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If you’ve been following along with my Giving Me Life series, you know this is where I let you peek inside my little obsessions—those design details that stop me mid-scroll or make me linger in someone else’s living room longer than socially acceptable. Every month, it’s something different, but this month? Oh, it’s a full-on love affair. With wood. Specifically, wood frames and mattes.
There’s just something about the warmth of natural wood hugging a piece of art that makes me swoon. Metal frames are sleek, colored frames can be fun, but wood? Wood is forever. It brings depth, texture, and soul into a room in a way no other material can. And lately, I can’t get enough.
Let’s break it down.
My First Love
When I first started seeing these wood frames, they highlighted the art with a wooden background. I thought, “this is different, there are no mattes at all”. But sometimes art doesn’t need to hide inside a frame. Like in the first example, where a cyanotype is mounted onto what I call a deck on a wooden background. This really gives it dimension with a slight shadow behind. It’s bold. It’s raw. It’s a little rebellious. Instead of being tucked behind glass, the art lives out loud, practically breathing with the grain of the wood behind it. Perfect for when you want to lean into that organic-modern look.
Attaching the artwork directly onto the background makes a statement also.
Black geometric shapes on top of wood really gives you that Modern Organic look.
Black and white photography is always a good idea with wood frames.
For a MCM look, match the walnut frame to the walnut walls or paneling.
Another framed piece of art by Jeroen Broux with a hit of gold to really glam it up.
Multiples
If you have a variety of photos or pieces of art, why not try affixing them to a large piece of wood? Even the lowly plywood can make your art stand out..
A more refined piece of wood with small pictures of shoes. Anything would work actually, you just have to be creative.
My New Love
Now I have a new love. Wood mattes have been popping up all around the internet and they are the quiet heroes of the framing world. The understated co-stars that elevate everything around them. Think of a delicate little landscape surrounded by a wide slab of light oak—it suddenly looks ten times more important, like it belongs in a gallery instead of your hallway.
Unframed
Just a piece of art inset into a clean wooden border? Chic. Effortless. Like, “I didn’t even try but my walls look amazing.”
This artist, Em Kettner, actually inserts tiles into a wooden border, but it still applies. Love this.
This way this is framed makes you zero in on this sweet little photo doesn’t it?
Framed
Framing it, just takes it up another notch whether you match the matte or use a contrasting wood!
Play peekaboo with different areas of the artwork like this picture below which emphasizes the woman’s eyes.
A mitered wood matte also makes your eyes focus on the artwork.
We Could Go For Coffee
The next three pieces of artwork are more like oversized frames, but they still catch my eye because of the beautiful wood grains and emphasis on the artwork.
Unique
This is where things get really fun. Square blocks of rich wood with cutouts that cradle little sculptures? Yes, please. Wood shadow boxes that turn your art and objects into masterpieces? Sign me up. The magic is in the unexpected—the mix of sculptural wood with flat artwork, or the way chunky pieces of wood in a frame can double as art itself. These pieces don’t just frame; they transform.
Get The Look
Here’s the best part—you don’t have to wait for an overpriced gallery or boutique frame shop to catch the vibe. Try:
- Wood veneer sheets (easy to cut and glue onto existing mattes for an instant upgrade).
- Thin wood panels (mount art directly for that contemporary gallery effect).
- Wooden shadow boxes (perfect for layering dimension).
- Shadow boxes with a raised deck (so your art floats like it’s having its own moment).
It’s all about mixing the natural texture of wood with your art to make something timeless, tactile, and totally irresistible.
So this is what’s giving me life this month. They’re the perfect marriage of clean modern lines and earthy, organic texture—which just so happens to be my favorite design language. It’s that sweet spot where minimalism doesn’t feel cold and natural elements don’t feel rustic. Just pure, Modern Organic goodness. These frames bring the outside in, soften a space without fuss, and make even the simplest piece of art feel intentional. For me, they’re not just frames—they’re furniture for your walls, sculptural accents that balance sophistication with soul. And honestly? I’m not just in a love affair with them… I’m in a full-blown, long-term relationship.
See ya next time.
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