The Art of Framing
A good framer is hard to find. You need someone who knows the archival ins and outs of preserving a work, but also the skills to design and execute innovative molding and mounting. Framing can be an expensive part of the overall artwork purchase, but when you’re in good hands with the framer, you can be assured that the art will sing once it’s on the wall. And be protected for long-term investment.
Here’s a cheat sheet of our favorite framers in Culture A’s key locations.
New York
Stu-Art Supplies - this charming, family-run shop is located in Baldwin, NY. It’s easy to access their studio via the LIRR and you’ll always receive a warm welcome from Lisa and Andy. During my tenure as the in-house art curator at Tiffany and Co., I worked closely with Stu-Art on thousands of custom frames. They never shied away from a challenge and always made the extra effort to deliver the best quality work at market-rate prices.
Bark Frameworks - Innovative and precise, Bark makes gorgeous and unique custom frames with a love for every art historical style. The in-house design and production skills are unrivaled, and Jed Bark, the company’s friendly founder, is an excellent tour guide if you want to visit the workshop. Not only does Bark’s team have the craftsmanship to produce quality work, but they also enjoy the creative, collaborative process along the way.
Amsterdam
Frame4U - Amsterdam-based framer Baz is a gem and he’ll always welcome you with a smile and a coffee. His team uses an array of machine-made moldings that boast a variety of style and color options. His workshop is located in The Amsterdam Art Center, which has rotating exhibitions and is often used as a creative backdrop for meetings and events.
Profilex - Lex and his team run an impressive, high-end framing studio just north of the Joordan. If you’re looking for highly customizable work, they have the needed knowledge on design, construction, and materials to point you in the right direction.
London
Eden Framing - this studio is wonderfully efficient and cost-friendly (a rarity for custom framers in London) without sacrificing quality. If you’re looking for minimalist, wood moldings, this is a great option. Nawaz’s team will also deliver anywhere in London at easy prices.
Pauli Frames - Ricardo Pauli’s unassuming workshop has enjoyed a long tenure in northwest London. His bespoke framing often caters to the blue chip galleries, serious collectors, and museums, but his prices remain reasonable for the level of quality and design.
Images from Unsplash