i love your art! it is really beautiful. but, a large horizontally aligned piece would fit much better in this spot. you could hang the horizontal piece, place your console table below it with a lamps and move the sofa back. i'm sure you will have to trouble finding a place use this beautiful piece elsewhere in your lovely home. whatever piece you place here, be sure to add some of the color from it into the space to create a cohesive palette...like with this piece, i'd use shades of blue as your accent color with pillows, accessories and your area rugs.

I love large paintings and this one is lovely. However, this one is too tall for this wall. The problem is that it goes all the way to the ceiling. If you want to keep the painting there, then you would need to lower it by about 10". You won't need any console in that case

I'd start by changing the pillows on the couch. Something that pops! Then a little table under the little 12x12 piece of art work....a key catcher. Just start small. If you have a sweater or shirt in a cool color...throw it over a pillow on the couch...see if you like the added color, before buying anything....

Love the art, but agree justice isn't being done to it hung there. There doesn't seem to be any other walls in the room to hang it on either. I think a console would just add to the "off" look already existing.

I agree with Printesa...lower it, but equal distance from the ceiling and the top of the sofa back. It doesn't look like you have 10" as suggested.

Also add those pillows Nicole suggested. Bring in the colors from the painting. By doing that it will blend and show the sofa as part of that wall without pushing it directly under the painting. I would try the animal print pillow on the chair.

Love the idea of putting up grayish natural grass wallpaper which will give you texture. Hard to tell from the photos but is this centered over the sofa?

Try that and be sure to re-post!

Where would it be if you hung it so the center point of it is at 5' above the floor? How about trying that, even just with painter's tape, and seeing if there is still room to put a bench under it? It should be closer to the floor than to the ceiling. I like that is is a counter balance to the FP, but the bulkhead there is in the way. Is there a wall without the bulkhead where it could go?

run over to the story side and read the nice piece about sometimes just leaving things blank. i think your photo is saying you are all finished with that wall.

It appears this area is a walkway. I certainly would not lower the painting. But I would like to see other walls in the room as this painting is not too tall...the wall is too long. It needs to be in a narrower space. So how about showing us the whole room please.

I'd pull the sofa in toward (fireplace?) and get it under the raised ceiling and make a real walkway behind it. Move the painting over toward the front door so that the pot light shines directly down on it. Now buy a runner for that space.

I agree with Printessa about lowering it and not adding a console. I do like it on that wall; it's just a wee bit too high.

Wow! I asked and you guys answered! So many good suggestions. As only an FYI, the artist herself hung the painting...she said that where I had previously hung it (about 10 inches lower) made it look like it was dropping. She said that the real ceiling height is the raised ceiling (11') vs. the 9' wall on which it is hung, so she placed it as high as she could. Also, any lower and you couldn't see the full painting as it was behind the sofa.

I will take the suggestions to add more color to the living space - I have aqua accents that don't show up, but as I look at the photo I can see that the pillows I have are not doing anything for the room.

Also, it occurred to me that the reason I am having so much trouble deciding and finding a console/shelf, may be because it really doesn't need one, which is the point many of you have made.

One other thing I've been toying with is selling our big sofa, and then getting 2 sleeker sofas placed facing each other but at 90 degrees to the current placement (perpendicular to the large wall and the fireplace). I can then move 2 matching chairs to the corners, thus opening the space in question. I then could lower the art so that we can see it in all its glory. What do you all think of that idea?

Thank you!!!!!

Your gorgeous painting (no matter what the artist says) is way too high on that wall. The center of the painting should be about eye level. (unless you are particularly tall or short). Move your furniture, hang the painting at the right height. Then move things around so you can see the painting. If that means changing furniture, as you suggested, so be it. Love the look you've got going here!

As has been suggested you need to lower the painting whether you change the furniture arrangement or not. At this height it just looks strange especially as the door frames are so much lower.
Should you arrange the furniture it might look something like this.
This is a reference only(note the art in relation to the door frame)

You might want to brighten up yr very nice space by adding pillows with colour from your art.
(a suggestion)

I agree with just lowering and keeping the art there (no shelves or tables under it). If all the furniture can just move slightly to give the walkway another foot, that would be great too.

As per the artist's suggestion because of the couch, the art can't be lowered (which I think it should be). Perhaps if you moved your couch to where one of the single chairs are and place the two chairs next to each other.

Not sure if this should be taken into consideration but it would be more inviting to some if walking into this lovely home you were not greeted by the end table. Really not trying to sound nasty, just a thought.

I'm sure you can afford to buy all new...but....I'd just accessorize what you have. A dark brown serving tray on the coffee table(picks up the floor color)......a square white pot of ryegrass in the middle of the table, new geometric pillows(no flowers). Grey grass cloth on the wall behind the couch would make it look more up scale as it's not a cheap thing to just throw up...

