We all know the traditional gallery look. It typically features a stark white mat paired with a simple black frame. This aesthetic is classic, it is safe, and it can be a little bit predictable. For decades, the Bauhaus style of design ruled photography framing across the industry. The underlying philosophy was incredibly simple. Form follows function. The frame was supposed to remain entirely invisible so the art could stand alone without any visual interference. While this minimalist approach certainly has its rightful place in museums or austere galleries, modern home interiors call for a much more dynamic, personalized touch.
At The Picture Framing Group, affectionately known by our clients as The Frame Shop, we strongly believe in pushing the boundaries of traditional design. Here in Chicagoland, our clients are curating unique spaces that reflect sophisticated, individualistic tastes. Our founders, Cole and Don Glassner, along with our entire team of master framers, know that today is the perfect time to break the rules. Whether you are framing a vintage black-and-white print of the iconic Chicago skyline or a vibrant digital snapshot from a memorable family vacation, it is time to stop merely encasing your art and start truly enhancing it. Custom framing is an extension of the artwork itself, acting as a structural bridge between the photograph and the room it inhabits.
Here is exactly how to upgrade your photo design and elevate your interior spaces:
1. Black and White Photography Does Not Mean Boring
Traditionally, fine art purists dictated that black and white photos absolutely had to have white mats and black frames. That rigid, uncompromising thinking is no longer the standard in high-end design. Today, we have an incredible variety of premium framing materials that can elevate monochrome photography into a breathtaking focal point for your home or professional office. By introducing new elements into the design, we can honor the stark beauty of a monochrome image while giving it a contemporary edge.
- Add Texture: Even the most traditional purist collectors are seeing the immense value in frames with distinct style and texture. Consider pairing a stark, high-contrast photograph with a rich, brushed wood grain or a luxurious linen-wrapped mat. The tactile contrast brings the image to life without ever overpowering the photographic composition. Natural textures soften the harshness of monochrome prints, making them feel warmer and more integrated into a living space.
- Go Metallic: Do not limit yourself to flat black or basic white framing profiles. Try an antique silver scoop frame or a distressed pewter molding to perfectly pick up the intricate highlights and midtones in your photograph. These subtle metallic accents reflect ambient room light and draw the viewer directly into the artwork. Furthermore, metallic finishes add a layer of sophisticated glamour that pairs beautifully with both vintage and modern photographic styles.
- Create Depth: Custom framing allows you to play creatively with physical dimension. Use archival spacers between double mats to create striking shadow lines and visual intensity. Our master framers frequently use exceptionally thick eight-ply mats or stacked custom moldings to give black and white photography a substantial, architectural presence on the wall. This added depth transforms a flat piece of paper into a compelling three-dimensional object.
2. Color Outside the Lines 
Color photography was not fully accepted as legitimate fine art until the 1980s. Because of this significantly later adoption by the art world, color photography has noticeably less historical baggage and far fewer strict rules than classic black and white imagery. This creative freedom allows our talented design team to explore bold, innovative combinations that make your art genuinely pop off the wall. When dealing with color, the frame and matting become powerful tools to amplify the emotion of the image.
- Match the Vibe: Do not be afraid to pull subtle or dominant colors directly from the photo itself. One spectacular example featured in Picture Framing Magazine utilized a vibrant pink bottom mat paired with a deep bronze frame to perfectly complement a sweeping, majestic photo of the Grand Canyon. By echoing the core tones of the artwork, the frame becomes a natural, harmonious extension of the image. We love applying this technique to brilliant autumn scenes or vivid abstract digital prints.
- Mimic Shapes: Take a very close look at the underlying geometry of your photograph. Does your photo feature an iconic architectural arch, a sweeping suspension bridge, or distinct geometric lines? Choose a frame profile with a similar gentle curve or rigid angle to unify the overall design. A rounded scoop frame can soften a harsh, barren landscape, while a sharp, stepped molding perfectly accentuates modern urban photography and cityscapes.
- Play with Contrast: Sometimes the absolute best way to highlight a brightly colored photograph is to intentionally choose a bold, complementary color for the matting. A deep navy blue mat can make warm orange and yellow tones radiate intensely, creating a striking visual balance that commands attention in any room. This color theory approach ensures that the artwork remains the absolute center of attention.
3. Get Creative with Mounting Techniques
With the rapid rise of fine art digital printing and large-format photography, we now have flexible and highly exciting new ways to display the physical print. The specific way a photograph is mounted inside the frame completely changes the viewing experience for your guests. As professional picture framers dedicated to preserving your investments, we utilize state-of-the-art techniques to ensure your artwork is both fully protected by archival standards and beautifully presented.
- Float Mounting: This presentation technique is absolutely perfect for fine art prints with deckled, torn, or irregular paper edges. The photo sits entirely inside the mat opening so you can clearly see the natural paper edge on all four sides. By elevating the artwork slightly off the archival backing board with hidden spacers, it looks like it is magically floating within the frame. This highlights the physical, tactile quality of the fine art paper itself and adds an undeniable gallery-level sophistication.
- Flush Mounting: For a highly contemporary and remarkably sleek finish, the printed image is bonded solidly to a rigid archival backing and trimmed perfectly right to the absolute edge. This specific technique eliminates the need for traditional matting and provides a clean, minimalist presentation that works exceptionally well for large-scale modern photography or bold graphic art.
- The Hover Effect: We achieve this stunning, modern look by using a precise reverse bevel cut on a flush mount. The image appears to effortlessly float off the backing board without any visible border or mat overlapping the delicate edge of the print. It creates a subtle, elegant drop shadow that gives the photograph a prominent three-dimensional presence on your wall.
The Bottom Line on Modern Framing
State-of-the-art framing has come a remarkably long way from the skinny black metal frames of the 1960s. While there will always be traditional purists who prefer the strict gallery aesthetic, you now have the creative freedom to let your personal design energy flow. Modern framing is primarily about personal expression, elevating your interior design, and fiercely protecting your cherished memories with the highest quality archival materials.
At The Picture Framing Group, we pride ourselves on delivering true museum-quality craftsmanship with a modern, highly personalized edge. Cole and Don Glassner, along with our entire Chicagoland team of framing experts, are completely dedicated to helping you discover the perfect combination of custom molding, matting, and archival mounting techniques. When you are ready to finally break the old rules and transform your photography into true interior design statement pieces, we are here to guide you through every single step of the custom framing process.
