Board and Batten - Hanging a painting

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

We are having board-and-batten style wainscoting installed in our hallway. The ceiling is 9’

The B&B in the inspiration picture (new construction site) is 60” high. I love the look. I think they may have 10’ ceilings.

In our hallway, 60” would come to the top of the lampshades shown on the hall table. If I go that tall and didn’t change where I hang the painting, the painting would hang half above the B&B and half below which I’m thinking would look strange. Am I wrong? It already seems to be hung a bit high so I can’t imagine hanging it above the B&B.

Also, at 60” can you imagine it extending toward the stairs at the height of the lampshade? It just chops the rising stair trim in the middle. I don’t know how it will look when the B&B runs into the existing stairway white trim.

If I go 48” it would reach the bottom of the lampshades and only require I raise the painting a little and it may connect to the existing stair trim better. I like the 60” look a bit more as it looks more contemporary and being shown in the new homes in the neighborhood.

Any solutions for 60” regarding hanging the painting and meeting up with the existing stair trim?

Thank you for your help (just noticed those lamp cords need to be hidden! Yikes).

Featured Answer

hollybar

7 years ago

I think this should help you understand the hanging issue.

https://www.shineyourlightblog.com/hanging-heavy-art-and-hanging-art-over/

As for the reframe....the current frame is very trad/ornate and very dimensional because of the carving. A simpler frame, maybe even one that falls away from the image (which looks lovely,btw) would compete less with the board and batten and keep the focus on the art. Think of it as a less is more approach. And as ever,YOU do YOU. That always works.

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Comments (10)

PRO
JAN MOYER
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Sixty inches is too high to hang any art above. Unless you like neck crane or the art isn't very important

what is "contemporary " about your home????
jillybean103
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
It's transitional ...new home...the hallway is pretty traditional but overall eclectic
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hollybar
7 years ago
I would not do 60" because I would hate how that would look with the stairway trim. As for the art, a simpler box frame might better suit going over the board and batten & signal "transitional" in the space.
jillybean103
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks, Hollybar. The stair trim is nagging at me so I agree! Can you explain what you mean about going over the board and batten to signal transitional?
chloebud
7 years ago
Not a pro but I've seen art hung/places over tall wainscoting where it looked nice to me. I do understand hollybar's comment about the stairway trim.
jillybean103
Original Author
7 years ago
Very good article. I’ve been googling artwork over board and batten and came up dry. As for my painting frame...in answer to Marie Kondo, yes, the frame gives me Joy. Why? Because it’s the first painting I ever bought with my first commission check from my first nice sale in my first job. Bought it at a fine gallery and although its style is trad/ornate I still love it all these decades later. It goes with the French theme of the painting and I couldn’t part with it.
chloebud
7 years ago
frosty, try just googling "high wainscoting" for some images with art work. I don't blame you for wanting to keep the painting and frame just as they are.
jillybean103
Original Author
7 years ago
Would this work? What if I did ONLY the wall with the painting as a feature wall and board and batten that wall to the ceiling - 108” - no issues with the stairs trim at all with that. That wall is stand alone. Then, what if I do 54” board and batten (1/2 height of the feature wall) on every other wall around it.
Gcubed
7 years ago
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