Рамки для картин становятся самостоятельным элементом дизайна интерьера

The rules of framing art used to be simple: picture frames were simply a vessel to protect and elevate the artwork within it. They weren’t an afterthought, per se; anyone who’s made a trip to the framers will know how much back and forth goes into making the final product. But of all the interior pieces that could suddenly start populating an Instagram explore page, hyped as the next trendy addition to your home, a picture frame wouldn't be what came to mind. They weren't meant to be that influential. And yet, a few scrolls down your social feed you'll see that's exactly what's happening. Instead of the standard black-frame-and-white-mount combination, inventive picture frames are becoming the focal point of home inspo content. Some have rounded corners, and are painted a range of colours. Others are more creative with their mounts, deviating from the usual white hue to richer tones more likely to be found painted on walls. The artwork may even be placed off-centre, too. In some instances, the frames' playful and contemporary designs not only elevate their artwork, but act as additional art themselves. ‘We're seeing more people come in with screenshots from Instagram or Pinterest asking for something bolder than they would have chosen five years ago,’ says framer Oliver Harrison of Graham Harrison Framing Studio. ‘I think it comes down to exposure. People are seeing so much more design inspiration through their phones, which gives them the confidence to make bolder choices themselves.’ You can find them in the pages of House & Garden, too. In India Holmes', the former Design Director at de Gournay, bedroom, she has traditional Asian artworks with sky blue mounts, and some in flaming hot red frames. In Rosi de Ruig's London home, she's paired a lavender mount with a scarlet frame. While the gallery wall in James Shaw's east London home has a piece of artwork that's been placed ever so slightly off-centre. For interior designers Studio Vero, using frames as additional creative elements in a room has always been part of their ethos. ‘One of my favourites is a piece from my own collection that we mounted in a Yves Klein blue; our framer hand-painted the mount to get exactly the right shade,’ shares co-founder Romanos Brihi. ‘We've also upholstered a mount in hessian for a Cocteau drawing, which gave it a completely different warmth. What I would say is that the clients themselves now feel more permission to be adventurous with how they frame art. They're more willing to ask for something unexpected, even if the idea itself isn't new to us.’ On first glance – especially based on what my Instagram algorithm is pushing – you’d think that the more contemporary rules of framing art would only be suitable for modern works. ‘It works best when the artwork has enough presence or colour to hold its own against a bolder frame or mount. A delicate period watercolour can easily be overwhelmed by a strong mount colour, whereas a bold print or photograph can carry it beautifully,’ says Harrison. ‘That said, classical pieces can also work really well in modern, clean-lined frames, as the contrast can create an interesting juxtaposition. The main thing is to pull the mount colour from somewhere within the artwork itself, rather than introducing a colour that feels unrelated.’ Brihi agrees that deciding on a contemporary frame should come down to what the artwork is, rather than its age. Where it’s being hung is important, too. ‘Every artwork is treated as an individual. In a salon or gallery hang, we're actively looking for variation, not consistency: a coloured mount here, texture there, a plain traditional frame next to it. If everything matched, the wall would lose its character. ‘We do think about the room the piece will live in, but the real question is always: what does this artwork deserve? That's also why a good framer matters so much. Ours is a genuine creative collaborator, and some pieces have sat with them for the best part of a year while we get the details right.’ Brihi and Harrison share their tried and tested rules of framing art, as well as tips on how to incorporate these new frame designs into your home: consider the frame as part of the artwork, and don’t worry too much about it matching the walls or furniture. ‘The frame's primary job is to work with the artwork, to protect it, enhance it, and allow it to be appreciated for years to come,’ says Harrison. Does this mark the end of the framing designs of yore? ‘The traditional principles, such as drop margins on window mounts, cool white mounts for black-and-white photography, period-appropriate frame styles, and symmetrical placement, are still solid foundations and remain relevant,’ says Harrison. ‘What's changed is that people now see the picture frame as part of the overall design, rather than simply a neutral vessel for the artwork. If there's a new rule, it's less about following a formula and more about adopting the right mindset: choose with confidence, be intentional, and let the frame enhance both the artwork and the space.’ ‘I once framed a work that the artist had never intended to be framed at all, and they were genuinely alarmed when I suggested it,’ says Brihi. ‘Once it was finished, they called to say it had completely changed how they saw their own work. That's what good framing can do: reveal something in a piece you hadn't noticed.’