Watergate Gallery & Frame Design

Dale, the owner, did a wonderful job framing and coordinating the mounting of my 20×40 photographic print. The result is stunning! I am extremely pleased with the work. I plan to bring a great deal more work to her.

I brought in a large photographic print for custom framing as a special gift. I normally would go to Utrecht or another art supply store, buy a standard framing kit and do it myself, but I wanted something more unique for this occasion.
I worked with Sarah, who very patiently pulled out a multitude of frame options for me to consider. She helped me find an excellent drop frame/​mat combination that fit my budget limitations. That being said, you should still expect to pay for this personal service — custom framing is definitely not cheap! If you are looking to save money, do it yourself or maybe take a look at a bigger chain such as Michael’s.
I would have given it four stars except for a miscommunication between staff members that added an extra few days to the turn-​around time — I had been given the impression that they would call me when they were ready for me to come sign the mat, before they packed it up for shipping, but that message didn’t get to the owner and so she was apparently waiting for me to call her. Anyway, I ended up with a great piece of artwork that was very professionally framed and safely packaged for cross-​country shipping. I’d work with these folks again next time I have something really special to frame.
The gallery is fun to look around, as well — while I was there, they opened a show featuring paintings of DC neighborhoods by a local artist that was pretty cool.