Elevating a Watercolor with Linen, Cascade Matting & Museum Quality Framing

At Underglass, a custom frame shop in San Francisco, our favorite part of the job is obsessing over the details that make a frame design sing. When a client brought in a delicate watercolor, we knew the right materials and techniques would transform it into something worthy of both protection and display.

Instead of a standard paper mat, we hand-wrapped the mat in textured linen. Why? Because linen adds richness and depth — it avoids the flat look you get with smooth mat board and introduces a subtle textile quality that complements the art. We then built a cascade mat design, which creates a stepped effect around the art. This technique isn’t just decorative; it gives the painting a sense of elevation and presence, almost like it’s sitting in its own stage.

The frame itself is a rich satin green, carefully chosen to contrast with the warm off-white mat while picking up on the painting’s cooler tones. The green has a depth that shifts with the light, and when paired with the linen and cascade matting, the whole design feels elevated without overwhelming the artwork.

Of course, design is only half the story. At Underglass, everything we do is museum-quality framing:

• Acid-free materials to prevent deterioration.

• UV-filtering glazing to protect from light damage.

• Conservation hinging techniques, made in-house with Japanese paper and rice starch, so the piece is fully reversible and non-destructive.

This combination of design detail and archival protection means the finished piece doesn’t just look beautiful — it’s built to last. Whether hung as a standalone feature or as part of a gallery wall, this watercolor now has a frame that enhances its presence and safeguards it for the future.

If you’re looking for a San Francisco frame shop that knows how to match design with craft, Underglass has been framing with care and precision for 40 years. We’d love to help you bring your art to life.