THE FRANKO
FRAME
Adding a handcrafted oak frame can make a painting feel like a seriously fancy piece of furniture.
Real Oak Frames. Made In House.
I started offering my own frames around 2022 as I wanted to provide my clients with a complete in-house service, where the painting and frame feel like one complete piece, with complete quality control..."One Studio:One Standard" not two things that met each other later and hope for the best.
The first thing I did was speak with leading oak moulding suppliers about what was considered industry best practice...as I figured they had seen it all. Then built the workshop around that. V-nailers, pinners, cutters, finishing... if I was going to do this, I wanted to do it properly.
I quickly settled on solid oak with a natural beeswax finish, along with Black Oak and White Oak painted finishes. To me, it simply looked and felt better. I immediately dismissed gesso (plastic) mouldings. If they get chipped or marked—either by me in the workshop or by you years later—they're difficult to repair convincingly. Real oak develops character over time and, if needed, can usually be touched up, filled or lightly sanded. Quite honestly, it just looks and feels more premium.
CHOICES CHOICES! OFTEN ALL OPTIONS LOOK FAB, AND ITS THE ROOM THAT MAKES THE DESCISION
Why I Make My Own Frames
One of the key reasons is being able to discuss and show the different framing options on the actual painting, and what they mean to the space. Sometimes we even tweak the painting itself to better suit the frame if a little more balance is needed.
Consistency is a HUGE one for me. Many of my clients come back years later for another Franko. By making every frame myself, I know the moulding, finish and overall presentation will remain consistent, allowing your new Franko to sit comfortably alongside one you may have purchased years earlier.
I also purchase my mouldings in bulk (carrying thousands of metres in stock), which helps keep costs under control and allows me to offer handcrafted framing at prices that are often surprisingly affordable.
While I keep the three main finishes in stock, they certainly aren't the only options. If a darker timber, metallic finish or something completely different suits the artwork, we'll make that happen.
It isn't about making every painting fancy. It's about making the right painting feel properly finished.
Natural Oak
Warm, classic, furniture-like and usually the most timeless option.
Black Oak
Strong, graphic and ideal when the artwork needs a clean hard and rocking modern edge.
White Oak
Light, fresh and great for softer, beachy or hamptons vibe rooms, darker walls or paintings that need breathing space.
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Why Add A Floating Oak Frame?
A floating frame adds depth, structure and a beautifully finished architectural edge without covering the painting itself. Thanks to the small shadow gap around the artwork, you can still see the painted edges of the canvas, so the painting almost appears to float within the frame.
I've always loved that little gap. It's subtle, but it allows the artwork to breathe rather than feeling boxed in. In a funny sort of way, it's a little Yūgen... there's just enough space to hint that there's something beyond what you can immediately see.
A well-chosen frame also gives a painting greater presence within a room. It helps anchor the artwork to the space while allowing the texture, painted edges and character of the canvas to remain part of the finished piece.
I've often said that a frame can make almost any painting feel more like a fancy piece of furniture. Not just a Franko... almost any painting.
REAL TIMBER, REAL TEXTURE AND A SMALL SHADOW GAP AROUND THE PAINTING. YUM!
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Crafted In House
Every frame is cut, joined, pinned, sanded, finished and fitted right here in FrankoVille.
Something else to consider... Every time a painting is moved, transported, unpacked or repacked, there's another opportunity for it to be damaged. Over the years I've seen some fairly ordinary things happen once paintings have left the studio for framing... including damaged paintings that somebody then attempted to repair. 😬
By completing both the painting and the framing under the one roof, the artwork is handled less, travels less and reaches your home with far fewer opportunities for something to go wrong.
It's the final stage in creating a finished Franko.
