Hanging artwork

You've collected artwork from every vacation you've ever been on, but you have no idea where or how to hang it. Or, you've decorated your home beautifully, but choosing artwork? That's for experts. Rest assured, the sight of blank walls can undo even consummate décor experts so where do the uninitiated begin? Well, here's a clue on how not to begin. Most folks hang their artwork too high. This is affectionately known as "tall husband syndrome". Hanging it at "eye level" is an unusual rule since eye level for one may be chest level for another. Therefore it's important to relate the work to something else in the room - a gorgeous piece of furniture such as a chest of drawers or a sofa. If the artwork is in an area where people are usually seated, say the dining room, err on the side of too low so diners can appreciate the works. Or, position the picture or grouping at eye level for the "average person" - usually 65 to 68 inches from the floor.

Grouped pictures should be considered as one complete unit. Test your arrangement by laying everything out on the floor and playing with combinations until you get the one that works. Lay the combination out on a large piece of paper, cut to the size of available wall space. When you have an arrangement that works, trace around each individual work. Then, tape the paper to the wall and begin to hang the art; nailing right through the paper. Once all nails are in place, tear the paper away and hang your collection.

Some other useful tips:

Scale matters - Relate the work of art to the size of the wall or to a piece of furniture. A painting that's wider than the item beneath it can feel "off-balance". A diminutive treasure, floating in a large expanse of wall, looks "lost". A delicate watercolour or detailed line drawing will be lost if it's hung too high. Choose large pictures or photos when there's ample wall space and smaller pictures for narrow walls.

Light art - The addition of focused lighting gives a single piece or an entire collection an aura of importance, making it more dramatic and therefore more effectual. In a hallway, consider track lighting which can be directed to shine on favoured pieces. In a formal setting, such as over the mantel, opt for a picture lamp (you'll need an electrician to provide an outlet).

Add an art shelf - Artwork can be hung on the wall, creating a more formal treatment, or leaned against a wall, creating a more casual approach. In recent years, the art shelf has emerged, and its inherent practicality has given it real staying power. Art shelves are a great way to add interest to a blank wall and the size can be adjusted to fit both small and large spaces. To create a more stylish vignette, mix and match the artwork with other decorative objects such as books, crystal, silver, or other collectibles.

High impact - Make a statement by hanging one large canvas or photo in a prime position. This can create a focal point in rooms where a natural one (say a fireplace or bay window) is lacking. I like to place a stool or bench beneath large paintings in order to "anchor" them to the space.

Creative framing - Don't be afraid to get creative with framing. If you have a series of pieces, say 6 botanicals or 6 black and white photographs, it's perfectly fine to add dimension to the collection by framing them with different frames. The key to success here is varying the shapes and sizes of the frames but sticking to a consistent "look" such as all gilded or all black. Conversely, if the collection is diverse in subject matter, frame it identically to tie it together.

Shape the space - Horizontal groupings elongate and emphasize the width of a room while vertical lines add the illusion of height. For rooms with no architectural detail, consider a row of pictures hung eye level, which can create the impression of architecture. Strong diagonal lines within a picture or photograph add excitement, an important consideration if your room is too neutral.

Matt it neutral - A classic white or off-white matt is most often the best choice when it comes to matting art works. Occasionally black, taupe, or camel can be used as well. Never pull a vibrant colour from a painting and use that colour as matting - the purpose of the matt is to focus the eye on the artwork, not confuse the viewer.