Ken's Custom Frames
  • Home
  • Project Showcase
  • About Us
  • News
  • Contact

What's Your Style Identity?

2/15/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture

Your design preferences make up your own personal style!

We all have a style identity when it comes to interior design. You know what you like, but you might not know the name or the specific characteristics of that style. Have fun answering a few questions to find out what your style is.
  • Does your house look like an English garden or a beach house?
  • Do you love the casual look as opposed to straight lines?
  • Do you enjoy natural light to indoor lighting?
  • Would you rather be outdoors or at the beach instead of stuck inside?

Your style is: Shabby Chic / Coastal

Characteristics: Casual furniture in natural materials such as wicker and rattan and worn looking white-washed woods. Stripes and florals dominate fabric patterns.
Color Palette: Layered blues, crisp whites, rosy reds and greens.
Picture
Picture
  • Does city-living appeal to you?
  • Do you like the linear look of urban architecture?
  • Do you have suspended lamps with Edison bulbs in your home?
  • Do you like bare building materials in old factories and lofts?

Your style is: Industrial

Characteristics: Spacious, simple design that includes wood and metal elements. Exposed pipes, ducts and brick walls are often seen. High ceilings are common.
Color Palette: Neutral palette – gray, brown, grayish-white, tan.
Picture
Picture
  • Do you read about art and know furniture designers’ names?
  • Are you a fan of low sleek furniture with style and comfort?
  • Did you have a serious addiction to Mad Men?
  • Would you describe yourself as simple and uncomplicated?

Your style is: Mid-Century Modern

Characteristics: Clean, often curved lines mixed with simple geometric shapes. There usually is a variety of materials (woods, metals, plastics) used in this design.
Color Palette: Background earthy neutrals (browns & grays) paired with bright, bold colors such as oranges, chartreuse, pink and blues.
Picture
Picture
  • Do you prefer simple design with clean lines and geometric patterns?
  • Do you believe "less is more"?
  • Would you describe yourself as organized, methodical and efficient?
  • Is your home free of clutter?

Your style is: Minimalism

Characteristics: This is a bare essential look. Simple, uncluttered, clean lines in an open floor plan. Functional furniture with flat, smooth surfaces and strong lines.
Color Palette: Monochromatic – variations of one color like whites, beiges & greys.
Picture
Picture
  • Do you appreciate history and tradition?
  • Does your home have a "timeless" look?
  • Are you a planner who rarely acts on impulse?
  • Do you prefer stately color palettes and elegant furnishings?

Your style is: Traditional

Characteristics: Curved, heavy, dark wood furniture is the norm, paired with stuffed patterned fabrics, hardwood floors, and classical art.
Color Palette: Deep, rich jewel-tone hues in reds, blues and greens.
Picture
Picture
  • Are you trendy, yet classic and chic?
  • Do you love to shop at the Flea market for well-loved décor items?
  • Have more seating than you need because you love to entertain?
  • Is your home known for its warmth and simplicity?

Your style is: Modern Farmhouse

Characteristics: A comfortable mix of old and new with heirloom hand-me-downs. Texture abounds with organic and natural materials.
Color Palette: Dominated by natural colors such as soft whites, stormy grays, greiges, browns with accents of purple and blues.
Picture
Picture
  • Is The Great Gatsby your favorite book or movie?
  • Do you love rich metallics and sumptuous fabrics?
  • Is your home filled with stylized geometric patterns?
  • Do your friends describe you as glamorous?

Your style is: Art Deco / Hollywood Glam

Characteristics: Bold and opulent, yet elegant and functional. Angular, geometric forms are common, and fabrics have exotic patterns or high-shine finishes. Deeply colored polished wood, often with a lacquer finish, is frequently paired with metallic accents.
Color Palette: Accents of deep yellows, reds, greens, blues and pinks, offset by softer colors of creams and beiges.
Picture
Picture
Still not sure what kind of frame you want?

Let us help!