FITTING A LARGE BLACK OAK FLOAT FRAME AROUND A TEXTURED FRANKO ABSTRACT
CUTTING, JOINING, PINNING, FITTING AND INSTALLING — THE UNGLAMOROUS BIT THAT MAKES THE GLAMOROUS BIT WORK
Ethically Sourced Oak
The oak mouldings I use are sourced through established timber suppliers and selected for a clean, premium finish. The goal is simple: real timber, properly made, responsibly sourced.
Natural timber has grain, warmth and small variations that give the frame character. That is part of why I prefer real oak over plastic-looking finishes.
I want the frame to feel like it belongs in a home, not like something pulled out of a bargain-bin moulding catalogue.
REAL OAK MOULDING, RESPONSIBLY SOURCED THROUGH ESTABLISHED TIMBER SUPPLIERS
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Before & After Framing
A float frame adds depth and presence without covering the painted edge of the canvas. The artwork still floats inside the frame, allowing the finished painted edge to remain visible while giving the piece a stronger, more complete presence.
Why I Don't Include Frames In The Price?
The simple answer is choice.
Some clients would rather put the extra money towards a larger painting. Others already have a framer they trust... or they're matching frames they've had done elsewhere. Some simply prefer the clean look of a gallery-wrapped canvas with the painted edges left exposed. Old school. 😎
By keeping framing as an option, you decide where your budget is best spent.
If you ask my opinion... I'll happily give it. 😄 I'd rather you choose the option that's right for your home than pay for something by default.
Engraved Frame Edges
Some Frankos can be finished with engraved edge detailing when the painting calls for that extra bit of attitude. It's a totally unique look, and as far as I'm aware, something only I offer. It took me a very long time to work out how to do it properly.
The engraving features on the outside and front edge of the frame, adding another layer of detail without taking anything away from the artwork itself. I can engrave almost anything... words, logos, dates, names, symbols, emojis and plenty more... it becomes an extension of the art. It looks mint! 😆
It does take longer and costs more, so it's certainly not something I'd recommend for every painting. But when the artwork suits it, it creates a genuinely one-of-a-kind finish that people absolutely love.
ENGRAVED EDGES — THEY TAKE LONGER, COST MORE BUT... LOOK PRETTY DAMN COOL
What About Ornate Frames?
Most Frankos suit a clean floating frame. But every now and then, particularly with certain Pop Art pieces, an ornate frame adds exactly the right amount of cheeky drama. It's super cheesy cool! 😆
It's certainly not my usual framing direction, and I wouldn't use one on every painting. But when a piece calls for a little theatre, I'm not against giving it a gold jacket 🤩... or silver... or black.
Sometimes over-the-top is exactly what's required.
ORNATE FRAMES ARE NOT THE DEFAULT, BUT SOMETIMES THE DRAMA SIMPLY WORKS
Frame FAQs
Are the frames real oak?
Yes. Franko frames are made from real oak, then finished with beeswax for the Natural Oak finish, or painted Black or White.
Is the timber sustainable?
My oak mouldings are sourced through established timber suppliers, with a focus on responsibly sourced timber and quality materials rather than cheap plastic-style finishes.
Do all paintings need a frame?
No. Some paintings (and rooms) look fabulous without one. Others look more finished and more premium with a floating frame. I'm always happy to give my opinion if you're not quite sure.
Can you do engraved frame edges?
Yes... and it's a totally unique Franko look. They are more expensive and do take longer, so they're not something I recommend on every painting, but they can look fantastic when the artwork suits it. On Urban Pop and Industrial pieces in particular... it's a great look.
Can you do ornate frames?
Yes. My view is they can look super cheesy cool on some pieces, particularly Urban Pop.
Can a previously purchased Franko be framed later?
Yes. If you already own a Franko and want it framed, we can make that happen. I've had paintings returned for framing and have also sent frames to clients with everything they need, along with instructions on how to fit them.
The Franko Frame
If you are a little uncertain whether to add a frame or not, we can sort that... but dont forget you'll need to grab a banging piece first.
Don't be Vanilla. 😆