Composing a photo gallery
You need
· coordinated photo frames · dark thread · Blu-Tack · spirit level · roll of newsprint, brown paper or newspaper · hammer and nails · picture hanging hooks or adhesive hanging strips · step-ladder or stool
Step 1: Pick photos Summer
is great for taking photos, but how many of our images from this season or years past lie dormant on our computers? Framing and hanging photos releases them into your home to be enjoyed by all. Gallery walls are ideal for combining different images together, so celebrate your heritage by adding in some older family photos or mix in a few shots of quirky moments to remember.
Step 2: Coordinate frames Use all white or all black frames, or for a less formal effect, mix black and white frames together with frames in an accent colour. See project #2 for painting old frames in selected shades.
Step 3: Paper templates As you cut a template of each frame, write on each one the frame colour and a brief description to help you visualise each photo and its orientation as you hang it. Sort the templates by size. Cutting templates takes time but makes composing and hanging the gallery far easier.
Step 4: Compose your wall Photo galleries can be arranged as a simple grid or symmetrically around a large central image. In the stairwell (right), I used a triangular shape to complement the rising stairs. Before starting, look carefully at your wall to consider the most pleasing shape. Your gallery needs either some vertical or horizontal lines to look ordered, so decide where you want these and mark them out using the thread and spirit level. For example, I started by marking out the top and side of the triangle. Decide on the placement of any larger frames and rearrange the smaller shapes around these until the configuration looks balanced. Cluster similar sized frames together in rows or columns. Ensure any accent frames are evenly spread.
Step 5: Hang your pictures When you are happy with the arrangement, use each template to help you work out exactly where to attach each picture hook on the wall. Once each photo is hung in place, pull away the paper from behind the frame.