Our designers know how to match your art to the perfect frame for your style.
Want more fun?
Try this Style Identity Quiz!
*Frames shown are an example of what may be available.
5925 Wedgwood Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76133
817.292.7842

www.kenscustomframes.com

Wendy A. Williamson, Owner & President
wendy@kenscustomframes.com
0 Comments

Color Trends for 2021. Illuminating Yellow & Ultimate Gray are Colors of the Year!

1/12/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
With all the pressing uncertainty and unanswered questions in the world today, why should we concern ourselves with color right now? Because color reflects our mood. By changing the color around us, we can change our mood. We need comfort and hope. We need soft, solid colors of familiarity – caring, "we are all in this together," dependable colors. We also need happy colors of optimism that promise better things to come in the year ahead.

Many companies make color predictions but this year their forecasts all have one thing in common: solid, soft neutrals paired with bold accents. The palettes are filled with comfort colors to promote a sense of calm and wellness.
Picture
Pantone's Illuminating Yellow & Ultimate Gray

Pantone©, an industry leader in color forecasting, has predicted that Illuminating Yellow and Ultimate Gray will dominate color trends in 2021. You could call the pair ‘Happy & Dependable.’ One color plays off the other to create synergy, union, and balance between practicality and positivity…just what we all need for 2021!
Picture

Benjamin Moore©
Aegean Teal
Foggy Morning
Gray Cashmere
Picture

Sherwin-Williams©
Urbane Bronze
Messenger Bag
Modern Gray

What’s Trending?
Look for Bold Color, Good Quality & Comfortable Minimalism

Deep, bold color has a stabilizing and comforting feel. A rich color can feel like a warm hug and have a feeling of elegance and sophistication. Look for the colors in paint, window and floor treatments and cabinet coloring. We can show you how to use these new colorings with matting and framing.

Craftsmanship, comfort & durability is key for 2021. Look for furniture, fabrics, and accessories that will last, that are made with sustainable products, and that can be passed down through the generations. We have always prided ourselves on the quality of our materials and craftsmanship so you can enjoy your framing for a lifetime.

Soft minimalist design is here to stay. Organize your home with intentional, clutter-free spaces that make you feel calm. It’s about having less things, but the right things. More relaxed, casual, comfortable minimalism allows for an escape, with a feel of innocence and whimsy. You will see colors and patterns that make you smile. Now’s the time to frame a playful piece that will make you happy every time you look at it.

Using the Color Trends

We’ve all spent much more time in our homes recently – plenty of time to notice how our rooms need new color! How can we use these color trends to update our homes?
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

THANK YOU!

A huge "Thank You" to our first responders, teachers, health care staff and countless others for being there for us. And "Thank You" to our wonderful customers, for supporting small businesses.
5925 Wedgwood Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76133
817.292.7842

www.kenscustomframes.com

Wendy A. Williamson, Owner & President
wendy@kenscustomframes.com
0 Comments

Don't Show Up Empty-Handed. Surprise your loved one with a custom framed gift!

11/29/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture

Thanks to the ongoing pandemic, this holiday season will not resemble any other in recent memory. Holiday parties will most likely be limited - just a small group of close friends or family. Small gatherings can be wonderful because you can spend more quality time with the people you love…a welcome change from social distancing and quarantines.

Your holiday host has put in time and effort to make this gathering a success, and you want to show your appreciation and gratitude. Custom Framing can make a wonderful gift, so you don’t have to show up to the party empty-handed. Whether you need a host/hostess gift, or your family is doing a traditional holiday gift exchange, framing a memory is a thoughtful, personal gift idea.

Frame A Memory

Picture
A pic of fun, socially-distanced times you had during the year.
Picture
An old picture of earlier times.
Picture
Precious pictures of the grandkids.
Picture
A holiday themed print is always appreciated for holiday decorating.
Picture
You’ve had some extra time this year to make small gifts. Gather them together and make a presentation that will be valued and used year after year to decorate for the holidays.
Framing a past Christmas card is always fun, especially if it is a group photo of the host’s family.
Picture

Visit Our Gift Shop

Oh no! You forgot a gift and you need one last-minute. No problem! How about the gift of custom framing? Stop by for a Ken's Custom Frames gift certificate.

Bringing some homemade treats never hurts!

