Hop On The Monochromatic Frame Trend With A Decor DIY

Are you a collector or ephemera? Maybe you are, but you just didn't know there was a special name for it. Ephemera are bits of paper like ticket stubs, postcards, little notes, or labels that have sentimental value or just look cool. Take them out of that drawer where you've been keeping them, and mount them in an unexpectedly oversized matted frame saturated in one unifying color. If you're not a packrat like some of us, photos, small artworks, and pressed flowers all look equally amazing against a background of super-saturated color.

Pull off this monochromatic look with a matching frame and mat or just some paint. One of the most striking aspects of this trend is a frame and mat much larger than the item you've framed. The look stands out even more when the ephemera piece isn't placed directly in the center of the frame. 

Once you've chosen your frame-worthy piece, there are a few routes to pick from. A professionally-cut mat with a thin frame in the same color is the gold standard of this look. Seeking out a matching frame and mat color may prove challenging, but the right paint can do the heavy lifting. Either painting a mat and frame to match or coating a sheet of cardboard in the same color as your frame will give you lovely results.

A thin frame with a mat dwarfing the featured image is the hallmark of the monochromatic frame trend, giving it Mondrian-esque vibes. Upgrading a thrift store find or a tired frame-and-mat combo from home is a low-risk venture into this trend. With one bottle of paint, you have a surefire way to an exact match for the mat and frame.

The frames for this trend are pretty minimal, so there's no reason to splurge on a costly product. Hit IKEA, Dollar Tree, or Amazon for budget frames. If a large mat with an off-center opening that's much smaller than the frame isn't your main draw to this fad, source a frame that comes with a mat with more conventional measurements. Transform this boring picture frame into a statement piece by painting both the mat and the frame the same color.

A custom-cut mat will be the fastest route to an oversized and imbalanced burst of color. Order mats online, or better yet, go to a frame shop and explain your desired dimensions in person. If you bring along a bottle of paint or an already-painted frame, they may be able to match the color right away. However, if the color you have in mind is less common, you could be better off painting a custom-cut white mat.

Try setting a photo, a memorable bit of ephemera, or a grouping of similar items directly on a large sheet of painted or colored paper. This versatile strategy allows you to experiment with the placement of the images. Along with the extra work it takes to get a custom mat, you might not fall in love with the look of the very permanent hole in your mat. Using a solid-color background eliminates some work and might make you happier with the final look.

Monochromatic frames are often sleek with simplicity and bold color taking center stage. However, gaudily ornamented frames and forgettable, dated art tinted the same color become an interesting tabula rasa. Coating thrift store art in a dark or bold color makes pressed flowers, photo booth printouts, or theater ticket stubs pop as part of a modern spin on gallery walls. Use the wet paint to help the decoration stick, or attach it with glue after it's dried if you're afraid of damaging the finish. If you end up with a second-hand piece that doesn't come with a layer of glass, spritz on a product like 303 Products Aerospace Protectant Spray. Not only will this product protect your project from fading due to UV rays, but its matte finish also repels dust and dirt.