Call it fallout from the scrapbooking craze: Too many picture frames today are decaled to death, hyper-personalized with sculptural embellishments (golf clubs, starfish) or such eager pronouncements as “Proud Graduate!” or “It’s a Girl!” To achieve a more realistic style span, frames should play a supporting role. They can look sleek or rustic to fit the interior, but unadorned is definitely the way to go.
Can’t decide between a round or rectangular border? The handsome Umbra 5 x 7-inch Cheeto Eco-friendly Frame in Walnut ($17.99), its wide planes distinguished by a subtle curve, cleverly feels like both. The piece is made of plantation-raised Rubberwood, known for swift regrowth, and is stained with low-VOC lacquer. (Also available in 4 x 6.)
The Ice Frame ($22), also from Umbra, is as campy as the Cheeto is serious. It honors the ’70s-style photo cube while updating it with a dose of postmillennial deconstruction. A surface of angled clear acrylic makes an optical wonderland out of the inserted photos; the frame holds three, and while the size is not standard (pictures must be 2.5 x 2.5 inches), neither is the effect. Produced in the company’s Toronto factory, which was recently recognized by treehugger.com for its sustainable business practices.
Your favorite black-and-white shot begs for the true grit of Resource Revival’s Recycled Bicycle Chain 5 x 7 Photo Frame ($31.95). Naturally, it’s practical: its material is self-explanatory, and it can stand or hang, horizontally or vertically. Funky looped corners provide an artsy touch. Truly attractive salvage.
But back to unobtrusive for a minute. It doesn’t get much more understated than the Leeds 4060-1NT Recycled Cardboard Photo Frame in Natural ($14.20), double-sided to hold two 4 x 6-inch pictures. Made of 100% reused material, it resonates like a handcrafted journal or greeting card. Let the love flow.