Need a little something extra to bring along? Here are some of our favorite cookie recipes.
  • Snowdrops aka Mexican Wedding Cookies
  • Classic Peanut Butter Cookies
  •  Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookies
What NOT to Bring:
  • Cut Flowers: A potted plant is fine, but don't bring anything that requires immediate maintenance.
  • Cheap Wine: Noooo! Your host has gone to a lot of time and expense, so reward them!
  • Uninvited Guest: Especially if it is a sit-down dinner, don't bring an uninvited plus one.
  • Your Pet: Don’t put your host on the spot by asking if you can bring Fido.

Holiday Hours

Tuesday - Friday: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Closed Sunday and Monday

Closed December 22 - January 1
Picture
5925 Wedgwood Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76133
817.292.7842

www.kenscustomframes.com

Owner, Wendy A. Williamson
wendy@kenscustomframes.com
0 Comments

Float Frames. A versatile frame moulding for stretched canvas.

11/13/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Have you seen these frames and wondered what they are used for? They are called Float Frames. Instead of the frame sitting on top of your art, a float frame rests under your art. It is a frame designed to lay behind a painting or stretched art to make the art appear as if it were ‘floating’ within the frame.


Why would you use a float frame? Float frames:
  • Allow the viewer to see the sides of a canvas
  • Give stability to a canvas and prevent warping
  • Can appear minimal or invisible
  • Are available in a variety of colors, sizes and materials
Picture
Picture
Picture
A float frame is more versatile than you would imagine.
Using a float frame can be a great way to add another frame to your moulding stack, leave a visual distance between your art & frame, extend the depth of the moulding for shadowboxes, or add character to your framing. We'd be happy to show you our float frame collection!
Picture
Traditionally float frames are used to rest behind a stretched canvas. It gives a clean, contemporary look.
Picture
You can also add a frame within a frame for a dramatic, multi-dimensional effect.
Picture
Sometimes you need to raise the art above the frame.
Picture

Gallery Wrap Vs. Traditional Stretch

With traditionally stretched canvases, the fabric is wrapped around shallow stretcher bars (plain wood frame) and secured to the sides. The edges are unpainted and staples are visible. The canvas is usually intended to be framed before presentation. The shallow depth ensures the canvas can fit inside normal frames.

With a gallery wrap, the fabric is wrapped all the way around the edges and secured to the backside of the stretcher bars. Edges are painted and finished; no mounting methods or staples are visible.

When using a float frame, the depth of the stretcher bars is a matter of preference, based on the look you want. Ask us about your options. Either way, when using a float frame, it is best to have the edges painted (even if it is painted black) since a little edge will show.
Picture
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day - Closed
Black Friday - Open 8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Christmas
Guaranteed by Christmas order cut-off is Saturday, December 5th at 5:00 pm.
Closed December 22 - January 1
Picture
5925 Wedgwood Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76133
817.292.7842

www.kenscustomframes.com

Owner, Wendy A. Williamson
wendy@kenscustomframes.com

​Store Hours:
Tuesday - Friday, 8:30 am  - 5:30 pm
Saturday, 9 am - 5 pm
​Closed Sunday and Monday
0 Comments

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Framing Newspaper & Printed Articles.

10/20/2020

0 Comments

 
There was a time when the only way to receive news was through printed material such as a newspaper. Now newspapers and magazines have become collectibles. Why? Fewer and fewer newspapers are being printed in favor of online and digital sources. Despite our transition to digital media, there is something about seeing a headline in print that makes it feel permanent and important. Just like a photograph, when you see it, it jogs your memory back to a special time. So what do you do with a collectible? You frame it!
Picture
Picture
How do you properly frame newspaper articles so that they can last forever? Carefully! Framing a newspaper is challenging – the paper itself is meant to self-destruct. Because a newspaper is printed on a lightweight, non-acid free paper, it needs all the help it can get to preserve itself. We use only acid-free materials that surround the paper to ensure no further damage will be done.
Picture
There are numerous ways to mount a newspaper. If individual articles are cut to create a story, then dry mounting is recommended to prevent and remove wrinkling. Mounting is done on a dark backing such as foam board to prevent 'ghosting' (the reverse side text showing through). Because newspaper 'yellows' quickly, a UV protecting glazing is used to keep the fading to a minimum.

