ReStore Frame Shopping: High-End Looks for Less

Hidden Gems: Shopping for High-End Frames at the ReStore

If you’ve ever walked through the ReStore and thought, “there’s a lot of… interesting art in here,” you’re not wrong—but here’s the secret I tell friends all the time: don’t shop the art, shop the frame.

One of the best-kept secrets of shopping at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore is that you can find high-end, ornate, solid wood frames for pennies on the dollar—the kind that would easily cost $100–$300 (or more) at a traditional framing shop. We’re talking carved wood, gilded finishes, vintage patina, oversized statement pieces—the kind of frames that instantly elevate whatever you put inside them. The catch? You have to look past what’s currently sitting in the frame. That mass-produced print, faded poster, or generic décor piece isn’t the value—the frame is.

Think of It as a Frame Flip

When you’re browsing, try to train your eye to ignore the artwork entirely. Instead, look at:

• The quality of the frame (weight, material, detail)

• The size (larger frames are especially valuable)

• The style (ornate, vintage, Hollywood Regency, traditional, or even sleek modern)

Once you bring it home, it’s incredibly easy to remove the existing art and replace it with something meaningful—and suddenly you’ve got a custom-looking, designer piece for a fraction of the cost.

Upgrade Your Space with Art That Matters

If you’re not sure what to put inside your newly scored frame, that’s where things get really fun. Instead of settling for generic prints, you can swap in something with character, story, and collector appeal. Right now, we’ve got some incredible options available on the ReStore eStore that pair perfectly with these frames, including:

• Stephen Harrington Lighthouse Art Prints – classic coastal imagery with timeless appeal

• Oscar D’Amico Signed Serigraph Prints – bold, collectible, and artist-signed

• Caesar Monturano Colonial Williamsburg Signed Art Prints – locally inspired and historically rooted

• Hortus Eystettensis Artichoke Botanical Print After Besler – a stunning botanical reproduction with old-world charm

• 1941 Bremen Germany Clock Tower Art Print by K. Walter – architectural history with European character

• Philip Gray Signed Art Print A Land of Dreams – vibrant, contemporary fine art

• Art on the Square: Spring Garden Signed Print (2004) – a beautiful, seasonal piece with local ties

Pairing a high-quality thrifted frame with a curated print like these gives you a designer-level look without the designer price tag.

Why This Matters (and Why It’s Worth It)

Custom framing is expensive—there’s no way around it. But shopping smart at the ReStore lets you:

• Save money while still achieving a high-end look

• Reuse and repurpose materials (which is great for sustainability)

• Support Habitat for Humanity’s mission with every purchase

It’s one of those rare win-win-win situations: you get a beautiful piece for your home, you keep usable items out of the landfill, and you help fund affordable housing in our community.

Next Time You Visit…

Take a little extra time in the art section. Look past the surface. That slightly outdated print might be hiding a gorgeous, solid wood frame just waiting for a second life.

And if you’d rather skip the hunt for artwork, don’t forget to check out our curated selection of prints on the ReStore eStore—you might just find the perfect piece to complete your frame flip.

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ReStore Frame Shopping: High-End Looks for Less