The Story Behind Art & Frame Approach
At Art & Frame Approach, we believe every piece brought through our doors carries a story worth protecting. Since 1986, our Colorado Springs custom framing shop has helped families, collectors, artists, and professionals preserve meaningful artwork, treasured heirlooms, travel finds, diplomas, and memorabilia. In February 2026, Juliette became the new owner after spending three years learning the craft alongside the previous owner. Today, we continue a 40-year tradition of museum-grade conservation framing, thoughtful design, and personal service built around one goal: helping your piece look beautiful for generations.
A Colorado Springs Tradition Since 1986
Art & Frame Approach has been part of the Colorado Springs community for four decades. What began as a neighborhood frame shop has grown into a trusted destination for custom framing, fine art, and professional preservation services designed to protect the pieces people value most.
Over the years, our shop has served generations of local customers. Some visit us with newly purchased artwork, while others bring in family photographs, inherited keepsakes, military memorabilia, awards, or objects that have waited years for the right presentation.
Our longevity comes from treating every project with care rather than rushing through a standard formula. We understand that what looks like a simple print or object to one person may represent an irreplaceable chapter of someone else’s life.
A New Chapter
Juliette worked closely with the previous owner for three years before officially taking ownership in February 2026. During that time, she developed hands-on expertise in conservation framing, design consultation, material selection, artwork handling, and the detailed craftsmanship required for long-lasting results. That experience gave Juliette a deep appreciation for the shop’s history, the trust local customers place in us, and the responsibility that comes with continuing such an established community business.
Although Juliette is proud to serve as the framer, Art & Frame Approach is truly a shared business. She and Joelle are excited to take on this next chapter together, combining their strengths, ideas, and commitment to the customers they serve. As Juliette’s best friend, wife, and business partner, Joelle plays an important role in the heart and future of the business. Juliette could not imagine continuing this legacy without her by her side.
Taking ownership was not about changing what made Art & Frame Approach special. It was about protecting that legacy while bringing fresh energy, thoughtful ideas, and a shared commitment to exceptional custom framing and gallery experiences.
Why Preservation Matters to Us
Our motivation comes from helping people protect the objects that connect them to important moments, places, and people. A framed piece may represent a family member, a personal achievement, a once-in-a-lifetime trip, or an investment collected with care over many years.
Without proper materials, artwork and memorabilia can fade, discolor, warp, or deteriorate from light, moisture, dust, and environmental exposure. That is why we place such a strong emphasis on preservation, not just appearance.
We want every piece to look beautiful on the day it leaves our shop, but we also want it to remain protected decades later. Good framing should honor the present while preparing the piece for the future.
Museum-Grade Conservation Framing
Unlike standard frame shops and big-box craft stores, we specialize in true museum-grade conservation framing. Our approach focuses on protecting artwork and memorabilia from aging, environmental damage, and materials that may cause deterioration over time.
We carefully consider glazing, matting, backing, mounting methods, spacing, and frame construction. Each decision is made with the specific artwork, object, condition, and display environment in mind rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all process.
Conservation framing is especially important for original artwork, limited editions, valuable prints, historical documents, textiles, photographs, and sentimental heirlooms. These pieces deserve materials and methods designed to preserve their integrity for the long term.
A Wide Variety of Custom Frame Molding Options
One of the first things customers notice when they visit our showroom is the size of our frame selection. We display five full walls of custom frame moldings, compared with the two walls commonly found in many standard framing shops.
That variety gives us far more freedom to find the right balance of color, texture, finish, proportion, and style. Whether your taste is modern, rustic, traditional, ornate, minimalist, or completely unexpected, we can explore options that feel truly suited to your piece.
A larger selection does not mean the process has to feel overwhelming. We guide you through the choices step by step, narrowing the possibilities until the final design feels natural, intentional, and distinctly yours.
A Consultation, Not a Sales Pitch
Our design process is friendly, collaborative, and completely pressure-free. When you bring in a piece, we begin by listening to its story, learning where it will be displayed, and understanding the look you want to create.
From there, we walk through frame moldings, mat colors, textures, glazing options, and preservation recommendations. We explain why certain materials may be better for the piece and help you compare designs without pushing you toward the most expensive option.
Our job is to make the process enjoyable and clear. You should leave the consultation feeling excited about the design and confident that your artwork will be handled with skill, respect, and careful attention.
Framing for Collectors and Fine Art Owners
Many of our customers are passionate art collectors who travel, explore galleries, and bring home new pieces year after year. They rely on us to provide framing that complements the artwork while meeting high standards for conservation and presentation.
Collectors understand that the frame should support the art rather than compete with it. We consider the artist’s style, the period of the work, the colors, the scale, and the room where the piece will eventually be displayed.
Our fine art gallery experience also helps us approach framing with a curator’s eye. We look beyond the frame itself and think about how the complete presentation will feel once it is hanging on the wall.
Preserving Family Heirlooms and Memories
Some of our most meaningful projects begin with an object that has been stored in a drawer, closet, box, or attic for years. It may be a photograph, letter, textile, medal, newspaper, drawing, or keepsake passed down through several generations.