Looking for an old newspaper?
There are several websites that sell old newspapers. They are a great resource if you want a headline from a specific date like your birthday.
ebay.com
anydate.com
rarenewspapers.com 

Conservation Grade Materials
We want your newspaper articles, magazine covers, and other collectibles to survive for a lifetime with minimal change of color, damage from glues, or out-gassing from materials that are not acid-free. Our framers use the very best materials for your projects.
Picture


Where Do You Begin?
Step 1:
Bring in the newspaper article
Picture
Picture
Picture
Step 2:
We'll help you decide on a design
Picture
Step 3:
Pick up your completed framed project!
 
If there are any additional headlines or pages that didn't make the cut, we can secure them in between the backing board & backing paper, or in an envelope on the back.
Picture
Sometimes wrinkles are part of the charm, like in this old article about Mark Twain.
Picture
Your grandparents' wedding announcement gets new life in a custom frame.
Picture
Capture a moment in time by framing your favorite magazine cover.
Picture
Vintage sheet music makes a great addition to your music room decor.
0 Comments

Hide it with a Frame! Disguise your TV or wall safe with a custom frame.

9/2/2020

0 Comments

 

You've spent lots of time and money to design your room and get it just right, but something is off. It's not the furniture, or the color scheme...it's your TV! Your flat screen has become the dominant focal point of the room. When it's powered off, it looks like a big black box. Thanks to advancing technology, televisions are much more stylish than they used to be, but visually they are still just a black box. We have clever framing options so you can hide your large TV!
Picture

Two Ideas for Disguising Your TV:
Hide the TV Completely

Picture


Use framed artwork to hide your recessed TV. The art should be large enough to fully cover the TV’s dimensions (we’ll help with measurements). After we frame the art, we can hinge it to the wall to open when the TV is in use. Voila - Hidden!
Picture

Disguise the TV as Framed Art


Frame the TV itself! With a frame around the screen, the TV becomes a work of art. If you have a ‘smart’ TV, you can program it to scroll through your digital photo collection, allowing it to look like art and bring a smile every time you notice it.
Picture

Hide Your Safe in Plain Sight

Picture


Safes should be hidden because of the valuable items inside. You certainly don’t want to advertise that you have a safe. Hide it in plain sight. We can build a frame that hinges away from the wall to conceal your treasures.
Picture
Picture

Lighting

Lighting your artwork is very important, no matter what it is illuminating. If you have covered your TV or safe completely, light the framed art so you can appreciate it.

Tip:
Install a dimmer switch for ambiance.

More Clever Ways to Hide Things with Framing!

Hide your keys or money:
We can build a frame that is easy to open and easy to hide small valuables

Show the record cover, but hide the record:
Frame your favorite album or CD cover, and in another attached frame, show the record disc. Best of both worlds!

Hide a door? Yes - you can hide a door!
We can frame a large piece of art and secure it to the door so it doesn't shift every time it is opened.

If you want it hidden, we can build a frame for it.

Are you working with an Interior Designer to complete the look of your home? Have them come visit us – we can implement their ideas.

0 Comments

Framing Posters. Budget-friendly options for making posters, priceless.

8/4/2020

0 Comments

 
Poster framing is just like framing any other piece of art, right? Not necessarily. Posters are mass-printed reproductions of photographs, artwork, or advertisements. You’ve seen them plastered on dorm room walls and movie theater halls. Because they are low-cost compared to original artwork, there are a few things to keep in mind when framing them. Your framing will ultimately depend on how you plan to use the poster - you still want it to look good!
Picture
Picture

How is framing a poster different from framing other art?

Posters are typically printed on inexpensive, light-weight paper. This paper can appear wavy or wrinkly if framed improperly. Unlike original or limited-edition art, posters should be adhered to a backing board using a dry mount machine so that they appear smooth. No more wrinkly posters! It isn't necessary to use spacers to keep glass off of the art, and you don’t need to use the highest-quality frame mouldings to achieve the look you want.

Why do people frame posters?

