Gen Z is design’s rule-breaking generation, and their love of gallery walls is where that shines. But one of their go-to framing approaches is breaking a longstanding design tradition we rediscovered in a ‘90s issue of House Beautiful: “Never hang 20th-century art in elaborate rococo frames.”
In theory, modern works should have museum frames made of wood or metal, instead of a frame that calls attention to itself. But anyone who’s been in a Gen Z home knows this isn’t the standard anymore.
Ornate frames now surround everything from modern-day prints and movie posters to smart TVs. Art and antiques dealer Heather Karlie Vieira says this 21st-century trend is right on time. Marrying the contemporary with the antique is a further extension of seeing old things in new ways, something every design lover is obsessed with.
“The picture frame definitely has its roots as being part of the furniture in a room,” Vieira says. “But from those 17th-century French beginnings, it's grown into a piece of art in its own right.”
Contrast Is the Main Appeal
Hutton Kalik, gallerist and art advisor, has seen younger collectors gravitate toward antique frames, which never really go out of style. But now, instead of religious scenes or Tuscan landscapes, buyers are pairing the frames with newer media.
“A Dracula-themed movie poster, for example, could look fantastic in an elaborate antique frame,” Kalik says. “The frame itself isn’t necessarily changing in popularity; what’s changing is the art being put inside it.”
So why break this rule in the first place? For the same reason black-and-white photos excite us: contrast. Interior designer Kathy Kuo notes that mixing styles adds unexpected interest and dimension to a room.
“A movie poster or art print can feel a bit one-dimensional when placed in a similarly modern frame,” Kuo says. “If you put that same art in a scrolling Baroque picture frame, it gives the piece a totally different point of view. It’s the same instinct behind pairing a Lucite chair with an antique console table, or a modern tulip table beneath an ornate crystal chandelier.”
It Makes the Design More Personal
This trend is true to Gen Z’s love of collected things. These antique frame-contemporary art pairings are more personal than a framed movie poster bought online. And they don’t feel as precious as a cookie-cutter showroom. They’re a bit bolder, and Vieira says the trend is here to stay.
“Whether on a single piece, or as part of a larger gallery wall, the vibe of antique and modern mixing things up invites conversation,” Vieira says. “It also allows your decor to be more layered and more personal. Plus, it gets you involved in the design process. Now, when you're at a local antique shop or flea market you can be on the hunt for the perfect antique frame.”
Not All Frames Are Created Equal
Designer Michelle Squire of Studio SQUIRE is a fan of this framing trend because of the playful tension it provides. “A frame's job is to tell you the thing inside it matters, and an ornate gilded frame does that loudly,” Squire says.
But getting it right comes with a few conditions. Namely, make sure the frame itself is holding a story worth telling. You need it to be the right size for the wall, for the art inside, and the right material for long-term presence. Antique frames are also typically heavy, so proper anchors and hardware are key for it to look like it belongs.
“A lightweight resin frame with a shiny gold finish can read as costume, while a thick frame wrapped around a small print swallows the art,” Squire says. “My advice is to hunt for real vintage frames at estate sales and flea markets, then spend the money on a custom mat so the piece has room to breathe.”
You also have to be sure that you pick the right room for these frames to live in. Emily Spanos of Emily June Designs notes that in a modern space rooted in sleek lines, ornate elements will stand out as art itself. Take a moment to reflect on your design goals for the room, and decide if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
Gallery Wall or One Frame?
If you’ve decided to take this trend on, decide if you’d rather commit to a full gallery wall, or keep it to one or two frames. Either way, consistent spacing will matter. Gallery walls can consume a lot of wall space, so Squire suggests showing a bit more discipline. Mix simple frames with ornate ones to keep it from getting too chaotic; the golden ratio is 1:3.
“I'd either keep ornate frames to about a third of the mix and balance them with slim, simple profiles, or go all in on ornate and unify them with a single finish so it reads as a collection,” Squire says.
As for standalone art, designers agree: go bold or go home. Use this as an opportunity to commit to a piece of statement art, on its own wall or sprawling over a console table. “A bold Rococo frame enveloping a graphic print is such a good way to create an eye-catching focal point on a wall,” Kuo says.
