Are overly large frames a style?

Question

I helped my mother hang some photos today and was curious about one of them. She had placed a photo (in this case 5"x7") in a frame that was much larger (8"x10"). In my opinion it looks strange and awkward with so much empty space—which I feel is wasted—but she insists that it is actually a style (which while loathe to accept, I am inclined to believe because she does watch style type shows).

Does anyone know of this style? Is there a term for it?

Asked by Synetech

Answer

That's a perfectly accepted and normal style of mounting a print - known as 'matting' a print. The border around just further draws your eye to the photo.

Answered by rfusca

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