Insider insight
More creative ideas from the experts
EXPERIMENT WITH SCALE ‘You have so much choice when it comes to playing with scale when hanging art,’ says Georgia Spray, founder of Partnership Editions. ‘One large statement piece can offer instant impact, brightening a space and making a room feel truly special. The other route is to create a gallery wall, allowing you to curate your collection in an interesting way and liven up a room with personality. Try to choose pieces that have a conversation in some way, but don’t get too worried about whether frames match or not – I personally think a bit of mismatch is a great thing. My main tip is to think about balancing larger works out so that it’s not bottom or top heavy.’
FILL THE HOUSE WITH ART
Designers tend to agree that artwork completes a room – and by that they mean any room. Kit Kemp is among the leading champions of this approach, by hanging art in each and every bathroom in the collection of Firmdale Hotels. ‘When doing this, remember to protect pieces within their frame to avoid exposure to water,’ she says. Another favourite is placing pieces in front of shelves already packed with colourful books. ‘A thick frame helps to define the art and create a separation from the business of the shelves.’
COLLECT CHINA Arranging plates on a wall is a beautiful way to dress it without investing in expensive art, says Melissa Hutley, interior designer and co-founder of Hutley & Humm. ‘It’s also a way of seeing what you have collected over time rather than hiding them away in a cupboard.’ Buying a collection of plates and covering a wall in a dining room (around door frames, for example) can be a fantastic way to bring another colour into the scheme. In a green dining room, blue and white china would work well, adds Melissa. ‘If you are starting from scratch and collecting one at a time, look out for a particular style or colour. Buying pairs is perfect for either side of a fireplace; three plates on either side of the surround can add a level of detail and interest to an area otherwise forgotten or too narrow for a picture or a painting.’
WORK WITH THE ARCHITECTURE When it comes to displaying art, consider the existing architecture. ‘With an alcove, opt for one larger piece in the centre to add detail and interest. You can choose a contemporary piece in neutral tones to allow it to blend in, or go for a landscape or abstract in bold tones for added interest,’ says Emma Deterding of Kelling Designs. ‘For an elegant look that adds height to a space with dado-height panelling, hang a collection of smaller pieces in a grid format. Use the same or similar frames and ensure the spacing between each piece is equal. This will create a look that is clean, symmetrical and effortless.’
“WHEN FRAMING AN ARTWORK, THINK ABOUT THE COLOURS YOU WANT TO EMPHASISE IN THE PIECE”
GEORGIA SPRAY, founder, Partnership Editions