Matting Philosophy 101
…zen and the art of…​

Matting is the silence between the notes!

 

Many people equate white mats with fine art. That is due to the fact that for many years white was the only color available in an all cotton acid free mat.  Gladly, that is no longer the case.  All color options are now available in conservation matting.

 

Choosing the right outer mat is crucial to outstanding design. The choice of color of the outer mat should rest solely upon the predominant value and hue of the art work itself. An outer mat should feel neutral, like an extension of the art work, to give it breadth and status, without drawing attention to itself.

 

We gravitate toward designing with fabric matting because of the way that it absorbs light. With a fabric mat you will find that the color is softer and translates the texture from the art work to the frame more seamlessly.

 

The inner mats are used to create a boundary, crisping up the edge of the "window", and balancing with the frame.

 

At Olympia Framemakers you have the option of bringing home the mat and frame samples to assess them in the space that they'll actually be hanging.