Odd-Sized Enamel Art Framed, Without Custom Matting!

Remember the enamel art I bought at the Christmas Fair when I was in Budapest?  I still love how each piece is the same Hungarian landscape in four different seasons.  Since I have now officially spent time in Hungary during each season, these mean a lot to me.  The original framing was uninspiring, so I purchased them sans frames to save some money and to make them easier to pack.  Honestly, they never would have fit in my suitcase with the bulky frames.
 

BEFORE

I knew they'd fit in simple, white Ikea Ribba frames, but I figured I'd have to spring for custom mattes.  When I got them home and bought some frames, however, I realized custom matting might be tricky.  In addition to not being square, each piece is slightly convex.  The original matting was imperfect too.  Luckily, Hubby & I both had the genius idea to paint the cardboard mount.  Here are the enamel pieces, unframed, mounted on their cardboard backing:

Using a really small, angled brush with firm bristles, I carefully painted around the enamel with some leftover paint (the same blackish greyish mystery mis-tint I used for the railing, the custom frame for the black white painting, the dipped stool and about a million other DIY projects.  I love this magic colour). 

I let the paint dry a few days to fully cure, then I popped them into four Ikea frames.  I love, love, love the result.  The little strip of almost-black makes each piece POP and keeps them from getting lost against the white frames, matting and walls.  I opted to hang them in a vertical row between the curtains.  That space always needed something.

Even from a distance, these little gems still pack some punch and I like how they connect the cooler and warmer colours in both the living and dining room.  Plus the black makes sense with the black accents splashed around both space, including the frame of the new dining room painting.  I'll definitely consider just painting a backdrop (even if I have to mount it on some cardboard myself) the next time I have some inexpensive art that needs a custom mat.