We help families turn those items into displays that can be appreciated every day. Proper framing protects the object while making its story visible, allowing younger family members to connect with their history in a tangible way.
These projects often carry strong emotions, and we never treat them as ordinary transactions. We listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and design each presentation to reflect the meaning behind the piece.
Every Piece Is Treated Like a Museum Artifact
We treat every item that enters our shop as if it were a priceless museum artifact. Its market value does not determine the level of care it receives because sentimental value often matters far more than any price tag.
That mindset shapes how we handle, store, mount, and frame each project. We take time to evaluate condition, identify potential risks, and choose methods that protect the piece without altering it unnecessarily.
Meticulous work may take more planning, but it creates better results. We would rather slow down and do the job correctly than compromise the safety, appearance, or longevity of something that cannot be replaced.
Professional Framing for Accomplishments and Workspaces
We also work with professionals who want to display diplomas, certifications, awards, corporate artwork, branded materials, or significant achievements. These pieces deserve a polished presentation that reflects the effort and dedication behind them.
A thoughtfully framed diploma or award can add credibility and personality to an office, conference room, reception area, or professional workspace. We help choose designs that look refined without feeling generic or overly formal.
For business and corporate projects, we can also help create a consistent visual style across multiple pieces. Our goal is to provide framing that supports the space, protects the materials, and communicates quality.
Craftsmanship Built to Last
Beautiful custom framing depends on more than selecting an attractive molding. The construction behind the finished piece must be precise, secure, and appropriate for the artwork being framed.
We use high-quality conservation materials and proven framing techniques to create presentations designed for long-term stability. Every layer has a purpose, from the protective glazing to the backing materials that help shield the piece from environmental exposure.
Our standard is simple: the frame should look exceptional, function correctly, and protect what is inside it. Long-lasting craftsmanship is not an upgrade at our shop. It is the foundation of the work we do.
Our Promise to You and Your Artwork
We promise to provide a personalized experience from the moment you walk into our showroom. Your piece will be evaluated carefully, handled respectfully, and framed with materials chosen to protect it for the long term.
We also promise to explain the process clearly. You will understand the design choices, preservation methods, and recommendations involved before your project moves forward.
Most importantly, we will treat your artwork, memory, or investment as if it belonged to us. Our role is to help you display it beautifully without compromising the story, character, or condition that makes it valuable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Custom framing prices vary based on the frame molding, size, glazing, matting, mounting method, and conservation materials selected. We provide clear options during your consultation so you can compare designs and choose an approach that fits both your piece and your budget.
Turnaround time depends on the complexity of the project, material availability, and the type of framing required. We will provide an estimated completion timeline during your consultation and keep you informed if any material delay affects the schedule.
Conservation framing uses preservation-focused materials and techniques to reduce damage from light, acids, moisture, dust, and improper mounting. It is recommended for valuable artwork, photographs, documents, textiles, limited editions, and irreplaceable sentimental pieces.
Yes. We can frame many three-dimensional objects, textiles, medals, keepsakes, and other forms of memorabilia. Each item is evaluated individually so we can recommend a safe mounting method and an appropriate frame depth.
You can bring your piece to our showroom for a personalized consultation. Contacting us ahead of time may be helpful for large, fragile, valuable, or unusually shaped items that require extra planning.
Absolutely. We guide you through our five walls of frame moldings and help compare colors, finishes, mats, and proportions. Our goal is to create a design that complements the piece and works naturally in your space.
Yes. We create custom presentations for diplomas, certificates, awards, licenses, and other professional accomplishments. We can design a single statement piece or help coordinate multiple frames for a consistent office display.
Yes. We can evaluate an existing frame, identify preservation concerns, and discuss options for updating the design or improving protection. Reframing may be especially helpful when older materials are causing discoloration or damage.
We use careful handling, conservation materials, proper mounting methods, and framing techniques selected for the specific piece. We also discuss environmental considerations such as light exposure and humidity to help support long-term preservation.
Custom framing is ideal for collectors, homeowners, artists, families, and professionals who value preservation, design, and craftsmanship. It is especially worthwhile for original art, heirlooms, travel finds, memorabilia, and pieces with strong personal meaning.
Why Our Customers Keep Recommending Us
Local customers recommend Art & Frame Approach because they receive knowledgeable guidance in a welcoming environment. Many people return to us with new projects because they know we remember their preferences and take their artwork seriously.
Our reputation has been built across generations, not through quick sales or mass production. Customers trust us because we communicate honestly, offer a wide range of options, and remain focused on the details that make custom framing worth the investment.
We are proud to be the kind of shop people tell their friends, relatives, and fellow collectors about. A recommendation is a sign that the finished piece and the experience both mattered.
Let’s Give Your Story the Frame It Deserves
Art & Frame Approach has helped Colorado Springs preserve meaningful artwork and memories since 1986, and we’re truly proud to carry on that tradition. Whether you have a painting from your travels, a treasured family heirloom, a professional accomplishment, or a piece that has been waiting in storage, we are ready to help. Bring it into our showroom for a relaxed, personalized consultation, explore our extensive molding collection, and let us create a museum-quality presentation that protects your story while making it beautiful enough to enjoy every day.