Budget

Picture
Yes, you can frame on a budget! We offer budget-friendly poster framing options that don’t look cheap. When you are framing a poster for your kid’s room or for a gift, you may not want to invest as much into framing it as an original piece of art. An inexpensive poster may not need a 24K gilded frame or archival quality mounting. Sometimes you just need simple and affordable. We have frames that would work well on your poster and fit into your budget.
Picture

Poster Special

We have a special framing package and pricing for your poster. Come in and ask us about it!
Picture

Decorative

You love Van Gogh, but the odds of you owning an original Dutch Master are pretty slim. Poster reproductions are the perfect way to bring famous, beloved art into your home. You want it to be designed as if it were an original piece of art to be worthy of a lifetime of compliments. Just because something was originally a poster doesn’t mean that it can’t look like a million bucks after a good framing job. Our designers are eager to help design that special piece.
Picture

Temporary Displays

Posters are frequently used in semi-temporary displays. In real estate offices, hospitals, waiting rooms, and classrooms, it is not unusual to change art on a regular basis.
Picture

Collections

In a room with a poster collection, it is easy and affordable to frame numerous posters similarly. This unites the collection and increases its aesthetic value. This is especially popular with travel, movie, and concert posters.
Too Good To Be True?
When a big box frame shop advertises “50% + 20% off”, it looks like a great deal, but is it really? What is the original price? Does 50% + 20% = 70% off? Let’s say the project is $500.00. If it were 70% off, it would equal $150.00. If it is 50% + 20% off, it would equal $200.00. Compare our prices!

Acrylic Glazing
If your poster will be hanging in a high traffic area (waiting rooms), a danger zone (kid’s room) or moving a lot (dorm room, apartment), acrylic glazing may be a better choice than glass. Acrylic won’t break and is light weight.

    Think outside the frame with us!

Subscribe to Newsletter
0 Comments

Explain This Frame, Please. There is no such thing as ONE perfect frame design...

7/11/2020

0 Comments

 
Do you think there is only ONE perfect frame for a piece of art? The answer is NO! There can be many 'perfect' frames for a piece of art. That's probably why it seems so challenging to narrow down the options. What's important is choosing the right frame for YOU. Let's break it down and show you how different frames can work with the same piece of art and why.
Picture
Picture

WHAT DO THESE FRAMES HAVE IN COMMON?

Picture
BLOOMING BLOSSOMS

About the Art:
Blooming Blossoms is a highly stylized photo of red poppy flowers blooming in a blurred grass field. This piece is a soft neutrally toned art with a bright focal point. It would complement any area that calls for serenity. When choosing a frame, be careful not to overpower the focal point.

About the Frames:
  1. White (upper left): It's hard not to notice the red flowers in the center, but by using a frame that extends the background, it highlights the flowers even more. Choosing a frame that has a flowing rounded design mimics the soft curves and lends a feminine touch.
  2. White & Red (upper right): Adding a hint of red is going to draw the eye to the red poppies, and emphasize that the flowers are the focal point. Paired with a clean white frame that extends the background, it gives the piece a subtle simplicity with pop.
  3. Blue & White (lower left): When you first looked at this piece, did you notice the soft gray-blues in the background? Now you do. It draws out other colors without taking away from the focal point.
  4. Silver & Gold (lower right): Many people shy away from ornate frames because they fear that they might make the art feel too fancy or strict. In this case, the warm gold/silver color combo and the soft, curved carving flows with the art and gives it a formality without stuffiness.
Picture
Picture
Alphonse Mucha, was born in what is now the Czech Republic on July 24, 1860 and died there on July 14, 1939. He moved to Paris in 1887. Mucha painted in a style called Art Nouveau (French for ‘New Art’). Many of Mucha’s works reflect the flavor of modern life in the latter part of 19th century Paris and the blossoming use of print advertising. Many of Mucha’s advertising pieces featured a single figure or a woman against a halo-like disk, arranged harmoniously with flowers and other decorative motifs. Mucha not only painted, but he designed jewelry, carpets, wallpaper and theatre sets.
BIERES DE LE MEUSE
Alphonse Mucha, 1897

About the Art:
Bieres de le Meuse ("Beer of the Meuse") was a French advertisement typical of the Art Nouveau period. Art Nouveau is known for its elaborate use of color, flourishes, and graphic design style. It can pair well with ornate frames or frames with clean, elegant lines.

