Last Week in Frames: 7 Custom Framing Projects
There is no single formula for meaningful framing. Sometimes the perfect choice is economical and cheerful; sometimes it is a thoughtful refresh of a family heirloom. A poster may benefit from a simple, supportive presentation, while a one-of-a-kind artwork calls for two mouldings layered into something entirely its own.
Last week, from September 29 through October 5, 2026, we shared seven projects from our Atlanta workshop. Together, they offer a glimpse into the conversations, materials, and creative decisions behind custom framing at Thompson’s Frame & Gallery.
Every piece has a story. Here are seven ways we helped bring those stories to the wall.
1. Colorful Citrus Prints for a Beach House Rental
Our first project of the week featured a lively pair of citrus and fruit prints destined for a client’s beach house rental. Full of refreshing blues, greens, yellows, and warm fruit tones, the artwork brought an enchanting coastal energy to the room.
For the framing, we selected an economical yet special light blue moulding. The pale blue finish complements the room’s relaxed atmosphere while allowing the colorful prints to remain the focal point. Because the pieces will live in a rental property, the client chose conventional framing with commercial glass. A practical option that provides durability while keeping the overall design budget-conscious.
The result feels bright, collected, and considerably more expensive than it cost.
The lesson: Thoughtful framing does not require an extravagant budget. An attractive moulding, well-proportioned mat, and carefully chosen finish can give affordable artwork a polished, intentional presence.
2. A Timeless Refresh for Vintage Botanical Prints
These six vintage botanical prints carried something more precious than their delicate illustrations: they once belonged to the client’s mother. Their classic character and family history made them worth preserving, but their presentation needed a subtle refresh.
Rather than replacing the original frames and glass, we kept both intact and focused on new matting. Fresh white mats brought clarity and brightness to the collection while respecting the warmth and character of the existing frames. The six pieces now read as a cohesive arrangement, with an elegant rhythm that honors the client’s mother’s classic style.
This is one of the most rewarding aspects of custom framing: not every transformation needs to be dramatic. Sometimes, the most meaningful work is knowing what to keep.
The lesson: Reframing does not always mean starting over. Existing frames can often be refreshed with new mats, allowing family pieces to feel renewed without losing the details that make them special.
For more ideas about presenting treasured objects and family history, explore our Stories collection.
3. Keeping a Camera Poster Flat and Pristine
A simple poster deserves a lasting presentation, too. This camera poster features a fascinating visual history of camera design, arranged in a clean, informative grid. Its black frame and white border give the piece a crisp, gallery-inspired appearance.
To help maintain that smooth presentation, we used dry mounting. The poster was adhered to a supportive backing so it would remain flat and neat, reducing the ripples, waves, and wrinkles that can develop over time.
Dry mounting is a useful solution for certain modern, replaceable posters and prints when reversibility is not the primary concern. For valuable originals, historic materials, limited editions, or irreplaceable photographs, we recommend discussing more conservation-minded mounting options with a framing professional.
The lesson: Mounting is not merely a technical step. It affects how an artwork looks for years to come. The right method depends on the item’s value, condition, materials, and future preservation needs.
When preservation is important, organizations such as the Library of Congress recommend appropriate matting, backing, and separation from the glazing. We are always happy to help you explore the best approach for your piece.
4. From Pennant to Wall Art
Football season is an ideal time to rediscover the memorabilia tucked away in drawers and closets. This project transformed a collegiate pennant featuring four bulldog mascots, the letters spelling YA-L-E, into a spirited piece of wall art.
We mounted and pinned the fabric pennant flat against a coordinating mat, then finished it with a warm gold moulding. The classic frame elevates the nostalgic collegiate design, while the mat provides visual breathing room around the fabric.
Now, the pennant can be enjoyed every day rather than remembered only when someone happens to open a storage box.
The lesson: School pride does not belong in a drawer. Jerseys, pennants, tickets, programs, signed pieces, and other sports memorabilia can become meaningful décor when they are thoughtfully displayed.
The best memorabilia framing balances visibility with care. Depending on the item, we may discuss mounting methods, spacing, glazing, and how the finished piece will be displayed in your home, office, or fan room.
5. One-of-a-Kind Framing Through Layered Mouldings
Some artwork refuses to fit neatly into a single design direction. This striking graphic piece, presented on deep black matting and held with visible photo corners, needed something more distinctive than one off-the-shelf frame.
The solution was to combine two mouldings: a bold black outer profile with a warm gold inner frame. The layered effect creates depth and contrast, echoing the artwork’s dramatic character without competing with it. Photo-corner mounting allows the piece to remain visibly floated on the black mat, adding to its gallery-like presence.
It is a confident, highly personal presentation: one that could not have been achieved by choosing just one frame from a catalogue.
The lesson: Custom framing is a design process, not a search for a single “correct” frame. Layering mouldings, experimenting with mat proportions, and combining finishes can create a look that feels truly original.
This is where professional design advice can make a meaningful difference. During a consultation, we can help you compare profiles, textures, colors, and proportions until the frame feels like a natural extension of the artwork.
6. A Colorful Event Poster With Economical Close-Out Mouldings
This vintage coastal event poster brings together cheerful color, musical energy, and a whimsical illustrated landscape. With its brilliant greens, oranges, blues, and seaside details, the artwork already makes a strong impression.
To keep the project budget-friendly, we selected an economical close-out moulding in a blue-tinted charcoal gray. Its understated finish gives the poster structure without overwhelming the colorful illustration. Because the piece is a screen-printed poster, standard framing was an appropriate choice; it did not require special conservation mounting.
The finished work is a wonderful example of how a colorful poster and a well-chosen close-out moulding can create a stunning result at a reasonable price.
The lesson: A limited budget does not mean limited style. Custom mouldings, ready-made options, and close-out selections can work together to create a polished presentation with plenty of personality.
Our Ways to Frame articles offer additional inspiration for making thoughtful choices with different artwork styles and budgets.
7. Simple Framing, Beautiful Impact
Our final project of the week was a colorful original artwork filled with expressive figure work, lively pencil and crayon marks, and energetic movement. The piece speaks with its own distinctive voice, so the framing needed to support, not interrupt, that conversation.
We chose a straightforward warm gold frame with a clean white mat. The golden finish adds a gentle glow, while the white mat gives the artwork room to breathe. Nothing feels excessive. Every element is intentional.
The result is a reminder that the most thoughtful framing is sometimes the simplest. Simple does not mean ordinary.
The lesson: Let the artwork lead. When the colors, marks, and story are already powerful, a restrained frame can provide the elegant finishing touch.
Bring Your Story to the Wall
These seven projects show the range of possibilities available through custom framing: economical choices for a rental, a sensitive refresh for family heirlooms, practical mounting for a poster, spirited presentation for memorabilia, layered mouldings for an unusual artwork, and simple frames that allow expressive pieces to shine.
At Thompson’s Frame & Gallery, we have served the Atlanta area for more than 30 years, helping homeowners, artists, photographers, designers, collectors, and families discover the right way to display what matters to them. Whether you are preserving a legacy, celebrating school pride, decorating a new space, or simply giving a favorite print the presentation it deserves, we invite you to explore our gallery and embark on the process with us.
Your art has a story. We help you frame it.