Does this frame make me look flat?

Nope, I didn't paint the artwork in this home.  I got called in to paint the frame.  The homeowner liked the style and scale of the frame, but wasn't thrilled with the gold leaf finish.  It was a beautiful frame, and if it'd  had something in common with either the art or the room, it might have worked just fine.  However, while there are small touches of gold throughout this house, there isn't anything formal (like a brass chandelier, for instance), and nothing about the rustic countryside in the painting relates to the formality of the frame, either. 

before:  painting with gold frame.

So, how did we choose a new finish?  There are touches of black throughout the home, and quite a lot of it in this living room, including the fireplace and TV.  These black holes certainly don't need to be matched, but they can often benefit by being balanced.  Julie wasn't sure she wanted solid black though, so we decided to use red with it.  This color is used as an accent throughout the room, as well. 

After:  Painting with black rub over red oxide frame, with gold highlights.

I undercoated the frame in red oxide, and rubbed back the black top coat to let this peek through.  Then, I used a gilding wax to bring back touches of gold, to pick up the details in the carved wood, and play up the little pops of yellow flowers in the painting.  Same painting in a different room might get a completely different treatment, just as a different painting in this same room might call for a different frame. 

The red and gold details show off the carving on the frame, and pick up just a little of the color in the painting. 

Great artwork might not match your sofa (that's a favorite saying among gallery owners and capital-A artists), but with the right frame, almost any artwork can look at home in any room.

Whether you want me to paint a scene as a mural, or just paint the frame for art you already own, you can get all the details on how to hire me at theartofthehome.com.

If you want to tackle a similar project on your own and need advice, do feel welcome to email me.  I'll be happy to share what I know.  dawnmariedelara@gmail.com.