I love your art, but I think lowering it just about an inch or 2 will make a difference. It's perfect in the space behind your sofa and you don't need anything under it. You may consider adding sconces on each side, unless of course, you feel strange about placing anything on the walls that would compete with your beautiful art. If you did add some sconces, I would keep them simple. Also love your idea of painting the wall in an accent color and incorporating some pillows and other accessories in some of the same colors from your art.

Your couch is gorgeous. I know this comment isn't helpful advice and I'm sorry for that. But I just had to tell you how much I adore that couch!

Your painting is beautiful. I agree it is not the painting on the wall but your furniture arrangement. Get rid of the sofa and replace with two chairs in the same place. Lower the painting so it is seen in its entirety between the chairs. You can put a low table between the chairs that does not interfere with the painting. Another glass table would be light weight and detract from your painting. That way the painting will be showcased in the room and not an afterthought.

Definitely lower the painting. Can you post pictures of the rest of the room and/or room dimensions? I love the sofa so I think it's worth trying other arrangements before replacing.

I got my degree in painting about 10 years ago and did a lot of installation at museums. Hanging paintings overly high is super common for most people. Generally speaking. the middle of the painting should be 5' from the ground. I think that the dimensions aren't quite ideal for the space (I'd probably would go with a long horizontal painting.)

I think that you have a few options for activating the wall space behind the couch though. You could go with smaller paintings/photos around the work but that might detract from its impact. I think that wall sconces could also work or white/wall colored shelves with all white objects.

And your couch is gorgeous. Absolutely. The feeling of the chair with it doesn't quite 'go' with it stylistically for me, but that could be just me. The print on it works very well with the rest of the room though...

Without seeing the rest of your room, I think I agree with changing the furniture placement. I'd place the sofa perpendicular to the fireplace and painting. Rather than get two other sofas, because your's is so pretty! would you consider placing a modern daybed opposite the sofa, also perpendicular to the fireplace and painting? It won't block any views, and would help balance the sofa. Any style would do. With this layout, the fabulous painting can be lowered, and your "hallway" is maintained. The sofa and daybed can be placed closer to the fireplace, and the chairs placed to bookend the painting, but spaced from the wall to allow the "hallway". You have a beautiful home, please share with us photos of what you decide to do!

Can you send me a photo of the entire room from afar?
KimNielsenInteriors@gmail.com
www.KimNielsenInteriors.com

I'm feeling like, due to the space between the sofa and the painting, the painting won't be blocked if lowered. If lowering 10" feels too low, how about 6"? I often notice/feel a very big difference when I change the height of my art by as little as two inches.

Dianne, I'm curious what you're thinking now? I'm kind of worried about your idea of selling the sofa as I'm guessing that sofa cost a fortune and it's beautiful!

The art is not technically over a sofa, so the 6 - 8" rule does not apply. Hang it as you would on any blank wall, with the center at eye level. It doesn't matter if you can't see the whole piece when sitting down.

Again, thank you very much for all your valuable input. For further info, I am attaching 2 photos of our living area (one of the living room, one from the perspective of our breakfast area. Note that these were professionally taken by our contractor when our home was remodeled 2 years ago. The table behind the two chairs is now gone and the painting behind the sofa was placed just for the purposes of the photo and is long gone. Wonder, now that you have seen this, if your input has changed or been confirmed?? THANKS!!!

I see the problem is the tv. Your furniture placement is for tv viewing. If you exchange two chairs with the sofa you will not have a comfortable view of the tv from the sofa.

The sofa will work moved to where the wood frame chairs are now, but it comes down to if you are comfortable watching tv sitting in a chair instead of lounging on the sofa.

What ever you decide, lower your painting. Other posts are right in saying the painting should be hung so that the center of the painting is at eye level.

That's helpful! First, that's a beautiful home! My opinion hasn't changed. I'd lower the art and enjoy your amazing home. I completely agree with Grover - treat the art as art that occupies a large lone wall, not art that is above a sofa. If you can't see every inch of the art from every spot, that's fine. You'll see it all from other spots.

One thing that catches my eye in the room is the bowl above the fireplace. For some reason, that bowl feels just a bit too traditional for that spot. I might place something more modern there.

@deedeelouise, your home is fabulous. Sorry to be off topic, but just wanted to ask about your chairs. They look like they could be from Hickory Chair? If not, would you mind sharing the manufacturer?

Again, absolutely love your space. You've done such a great job!

What a beautiful room! Would you be comfortable placing the sofa where the two chairs are? It depends on if you are someone who sits or likes to be stretched out on the sofa when you watch t.v..

Btw, just noticed that the art is currently centered under a couple can lights.....is that why the art hasn't been centered with the sofa?

