Lansdowne Frame

Don’t let the gruff exterior fool you! Very professional and very reasonable. Had a long fabric mounted and framed behind glass for $ 85. Ready on schedule. Will use again.

This place is awesome. The owner is very patient and has some great ideas about framing. The pricing was significantly lower than other places I tried. My picture wasn’t ready the day I showed up and even though it wasn’t a big deal to me he took a good portion off when it was ready the next day. I am bringing 2 more things over to be framed next week.

This is a diamond in the rough.
While the place looks like an old art studio filled with parts of frames, matte and glass scattered throughout, the work being done there is truly marvelous. The place was referred to me by a friend who has used Barry (the owner) as his framer for years.
As for my experience, from the moment I walked in, the place looked exactly what you’d imagine an artisanal framer in a forgotten Parisian impasse would work in. Every option was presented to me with every variation of frame size, shape, color including matte variations and spacing. We eventually agreed on a shadow box with the perfect background color to allow my print to look its best.
Then came the price. I must state that I have many prints and all have been professionally framed in both the U.S. and France. The price I was quoted was by far the cheapest price I have ever gotten for a shadow box (by at least 50%).
After waiting a week for the framing to be done, I was simply blown away by the quality of the work that was done. I simply cannot recommend this place enough for the experience, customer service, quality and price.

Right in the shadow of the Green Monster, Landsdowne Frame looks a little chaotic but Barry gets the work done and gets it done well and quickly for a nice price.

Boston’s best framer. Have used Barry Willis’ Landsdown Frame personally and professionally for 30 years. Simple the best in quality and price.

Phenomenal experience. The owner (who’s owned this place for 23 years now) was very helpful.
This was the first time I have ever gotten anything framed, and I was getting my CFA charter framed, so it was quite important.
Not only are the prices very affordable for custom framing, but he was also very helpful in helping me select the right frame and matte colors, both to go along with the color of the charter, as well as to go well with the lighting circumstance given the lighting in my home.
Furthermore, while there was both cheaper and more expensive materials to choose from, I never felt pressured to buy the most expensive stuff (I ultimately chose the 2^nd to most expensive materials, given this charter is very important to me and will hang in my home study).
Anyways, excellent service.

Barry is the real deal. Don’t let the basement location fool you. He gives you honest advice, a fair price, and does great work. I compared his prices to even some internet framers and they were pretty competitive, even without the extra shipping/​handling that they demand since frames/​glass are such a pain to ship. Just watch out for Red Sox games since he’s pretty much at ground zero for them!

I really don’t know too much about the fine art of framing; all I can really reference is my own personal experience at Lansdowne Frame.
I recently stopped by Lansdowne Frame on a recommendation to get an 11×14 photograph professionally matted and framed for an upcoming student exhibition. I wasn’t really sure what the process of doing this would be like, nor did I know exactly what I wanted. Luckily for me, Barry, the owner and operator of the small store, was there to guide me through it. He was super understanding and patient, and he gave me tons of options to look through. It didn’t feel like he was trying to sell me on anything or rush me. Instead, it felt like he genuinely wanted to give me the best deal possible for the best quality goods. He assembled everything right before my eyes, and made sure I was happy with the end product.
My photograph is now beautifully framed and ready for the exhibition. I couldn’t be happier with my experiences at Lansdowne Frame (if you couldn’t already tell). I would highly recommend them to anyone who needs some frame work done. Support a small local artisan business and go to Lansdowne Frame!

I have never written a Unilocal review, but I could not, in good conscience, not rave about the amazing service I just received (today!) at Lansdowne Frame.
First, I had some trouble finding the place (I’m notorious for being directionally-​challenged). I called and Barry gave very patient instructions to help me get there.
The place is small; «old school» seems appropriate. Frames are hung all around the room. I showed Barry what I was looking to frame (a small collage) and immediately, he started pulling frames from the wall for me to try out against my image. I had close to 10 different options. I also wanted the frame that day and would probably have been given more options if I had a more lenient timeline. In the frame selection process, Barry offered his professional advice, while completely respecting my vision.
Once I decided on a frame, Barry meticulously measured, cut, and perfected the image to fit the frame. After securing the image in the frame, Barry inspected it and then took apart the whole thing! I watched quietly as he used a brush and then a microscopic exacto-​knife to work at the corner of the picture. «Black dust particle,» he said. Oh, the attention to detail – I loved it!
When the image was all framed (beautifully), I mentioned that it would be great if I could add a «stand-​thingy.» Barry informed me that they’re called easel stands (I learned so much!), and no problem, he had one and expertly affixed it to the framed picture. The end product well-​exceeded my expectations.
For the quality of the product and the service, the price was extremely reasonable! So, if you’re looking for framing done right, and you can do without the glitz and glam, I highly recommend Lansdowne Frames. Thanks again, Barry!

This is an old school place, in the good sense. I needed a simple glass replacement for my frame, and the owner was able to help me out in a snap. When I told him I was taking the glass back via the T, he double wrapped it and created a handle out of some cardboard laying about. I was very pleased that he took the time to put this all together given the low dollar value of my purchase.

I’ve been going to Barry at Lansdowne Frame for a couple of years. He has framed about 50 pieces for me of museum quality. Over the years I have tried many area framers, but have found, hands down, Barry is the best; not just a framer, Barry is a master craftsman who will discuss and suggest frame/​mat choices that best go with your piece. whether your a student needing to frame something on a budget or an art collector framing a valuable piece, Barry’s your man. He’s right UNDER The Cask and Flagon bar on Brookline Ave, 2 blocks from Kenmore Square and directly across the street from Fenway Park (one of his front windows is broken from a home run ball).
He’s a one-​man shop and his decorating budget is modest… ok. non-existent…but this helps him give customers excellent pricing. Give him a shout with questions or for directions; (617) 262‑9480.

I have been using Barry since the late 90’s.
He is the best framer in town. He has really competitive prices and his turn around time is amazing.
Today I went to have a few matts cut, assuming he would need a day or two. 10 minutes later, I left with my matts!
Barry is the best. Even though after over a decade he doesn’t remember who I am, I will continue to bring my business there.

I have been going to Barry at Lansdowne Frame for over three years now for all of my matting and framing needs (which have been a lot — I am a photographer at a local art college) and have never been disappointed.
There is a lot that could be seen as off-​putting about Barry and his shop. First of all, it is located underneath (creepy stairs to the side of) the Cask & Flagon near Fenway. It is hard to find and when you do find it, you don’t really want to go down there. Do not be put off by his sketchy location. …Or his messy shop. There are mats and frames and pieces of broken glass pretty much everywhere. Just ignore it and walk to the drafting table in the very center.
Barry comes off as being sort of stand-​offish and a little socially inept — but the guy seems to spend all his time in a basement so cut him some slack. He listens to what you want and makes sure to explain everything that he plans to do. He drafts you up an invoice right away, and then you can leave your artwork and wrapping supplies with him so you don’t have to carry it back if you don’t want to. You can either opt to put your frame together yourself, or for a small fee he will do it for you.
His prices are extremely competitive and you have a lot of options. It costs way less than those big name frame shops. If you waited until the last minute, he will rush your order with no extra charge. I’ve had pieces that have been done the next day.
He does an excellent job and I recommend his work to anyone I find that needs framing or matting services. The end product is totally worth all the weird stuff to get there.