SplendidStorySample-WallDesignDiva

This magazine feature profiles and picks the brain of Suzanne Gallagher, author of  The Fine Art of Wall Design and founder of walldesigndiva.com.  For some “conversation starters” for ways our SplendidStories program can put the spotlight on you, your company and your professional expertise, click HERE.  

Photo courtesy Walldesigndiva.com. Photography by Russ Widstrand.

  FRAMED & FABULOUS

        Start with the art.
Then celebrate it, showcase it
and make your walls sing

by Elaine Rogers

With swirls of color and poignant images seemingly created out of thin air, paintings, prints and even posters elicit emotions in powerful ways. And artwork that speaks to our hearts urges us to place it where others can share.

“Art is such an emotional purchase,” says Suzanne Gallagher, founder of Walldesigndiva. com and author of “The Fine Art of Wall Design.”  “We buy it because we love it, and we respond to the color and how it makes us feel. And then we say, ‘Now what am I going to do with it?’”

Anyone who’s scurried home with a new artistic treasure certain of its benefit to a particular room or unadorned wall also knows that showcasing wall art is an art form itself. Disappointment may replace joy when the much-anticipated painting ends up looking completely out of place in its designated spot. A sparse wall may seem an obvious site for a controlled jumble of color, light and textures, but the display destination depends on framing, spacing and lighting for a truly stunning exhibit..

Noting that art is often the focal point of a room or “the glue that brings the interior furnishings together,” Gallagher adds, “the elements of placement, the image itself and how it’s framed are all integral to one another. You really can’t separate them.” Fortunately, experts say displaying artwork properly “is not rocket science,” and it’s easy enough to learn how to do it properly.

INFORMED SHOPPING
Snap a shot of the wall you want to fill and shop for art with the picture and space measurements in hand. “Pay attention to the width and height of the mantel,” Gallagher says. “You’ll need breathing room above the art — from the top of it up to the ceiling.”

DIVERSITY

Photo courtesy Walldesigndiva.com. Photography by Russ Widstrand.

Vary framing choices and artists. “I don’t recommend finding one artist whose work you love and buying 12 pieces,” Gallagher says. “Diversity is something that will give your home character, and over the years, you’ll discover other things that will excite you. So don’t stick with just one artist.” In the same vein, she says framing design should reflect the style of the space, but there’s a lot of variance within that context. “Choose similar frames that relate to one another but still differ,” she suggests. (An exception to this is a grouping of coordinated prints or artworks that are intended to be shown together. Frame those identically.)

HEIGHT COUNTS
Usually, art is hung too high. Gallagher says “eye level” is relative to what is happening in the space most of the time. In seating areas, art might be placed lower than eye level, while in hallways or stairways, eye level is the goal. In foyers or spacious family rooms with taller ceilings, hanging the piece higher than eye level works well.

FURNISHINGS AND FRAMES
Art should cover at least two-thirds of the wall space over a sofa or piece of furniture. For instance, a 24-inch painting over a 60-inch table is sure to be overshadowed. A rule of thumb for art placed behind chairs and sofas is placement about 6 to 9 inches above the back.

COORDINATED COLLECTIONS
Arranging a cluster of smaller frames together establishes a larger collective. This works especially well with family photos or images following a theme — vintage prints or vacation destinations, for instance. For a modern take on this strategy, try a collection of acrylic CD cases filled with coordinated images — perhaps square pieces of an impressionistic poster or connected photographs — which is eye-catching in a kid’s room or other casual spaces.

For some inspiration and “conversation starter” TEMPLATES  to help you decide what kind of SplendidStory advertorial would work best on your website or in collateral materials, click HERE.

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Need someone to “walk you through the process” of telling your tales and putting your name on everybody’s lips?  Contact us for assistance.

Call SplendidlySaid at 972-965-7947 or email Elaine Rogers at erogers@splendidlysaid.com.

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