ACCENTS

The art of living well

Photographs and artwork serve as great design features in a home because, in addition to their visual appeal, they invoke memories and feelings.

That’s why framed pictures are often found in the average home — either standing on an end table or mantle or hung on a wall. For a more artistic approach, some people may choose to hang a collection of pictures on a wall, making their very own art gallery. It’s a personal touch that— when arranged pleasingly — can make a creative accent wall with a story to tell.

Industry experts have said that gallery walls are best displayed when mixed with memorabilia and a variety of art forms, from photographs to drawings, mixed in with personal mementos like children’s artwork or souvenirs from travels.

Piecing together the perfect set of photos and drawings takes time, so it’s best not to rush it. The first thing to consider is what feeling or tone the gallery wall will convey. Positivity and happy memories will tend to have brighter colors locked in frames. For a more somber or sophisticated approach, gray scale or subtle shades of colors can add maturity to a space.

Choosing the right frames, or not having any frames at all, is another factor. Frames with solid colors help define lines and shapes, and that can make alignment easier to manage. It is important to remember that the focus should be on the photos and artwork, so avoid picture frames that are too intricate or do not share the same color scheme as the gallery set.

Before hanging the pictures, lay your art gallery out on the floor. This will make it easier to figure out the overall shape of your gallery wall, and which photos or artwork go well together. Some gallery walls can be orderly and spaced out evenly, while others can have pictures of different orientations. At the end of the day, the best style for a home is one that represents the homeowner.

The method to hang the pictures up depends on how hard you are willing to work. Hammering small nails on a wall is a sturdy option, but it will leave a lot of holes in the wall. For concrete homes, this can get complicated. Adhesive hooks will do less damage on the home, but there is a limit to how much weight each hook can carry. Smaller pictures are more ideal for adhesive hooks, while large sets may require the support of hammered nails or drilled-in hooks. p