Design Notebook
Tips & Ideas

If one of your fall projects includes painting a room, you will be taking down whatever is currently hanging on your walls before you start.   Take advantage of this opportunity to display something new and fresh.

Follow these 6 simple tips to create a new focal point in your freshly painted room. Go for the double wow-whammy: new paint and new art collection!

1. Think theme.   Collect photos or art that have something in common.   For example choose black and white photos of architecture or nature scenes.   Or abstract oils of sunsets. Whatever appeals to you.
2. Look at the collection as a whole.  Best way to do that is to lay them out on the floor and rearrange until you get a grouping you like. Think big square or big rectangle.
3. Frames in the same color or material.   For example all silver or gold or all mahogany stain or barn board.  Same with the mat, they should all be the same or very similar.   When you use the same finish the art work really stands out.
4. Don't forget wall color.  Black and white photos with white mats will look bold and fresh on a wall saturated with color. Colors photos might need the calming effect of neutral wall.  Wall color should never compete with art work, it should enhance, but that doesn't mean white is the only option.
5. Arrangement  You can also make different statements with your arrangement.  Frames in the same size and hung in perfect horizontal/vertical rows is much more formal than different size frames hung in a random pattern.
6. Hang at eye level. The biggest mistake most people make when hanging any artwork is hanging it too high!  It doesn't matter if you are a short or tall person, everyone makes the same mistake.  Anything hanging on the wall should have a relationship with the furniture underneath it.  If the display is above a sofa or pair of chairs, then a grouping can start 12" or so above the back of the furniture. If the display is hanging gallery style (no furniture) then the middle photos should be at eye level (think 5 '6" or 5' 8").  Add the top and bottom layers accordingly.

All it takes is little planning and thought. You don't need expensive frames or artwork to give your room personality.  Frame your children's artwork.   Or pieces of beautiful hand made paper or even a collection of vintage labels or photographs from your favorite vacation.   There is no limit to what you can hang on your walls. It should be something you love.