About the Frames:
  1. Gold (upper left): There are many gold tones in this piece, so you can't go wrong with surrounding it in more of the same color. The frame's soft, curvy design flows seamlessly with the art, which turns an ornate frame style into something whimsical.
  2. Black (upper right): A black frame is like black clothing - it goes with everything - but you have to be careful. For this piece, choose a smaller frame profile with a touch of gold. Adding a mat allows your eye to easily rest on the art without the black frame dominating. This has a traditional and universal feel so it will match any decor.
  3. Espresso (lower left): There is so much going on with this art; a wide, soft, dark brown frame helps calm it down. Notice the detail carved into the outer edge of the frame? That helps tie the design in the art to the frame. This is a transitional look that works well in an eclectic space.
  4. Copper (lower right): This frame has a coppery-gold finish and is carved in an Art Nouveau pattern. It speaks directly to the period in which the art was created. Matting creates a buffer between the art and the frame allowing each one to shine.
0 Comments

Graduation is a Milestone in Life - Make it Last a Lifetime by Custom Framing Your Diploma with Pride

7/2/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture

Here are some helpful tips for framing a diploma:

It's Worth Framing Properly

If there's one thing worth framing properly, it's your diploma. You've spent a lifetime achieving this, so it's worth more than a standard off-the-shelf, ready-made frame. Whatever it costs to properly frame it now will be worth every cent for decades to come.
Picture
Picture
Preserve It

You only get one diploma, and you don't want to see it become damaged or faded over time. Request the use of conservation materials and glazing that will provide the best possible long-term protection from any permanent damage, such as acid or fade.
Choose a Timeless Frame

Your framed diploma is likely going to hang on your wall for a lifetime, so consider choosing a frame style that will be classic and timeless rather than something that may match your furniture or decor right now. Styles and trends may change, but your achievement will stay with you forever.
Picture
Picture
Add a Distinctive Touch

A touch of gold, such as a fillet, can formalize and distinguish your achievement. You could also incorporate decorative embellishments to personalize your frame such as additional mat accents, a V-groove, or even a gold pen line. Also ask your design consultant to see some of our fabric matboard options, such as suede or silk, which can add a unique touch of texture and prestige.

You've earned this. Don't just frame it - frame it to last a lifetime!

0 Comments

Ken's Custom Frames Update and News

6/30/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
We are open!
New store hours:
Tuesday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
(Closed Sunday and Monday)
Picture

What's new
We are so grateful for your continued support during these challenging times. Business has been strong and we are working hard to keep up with the demand. We are currently experiencing a delay in the shipment of some of our materials and because of this (and the shut-down), we are currently estimating a 4-6 week processing time for most orders.* If you need a quick turnaround, don't worry! We can still make that happen with our big selection of in-stock materials!** Stop by or call us at 817.292.7842 to learn more.

Staying safe
Public safety is our top priority. In accordance with regulations, all employees and visitors to the store are required to wear a mask. Social distancing is enforced and we thoroughly clean and disinfect between customers and at the end of each work day. You can feel safe shopping with us.

How you can help.
If you love what we do, please help our small business grow and tell others about us. It's the biggest compliment you can give us and it will help our business more than you can imagine. Thank you!
Facebook
Google
Yelp

*Orders are processed in the order in which they are received.
**A rush fee is required for a guaranteed turnaround time of two weeks or less.
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Author

    Wendy A. Williamson, Owner & President of Ken's Custom Frames

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Location

Contact Us

5925 Wedgwood Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76133
817.292.7842

www.kenscustomframes.com

Owner, Wendy A. Williamson
wendy@kenscustomframes.com

​Store Hours:
Tuesday - Friday, 8:30 am  - 5:30 pm
Saturday, 9 am - 5 pm
​Closed Sunday and Monday

Connect

Subscribe

Be the first to know about framing specials!
Join Now