Esprit Decor Gallery & Framing Blog

Odds and Ends

August 26, 2018

WHEN THE BEST ISN'T QUITE GOOD ENOUGH.

I'll be the first to admit that here at Esprit Decor, we're picky. We curate each of the several thousand corner samples we carry. Lots don't make the cut (if you'll pardon the expression) because they're not good enough...for you. That's why we dont carry plastic mouldings, even though they're cheaper, because they are cheaper. They might make it in a hotel room, or at a convention, but not in your home. 1/8" fun-house mirror? No thanks. Regular glass that will let harmful light rays damage your precious artwork? No way. How about regular paper mats that will become acidic and burn that lovely monoprint you picked up on your last trip to Paris? Sorry, but we have to pass. Only 100% rag boards, or pure alphacellulose matboard are good enough for your project.


And if you think we're picky with the maaterials we specify at the front counter, it should please you to know that we're equally picky in the back room, where the magic occurs. Our computerized mat cutter cuts your mats to a precision of a thousandth of an inch. We use an underpinner made in France to join your frames so ther are no putty holes to be seen anywhere. Many shops order their frames pre-cut from the distributor, but we don't, because we want to make sure they are as perfect as can be. We have a huge double mitre picture framing saw that's designed specifically to cut picture frames, and nothing else.


Which brings us for the reason for today's post.

A wonderful client brought in a pair of original oils for us to frame, and selected this gorgeous Italian moulding from a well known high end company based in Florence, Italy. The gold beaded inner lip, or filet, was a addition to dress up the presentation even further. When the components arrived, Ron, our very talented framer, felt that the beads on the fillet weren't quite isolated enough, so he blackened the outer edge of the fillet, and then went in and meticulously hand-painted the surrounding area of each of the beaded elements. Why? because the best wasn't quite good enough. This additional step is something that might not ever be communicated to our client, because it's done as a matter of course. Yes, it's challenging, and yes, it takes a lot of extra time, But we do it because it's what you deserve when you bring your artwork in for us to frame.

Where the Hell is Riga?

By Pat Kofahl • October 7, 2025
Where the Hell is Riga?

About Buddy

By noreply • August 30, 2025
I love my dogs. Anybody who has ever been responsible for/owned by/caretaker for dogs/cats/ferrets/turtles/iguanas/fruit bats/T-Rex's  etc. understands this completely. I have a friend who unfortunately works for the Humane Society, and she keeps sending me pictures. Dog porn, the worst kind. Sweet, warm, cuddly puppies and dogs that needed a forever home. Normally I can resist, but my steely resolve melted when she sent over an image of Buddy, a five year old Queensland heeler. It was a weak moment; I was probably in my favorite browsing location (the can), when the image came over on my phone. I swiped out of Wordle, and was immediately overcome by feelings of love, tenderness, caring...in short, all the emotions that would make me the perfect mother caretaker. He fell out of a truck on the freeway? Fine. He had to have several teeth pulled? No worries. His right paw is almost twice the size of his left? Great. His chest is all scar tissue from multiple surgeries, and he has Valley fever? OK. It sounded like a perfect match, so the next day we met at the Humane Society, and it was love at first bite. Buddy was good natured, enthusiastic, and happy, despite all the trials and tribulations he'd been through. We left together, and I introduced him to Stella, my nine year old Blue Heeler. If they got along, great, otherwise it would be a deal breaker.But they got along great. Buddy was a typical male. First at the water bowl, first in the car, first through the door. It wasn't personal. It wasn't that he just didn't consider Stella. He didn't consider me, either. Stella, sweet girl that she is, acquiesced. My plan was to give Buddy so much love and affection that he might start thinking outside the envelope of his own ego. We've made some progress, but it's slow going. What makes it all worth it is that Buddy persistently wags his tail in his sleep. It's a good sign. 
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