ART & SOUL
Bring colour and drama into your home
HOW...
If you’re creating a gallery wall, map out the pieces before you start hanging. Use masking tape to mark up your measured-up space on the floor and then arrange each frame in your preferred way – give it a couple of tries before deciding on the final configuration. For a uniform look, use the same frames in the same size (try The White Company for particularly smart styles) and space them equally apart and positioned level. For a more eclectic look, maintain a balance between the types of pieces you display (an even mix of photographs, prints and sketches, for example) and keep the boundaries of the display area distinct. This will allow you to use frames of different shapes and sizes, as shown right, while keeping a sense of order. To give pieces some breathing space inside their frames, consider a mount – the empty area around the subject often draws the eye into it. This works very well for photographs, but less so for more graphic prints where the frame-to-frame style creates a more contemporary look. Instead of opting for a white surround, consider colours that will complement the artwork. Try eframe for made-to-order mounts in various shades, shapes and sizes.
‘TRY OUT YOUR ARRANGEMENT ON THE FLOOR FIRST’
WHAT...
It’s not just frames that work well on walls. More tactile pieces, from wall hangings to sculptures, can bring extra interest to a space. The objects shown right, for example, could evoke memories of travel in a way that a simple photograph does not. For a more three-dimensional effect, try hanging pieces tightly together using hooks, rods or nails of varying lengths. A decorative object interspersed among frames will also add a new layer to a gallery wall: an ornamental plate, for example, or an oversized shell, can be suspended between metal clasps and displayed as artwork. Consider textiles, too, which can be folded over a rod affixed to the wall or hung using tapestry poles – try Birdie Fortescue for a selection of suzani and kantha throws that are well worth showing off. If you are looking for a unique way to display one particular photograph, the design team at Surface View can create custom wall hangings using a digital image file; without the weight of glass and a frame, they can be blown up to a large size and will still be easy to hang.
WHERE...
When showcasing artwork, always consider the space first; proportion is key. A single artwork hung above the fireplace should be slightly narrower than the mantelpiece and tall enough to anchor the wall, otherwise it will feel inconsequential. The rule doesn’t apply if you’re displaying multiple pictures or are leaning them rather than hanging them, but there should still be a central focus to the display. If you have different styles of art, such as an antique oil painting and a set of typographical prints, these can be placed side by side: just make sure there’s a shared quality between them, such as the colour of the piece or the shape of the frame. On narrow walls or in alcoves, make sure there is enough room around the frame so that it doesn’t dominate entirely. Embrace more awkward nooks and crannies, such as rafters or along narrow staircases, by making a feature of them: try echoing the space by arranging frames in a climbing height order. Be practical, though, and know when it’s time to call in the professionals – a single nail hammered into the wall won’t support the weight of a heavy picture, and it can be difficult to manoeuvre bulky frames up a ladder.