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WHAT'S NEW?

For regular updates and news from the Framing Fabulous gallery, visit our instagram page...

A couple of lovely little black and white prints, in one of our closed corner handcrafted range. Looking smart in distressed black and gold, a simple mat with a clean black line, Some museum glazing et voila! #framingfabulous #framemaker #framemakerb

The Original frame for this Stunning Sydney Long Landscape, had seen better days. With much of the composition ornament either missing or loose, 2 of the corners were structurally comprised and the old bronze powder gild, tarnishing. We’ve corr

Happy Halloween everyone. 🎃 Here is the creepiest member of our handcrafted range. An oldie but a goodie. #framingfabulous #framemaker #framemakerbrisbane #cusromframing #customframedesign #framedesign #halloweenframe #gothic #gothicframe #creepy #m

Sticking with the Halloween theme, One of my favourite paintings. The magic circle by John William Waterhouse 1886. There are 2 versions of this painting and a working sketch. He was well known for his paintings featuring supernatural and mythical th

Halloween is just around the corner. Whether you’re into it, or just want to scratch your inner Goth, we have the frame combination for all your creepy ideas! If you have other Munsteresque ideas maybe we can help you achieve them with a custom

After some tender loving care, this depression era, plywood, art deco frame can once again sit pride of place. I love the diversity of shapes these lovely little frames come in and am always on the hunt for them. This one has been placed on an antiq

While we wholeheartedly do NOT condone the killing of animals for trophies, this hand carved little guy, deserves only the best. He’s been paired up with one of our handcrafted reproduction, ornate oval frames, finished in antique gold. Mounted

A new frame we developed recently, Which do you prefer? The outside version, Fully burnished 23kt gold water gild, or the inside version, burnished ornament and rails with 23kt mat water gilded panel? Centre ornament optional. #framingfabulous #frame

We loved helping our client with this project. Floated and boxed with a hand gilded mat with open stipple finish, helping this sentimental, historical piece really stand out. The frame is also from our handcrafted “roofline” range with a

A nice simple, minimal contemporary frame for this abstract by local artist @meredithhowseart #brisbaneframing #bneart #abstraction #customframing #framingbrisbane

I had a sneaky day off today to go and see the @irisvanherpen exhibition @qagoma. What can I say… utterly mind blown. Incredible textures and manipulation of material for the most amazing designs. From the organic to the alien and back again.

A combination of pastiglia and sgraffito techniques were used to create this frame. Designed especially for my client who had created the x stitch for friends and wanted to hint at the connection they had over books. It was a fun one to do. We are al

Introducing the “puffer fish” frame. A fun little number for this super cute watercolour by Tamsin Ainsley. #framingfabulous #framemaker #framemakerbrisbane #closedcornerframes #handcraftedframes #uniqueframes #framingbrisbane #brisbanefr

We needed to do a few repairs and re-colouring on the frame for this gorgeous artwork titled “The neighbors bairne” by Scottish artist John B Abercrombie (1843-1929). We have replaced the missing composition ornament and re-gilded, carefu

We just love this little artwork titled “the last chip” by Stradbroke artist @artbarwell (Steve Barwell). We have framed it using one of our handcrafted “roofline” range, pedestal mounted with a pop of colour to further pop th

about

Based in a home studio in Tarragindi Brisbane, Framing Fabulous are invested in providing exceptional service, quality frames, restorations and finishes at competitive prices. With an extensive range of industry standard mouldings and custom finishes, we can custom design traditional and modern frames, restore antique frames, or gild that special something. We provide framing services for all forms of artworks, prints, posters, photographs, memorabilia, certificates, needlework, and much more.

Owner Irene Zapel has worked in the picture framing industry since 1987, and has trained under Graham Reynolds, (one of only a handful of Australians who are regarded as master craftsmen) in traditional Frame making, gilding and finishing techniques. She is an artist herself and can apply painting, sculpting and finishing techniques along with her artistic ideas to personalise your frames.

Our Approach

“A good picture deserves a good frame and a bad picture may sometimes preserve its place longer by having a handsome frame. ”

— Charles Willson Peale

It is with this in mind that we approach every item that we work on. Be it an antique period frame for restoration, a certificate, a child’s drawing or a masterpiece, we endeavour to bring each piece to its full potential.

When we work with you, we are drawing on years of experience, centuries of tradition, and hundreds of hours of experimentation. At Framing Fabulous the process of creating is as important as the creation itself and we believe you are an essential part of that artistic process. Our framing and restoration work is done in full consultation with you, for what we create will enhance your home, office or workspace and should reflect something of you and your story.

We use industry standard frames and can create replica period frames or a unique frame to your specific requirements.

Techniques we use include (but are not limited to)...

traditional water and oil gilding techniques using gold and silver leaf, schlug metal and bronze powder finishes.
carving
composition mouldings
sgraffito and pastiglia techniques
hand-painted designs and faux finishes
French lines
embossed and gilded matt-boards
scrapbooking finishes