Oil Painting Meets Vintage Frame

My talented brother-in-law painted this amazing tree picture and gave it to us for Christmas a couple of years back. I knew that I could not get just any old frame for this painting and so the quest began...

I went to Michael's first because I had a coupon for 60% off custom framing and thought that meant it would be really cheap. Um.... not quite. In fact, the frame I chose was $160 for an 11 x 14 and that was after the 60% discount! I guess I was clueless about the cost of quality frames and so, the search continued...

I found another beautiful frame at an antique store made of solid wood with a strip of ornate, decorative metal. It was only $50, but the dimensions were a little bit off. Every frame that I came across was either too small or way too expensive. Until...

Finally, I found THE ONE and it only took me a couple of years! I picked up this beautiful, old picture frame at an estate sale for $10. I tried to negotiate, but the woman selling it just gave me a cold stare and asked, in disbelief, "Do you know how much this frame is worth?!!" While, normally, I ignore those comments from sellers, in this case, I got the feeling that she was right (and I loved the frame) so, I told her I would take it.

I love the softly gilted gold and the ornate detailing of the frame combined with the brown and gold tones in the tree painting. It was a perfect match! I was not sure what kind of frame I wanted, but this one is better than any of the frames I had been envisioning. Searching for the precise picture frame was not easy, but it was worth it in the end! I found a frame worthy of this artisitc masterpiece.

Now...

Mr. Rubbish (the resident picture hanger) needs to get around to hanging it in the living room for me. I can't wait!