Tips for Finding it, Framing it, and Displaying it
Art has always been part of my life. Years ago, I invested in gallery pieces — works I still love and artists I still admire. But these days, I search differently-looking for pieces worth framing as art that feel personal and meaningful
I don’t spend a lot on art anymore (I’m far too fickle for that). Instead, I look for pieces that feel personal — things that spark something in me and have the potential to become art. Often, it’s not just about the piece itself, but what framing or mounting could add to it.
Framing art is a creative process. It’s a start-to-finish project that requires vision and imagination. I don’t look at objects solely for their subject matter — I might fall in love with the patina of a frame, the whimsy of a drawing, or simply the right color that makes me pause.
Admittedly, I have an exaggerated sense of collecting — it’s just my nature. If something stirs a feeling, that’s usually where I begin.
Using a small vintage linen liner and keeping this frame tight-creates a feeling of intimacy
“The artist’s world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep” —Paul Strand
Finding It…..
If you take one piece of advice when shopping flea markets or antique centers, let it be this: never walk past a portfolio, a stack of papers, or old paintings in frames. You can often find art worth framing.
I can’t tell you how many beautiful sketches I’ve uncovered that way. Junk shops and old bookstores are also prime hunting grounds.
I buy artwork online, too — though it can be risky. Etsy and eBay are excellent sources, but here’s an insider tip: always search using the word “original” before the medium you’re after.
- Original oil painting
- Original charcoal sketch
- Original pencil drawing
That one word changes everything. I rarely buy prints unless they’re signed or significant.
“There is no must in art because art is free.” —Wassily Kandinsky
Above: I cut this seascape painting I found on eBay to fit this frame, but make sure your art isn’t valuable before you start cutting!
Above: A lovely vintage find, as is.
Adding vintage fashion sketches to my client’s office created a collected feel.
Thinking outside the box…
I’ve always had a loose definition of “art” — and that’s really the point. Here are some examples of beautiful items and finds that were worthy of display.
- A gallery wall made entirely of beautiful old dishes (the right ones matter)
- A framed Louis Vuitton trunk label
- Herbariums
- Bookplates of seabirds using Etsy Frames
- Scientific illustrations of coral
A beautiful collection of hotel ware plates at a client’s home.
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” —Vincent Van Gogh
I’ve framed old silver serving pieces for dining rooms and used shadow boxes for vintage swimsuits.
A sweet little vintage nightgown hangs framed in my laundry room.
I framed a gorgeous vintage American flag.
For one client, I created a family portrait out of antique corkscrews and bottle openers and hung it in their butler’s pantry.
The ideas are endless — but the piece you choose should be special to you. Look for things that celebrate your interests, spark memories, or preserve personal treasures. When you walk by and see it on your wall, it should make you smile.
A client had her mother’s and mother’s siblings bronzed baby shoes. Just placing them together in a brass box gave them a collected and precious feel.
A pretty basket can be art. A great old ladder hung on the wall becomes art.
Typography, nostalgia, & personal layers…
I have a graphic design background, so fonts and type always speak to me. I framed three old flashcards; Th, ink. Big. Enlarging them gave the message an ironic kind of confidence.
In our guest bathroom, I’ve built a gallery of vintage family photos — my mom and her family at the beach — and I add to it whenever I find something that fits.
I will sometimes use linen liners (meant for oil paintings) in layers, with linen mat board to create subtle interest behind a photo or piece of art.
My mom’s much-used pizzelle recipe.
This entire bookcase, on the second floor is like a family portrait.
On the top shelf, we have our individual zodiac constellation bookplates. We also displayed the kids dental molds, stacked, like a sculpture. The number two is to represent twins, and the shells and striped rocks were collected on the beach across the street.
Family portraits at the second floor landing
When my kids were nine years old, I was working on a pastel drawing of a nude. I went out for a run, and when I got home, they had done their own versions of my drawing.
Nathalie did the drawing on the left when she was five years old, and the drawing on the right is mine.
Framing Art: The Frame Comes First
I love old frames. They add instant authenticity. I collect beautiful ones and store them away for “one day.”
Once, I bought a frame I loved for two dollars — it happened to include an original drawing. When I removed the artwork at home, I realized it was signed by the Colombian artist Armando Villegas.
Of course, I had to learn more, so I ordered his book. You just never know what you’ll find.
The actual drawing from Armando Villegas, along with his book.
Art from the flea market, paired with a vintage frame. Together they cost $46.
Sometimes the frame is the inspiration. If something unique speaks to me, I buy it — then let it sit in my library until a plan comes together. I also have a basement piled with frames I haven’t figured out yet, which I consider a very good problem to have.
In our bedroom, I found an ornate carved wood frame in an unusual size. It sat empty above the bed for a while — and I didn’t mind at all. Eventually, I ordered a giclée on canvas from Etsy as a placeholder, cut it down to fit, and brought in the color I wanted. That flexibility was worth every bit of the effort.
I’ve also picked up frames from HomeGoods that I’ve found on sale. Bringing vintage pieces together with them can help keep the look timeless. The paintbrush in the photo above was found in the cellar of our original cottage — now it’s framed as art.
In my powder room I worked with my handyman to make these frames myself. I bought lengths of skinny, flat trim moulding at The Home Depot, he cut them on a miter saw, and I stained them and adding gilding for a twinkle. I also sanded it here and there for a little distressing.
You can always use old frames for current art/photography, Nathalie’s high school portrait
Building a gallery wall with custom framing and carefully selected meaningful art for a client
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” —Albert Einstein
It takes a village…
When it comes to framing art, I rely on my village:
- A local independent frame shop where I choose moulding sizes and finishes
- Linen mats in warmer whites
- An 8-ply bevel cut for dimension and that quiet shadow detail
- A handyman who can resize frames
- A local glass shop that cuts to order
Not everything needs glass — or even a mat. Sometimes I float a piece to highlight its raw, torn edges. An old oil painting can be beautiful simply showing its age — visible nails, worn corners, honest history. For me, that wear and tear tells the story.
An old frame that I turned into a mirror for our bedroom.
One of my all time favorites…
One of my favorite pieces in our home is a photo I took of my kids at a train station in Europe with a simple point-and-shoot camera. It captures their personalities perfectly — a true photojournalistic moment.
At one point, we owned a sign company with a five-foot printer. I enlarged the image dramatically, mounted it, and laminated it (no dust, no dirt to clean), then paired it with a modern metal frame.
It’s still one of my all-time favorite pieces — proof that framing art doesn’t have to be expensive or precious.
It just has to mean something.
Thanks for stopping by…..
