What picture frames are trending now?
We keep detailed records of all the different types of the specialist picture frames that clients commission us to make for them. Using this database, which consists of sketches, technical drawings, renders, and notes about how we solved any design and / or construction problems. The information we keep also contains step-by-step photographs of each stage of the making of the frame. We then compile a spreadsheet that tells us the number of each category of picture frames we make each month. These categories are as follows. Hand-Finished Frames, Custom Carved Frames, Custom Colour Frames, Double-Sided Frames, Round Frames and Rounded Corner Frames.
All these different types of picture frames jostle for the number one position over the years due to a variety of reasons. For example, if a hot artist releases some new circular works in one month, then we will receive a lot of orders of round frames. If an auction house holds an auction that features letters written by famous people, then we receive a bunch of orders for our gorgeous double-sided frames. However, moving back to the question of the day of what picture frames are trending now? Like right now, well, that is easily answered. The forerunner out of a suite of four is the rounded corner picture frame.
Why Round the Corners of a Picture Frame?
Another good question! There are a few reasons to consider this kind of embellishment which we will now outline below.
The Artwork
Some artworks, both printed and hand-drawn have naturally rounded corners to them. Sometimes this is by design, such as the borders on a music festival poster, other times it is due to curved aspects within the work. Rounding the corners of both the window mount and then the picture frame make for an extremely pleasing and harmonious look.
The Window Mount
Subtly rounding the corners of a window mount softens the usual sharp 90 degree angles in each corner. This detail is sometimes used to add variety to a collection of frames. Going on to round the corner of the actual picture frame as well compliments the window mount.
The Wow! Factor
One of the fundamental rules when deciding on which picture frame works best with the artwork is that the frame must never overshadow the artwork. This does not mean that the frame needs to be plainer than the artwork. It means that frame, mount (if applicable) and artwork must work seamlessly together to draw the eye from the outside in, finally settling on the artwork. These different elements form a complete and beautiful whole. Often, the frame isn’t even directly noticed but it does contribute hugely to the overall viewing experience subconsciously.
Rounding the corner of the frame can often produce a significant Wow! Factor to the viewing experience. It really does turn an already beautiful frame profile into something truly special. The embellishment is subtle. It’s a curve, but the effect on the viewer is amplified many times over.
Customisation
We can round the corner of any of the frames in our Hand-Finished Frames and Custom Carved Frames. We have done this for clients framing football shirts, maps, posters, hand-drawn wedding calligraphy, in fact, almost every kind of artwork can benefit from the rounded corner.
The frame can be made from one of our fabulous and sustainably resourced raw timbers, like oak, walnut ash and tulip, or even engineered wood products like Medite MDF. We can also gild in silver or gold and custom spray any of our rounded corner frames in a huge variety of colours, including bespoke colours that would be unique to you. It is also possible to add rounded corners to Tray or Canvas Floater Frames.
So, what about the radius? Selecting the correct radius was achieved by trial and error. Not really error, because how something looks is subjective, but using our experience as professional picture framers we decided that for “standard” rounded corners we use an inside radius of 6mm. This then moves out in an ever-expanding arc towards the outside edge of the frame. Therefore, the wider the frame profile, the more rounded the corner becomes. This means that whatever frame we make the rounded corner will always be perfectly balanced with the profile.
That said, the radius of the corner can be almost anything. Of course, the larger the radius then the deeper the corner extends into the vertical and horizontal parts of the picture frame. And the larger the radius, the greater the change in shape of the frame.
With a very large radius, the frame can begin to look like a hybrid between a conventional four sided picture frame and a circular or oval frame. One such hybrid frame would be a design we often use when framing vinyls or records. Our signature method is the half-in half-out look. This is where some of the record is inside the sleeve and the rest outside. The sleeve end of the frame looks like a conventional frame with 90 degree corners while the record end is essentially a round frame. It’s a super gorgeous way to display music.
Records aside, different sizes of rounded corners work for different styles of artwork and personal taste. There is no right or wrong design and no hard rule for what the perfect corner radius might be. It is just how it looks. To find this out, we have many samples of rounded corner picture frames on our workshop wall that can be used as a starting point. We often refine things by creating a series of computer renders so the client can see all the different options and make any changes desired.
Types of Rounded Corner
We make two types of rounded corner picture frame. The first type is the Top Spline Rounded Corner. This is where we cover the corner joint of the rounded frame with a spline. It’s a lot like the splines we use to strengthen the corner joins in very deep profiles as well as very small profiles. Except instead of inserting the splines into the outside corner we mill a space on the top of the frame and bond it into place there. If the frame is fragile, we might also insert splines below too. When the spline is in place, we round the corner and finish.
A Note About Splines in Reference to Rounded Corner Picture Frames
Here is a photo of a rounded corner frame that arrived in our workshop for repair. The frame was made in Hong Kong from a timber called Wenge (that we don’t offer due to sustainability reasons). It had broken at the corner joint as can be seen in this photo.
The reason is that rounding the corner of a frame with such a slim or narrow front face significantly weakens the entire picture frame. It was only held together by glue. You can of course successfully glue edge grain to edge grain, but with ends cut at 45 degree angles the join will not be strong enough for purpose. The profile of this frame was narrow and Wenge is a hard splintery species of timber, which made underpinning or Hoffman routing unsuitable. Furthermore, the original framer did not insert any splines. Glue only. It broke. To repair we added subtle corner splines, filled any defects with timber dust and then sanded and repolished the entire frame.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. What picture frames are trending now? like right now. It’s the rounded corner picture frame!
If you have any questions, need advice, would like to see samples, or visit us in our beautiful 5-storey Soho workshop, then please contact us at your convenience. We look forward to hearing from you.