Viva Magenta is Pantone’s Color of the Year!

Viva Magenta! The top color forecasted for 2023 has verve, and that is exactly what we need right now. Pantone has declared the color to set a trend this year because it merges the warm strength of the natural world with the rich, open horizons of the digital world. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, joyous and optimistic, powerful and empowering. It is assertive, but not aggressive; dynamic and bold, but fun; warm but also cool. The Red color family is an energetic group, encouraging experimentation and self-expression. Viva Magenta represents a positive future in an uncertain world. This color provides a psychological power and grace, giving us the verve we have been grasping for.

https://www.pantone.com/articles/color-of-the-year/what-is-viva-magenta

Word of the Day:

Verve – noun

enthusiasm or vigor; vivaciousness; liveliness; spirit

Using Viva Magenta in your home

Many of us have neutral-colored walls and furniture. It is safe, but sometimes can be a bit boring. Make a stand-out statement with Viva Magenta! Neutral spaces often beg for a focal point – something as simple as changing out sofa pillows with magenta ones might do the trick. What about a fabulous piece of magenta colored art? Or a colorful chair? Or a floral arrangement? Or will you be daring and paint a single wall Viva Magenta for a dramatic look?

Last year greens were the it color, and many of us embraced them; they were a soft, soothing shade. Red and Green are complementary colors, so try pairing Viva Magenta with Valspar’s color of the year, Green Trellis. The result will be a calm vibe, mixed with an energetic pop. Add polished silver hardware or frame and you’re set!

How are you going to use these colors this year? We can help!

Color Trends for the last 100 years

Of all the amazing color trends for the last 100 years … which decade do you like best?

1970

Earthy colors dominate. Beige, rust, avocado, and harvest gold play together for a decade.

1920’s

The Roaring 20’s were a decade of indulgence. The walls were neutrals and accents were bright.

Why does the frame cost more than the art?

Sometimes custom framing a simple, inexpensive print or poster winds up costing more than the art itself. A basic reproduction of famous art like American Gothic can be purchased for a few dollars. Custom framing that same print can be many times the original cost of the art. If you didn’t spend that much for the art, why would you spend more on your framing? Here are some of the reasons it’s hard to compare the cost of art to the frame cost.

An inexpensive print or poster is going to run anywhere from $3 to $300, depending on the quality of the print. A poster is mass-produced and printed with lesser-quality inks on thin paper. A giclée is a fine-art print with a limited print run or printed on demand. Giclées typically are printed with higher quality inks on heavier paper and are sometimes signed by the artist. Neither of these are one-of-a-kind, rare, original, or custom works of art.

What affects the frame cost of a project custom-framed with wood moulding?

• Material – it’s wood! A natural product takes time to grow and process. Hardwoods, softwoods, veneers, and pressed woods will all cost different amounts.
• Location of origin – was the frame made in the USA, Italy or China?
• Production – has the wood been hand carved or machine milled?
• Frame Finish – has the frame been hand finished and/or gilded in gold leaf?
• Quantity – this frame was ordered especially for you. Was the frame moulding purchased as length, already chopped to size, or pre-assembled?
• Glazing – is there glass or plexi? A non-glare finish? UV protection?
• Labor – this one-of-a-kind frame package was specifically designed for your art and put together just for you. That takes time and care!

Are you getting your money’s worth?

Framing protects your art from bugs, rips, and fading. A good framing display showcases your art so you can enjoy it daily. How can you really compare?

Additional Topics

Too good to be true?

When a big box frame shop advertises “50% + 20% off”, it makes you think you will get 70% off. Let’s say the original price of your project is $500. If it were 70% off, the final price would reflect a $350 savings.  If it is 50% + 20% off, the final price would reflect a $300 savings. Not quite the deal you originally thought.

Here’s the kicker: big box shops will frequently mark their prices up specifically so they can mark them down and offer huge sales. Ask yourself what the true original price is before purchasing. Compare our prices and quality – you won’t be disappointed!

Fun Facts

Grant Wood, artist of American Gothic

Grant Wood was an American painter best known for his paintings depicting the rural American Midwest. American Gothic was painted with oils on wood in 1930. The painting won 3rd place in a contest hosted by the Art Institute of Chicago, who then purchased it. The iconic house is in Iowa and is referred to as ‘The Dibble House’. Wood intended the characters to be Father & Daughter; the man was actually modeled after Wood’s dentist and the woman is Wood’s sister. The general reception was very favorable, but Iowans felt it made them look dowdy. A Grant Wood landscape painting sold for $7 million in 2005, so you can imagine what American Gothic would fetch today.

When you bring your mementos to us you expect the best and that is exactly what you will get from start to finish. We organize, design, and create complex framing projects from your vacation memory treasures. From creative ideas to hanging hardware, we provide innovative design and quality workmanship so you can enjoy your memories for years.

Related blog posts:

Custom frame your travel memories

Let’s take a closer look at four framed shadowbox projects:

Anything can be framed! Shadowboxes make great Christmas gifts – bring your special items in today.
Let us show you what we can do!

How many items can you put in a shadowbox?

As many as you want! But don’t go too crazy – you want just enough items to tell the story. Remember, the more items, the bigger (and heavier) the box. For larger items like the guitar or violin, you will have a lot of negative space in which you can add supporting items … but don’t add items just because you have the space. Sometimes one item says it all!

