You can fill your home with fabulous furnishings and killer accents, but if you don’t finish off with walls of dramatic artwork, the room will never feel finished. Artwork is one of the most powerful forces in decorating because it gives a space heart and soul. Creating drop-dead-gorgeous artwork displays is a lot easier than you think. Here are seven secrets I use when I hang art at the Nell Hill’s stores and in my home – I hope they will inspire you.
1. Hang Large and Small Pieces Together
Some of the most powerful artwork galleries I’ve seen mix together pieces in a wide range of sizes, from very small pictures to those that are quite large. I think the variety of sizes makes the display more exciting. When we create galleries on the walls of the Nell Hill’s stores, we always include a few small-scale pieces. Whether they are little portraits, silhouettes, landscapes or architectural drawings, these tiny treasures should measure just a few inches. You’ll be amazed by how these little guys break up the sea of larger frames, somehow magnifying them in the process.
2. Mix Subjects, Frames and Mediums
I like galleries that look like they have evolved over time. When a grouping of artwork appears as if it’s been collected piece by piece, not purchased as a group, it carries a lot of individual character. One way to achieve this unique look is to mix together an assortment of different frame shapes, styles and materials. I also really like to combine artwork that features different mediums, like oils, watercolors, line drawings, photography and even three-dimensional pieces like lanterns, sconces and plates. Finally, mix up the style of the artwork you group together, tossing together traditional pieces with those that are very modern. When you do so, your eye has a tendency to stop and focus on each piece in the group, not scan over the whole.
3. Only Buy What You Love
Don’t ever, ever, ever buy a piece of art just because it matches the colors in your sofa. Every piece of artwork in your home should grab your heart and not let go. Take your time when shopping for artwork, holding off until you see something that you fall madly in love with. Don’t worry about where you will put it — those details will work their way out. And when they do, your walls will be filled with unique pieces that make your heart sing and tell others a lot about you.
4. Don’t Line Up Frames in a Collage
If you’re creating a grid of similar pieces of art, like a wall of matching botanicals or photographs, exact measurements are a must. You want the lines of the grid to be crisp and precise. But if you’re pulling together a dynamic collage of mixed artwork, put away the ruler and place the pieces randomly into groups that just feel good. I don’t like the paintings in montages to hang in straight lines, so I stagger them just an inch or two. I think the overall impression is more exciting.
5. Make Groupings Tight
When it comes to hanging artwork, a hallmark of the Nell Hill’s look is to create tight clusters, with the individual pieces of art snuggled up closely together. I just like how artwork looks when it’s drawn together in a tight mass. When pieces are spaced too far apart, they seem like separate islands and the overall display loses its impact.
6. Go 3-D
We create a lot of 3-D displays at the Nell Hill’s stores, threading in unexpected artwork like sconces, decorative shelves, trays, plates and lanterns to give a gallery more energy. Don’t get me wrong: I love galleries of framed artwork. But every once in a while I like to toss in something unconventional to keep things interesting. Another new look I really like is layering pieces of artwork on top of each other, so the artwork stacks a bit out from the wall.
7. Use Artwork to Balance a Room
Artwork is a great tool to have at your disposal when you’re trying to solve decorating challenges. In the photo above, the built in bookcase to the right of the fireplace is gorgeous, but it throws off the balance of the wall. So, my friend Anne solved this dilemma by hanging a large piece of artwork on the other side of the fireplace. Doesn’t it look fabulous?
Next Week … Make your kitchen smokin’ hot with great accents. Find out how next week!
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