Apex Art Lab is a frameshop in Seattle that specializes in custom framing of art and custom mirrors, as well as art sourcing services for interior designers and installation services for retail customers and designers alike. Apex Art Lab services the greater Pacific Northwest. We love all things art, custom framing, and installation and it is our pleasure to share that with you!

So, let’s jump right in and explore some contemporary custom framing trends!

+ Skinny metal frames

Sleek is the name of the game in a big sector of contemporary framing. Sharp, squared profiles that nearly disappear has been the most requested moulding recently. Nielsen’s  Tiffany series (pictured below) perfectly encapsulates this style.  This profile also offers another big trend right now, which is deep lips. We’ll talk about that more in the next section.

+ Go Frameless

Ditch the traditional frame entirely: go alternative with the use of acrylic sandwiches or boxes. Right on the trend horizon is mirrors float mounted into colored acrylic boxes (no top). This is a super fun, contemporary presentation that is both playful and refined.

We have been seeing a big uptick in pieces framed in both acrylic boxes and in acrylic sandwiches, or printed directed onto plexi.

Images below are examples of designers that are riding this wave well.

+ Beveled profiles

Seeing a ton of vendors jumping on this trend: both steep and gradual beveled profiles. By far, my favorite right now is the Stem collection from Universal Arquati: super steep, super sleek, super impactful. If you keep your eyes peeled around Seattle I am sure you will see this frame around.

+ Fun Graphic Details

People are getting more adventurous with their custom framing! Bella Moulding just rolled out an entire line of patterned lacquer frames that offer cool, near graphic visual elements. Here’s a handful of Bella’s lacquered graphic profiles that’ll add a punch of fun.

What do you think of these custom framing trends? Could you see yourself using any of these ideas in your home art collection? Leave us a comment we’d love to hear your thoughts!

— Notes From the Lab, Apex Art Lab, October 2019