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How to Arrange Artwork in an Artful Way
Art and photo display ideas
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
Victoria, a.k.a. sfgirlbybay, is a master at arranging art, and I've been admiring the way she switches things up and makes seemingly disparate pieces work together for years now. I think we should all channel our inner Victorias and give it a shot. If at first you don't succeed, take it all down and try something different.
Before you get started, here are a variety of very different examples of ace art arrangement. Some work because of a white wall, some work because of a peakcock wall. Some work because of perfect symmetry, some work because they completely reject symmetry. Some work because the pieces are all somewhat uniform, some work because the pieces could not possibly differ more. Some work because of traditional picture nails & wire, others work because of binder clips and a piece of string.
We can learn a lot about doing it ourselves by figuring out what makes these work. I'm still trying to study them and figure it out myself! Please let me know in the comments how you approach hanging your artwork.
Before you get started, here are a variety of very different examples of ace art arrangement. Some work because of a white wall, some work because of a peakcock wall. Some work because of perfect symmetry, some work because they completely reject symmetry. Some work because the pieces are all somewhat uniform, some work because the pieces could not possibly differ more. Some work because of traditional picture nails & wire, others work because of binder clips and a piece of string.
We can learn a lot about doing it ourselves by figuring out what makes these work. I'm still trying to study them and figure it out myself! Please let me know in the comments how you approach hanging your artwork.
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| A picture shelf is a great way to give uniformity to your arrangement. Note that they have stuck with black and white photographs, mats, and frames. The varying sizes of mat white space keep it interesting. |
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Several lines of picture rails keep the hallway photos organized.
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Here a variety of pieces mix well; letters and postcards fill in space between framed artwork.
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I'm trying to figure out why this works so well. I think it's the balance between height and width - some are wider than they are tall and vice-versa, and they are placed just right in relation to one another.
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This is some sort of black and white Hollywood glam family tree arrangement
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Don't forget that objects you might not usually consider as art can make for a delightful arrangement.
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A collection can be playfully arranged in a symmetrical grid pattern of frames to take on the appearance of art.
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| Don't forget about white space. The art stands out here because it's not too crowded. |
by CWB Architects
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This group all fits into a perfect large square. Put up painter's tape to mark your boundaries and then put up the frames within it to get this effect.
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This one takes it to the next level. Add a grid of tape within the square to line things up properly.
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Grouping frameless stretched canvases together gives a just enough of a feeling of uniformity.
by SFGIRLBYBAY
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From Victoria, arranging master and the one who set the Keep Calm and Carry on Trend. Note how these pieces float within the white frames and glass against the white wall.
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by SFGIRLBYBAY
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by Ninainvorm
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by Amy Lau Design
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I had to include one of my early attempts at arrangement from my shabby eclectic phase. Don't worry, this has changed since this was taken. For some reason I always seemed to include some crazy huge ashtray, a favorite purse, and an album from my teenage angst, in this case, The Smiths - Meat is Murder.
Ideabook updated on Nov. 9, 2012.
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xojy, that's great! I didn't realize how big your pieces were until I understood the scale from seeing a couch there! Love that big Y!
May I ask where did you buy them?
photos? something else? help...
I tried to see if there was more info on her website, but there's not!
Becky