Minimal Is Often Better
There is confusion for the beginner in the art of frame- making as to what to choose, either molding or finish for a particular picture and therefore falls back on the practice of copying a frame or finish he has seen elsewhere. Everyone learns by imitation, but it is certainly better to develop one's own critical faculties by trying to work out each problem individually.
As framing is known to be a skill which requires experience to develop to the point of real facility, analysis of each framing problem by oneself will add to confidence and the next job will be more easier to do. No one can expect to produce a frame which need never be changed as picture framing follows all general changes in sound decorative style. We will not turn out something faddish or freakish as we keep principles of good taste always in mind.
Sometimes, if used judiciously, even a small or tiny picture gains much importance and is not necessarily over-powered by a very wide molding. Even a very large picture may only require the simplest of narrow moldings to set it off properly. There is no call to be precious, but care employed when choosing the exact value of color for the frame or mat may make a tremendous difference in the final effect.