Buying a voucher for a business from one of those deal-a-day sites always tends to be done with…read moretrepidation. There's always a chance it is going to be a less than glowing experience. Thankfully, this wasn't the case when I purchased a $49 (for $200 value) voucher for Art Land. I'd purchased a print on my travels and it just wasn't a size that lent itself to a buy-off-the-shelf frame. I'd gotten many quotes in the couple of hundreds so has expected that I may need to pay somewhat more than the voucher amount. I was never made feel less of a customer because of the voucher and the staff took me through multiple framing options. In the end I decided on a simple black frame and paid a little more. They gave me a date it would be ready (2 weeks lead time. I wasn't in a rush so it suited me fine) and to the day they called to say it was ready. It was such a seamless transaction and I'd go back for any framing needs I have in the future.

When my sister brought me back a beautiful batik of a woman serenading some cows from Sri Lanka I…read morewanted nothing more than to have it hanging on my wall. Something so beautiful (my description does not do it justice but have a look at the picture) deserved to be framed. Now I shopped around a little for quotes because picture framing is not cheap and I suspected framing a cloth batik would take quite a bit of time, skill, and money. Walking into Art Land in Indooropilly I was impressed by the classy furniture and decour available for sale and the staff were very attentive and said hello and that they would be with me soon despite being already with a customer. I did not have to wait long until one was free to help me. I went through the process of choosing a frame or two that I liked and the customer service girl even went and got the framer to give advice since what I wanted was a little out of the ordinary. I did not want to cover up my batik with glass, instead opting for getting it stretched on a board and framed. I wanted it to stay tactile in a way and they were happy to help me with this. IN the end I got a very reasonable quote and went ahead with the framing. It was ready to pick up in two weeks and I am very very happy with the result and the whole process at Art Land.

Latrobe Artspace has been in Paddington for as long as I can remember. They sell framed art and…read moreprints, however their specialty is framing services. I know a few people who have used them, and it's the personal service that keeps customers returning. Only small, independent stores really have the time or inclination to compare 50 types of matt board and discuss the benefits of frame thickness in exhausting detail. You may pay a bit for their services, but if something is worth doing it's usually worth doing properly. This little local business is definitely worth supporting.

I can't imagine there's a massive market for picture framing. Either I'm wrong or this is the only…read moreframing store in the city, because it's been around for years. And that must mean something. Honestly, I'm not really big on picture frames. I have a blind spot when it comes to home decorating. Picture frames and me only ever come into contact whenever strictly necessary, e.g. when I can't think of what to give someone as a present. I suppose this has happened often enough for me to recognize a good picture frame deal when I see one, though, and the frames in the front window of Latrobe Art Space are ridiculously cheap for their quality, particularly given the store's Paddington location. Obviously the best deals are in the front window. Inside you can buy much more extravagant and larger frames, mirrors and paintings for very high prices. I imagine most of the clientele here are part of Paddington's richer crowd, because some of the frames look like they could only bear to live in mansions. Speaking of mansions, I do feel a bit like there's a slightly haughty quality to this store. I always feel like the shop assistant is watching me like I'm going to steal something. (It almost makes me want to do it.) There's also something vaguely creepy about the place - probably the silence inside and being surrounded by heavy dark furniture, Gothic frames and so many mirrors. It makes for a slightly "I'm in the final confrontation scene in some b-grade thriller" vibe. However, Latrobe Art Space's peers must be considered. Having seen what picture frames cost at art stores in Westfield shopping centres across Brisbane, the prices are insane. Smaller home ware stores seem to be a Picture Frame Rip-off Extravaganza, too. In a nutshell, if I were in the market for a decent or high-quality mirror, I'd definitely go here based on the price alone.