've since added heaftier molding to the top and bottom to even it out.: And a trompe l'oiel pic I had in her room when it was done in a beach theme. I'm not necessarily suggesting either for your kitchen, but there are great possibilities in the idea. Tromp l'oeil means "fool the eye" and this kind of art does just that, especially in a place with no good view. It makes the room feel bigger, too. Just some food for thought. Lynn

I second looking for student art exhibits. We have a very good fine arts program at our university and I've gotten some nice pottery and other beautiful things inexpensively when they have their end-of-semester projects available for sale. One of the faculty even sells his work at this student show for way less than he could get in a gallery. Also, if your city/town has some sort of gallery crawl, you may want to check that out. I would imagine somewhere in ATL this happens. Not everything is hugely priced at those, if you go to a smaller gallery. Now that spring is coming, there will be a lot of outdoor sidewalk art festivals. That's another great place to get nice things for a good deal.

Our preference is to choose mats and frames that, ideally, will complement each piece individually. Unless we had a series or some closely related pieces, it wouldn't occur to us to consciously go for the kind of cohesive look you describe. However, to the extent that our taste iteself is cohesive, many framing jobs work well with each other, and many pieces are done in similar kinds of mats/frames. Many of our frames are brown woods or gold. Most photographs are in black frames. I don't care much for silver, and the only silver frames we have are on an oil that had already been framed that way in the gallery and some photographs, also already framed. What I can see in this room, which has mostly contemporary pieces with a modernist look....(1) Colored pencil piece done on a brown paper; mat is a tannish color; frame is brown wood. (2) Ink and watercolor (blacks and greys) on ivory paper; double mat - wide outer one in a very light brown and thin inner one in black, and white edge on outer mat shows; ornate antiquey gold frame; (3) and (4) two modernist prints, black on ivory paper; mats are a slightly darker ivory; frames are black wood, very simple; (5) oil on board, much chocolate brown in it; frame is dark brown with a thin gold strip. If I look into the next room....oh never mind. There are 16 pieces of art there! However, four of the 16 are 15th c. manuscript leaves, done on parchment, and all four are matted and framed identically (ivory mats and ornate gold frames). Sometimes we go for colored mats, e.g., some Japanese prints with many blues in them and/or of night scenes are in simple black frames but with blue mats.

Thanks Rosie. That painting is a pleasure for me on so many levels - the crazy coloring, the "art" labeling, the primitiveness... I am way too constrained to create that freely. And then there is the personal - knowing all DH was going through at the time and his very surprising decision to try painting for respite. It inspires me. For the OP, reflect on what is appealing to you about those museum pieces you like. Crystalize that as best you can. Any gallery would be happy to help you discover works you love, for a price. If that price is prohibitive, try 'lesser' galleries, student art shows, resale shops, art fairs - just look and trust yourself to respond. Let yourself make a mistake or two, it's the only way to learn what you really love. And yes, framing can make all the difference.