Have you ever looked at your finished project and felt like something was missing? All the components of your design are there: moulding, matboard, glaze, and backing, but the piece just feels a little flat. If this scenario feels familiar, you are not alone. We might just have the answer you need: texture.
Just like frames and moulding, matboards come in an abundance of sizes, colors and textures. Using a matboard with texture can add depth and beauty to most artwork, photos or other framed pieces. If you want to take your custom piece to the next-level, Crescent and Bainbridge matboards offer incredible richness and texture that allow you to achieve a multitude of visual effects.
WHAT IS TEXTURED MATBOARD
This kind of matboard is much more than a coarse surface. It can be smooth like metallic or satin, or soft like a suede or a raw silk. Many people like how it subtly softens the starkness that solid flat colors sometimes bring to the table. Used as the top mat in a multilayer framing, a textured matboard adds visual interest and makes a piece more distinctive.
MATBOARD WITH TEXTURE FOR GROUPINGS
When hanging a group of related objects, custom framingdesign experts often recommend finding a common thread that ties them all together. Be it a triptych, split image or collection of travel photographs, textured matboard can be used to bring multiple pieces together in groupings and unify the space they’re hung in. To add elegance to a grouping without detracting from the art itself, consider matboard in a neutral linen or silk.
TRY MULTIPLE TEXTURES
What’s better than one mat that complements your artwork? Mixing and matching multiple matboard colors and textures is a truly inspired way to enhance a piece. For example, if the artwork contains metallic elements, you can pair Bainbridge's Old World Metals line with an Archival Linen mat and metallic frame for a showpiece worthy effect. Another option would be to use two or more inner matboards to narrowly frame a small artwork and then top it with a specialty mat that draws on a texture in the piece, such as stone.
When mixing color, pattern and texture, the secret to success is in going with what you love. Just a few touches personalize your decor, express your unique style, and add interest to the artwork itself.
Bainbridge Arbor Woodgrains - Sandalwood 4356
Take a tip from interior designers and don’t be afraid to experiment with mixing metallics like bronze, silver, gold, or brass. Playing with different textures like silk and leather can be an intriguing contrast that makes a piece truly pop. The aim is to add some variation but not overload a piece with too many conflicting sensations.
Bainbridge Jute - Top: Natural Jute 5654 - Bottom: Barnwood Jute 5540
As always, matboard and frames exist to complement your artwork, not overwhelm it. Bainbridge's Pebble Beach collection, for instance, is a nice subtle choice that adds a touch of shimmer without overpowering. When framing personal memorabilia and sports related pieces, the Bainbridge sports mats with their basketball, golf and football textures bring an understated effect that makes the piece more visually interesting.
FLOAT MOUNTING ARTWORK
Textured matboard is ideal for offsetting a piece from the wall it hangs on.Watercolors, artwork on textured paper, and time-worn artifacts like handwritten letters or old maps are often framed by suspending them above an uncut, or blank, matboard. Known as “float mounting,” this technique creates a unique presentation that showcases the piece’s inherent beauty. The suspension technique also casts dramatic shadows while allowing the piece itself to take center stage.
Floating artwork works particularly well when used with prints that have interesting textures and edges you want to accentuate, creating a lovely effect that looks great on any wall.
CRESCENT MATBOARD COLORS
The Crescent Brands team believes that artwork can truly stand out when unique custom features are added. This is especially true when adding the appealing look of texturized matting.
When it comes to matboard with a given texture, there’s no trick or formula to getting it right. Just keep your eyes open to what you love and your mind open to considering out-of-the-box ideas. From rough jutes to smooth cooper, these matboards open completely new doors of expression for your works of art.
