ARTICLE - How to choose and hang artwork

Artwork is one of the trickiest parts of a design to get right. The question I often get asked is when to choose it, and I would usually say that it depends (as most answers tend to be!) on 2 main things:-

1. Do you have a specific piece or artist in mind? This can help you with the rest of the room in terms of style and colour. If you really appreciate art it is a great starting point to designing a room
2. If you don't have anything in mind, and are happy to pick art around the scheme you choose, then leave until one of the last things - get the furniture / colour scheme and window dressings chosen first - you can even then search online for the style you want based on colour etc... which can make it easier
   

I always like to be led by my clients on this, as art is so personal - however I do have links (and can get good deals at times) with some of the best art galleries and artists, so can really help with this decision - please call for more details or if you have a specific project in mind. Depending on budget I can organise for bespoke artwork to be made to your requirements which can be a really special addition to your room.

Here are some tips to use next time you are choosing and hanging your artwork:-

• Size is important - as is shape. You need to be aware of where the art will go, what it is going to be hung over, and therefore what size and shape would work best

• Think about style - and think outside the box. There is no reason why a very traditional painting couldn't work well in a contemporary setting - but does your style warrant framed, canvas, photo, painted, black and white etc....
  

• In terms of frame - matching with either the wood of the furniture or the metal fittings in the room works best most of the time. Black works well for drama, and white gives more of a country feel

• I advise as a general rule to hang artwork approximately so that the centre of the art is in your eye line, and lower if anything so that it relates to what it is hung over (the picture above right shows this well - it isn't halfway between the dado rail and the ceiling, instead it is grounded more by the radiator)

• Think about making more of a group of photos by positioning them so that the outside of the group falls into a rectangle - this works well with family photos, and will bring different frames and sized pictures together. You can do this by marking out on the floor in masking tape the space available on the wall. Then work out the best arrangement of your pictures here before transferring them to the wall.

• If you have a large space think about 2 or 3 pieces together (diptych or triptych) to make an impact

• Mirrors can be art if you choose the right frame - but be aware of what view they will be reflecting!

• Black and white photographs frames worked well in most schemes (or sepia for a softer look)

• I particularly like having really oversized mounts for pictures as this creates a very contemporary look.