A Successful Stair-Stepped Artwork Arrangement

We've always thought of this as a no-no. The arrangement of framed artwork in a stair-stepped manner is one look that seemed nearly impossible to pull off elegantly - but then, we saw this version of it...

...and it just may have turned us around.

In this example by C.W. Eisner (found at Desire to Inspire) the framed pieces flow up and over a large circular mirror, so even though the frames are doing the "stair-step", the overall arrangement feels grounded by the dark, bold mirror frame. Additionally the symmetrical sconces help to offset the uneven top horizontal line of the arrangement. I think those two points are the key to why this looks less contrived and more balanced.

What do you think? A success or still too stepped?

Image: C.W. Eisner

Comments (8)

Too directional for my eyes.

posted by LoriSF on July 15th 2009 at 9:40am
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The one inch variation in height between the second pictures from the top would drive me completely batty.

posted by Doug on July 15th 2009 at 9:58am
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I love it.

posted by EC on July 15th 2009 at 11:04am
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IMO, it's successful not because of the "stairstepped" formation - but because of the relative symmetry of the overall arrangement.

posted by bepsf on July 15th 2009 at 11:41am
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Those wall sconces look awfully lonely.

posted by Indy Jeffrey on July 15th 2009 at 12:12pm
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I agree with Doug, except that the misalignment of the two black framed pieces on either side near the top is more than one inch. They don't seem to be aligned to anything in the grouping. IMO, near symmetry is worse than asymmetry.

posted by amed studio on July 15th 2009 at 2:47pm
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Sublime vignette!

posted by ChrisToronto on July 15th 2009 at 3:15pm
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Blech awful wall sconces. I'd feel like it was my grandma's house or something. I love the mirror, and surprisingly like the gold frames with it (not a big fan of gold frames), but not sure of the placement or fit of the other frames. Or their color for that matter. I think it would be better instead of stair stepping the frames, thinking in a matter of arcing the frames around the mirror so they didn't have to be exact or match (size or color) just well placed.

posted by sarahc123 on July 15th 2009 at 9:57pm
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