Maihen Bespoke Picture Framing: the art of art preservation
“We pride ourselves on the highest-quality framing and customer service experience”
In a studio off the Thanet Way, a precise artistry unfolds every day. It’s not painting or sculpture but the often overlooked, yet crucial, work of bespoke picture framing.
At the heart of this practice is Rachael Barrow, founder of Maihen Bespoke Picture Framing (@maihen_framing ), an Advanced Guild Commended Framer whose passion for both art and craftsmanship has turned her studio into one of the most respected in the UK.
“We pride ourselves on the highest-quality framing and customer service experience,” Rachael says. “Everything we do is designed to meet your framing needs and protect your artwork for a lifetime.”
With more than 18 years of hands-on experience, Rachael’s journey into framing began after studying art and design in college. Her first real immersion into the trade came through working at a gallery, which unexpectedly sparked a lifelong pursuit. “I’ve always had a passion for art, but I really liked the woodworking side of things,” she reflects. “Then working at a gallery, I sort of fell into it - and, yeah, it was the best decision. It combined everything I loved. I get to see beautiful artwork but also preserve it and ensure that it’s going to be looked after for years to come.”
Rachael is one of only a handful of Guild Commended Framers in the South East, and the 14th framer globally to earn the title of Advanced Textile Framer through the Fine Art Trade Guild. “I’ve taken exams to be recognised as an Advanced Framer,” she explains. “That means I meet the conservation and museum standards set by the Guild - ensuring fully reversible methods, no harmful adhesives and archival-quality materials.”
Joining her is studio assistant Lindsay, who came aboard in 2022, bringing with her a creative background and specialised experience in handling textiles and delicate materials.
What sets Maihen apart is not just technical mastery but the personal approach to each job - whether it’s a treasured child’s painting, a rare Banksy, original Patrick Heron or a vintage James Bond poster.
“It’s a really nice range,” Rachael says. “That’s what we love - doing everyday things like family mementos but also framing incredibly high-end pieces. We’ve had Tracy Emin works, even something commissioned by the Royal Opera House. A painting that now hangs above their staircase.”
Perhaps most memorable? “We once framed a pair of glass doll’s eyes - spherical, fragile and completely unframable by normal standards. But we figured it out.”
At Maihen, no two frames are ever the same. “It’s a real mix,” Rachael explains. “Some clients come in with no idea what they want and we guide them through the process. Others have really specific requests, or they say ‘Leave it up to you’. When they’ve worked with us before, there’s this trust - and that’s a real compliment.”
The studio boasts an extensive selection of mouldings, mountboards and UV-protective glass options to accommodate both aesthetics and budgets. “UV is one of the biggest threats to artwork,” she notes. “We use a range of conservation-grade materials to make sure nothing deteriorates over time.”
From a sprawling Rosie Wylie cashmere blanket to a poster too large for their three-metre mouldings, challenges aren’t a rarity - they’re embraced.
“That Bond poster was so big we had to source custom-moulding beyond our standard sizes,” she recalls. “We couldn’t even stand it up inside the studio. We had to inspect it outside the building!”
While framing may seem like a finishing touch, Rachael sees it as a critical part of art’s legacy. “You want it to look like it’s always been in that frame,” she says. “It’s like putting it in a really smart suit - presenting it at its best without overpowering it.”
Ultimately, the work is as much about people as it is about art. “At the heart of it, it’s about understanding what a piece means to someone,” she says. “Being able to preserve it, no matter what it’s worth, so it can be cherished for decades.”
Appointments at Maihen Bespoke Picture Framing are recommended to ensure a detailed, personalised consultation. The studio works with clients locally and across the UK.
INFO: www.maihenframing.co.uk
