I would do a simple black metal frame as minimal as possible As for hanging in the bathroom that is a bit more complicated . When framing make sure all the parts are tight and I might forgo thta spot just to be safe; I just reread and this is a powder room so I would do what you like I think maye the 3 is a bit much for a samll space and I enjoy art in small doses so each piece can be appreciated on its own. Maye 2 in there and then 2 on the wall outside the bedroom

The subject matter and the colors would not complement the heavy masculine appearance of the bathroom IMO.

Too enjoy art in small doses. Although I'm in love with these prints, they are going in here because I don't want all four of them in the rest of my home! We have lots of blank walls and suddenly overbought art. I don't want to cover every inch of wall space. My ideal home has loads of empty walls.

you've got plenty of room, get a larger mirror. Polished brass like you light fixture.

@Lyn Nielson had not even considered polished brass! Now I have to debate three choices. :)

@BeverlyFLADeziner - I love the contrast between the masculine vibe of the room and the subject matter! The colors do look sublime together in here too. Is your cluster of black frames a vote for black frames?

Also, the prints are 13 x 16 if size plays at all into frame color.

Brass for all the frames and mirror frame, simple, thin.

hang the prints in a sq format, even if you only have three, leave one space empty.

If these are prints doesn't it require a matte, frame and glass?

Buy a can of gold spray paint, mask off the mirror...paint the mirror's frame gold. I like the prints...very fun. Thin gold frames would be my choice.

What lovely, special prints! I would like to see them matted if you have room to hang them in the larger size. Or simple black would look fine. Brass would also be fine. So would picking a color from the art. Can you take them to a framer and play around with looks to help you decide? Don’t forget to let your framer know you plan to hang them in a bathroom.

Yes, plan to have them framed and matted with glass at a professional framer where we will have a million choices. I'm just trying to limit the overwhelm and decide if we want black or dark wood frames.

Something like this or this. (Ignore the leaning tower pics!)

The mirror is a 19th c antique. It will stay the current color.

@amystoller - Where do you go for framing?

I've sent you details via DM. (I don't have alerts turned on, but I'll check in to the site.)

IMO, the mirror does not belong in the scheme. (Think Ralph Lauren and plaid wallpaper). Frame, dainty and shiny black for art.

size in photos . $60.00

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4443282044/vintage-painted-framed-mirror-white?ls=s&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=mirror+for+early+1900%26%2339%3Bs+black+and+white+bathroom&ref=sr_gallery-1-27&sts=1&content_source=f1a19794-1b7a-4e0c-9bb5-31574c677a82%253ALT34a64e9606aafd7ac8b6b20b1811ed981256280e&organic_search_click=1&logging_key=f1a19794-1b7a-4e0c-9bb5-31574c677a82%3ALT34a64e9606aafd7ac8b6b20b1811ed981256280e

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1310296061/abstract-ombre-shower-curtain-sage-green?gpla=1&gao=1&;

https://www.homedepot.com/p/KAWOTI-13-in-2-Light-Black-Vanity-Light-with-Clear-Glass-Shade-21280/328865864?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&fp=ggl&srsltid=AfmBOopfky2klJEY9ye7XCtPExFu_e-kCla06a7vscYu_265McC-dwOwH-s . $40.00

I know this is a temporary rental, so suggesting some items at a low price point.

Framing is very $$$$. Maybe IKEA has frames which will fit your prints.

This is not my temporary apartment. It is our long term home in NYC. I'm not changing the mirror or anything else. They look great to me. I'm just getting art framed at a frame shop.

Okay -well, that makes a lot more sense! I thought it was for your temporary apartment (that's what your posts have been about for the past few months) - and when I looked through the photos, I was like, "Hmmmmmm. . . this bathroom looks MUCH NICER than the other bathroom in the apartment!"

FYI - I love the mirror!

My first thought was black frames - however, because I love the mirror - maybe matching that color wood would be better.

Of course, I'm not a designer - I just think adding more of the wood color would look nice with the mirror.

@dani_m08Yep, I've been ping ponging around and finally we are settling back into life in NY. Don't worry, this bathroom used to look like an 80's MTV video - bright black and white with red accents. It is amazing what a coat of paint and new mirror can do.

Black frames feel more subdued and tied in with the art. Wood seems to nicely match the mirror but I worry that they will create an even more busy look. (Not that three bright prints aren't busy enough! I may try to talk him down to two.)

Black frames for the art (thin frame, a good color per picture for the matting) and unpolished brass faucet. Spray the mirror brass too. Or buy a new mirror with a thinner frame. (I spray painted a 3-roll toilet paper holder when I chose an unpolished brass faucet for my powder room. Comes out great!)

Black, white and brass is masculine IMO.

Black frames for the art (thin frame, a good color per picture for the matting) and unpolished brass faucet. Spray the mirror brass too. Or buy a new mirror with a thinner frame. (I spray painted a 3-roll toilet paper holder when I chose an unpolished brass faucet for my powder room. Comes out great!)

Black, white and brass is masculine IMO.

Also, very NYC.

We have wonderful gold gilded mirrors throughout our home. I'm glad to have this chunky antique wood one in here. I fell in love with the shape and texture of the wood when I found it in an antique store. @RedRyder, do you still recommend black frames with the wood mirror?

Frame to the ART............ and please love that heavy, too small mirror..........ELSEWHERE?! SORRY, Kendrah.no.: )

Your eye goes to the content of the piece, the dark of the bark....but not all the way to black,

No to colored mats....that too.

