Learn how to construct the beautiful decorated mats called French mats, or 'line and wash' mats, in this detailed step-by-step manual by a French expert. Included are instructions for 37 different mats, including antique, classical, and unusual 'fantasy' designs, for professional-quality picture framing. The unique layout of the book offers a quick and practical way to choose from the different examples. Each mat pattern is reproduced in full color and at actual size along the edge of the page: just place the book on your artwork and flip the pages to find the perfect mat. Every mat design comes with a template and complete information about measurements, the placement of lines, color washes, and gilded bands, as well as the construction of invisible spacers and elegant beveled mats, to give depth and a professional finish to the ensemble. No calculations are necessary: you have only the pleasure of cutting and decorating the mats. Whether the artwork you want to frame is antique or contemporary, you will find among the styles here just the one that is right for it, and for the interior in which it will be displayed. (9 X 12, 100 pages, color photos, diagrams)