subject: Consider Aesthetics When Hanging Your Prized Artwork [print this page] Consider Aesthetics When Hanging Your Prized Artwork
Coming up with certain rules for hanging pictures results from years of experience. First, unless you've always yearned to live in an art gallery, don't hang pictures on every available wall space, hang a picture on a wall only if it seems bare without it. Over the sofa, a server, a console, a small pier table or in groups are all ideal when you are hanging pictures.
Another rule follows this. Don't let the grouping become wider than the piece of furniture under it. Hanging pictures of varying sizes closer together helps you achieve a more unified look. For instance, let's say you have a prized collection of bird prints in frames of varying sizes and types. Apply the concept of pleasing geometrics when you hang them and do not do so frame by frame.
There is another rule after this. What the wall does as a frame is to serve to set off a group of pictures on all four sides even with pictures hung in close proximity. Considering pleasing geometry this simply means that pictures are hung in the formation of a square or a rectangle. Considering that you have four pictures all framed alike and of the same size a good choice would be to hang them in a straight line over a long table, geometrically in a square over the sofa, or vertically above a small step table. For staircases pictures should be hung using the step pattern. Still the best option would be to consider right angles and go for straight lines. Working better than others most of the time is a little regimentation.
Consider that you have a number of pictures you have been able to accumulate over a lifetime inclusive of old family portraits, originals, prints, and reproductions. A good option to take would be to unify these when hung together by framing and matting everything alike. There was a friend who used gold frames for 16 prints matting then in forest green. Sensational was the look after being set against a red wall. Another friend added color by matting each picture over her sofa in a different color.
Did you ever feel that something was missing as you stared into a department store model room? Absent are the signs of having someone live, eat, take phone calls, and sleep in that one room. No individuality is present. Your home should never go without this.
Without the department store model furniture cannot be sold and it is important that a home give you comfort and pleasure. The best choice in this case is going for your favorite color. Choosing colors involves keeping in mind that these could affect a room's mood. A color can evoke a particular emotion. Why not flip through some color charts, looking for nothing in particular until you are drawn to a particular color grouping. There is no choice stronger than individual choice here.