Eye to the content- if you see frame OR mat first? Wrong mat and wrong frame!

I agree frame to the art rather than the room. But of course you want them to be appropriate in the room. I would bring them to the framer along with a picture of the bathroom and work with the choices. I generally avoid plain black frames with white mats. I love a frame that is specific to the art. You may find a brown in all three pieces that could live with the mirror. I wouldn’t do gold or brass. Something more earthy.

^^^

Which is why I said.." not black" earthy charcoal,,,,,,whatever the bark/ nest etc in centers etc: )

You can't know until . you GO in person.

Black for the frames… Or possibly a dark charcoal. And…looking at the prints it seems there’s quite a bit of black in them and they could take a black frame. Full disclosure; Artist and retired art teacher here. I would not make the frame wood colour it would not do anything for the art and you do need to consider the Art when you’re doing the framing. You might also be able thin white or brushed silver. I would make the frame disappear as much as possible.

Looking at the mock up that was posted here I think the black frames are going to be too high contrast. And the Wood is not going to do anything for the Art.

The bottom line is similar to picking out paint colors, it’s very hard to do looking at things online. I would do as suggested which is…bring a photograph of the bathroom and bring the prints to a framing shop.

Dark paint colors are impactful in bathrooms and I’d paint the upper wall the same color as the tiles and use black mats/narrow brass frames and the lovely prints will pop.

@JAN MOYER and @liasch YES! Match the frame to the art. Thank you. It's been about 15 years since I've framed anything and forgotten that this is what to do. I'll float the art on the matte too. Very helpful advice.

I'm also having these two art exhibition posters framed and will use them elsewhere in our home.. Any words of wisdom for how to have these framed, color advice, matting advice?

I'd probablt give that a 2. 5 inch white mat, alim black frame......

Looking at the other, same thing

My framer frames for the Memorial Art Gallery, the Strong Museum....many of our infamous Country Clubs. Been using him for 35 years, every last thing I know about great framing I learned from him , decades ago.

Now.... ? .When we do a piece for me? We test a few look at each other laugh, stand on a stool , look down, test ALL FOUR CORNERS on an oil with mat size/frame....and will 99% agree. Every single time.

When I am iffy? I defer to him

The rules? To the ART , TO the content and all that frame should do is Enhance the content.

Beware of the guy with fillets, liners when not necessary, triple mats in COLORS , ....the Hobby Lobby Look.. : )

There's a painting over the sofa here

Traditions refined · More Info

........at a first meet with the client, I pointed to it, and said, "beautiful girl in a beautiful piece, rather Ramon Santiago flavor....but far, far nicer" ....

" My favorite piece in the entire house" he says...

'" Which is exactly why I would RE FRAME - Doesn't do it justice as is"

Really? Nope, not even close........

Did we? You bet we did, which was followed by about seventy more..

The two of them together? It's like a hot art date lol

^^ Framing is an.........art. When it's right You KNOW IT.

@Kendrah - I also had a great framer when I lived in NY. Luckily, I haven't needed to frame too many new items but I have a niece that paints and gives away beautiful canvases. We framed the last one together, but I miss my talented guy.

I recommended the mirror be sprayed brass. Personally, I would change the mirror at the end of this design journey. A thin framed one would be better. Especially when there is fun art in the room.

I'm totally prejudice. I redid my own powder room and the wallpaper and wainscoting are the big design features. My other items are all unpolished brass and meant to not be noticed. Thin mirror, very simple towel bar, unassuming toilet paper holder, etc.

My older son recently had a great piece of art by a local artist, framed at a professional gallery as a Christmas gift from my daughter-in-law. The framing is absolutely brilliant. The framing done by this gallery is top notch but you certainly pay for it. However if you have a valuable piece of art it’s well worth it.

…

If you’re framing up posters you probably don’t need that level of expertise. Having said this, framing is… as Jan says…an ART in and of itself. You can have a good eye but it’s not the same as expertise. A good eye however is probably adequate for posters.

It is worth it to me to have good framing for the exhibition posters too. Exhibition posters are hard to come by these days. Once the exhibition sells out of posters, you start to see them on Artsy and Etsy for upwards of $3k. I purchased one of the ones below last month for $8. It sold out last week and is now $160 on Etsy, and will keep going up and up. But, that's just money. To me, they are more stunning than most original artwork I see. The one with the painter with the pallet kills me. I can't wait to hang it on my wall!

There are some things in the world that are stupid expensive for no reason. Framing by a framesmith I understand being expensive. It is really a skilled craft.

I always ask friends who are artisits who they use for framing it is worth the extra money to do it right . I rarely like matting on original art only on photos .

Oh, I see… The posters are collectors items! In that case it’s definitely worth it. I also really like your poster Art that you’ve chosen. Much more interesting than the usual.

Mats are often necessary to avoid a cover up of something in the content. I also find that artist ruin their OWN work , as they can't afford the great framing........., they just want to sell the piece and EAT : )

Haha …Jan…WORD. As an artist I can definitely vouch for that.

We mostly have very well framed vintage maps and vintage posters on our walls. We only have one piece of original art. It was purchased through a gallery and came already framed. The work and framing is museum quality and impeccable. It is a print. I saw another edition of the same print in a museum exhibition last year and was glad to see the piece in our home was equally well framed. I wonder if the gallery has their own frame shop in house. Is that common?

Mats are often necessary to avoid a cover up of something in the content.

I'm not sure what this means. Can you explain @JAN MOYER? Do you mean so the frame doesn't cover the art?