Thoughts on displaying art

In looking at the many varied images that display art in ways that I find pleasing I began to notice my own favorites. I am talking about more than just hung on a wall versus tabletop or bookshelf display. I have been thinking about the particular details that make up the context for display of two-dimensional art.

I'll show you a few examples and share my personal tastes along the way.

In the first photo the art work is propped on a mantel and layered. It also is an asymmetrical  assemble of art and objects framed by a symmetrical collection of objects.

I find it quite pleasing but in my own home might feel as though something were missing in this over-mantle arrangement.

This layered asymmetrical art arrangement seems to ground the work on the wall above and the work above seems to call attention to the collection below.

This is, to me, is perfection.

I could be persuaded to prop a piece in front of a mirror as Miles Redd has done here.

 

Propping paintings on the floor is evocative of an artists studio and is a common site in my own house. A house full of rambunctious kids may not be ideal for this type of display but its awfully romantic in a bohemian kind of way.

The idea of grouping a piece of art with another collection based on color, era and other similarities is intriguing to me although I might choose differently than this example.

Gallery walls and salon style installations are big buzzwords these day but nothing new. I particularly enjoy them when there is a theme of sorts.

Figures, caricatures and portraits are my favorites to group as you will see in the next two examples from my house.

a corner of my dining room

My college aged son's room

The choice whether to display art collections vertically or horizontally is a matter of taste and context in the space.

The Pink Pagoda

 A horizontal installation can bring life to a wall that is too wide to hold one work with any impact. My favorites either way include more than two.

I love vertically hung pieces on a narrow wall.

I have my own hang-ups (pun intended) about displaying art. 

Do you have rules that you adhere to?

What is your favorite way to display art?

Creating a layered look in 7 easy steps

This is a basic primer on how to achieve a layered look in a room and it was born out of my lame answer to someone's question about it. I think I did a little better here.

These aren't rules but a good way to get started.

Step 1: Start with a color palette. You will build on it and away from it (explained later). I started with the muted tones in this oriental rug and chose a sofa and pillows.

Step 2: Choose various sizes and textures within your palette. You are thinking this is basic matchy-matchy decor, and it is, but this is the backdrop on which you can layer.

Step 3: Find a color outside of the original palette but stick with the same family of muted or vibrant. For instance, I would not add hot pink chairs to this room. Too vibrant. I chose a muted green and used it in two fairly large pieces.

You can also have a second color outside of the original palette that you use in various sized objects but lets keep this simple.

Step 4: Mix metals, large and small.

Varying the sizes on everything is key. Simply having several tchotchkes in brass and silver will just appear as disparate objects and not thoughtfully layered.

Step 5: Repeat a motif or texture. In this example I chose a case piece with ornate scrollwork that echos the pattern in the rug. The fact that they are different in scale and material keep them from going down matchy-matchy road yet there is enough commonality to keep it cohesive.

In a very different space you might have a lacquered piece of furniture and one or two lacquered accessories in different colors. Again, vary the size and color while repeating the texture.

Step 6: Choose various styles of art either within your palette or without.

Step 7: Add real life accessories. I think this is the most important element. I added a stack of books to illustrate this but you should be much more creative with it. On a hall table your "key bowl" could be an interesting thrift find. A throw made by your grandmother or a clay piece made by your kids adds the one-of-a-kind personal layer to a room. These items need have nothing to do with the other colors and textures. They are the imperfect touch that individualizes a room.

Go forth and layer!