If you need a custom frame, don't ignore Wallflower in West Seattle

I enjoy buying art for my home, but find that the poster tubes that protect my new prints soon start to stack up as they wait for frames. The problem is, I'm a bit intimidated by frame shops. There are so many options for molding and matting that I just can't pull the trigger on a custom frame.

But West Seattle's new Wallflower Custom Framing may well be the shop to conquer my frame phobia. Opened in late May by easygoing owner Courtney Sievertson, the store is part art gallery and part frame shop, and has everything you'd expect from a standard frame shop, minus the intimidation factor.

The walls are filled with molding of all colors, widths and finishes, from modern to ornate, reflecting Sievertson's contemporary, eclectic style. Leather-bound frames handcrafted by Peruvian saddle makers are displayed next to hand-carved frames from New York and eco-friendly frames made from sustainable wood.

Mats come in an array of options as well, but I was most taken with a collection of fabric mats ($30-$70 for a 16x20) that can be ordered in just the right shade, then hand-wrapped by Sievertson -- who takes her role as custodian of personal treasures quite seriously, but also enjoys exploring mat and moulding combinations that her customers might not have considered. "There are no rules," she says.

While nothing custom is ever inexpensive, Sievertson works with her customers to create just the right frame within their budget. The cost of the finished frame includes molding ($3 to more than $100 per foot), mat (starting at about $20 for a 16x20) and glass. If you're a member of a local art museum, you receive 10 percent off your orders as a perk for supporting the arts.

Inside the store is the Shooting Gallery, a small exhibit space curated by local artist Kelly Rae Cunningham that features new shows every other month. For a calendar of upcoming shows, visit wallflowercustomframing.com.

Wallflower is located at 4735 42nd Ave. S.W., 206-938-6332. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and by appointment.

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