Additional Topics

Have you tried acrylic for framed pieces?

Acrylic glazing is available with the same UV protection as glass to prevent fading. Most shadowboxes are larger and heavier than typical art being framed, so you may consider using acrylic glazing rather than glass for these two reasons:

1. Acrylic is half the weight of glass. Because shadowboxes can be quite large, glazing weight could make a huge difference.
2. Acrylic is shatter resistant – if it does break, it is less likely to damage the art (or you)!

We know it can be a bit overwhelming when you walk into our shop and see a wall filled with hundreds of frame styles and corner samples. Our designers are here to help de-mystify the design process, and show you some guidelines that will place the perfect frame on your art.

Additional topics

Art & design consultations

Our designers can guide you toward that perfect frame for your art. We offer in-home consultations, or you can stop in the shop at your convenience.

Did you know?

August is National Eye Exam month. Healthy eyes make looking at your framed art much more enjoyable.

What’s the difference?

Vintage or heritage? These two terms are frequently used interchangeably, but there a difference in their definitions. As with many words there can be multiple meanings, especially when you consider how they are used and in what context.

In custom framing, heritage generally refers to family history or genealogy, something that is passed down from previous generations, and vintage refers to something that basically means old or antique, something from a previous time.

Vintage

Vintage is sometimes synonymous with ‘old’ but will frequently be in reference to a specific period of time. One of the most used definitions of vintage is when talking about wine — vintage is the year in which the grapes were harvested. You can own a vintage 60’s outfit or a vintage car from the 30s, or a vintage art deco frame … the importance is more about the era it came from and not the personal connection.

Is it either/or, or can something be both vintage and veritage? Yes! Look at these examples. We think any picture, handwritten note, or cooking tool handed down through the generations is heritage and can be considered heirlooms… but these items are also old and hearken back to a specific time… so they are vintage as well. Vintage or heritage — you make the call.

Photo restoration & printing

We all have old pictures that look faded and torn. Many fingers have touched them, or tape and thumbtacks have compromised the quality. Not to worry — we can digitally fix that for you. Ask us how.

We always use archival materials

Because we want your art or heirlooms to survive for a lifetime without change of color, damage from glues, or out-gassing from materials that are not acid-free, we use the very best materials for your projects. We’re happy to tell you all about it.

… and get the best!

“The Gold Standard” is the example by which everything else is measured: it’s the best. When you see a gold frame on an art masterpiece, you might think it looks timeless, luxurious, and valuable. How can you bring that quality look and feel into your home? Here are a few examples of using gold in your art and framing.

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Show off your artwork with a gold frame

This is an engraving made on a piece of gold metal plate. It is a beautiful and unusual piece of art that belongs in a frame to protect it from bending and other damage that can happen to a soft metal.

Make an impression with a gold frame

Memories precious as gold deserve a gold frame

The gold medal is the goal of the Olympics. If you were lucky enough to attend an Olympics event, go for a gold frame when framing your memories!

Add a touch of gold with mats and fillets

Do you notice that small inner gold frame?  That’s a fillet, (pronounced ‘fill-it’) and it can provide a finishing touch to your art. Notice how your eye is drawn to the focal point of the art?

It’s award season! The Oscars might get all the attention right now, but our creative picture framing designs are a winner every time. Break out the champagne, dress to the nines, and keep scrolling to view our red-carpet worthy projects.

Best Matting:

Look magazine was published from 1946 to 1970; this issue featuring Marilyn Monroe is definitely a collector’s item worthy of framing. The Look logo has a black and gray background, so we used the same colors and pattern in the matting for a creative design.

Best Frame:

Although she was in 47 films, Jean Harlow never won an Oscar. Known as the Blonde Bombshell, she became one of Hollywood’s most enduring actresses despite a relatively short career. What frame is movie star worthy and works with a boudoir portrait like this one? A mirrored frame, of course.

Best TV Memory:

Several generations have grown up watching The Andy Griffith Show. It was nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Comedy Show three times but never won. We think this framing is a winner, though! This autographed photo from the show was framed with a rustic, vintage design to match the era and outdoorsy nature of the program.

Best Design:

Picture framing can be wonderfully creative! The award for Best Design goes to this movie buff ensemble including a clapboard, film canister and film. We made the matting resemble actual frames of a movie reel. What a great conversation piece for a home theatre!

Best Drama:

Andy Warhol painted Marilyn Monroe in the early 60’s and became known as a leader in the Pop Art movement. The bright usage of color in this silkscreen brings to life Marilyn Monroe’s iconic status and celebrity glamour. For our frame design, we wanted something bold and dramatic. Black never fails for drama, and the curvy gold frame emphasizes the curls in her hair.

Best Replica:

Movie posters are widely available these days but framing them doesn’t have to look generic or cheap. We wanted the framing of this Frankenstein movie poster to replicate the look and feel of the original 1931 classic. By stacking three golden frames together, we replicated the drama and glamour of 1930s Hollywood, the bygone era of the gilded movie theatre.

Best Actor:

This little movie star deserves an award-worthy frame! Turn the stars in your life (your kids, grandkids, parents, best friends…) into legends by framing a photo of them. Look through your favorite pictures, find the ones that have the most ‘Hollywood’ glam, and frame it to match that star’s personality. How would you frame this photograph?