For the Love of Art Walls, and a Hack for Unframed Art
Don’t you love an art wall? Me too. The more mixed up the better. And yet the mix must be harmonious and balanced. You know it when you see it. The stately and ordered are beautiful, of course, but the higgeldy-piggeldy and personal are such fun–like giant bulletin boards of […]
Don’t you love an art wall? Me too. The more mixed up the better. And yet the mix must be harmonious and balanced. You know it when you see it. The stately and ordered are beautiful, of course, but the higgeldy-piggeldy and personal are such fun–like giant bulletin boards of mementos and private amusements. This is not one of those, alas, but somewhere in-between.
These pictured below were mostly cluttering up bookcases, and I was glad to get them out of there. So I could clutter up a wall. A buncha of unframed pieces, however, stumped me. You flea-market aficionadas out there know them well, yes? I cannot resist them, and they usually cost $35, so what’s not to love. Often with art walls, the total is greater than the sum of its parts. Unless the parts are, like, Picassos or something.
That said I wouldn’t hesitate to mix a Picasso with a Joeblowso.
So what to do with those little unframed numbers? Plate hangers! Yes! Look:
Use pliers to bend the hanger out slightly for easier hanging, and to bend the prongs out slightly to avoid scratching the painting.
They work for verticals and horizontals.
Cool, right? And just for fun, here are a few more art walls
They don’t all have to be paintings of course. I am slightly with botanicals.
And just to go out with a bang, have you seen the fabulous At Home with John Richardson, from Rizzoli, by John Richardson with introduction by James Reginato? Richardson was Picasso’s (speaking of) biographer among other things. It’s great. Here, a big-boy art wall from Richardson’s Manhattan residence.
If you’d like more tips on how to approach an art wall, or hang unframed art, here are a few good posts, including some clever ideas on what to do with children’s art:
From Architectural Digest
From Apartment Therapy
From The Every Girl
Okay bye! xo Frances
What a brilliant idea. I love an art wall. I had a dedicated one in an old house. And then in my last house, I crafted one to hide an ugly tv-over-fireplace the previous owner had built in. Art is always a good use of money, I think.
Good for you, Jen, and I couldn’t agree more! Thanks for writing, Frances
I found this so interesting and am going to hang a few odds and ends today, thank you. A while back i spent a few delightful days reading your blogposts from some years ago. They were so thoughtful and entertaining! I’m glad to see you have posted today and hope you can find time to do it more often. You seem to have a very joyful heart and isn’t that wonderful for all of us. have a wonderful autumn!
Well thank you dear Lee, this made my day. Yes I am planning to post a bit more in the coming months, and I do so appreciate your encouragement. Let us know how your art wall turns out! Frances
Brilliant suggestion to use plate hangers on unframed canvases, Frances! And I love your wall with the mix of framed and unframed pieces – so lovely and full of life!
Thank you, Janet! Frances
Every one of your posts bubbles over with “joie de vivre”–you’re aways an inspiration to be more conscious–and creative! Thank you for sharing your life!
Thank you Sandra. What a way to start the day! Blessings and grace to you, Frances
So glad to have you back! Look forward to your great comments and ideas.