Preserve your prized mementos by turning them into framed wall hangings. 

Our lives are rich with stories preserved in family photos, mementos and certificates of accomplishment. I have boxes filled with pictures of my kids, wedding and birth announcements and love notes from my husband. My flash drive stores vacation pictures; a file folder holds handwritten recipes.

A fabulous way to celebrate these visual treasures is to display them. By framing objects, we recognize their significance and create a visual celebration and legacy for future generations.

Just about anything can be framed and displayed say sisters Debbie Shores and Traci Brevard, owners of Gold Leaf Gallery, a custom frame shop and art gallery in Tyler.

“We frame everything from oil paintings to baby shoes to business permits,” they say on the gallery’s website.

Debbie, who has been custom framing since 1983, leads a staff who help people arrange cherished photographs and memorabilia into a distinctive design and then use framing, matting and mounting techniques that protect the objects. 

Gold Leaf Gallery promotes using shadow boxes to display treasured 3D keepsakes, such as pressed flowers, sports memorabilia, military regalia and souvenirs. Shadow boxes can be made to be displayed on a wall or stand upright on a counter.

Framing

When choosing a frame, start by thinking about the style of your home. Is your house traditional, farmhouse, rustic, historic, minimal, contemporary or eclectic? Your home’s character, materials and colors will guide your choice of frame and matting. 

Distressed wood with a soft patina fits a farmhouse setting beautifully. Ornate gold leaf looks amazing in a historic mansion. A sleek silver frame is great for a contemporary interior.

Putting art behind glass without using a frame also is an option. 

Professional guidance is invaluable. Take a picture of the room where the object will be displayed with you to show the experts. 

Personal Items

If you’ve acquired stunning art, framing is a golden opportunity to personalize it. Don’t forget to frame art you have made. Group your children’s art into a collage.

On our anniversary, my husband surprised me with a “World’s Best Wife” certificate, which I framed. I arranged a collection of birthday cards and envelopes into a large frame that is on display in our home office.

Vacation photographs are worthy of being framed. Your photos tell the unique story of your travel experiences.

I recently started assembling an ancestry collage that includes old black and white photos of relatives, a couple of precious tintypes, family crests and maps of where my ancestors lived.

On a recent home tour, I saw a spectacular ancestry wall with framed photos of brides and grooms, children and multi-generational family portraits.

Weddings definitely take a prominent place in the family story. A wedding collage can include photos paired with invitations, programs, place cards and menus.

Frame your candid snapshots and professional photos that capture the romantic story of people, place, time and tradition.

Collections

My father gave me a small collection of his tools that are perfect items to be displayed in a shadow box. These sentimental treasures include an old-fashioned wooden ruler, a vintage Stanley  screwdriver, tape measures and a handbook for architects and builders.

Display-worthy items that tell stories include baby shoes and clothes, antique crocheted lace, album covers, handwritten manuscripts, professional certificates and portraits of pets.

Don’t forget about military memorabilia, autographs, love letters, book covers, recipes, architectural renderings, old house plans, tapestries, fiber art, rare coins, cultural artifacts, sports collectibles and nautical charts.

Tricks of the Trade

If you need to fill space on a big wall, group smaller objects to create a large unit.

You can give a small item more prominence by surrounding it with a bigger mat. The breathing space around the object draws the eye into the center.

Be aware of the lighting in the room where the object or art will be displayed. Some pieces may fade if they are exposed to sunlight.

Not every piece requires a traditional frame. Canvas artwork can be wrapped around stretcher bars and hung without the support of a frame. 

Archival-quality matting and protective glass are available to help preserve objects.

Hire a professional contractor to install a heavy piece of art.

Patricia Wilson is an artist, former art gallery director, and freelance writer living in Hideaway. Connect with her at www.PatriciaCWilson.com.