How we transformed a beautiful Steph Brooke print using Moda Walnut, double matting, and premium glazing
Discovering an Artist Through Her Work
As an artist one of the unexpected joys of working in custom picture framing is discovering Australian artists I might never have encountered otherwise. It feels like finding quiet treasures - works that arrive on the framing bench long before they trend online, or sometimes because they already have.
We see both:
- local artists preparing exhibition pieces, and
- online creatives whose followers recognise their art the moment it appears in-store.
There’s something wonderful about watching customers walk past a framing desk, pause, and say, “Oh… I know that artist.” It’s the moment art steps out of the digital world and becomes something tangible.
Recently, that moment belonged to Steph Brooke, an artist based on the Mornington Peninsula. A customer had brought in her artwork Larapinta Trail as an oversized fine art print. The quality of the reproduction left an immediate impression on us and passing customers.
Her colours felt deeply Territorian: ochres and siennas echoing red dust, muted sage greens, deep forest tones, and delicious teals layered over whimsical, intricate leaf‑based linework. Pops of life rising from the dry, arid spirit of Central Australia.
Why Framing Art Prints Matters
Framing is not just about display - it’s about preserving, enhancing, and honouring the artwork.
Protection: Proper materials protect the artwork from dust, humidity, light exposure, and long‑term deterioration. Conservation‑grade mounting and matting ensure the artwork ages safely.
Presentation: A thoughtful frame design enhances the artwork’s depth, colour relationships, and visual impact. The right frame, mat width, and glazing can completely transform how a piece presents on a wall.
This becomes especially important with large wall art, where scale amplifies both beauty and presents framing challenges.
The Challenge (and Joy) of Oversized Framing
Big, dramatic prints like Larapinta Trail are visually rewarding, but they also require special consideration. For oversized artworks, we carefully think about:
Structural integrity: Large frames experience greater load. Stronger, wider frames help the piece remain stable and rigid. Hardware must match the weight and long‑term hanging conditions.
Oversized materials: Large prints often require oversized matboards, glazing, and backing. Sometimes that means ordering custom sheets; other times, it means discreet joins made invisible within the mat design.
Mounting method: High‑value or limited‑edition works require conservation techniques - usually hinge mounting - so the artwork is never compromised.
Glazing choice: Clarity, reflection and UV considerations matter even more at scale.
This may sound like a lot of considerations, but these challenges are ones we overcome every day. Our job is to translate your vision into a design that is structurally sound, visually balanced, and made to last.
And if design choices feel overwhelming, that’s okay - most of our team members are creatives themselves. We love guiding people from uncertainty to that “Oh wow… that’s it!” moment.
Choosing the Perfect Frame: Moda Walnut
For this artwork, we selected Moda Walnut, a frame made in Italy, with a rich, warm timber and refined grain that sits comfortably beside the earthy Territorian palette of the piece. Natural wood frames suit botanical and landscape‑inspired art beautifully. They add warmth, complement organic shapes, and avoid creating visual noise around intricate linework. Walnut, in particular, has a grounding, gallery‑quality presence that lifted Larapinta Trail without overwhelming it.
Double Matting: Soft White & Cedar
Matting plays a crucial role in framing:
- It gives the artwork room to breathe.
- It prevents the print from touching the glass.
- It adds structure, depth, and elegance.
- It highlights selected colours within the artwork.
We used a double‑mat design:
- Top mat: 60 mm Soft White - clean, calm, and perfect for offsetting busy detail.
- Bottom mat: 15 mm Cedar reveal - a narrow warm accent that connects the foliage tones to the walnut frame.
This combination created the perfect depth and warmth, subtly echoing the earthy undernotes of the work.
Clarity Matters: Tru Vue Premium Clear Glazing
For glazing, we selected Tru Vue Premium Clear. Why? Because this artwork is rich in detail; tiny dots, stripes, leaves, and layered pattern-work. Clear glazing keeps those fine elements and allows the colours to remain vivid and true. It’s the ideal combination of everyday practicality and high‑clarity presentation.
Our Step‑by‑Step Framing Process
- Design Consultation - obligation free
We reviewed the paper and primary colours to ensure the mat colour and proportions balanced beautifully at scale. - Conservation Mounting
The artwork was hinged using hinging tape so it remains fully reversible and carefully preserved. - Double Mat Construction
Soft White over Cedar - cut cleanly with precise reveals for an elegantly layered effect. - Frame Cut and Join
Using state of the art framers guillotine and under pinner, we cut and joined the Moda Walnut frame to create a near-seamless join. - Fitting & Glazing
The print was fitted into the Moda Walnut frame, covered with Premium Clear glazing, and checked to ensure a snug fit. - Backing & Hardware
Large wall art requires sturdy backing and heavy‑duty hangers. We used robust D‑rings from which this large frame can be hung. - Lifetime Guarantee Check
A final check was undertaken to ensure that the framed print meets the quality required for our lifetime guarantee.
Why This Framing Design Works So Well
- Harmonious palette: Walnut and Cedar work with the artwork, not against it.
- Breathing room: The Soft White mat opens the piece, giving every detail space to shine.
- Clarity: Premium glazing keeps everything crisp and joyful to look at.
- Longevity: Conservation materials protect the artwork into the future.
- Timelessness: Natural wood + white matting is a classic pairing that suits modern and traditional spaces alike.
Final Thoughts: The Heart of What We Do
My favourite part of this job?
It’s the moment a customer sees their framed piece for the first time - the shift from uncertainty or being overwhelmed to delight and genuinely excited to get it home and hung on their wall.
The Larapinta Trail project represents everything wonderful about custom framing: discovering new artists, celebrating Australian creativity, and enhancing beautiful work with thoughtful craftsmanship.
Ready To Frame Your Artwork?
If you have a piece you’ve been meaning to frame - whether it’s oversized, delicate, sentimental, or simply something you adore - bring it in‑store.
We’ll walk you through:
- Frame selection
- Mat combinations
- Glazing options
- Preservation choices
- Display and hanging advice
Your artwork deserves to be seen and loved so hopefully we’ll see you in store soon.
