I absolutely love creating interesting walls of art. Finding the right mix of pieces definitely requires some thought and planning, but the process is fun and the results are so worth it. If you have a wall that calls for more than one piece of art, keep these ideas in mind as you begin your decorating adventure.
Theme
When art carries a story it can do so much more than just fill space. Often, the surrounding context of the home can help you identify the theme or message you’d like the art to convey.
This collection (below) outside of a wine room is a perfect example. I took some vineyard photos and had them printed in sepia tone, then added document-style frames. Mixing these original images with prints of Bible verse about vines and branches, I created a composition that looked really cool and meant so much to my clients.
Goal for the Wall
What are you trying to achieve with the wall? Will the space hold furniture like a narrow console or chest of drawers? Or do you need to use art to fill in a blank area and add a little life? Are you seeking to add color, preserve family memories or maybe tell some sort of story? Some of the most ingenious collections I’ve seen came from clients who were super creative, and had a very clear point of view about the role of wall art in the overall energy and design of the room.
In the example below, a petite dining room left no room for extra furniture. Adding bold wall art in a unified color scheme finished the room beautifully.
Focal Point
Arranging artwork in different sizes and shapes can be tricky. The key is establishing a focal point or visual anchor using one or two large pieces, then filling in with smaller elements.
In first example (below left) art on the top left and bottom right are placed diagonally from one another as anchors. The other pieces are centered on the anchors to create an interesting, yet orderly, composition.
The second example (below right) was a challenging space because of its relationship to the stairs. In this setting the art can look too high from one perspective, too low from another. I overcame the issue by floating the collection in the middle of the space, anchoring the arrangement by aligning largest pieces along a common horizontal line. Then I used the two smaller elements to fill in.
Frame Selection
Using identical frames in a mixed art collection can get a little redundant, so it’s important to choose your frames with the same care you use when choosing your art. It helps to keep all your frames in a similar color family and style, or at minimum choose all cool tones or all warm tones to create a cohesive effect. One smart trick is to repeat a frame here and there in a mixed collection, to help it feel like everything works together without being boring.
A variety of black and silver frames makes a black and white drawing series even more interesting.
Keep it Simple
If you prefer not to attempt various frames and sizes, you definitely can’t go wrong with an elegantly matched set! This collection combines interesting, intricate subject matter with equally interesting frames for a gorgeous effect.
Whether you’re starting at zero or already have a vision for that empty wall, our Design Department can help with everything from art and framing choices to placement and installation guidance. We’d love to hear from you to get the conversation started.
