You've recently aquired artwork to adorn the walls of your home, but before you begin hanging your treasures, you will need to frame them. A frame does more than simply offer structural support to your artwork, a carefully chosen frame can create a transition between your wall and the artwork, while enhancing both. The following tips should help you selct the perfect frame:

Style - a home that is decorated in a formal style may look best with elegantly framed artwork, while a simple piece may look better in a more casual home. It's more important to match the style of frame to your home decor than it is to reflect the style in the artwork itself.

Color - again, first consider the colors in your home before matching hues in the artwork. You don't want a frame color that is too similar to the wall color or your piece will seem to disappear. As a general rule, select frames of such rich woods as walnut or mahogany for warm rooms in red or gold hues and lighter woods or metallics for rooms in cool shades of blue or green. Black and white can be used to add drama to most any room.

Size - large artwork will require a wider frame to support it, but be careful not to overwhelm the piece with a frame that is too wide or ornate.

If you are still undecided about what frame to choose you may want to take your artwork to a professional frame shop to discuss more options. Many shops also have samples on hand to help you visualize what the finished piece will look like.

10 Ways To Get A Small Space Lift

Midwest Living June 2009

Big house envy plagued Chicagoan Genevieve Ferraro two years ago. The publishing manager was ready to trade in her 1,800- square foot Colonial for a McMansion, but her husband said no way.  Now, the self-taught designer is glad they stayed put. She embraced the benefits of a small home: less upkeep, lower energy costs and more time and money to spend on decor. "Just like hybrid cars, small homes are becoming status symbols," she says. To show others that you don't need 5,000 square feet to achieve happiness, Genevieve launched thejewelboxhome.com, where she offers in-depth design and style tips for small spaces (and she's available for consultations and teaches classes). Try her top 10 tricks in your cozy haven.

Tip 1: Put Furniture on a Diet. Furniture looks bigger in a home than in a showroom. Choose a love seat instead of a sofa. " If you insist on buying a sofa, keep it under 80 inches," Genevieve advises. Also, pick pieces with minimal visual weight, such as a glass-top coffee table.

Tip 2: Clean It Up. "Modern-style or new traditional-style furniture pieces always work well in small spaces because they tend to have clean lines," Genevieve says. If you prefer more elaborate, ornamental furniture styles, keep their scale small. Balance them with simpler, restrained pieces.

Tip 3: Find Your Function. Use the minimum number of furniture pieces to satisfy the function of a room. A love seat, two chairs and a coffee table usually will suffice in a a living room.

Tip 4: Color Walls Neutral. Paint walls cream, white or a pale color to make space feel open. Keep the same color on walls in all rooms "to create visual flow throughout the house," Genevieve says. Add bright colors with accessories and furniture.

Tip 5: Accessorize In Small Doses. You don't need more than 1-3 accessories on each side table or coffee table. Group small items, such as vases or bottles, on a tray for cohesion.

Tip 6: Show Your Legs. Use furniture with visible legs. You can "see through" the furniture, making the space feel open and airy.

Tip 7: Round It Out. Use a round dining table in cramped quarters (it takes up less space than a rectangular table).

Tip 8: Avoid Pillow Fights. People often use too many accent pillows. "You don't need more than two on a sofa and one on a chair," Genevieve says. "People need a place to sit".

Tip 9: Try Optical Illusions. Hang a mirror on the wall. "It will reflect light and give the illusion of a larger space," Genevieve says.

Tip 10: Ban Visual Clutter. Keep fabric patterns subtle. Look for textured fabrics in solid colors.