Is keeping the art centered with the lights important to you and if so would "shifting" those lights be an option for you (so the art could also be centered with the sofa)?

Or perhaps shifting the sofa over may be a better possibility?

If needing to choose between one option vs. the other, I think I would suggest keeping the art centered with the lighting vs. the sofa.

My two Mitchell Gold Chesterfields...deedee, I don't think you have the room for another and I like your arrangement a lot.

Can you try moving the couch to where one set of charis are and place the chairs on either side of the painting. This set up would really compliment your art and perhaps the seating arrangement can still work.

Lol cross-post with Maureen......

Same thoughts, same photo....I will delete mine....

Just a guess, but I'm thinking the art is centered behind the sofa and the sofa is centered on the fireplace/TV floating wall, just as they should be. I think it might be the angle of the pics that makes it look otherwise in some pics.

Also, just a guess, but I'm pretty sure the 100+ inch sofa won't be able to swap with either pair of chairs because the side of it would run all the way into the fireplace, blocking the entrance to the seating area from one side or the other.

Gorgeous space...but the art is too high. First choice would actually be to see a horizontal piece in that spot. Second option is to lower the art.

Many sincere thanks for all your advice, generous compliments, comments and supporting photos! It's so lovely that you took the time to peek into my home and offer your sage input! Here is where I stand:

1) First order of business - I most definitely will lower the painting, per all your suggestions. Groveraxle, then Ann said, as did most of you, to "treat the art as art that occupies a large lone wall, not art that is above a sofa" and that makes perfect sense. Thank you particularly to Groveraxle for photo-shopping the 2 pics...what a big help that was to visualize the changes! The art needs to stay there, because as you can see, there is no other wall for it.

2) I love my sofa, too! Lucky you, JudyG Designs, you have two! I think mine is the longer of the 2 available sizes, thus my dilemma. And as Ann noted, if I do move it to be perpendicular to the FP and large wall, it will be too long and will run into the FP. :( So, I may have to sell it (any interested buyers from the Lowcountry of SC?) and get a sleeker, shorter sofa with cleaner lines that I will place where the 2 wood framed chairs are. I like Maureen's idea to put them - the smaller pair of chairs - along the wall next to the painting, TV watching not being so much a priority.

3) A further complication - really, another one? - is that the chandelier, custom crafted locally, is centered in the raised ceiling and is a favorite. If I move the furniture closer to the FP, just enough to widen the space for the pair of chairs next to the painting, the area rug and the coffee table will not be centered under it. Does that matter?? And to whom? :0)

4. -- Pillows will be changed out with others more modern with a complementary color to the painting. The floral ones don't even appeal to me anymore, and the animal print one matches an ottoman, so I will move it to the chair next to it.

5) May I address some of your comments/ questions?

-- Avery, the wood-framed chairs are from Century. This photo shows them in another fabric. https://www.houzz.com/photos/tyrol-hills-modern-modern-living-room-minneapolis-phvw-vp~591610

-- Ann, the handmade glass bowl comes from a local gallery. I forgot to mention that since the photo was taken, the base with the curlyQ legs has been ditched! Although, the bowl is still there. I alternate it with a large/tall modern white vase.

-- Yes, the painting is centered under the 2 pot lights, which are centered with the FP, chandelier and the sofa. If I had taken a 'head-on' photo of the art, that may have been more visible. Sorry, I should have mentioned that early on.

So, I am not shutting down this discussion...why stop the flow of such inspiring ideas? It's so much fun to read through your messages. Just know that I am ever grateful for your thought-provoking and constructive input...I studied each comment and greatly appreciate every one!

Dee-dee

Pillows for sofa:

I would not sell the sofa. I would leave the arrangement just as you have it. I'm not sure what your thinking is on putting chairs facing the fireplace/TV and having a sofa perpendicular to it. You can't put the chairs any closer to the painting than the sofa is without creating an undesirable traffic pattern through the middle of the conversation group.

Thanks for all that info. I think the room is beautiful and I love the current sofa. I'd leave it as is with just the lowering of the art. Especially with the chandelier centering issue - I really like centered things. IMO, the answer to the whole dilemma is just to lower the art to whatever height is comfortable to you.

The base with the curlyQ legs under that bowl was the part that was bugging me. I'm glad to hear it's been ditched! I bet it's perfect without that part.

@deedee, thank you do much for the info on the chairs and for that Houzz photo. Been searching for chairs ourselves and Century certainly makes beautiful, quality pieces. Just love the details and style of these chairs.....may have made my short list....so, thank you for entertaining my question. :-)

Perhaps duke.paints might have some good, large pieces that would fill the spaces beautifully!

Where is this piece of art from? I love it!