Contessa Art Gallery & Frame — Local services in Austin

I had a vintage concert poster framed here, and while I don't have much experience with custom framing, I can only say the my experience with their actual work was OK. They did a fine enough job of framing the piece itself. However, they said that they were looking at potentially having the framing work done within the week since my job was so "straightforward." They did not get the work done within the week, and so I took the initiative of calling them the following week to see if it was near completion. The person who answered the phone went to check on the job for me, and said the frame was ready, all he needed was 15 minutes to insert the poster, which he did immediately. It makes me wonder if they got everything ready, and then just let my job sit. Who knows how long it would have sat untouched if I had not called.

Also, I was quoted at a (reasonable) price of $65 for the framing, and because my poster was several inches smaller than I had indicated over the phone, he said that it would probably end up being less than that. The final cost was $63 -- not much of a discount if you ask me.

Recently, I called the shop to ask their advice about budget framing a 8x10 photo within a 11x14 frame. What I wanted to know was if it is possible to mat a 8x10 photo paper in a conventional (i.e. store bought) 11x14 frame without having a custom mat cut. He did not know, and instead referred me to another custom framing gallery. He then just told me "good luck" and blew me off, which made me feel that since I wasn't asking for his business, I wasn't worth his time. I went online and found the answer in only seconds (below), so I feel he couldn't even answer a routine framing question. I plan to order a few frames and mats from Amazon to do some inexpensive self framing.

The answer I sought, in case it helps anyone else: "Mat exact opening : This is the dimension of the hole cut in the mat. A typical store-bought ready-made frame for an 8x10 photo will have a mat opening of 7.5x9.5. This will allow the mat to overlap the image by ¼ inch on all 4 sides. It also helps to hold the image down. Mats cut by custom frame shops will usually have an opening of 7.75x9.75 so there is less masking...

These guys are great, and I'm glad I found them before wasting a lot of time and money elsewhere.

I had 2 pictures I needed frames for - one in a standard 18" x 24" size, the other slightly smaller but with a wider aspect ratio. I went to a different frame shop first, where I was told that each would be over $100 to have framed. Then I went here, where they quoted me about half the cost, and were helpful enough with their suggestions for matting and the frame type that I had them take over on the spot. 2 weeks later the pictures were done and they look great.

If you need pictures framed at a reasonable price and you'd like to support a small local business run by friendly, knowledgeable folks, check these...

I had a poster print from Hatch Show Print in Nashville I had purchased as a surprise gift for a friend's wedding. Hatch Show prides itself in having oddly shaped poster prints, so I knew I would have to take it to get it custom framed. I'm so glad I took it to Contessa Art Gallery. I was greeted promptly, able to pick out a frame that would match any eclectic decor (I couldn't remember if my friends had light or dark frames). The frame was finished ahead of schedule and hanging on the wall when I went to pick it up. It cost me around $60 total. Great experience and I will be coming back for the competitive pricing, central location, and great...