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Where do you get your framed pictures from?

(38 Posts)
FannyCornforth Wed 14-Apr-21 11:14:45

Hello Everyone
It seems increasingly difficult to buy good framed pictures.
I'm thinking along the lines of prints of renowned paintings nicely framed.
King and McGraw seem along the right lines; but I remember places like M&S used to sell good stuff.
It didn't used to be this difficult!
Thank you!

MiniMoon Wed 14-Apr-21 11:37:45

I went to a local artist's studio/gallery the last time I bought a picture. They sell original oils and watercolours by local artists, and also have a large selection of prints.
I'm sorry that isn't really helpful.
I wouldn't know where to suggest you look Fanny.

YorkLady Wed 14-Apr-21 13:21:37

Etsy. Support local artists. ?

maytime2 Wed 14-Apr-21 13:48:01

I bought a Lowry print "Coming from the Mill" from John Lewis 2 years ago. It is not a particularly large frame, I've just measured it 20" x 17", and it cost me about £80.00
If there was something that you liked in John Lewis, I know that you can get free postage for goods over £75.

suziewoozie Wed 14-Apr-21 13:48:11

When I had a fair bit of work done on the house a few years ago, I decided to reframe many of my prints etc. I used a firm called Brampton and ordered custom made frames which came with mounts ( I do love a double mount) Perspex, backing card, hanging cord etc. You can upload a photo of your print and then try all different frames and mounts onscreen until you’ve found the combination you’re happy with. So now I buy unframed prints from a variety of sources and sort out the framing myself. The kits are very easy to put together. Sadly I have run out of wall ?

Elegran Wed 14-Apr-21 15:02:57

The National Gallery of Scotland, in Edinburgh, sells good quality prints of the pictures in their collection. I have checked their website and they also sell them online. You choose your picture and the frame, and it is custom-made and sent to you. www.nationalgalleries.org/custom-prints

millymouge Wed 14-Apr-21 15:10:29

I love King and McGraw pictures. So many lovely ones to choose from and you can choose your frames and
mounts. I’m afraid I have bought 6 over the last few months. Unfortunately, like susiewoozie I am running out of walls!!!

Pammie1 Wed 14-Apr-21 15:13:12

John Lewis have a good selection - a good excuse to go, now they’re open.

Pammie1 Wed 14-Apr-21 15:15:23

@suziewoozie. I do cross stitch and embroidery - usually large projects from Lanarte and similar. I frame them myself using Frames Direct online - similar set up, as you can upload a photo fo the finished work and choose frames and mounts. Have got quite good at framing now and find the Perspex much easier to work with than glass.

BBbevan Wed 14-Apr-21 15:28:04

I only buy originals. They usually come framed

suziewoozie Wed 14-Apr-21 15:30:38

Pammie1

@suziewoozie. I do cross stitch and embroidery - usually large projects from Lanarte and similar. I frame them myself using Frames Direct online - similar set up, as you can upload a photo fo the finished work and choose frames and mounts. Have got quite good at framing now and find the Perspex much easier to work with than glass.

Yes Perspex so much easier. I just love playing around online - it’s amazing how mounts, frames ( design, colour, width) transform things isn’t it?! Thanks for the info’ will look at them when I find some more all ?

suziewoozie Wed 14-Apr-21 15:34:20

This thread has got me wondering which are my favourites - so many have lovely memories attached to them.DD asked me once to put a label on the back of each one with details of artist, where we bought it and what it meant to us for when she inherits ?

BlueBelle Wed 14-Apr-21 15:41:30

Dont forget the charity shops get some crackers in

Dee1012 Wed 14-Apr-21 15:46:58

Redbubble do a really wide array of prints and posters. I'm very fond of the Russian artist Repin and have found quite a lot there.
Worth a look.

nadateturbe Wed 14-Apr-21 15:58:32

I usually buy prints, or paintings by local artists and I frame ny own paintings. Even if they're framed I usually have them reframed by a local person.
But thanks for the info suziewoozie I might try doing it myself. Running out of space is a problem. I tend to rotate some of mine

Blossoming Wed 14-Apr-21 17:00:04

Museums and art galleries sell prints of pictures in their collections. I buy from small local galleries, I have a disabled friend, a talented artist, who sells beautiful paintings and prints on her website, the profits going to charity.

Amberone Wed 14-Apr-21 17:05:10

Have a look at local auctions - we've seen loads of lovely prints sell for next to nothing at auctions. We bought an oil painting in a charity shop that we love, not a known artist, but we love it. You can browse the auctions on line, and bid online and if it's a local auction house collect in person.

Pammie1 Wed 14-Apr-21 17:06:28

At a local car boot sale, I bought the most lovely pen and ink drawing of the Rialto Bridge in Venice. It was in a horrible plastic frame but I loved the picture. I assumed it was a print until I took it out of the frame to put it in the new one I had bought. It’s an original drawing and signed and dated on the bottom - couldn’t see this in the old frame as the mount covered it. I bought it for the princely sum of 25p. Definitely worth going round these places when lockdown allows them again, as there are some little hidden gems.

M0nica Wed 14-Apr-21 17:13:06

Charity shops, auction sales (local ones, not high art ones) car boot sales, inherited, gift shops, artists exhibitions, gifts, made for me.

We may need to move home soon, between the pictures and the books, we need a house with more wall space.

If I like the picture, but not the frame I get it re-framed

M0nica Wed 14-Apr-21 17:14:40

I think the porblem you have FannyCornforth is that pictures have gone out of fashion, Younger people and especially minimalists have plain walls.

FannyCornforth Sat 17-Apr-21 10:04:56

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and ideas, very much appreciated! I'll definitely look at the National Galleries, and I'm glad that King & McGraw has good reviews.

M0nica younger people? But I thought that was me?! grin

Aveline Sat 17-Apr-21 10:13:03

Why not buy originals from local artists? More reflective of individuality and supporting local creativity. Needn't cost a fortune either.

25Avalon Sat 17-Apr-21 10:26:23

A friend of mine had some lovely pictures on her wall. Turned out they were greetings cards she had bought or been given. Then she bought mounts and ready made frames online. Photo frames are not expensive.

For my own paintings I buy framed pictures cheaply from car boot or charity shops, throw the picture inside away and insert my own.

justwokeup Sat 17-Apr-21 10:47:05

We've bought quite a few originals and prints we like from craft fairs. Many take place particularly around Christmas but you can find them all year round. Otherwise, I agree with Etsy, charity shops or car boots. We do have a local shop for framing though so it's easy to choose a frame. Prints definitely get a lift with a new frame. Not much room on our walls so I guess we're old too grin, although our AC have pretty striking pictures - one bought them at charity auctions, supporting a good cause and getting something a bit different too.

mumofmadboys Sat 17-Apr-21 11:03:42

It is hard to find a print when you are looking for one. We tend to buy original art when we find something we fall in love with ( only then occasionally!)