If you are thinking about framing a very large piece of art, pre-made or custom options can get expensive very quickly. To avoid the hit to your wallet, try one of these DIY projects:
- Hang Fabric or Canvas with Hidden Hangers
Amy a la mode posted a how to that details, step by step, how to hang a quilt. You'll need two wooden dowels, four eye hooks, some sewing skills, a ruler, and a hand saw. - Make a Frame with Power Tools
This tutorial on kombat.org outlines the process of making a frame with power tools. You will need access to a table saw, router, clamps, wood glue, and some measuring devices. If you are up for the task, this tutorial takes you through the entire process, including cutting glass. - Hang Art Without a Frame
There are many ways to hang artwork. Frames get more expensive the larger they get so you may consider hanging that piece of artwork without a frame. TimeOut Chicago suggests using a piece of foam board, plexi glass and some L-shaped nails to frame art. Consider screwing this art frame sandwich directly into the wall if your art is larger than 4x4 feet. - Plaster and Lathe Walls
If you live in a plaster and wood lathe house, then you probably already know that hanging art is no small task. Bill and Kevin Burnett from the San Francisco Chronicle recommend hanging large artwork from a wood screw mounted in a wall anchor to avoid cracking the plaster. - Use the 57" Rule
Large or small, the 57 inch rule will be a good guide to hang your artwork.
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#3 should probably have a link...
Er, #2. I fail at typing.
Actually, I always read that it should 66" on centre and that is the rule I stick to. 57" is way too low. Even at 66" my SO believes it is quite low (he is 6'4").
I've always red that it should be 60" 5 ft on center which is almost exactly where my eye level is so that works for me
oops read
I have a DIY framing story I'd like to share in hopes that others will take framing on themselves!
After my dad died, in going through his things, I discovered an old table top piece which he originally made as an extender for our dining room table. I think it must have been practice for when he made it "for real" out of nice wood. Anyway, he ended up using it in his workshop to paint/stain windows, furniture, etc on, sort of a temporary work table that he'd set on sawhorses outside or in the garage. The result of years and years of painting and staining was a beautiful work of art (according to me, at least!) created by my not artistic (but very skilled in carpentry) dad. Being the weird "artist" of the family, I immediately cherished this table top and knew I wanted to hang it up as art in my house. The problem was, it was about 4 or 5 ft square, slightly uneven, and 5-6" deep with a frame underneath, to fit it into the table. I took it to a frame shop, and they said it would be thousands of dollars to just put a simple wood frame around the side--not even glass or anything. I was shocked. I asked if they could mount D rings properly on the back, so I could just hang it on it's own with no frame, and they said they could. It was going to be under $20. My next stop was Home Depot, where I bought the most simple pine (I think?) boards, and asked them to cut them to the length of my new art. I picked up the mounted table top, placed the boards around the edges, and nailed them in place. Voila. It cost under $40 in all. I want to encourage more people to try this!
You can see a picture of it here, although it's from across the room:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/babyhercules/6264140676/
That looks great, Babyhercules. Well done.
Thanks--I think it's worth the price tag of $40 rather than $1000+!
Sweet story babyhercules. And it looks nice!
Interesting! It is annoying to put wholes in the wall esp when it's renting an apartment!
It makes sense to me to put it at your own eye level on center. If you are going to be looking at it when you're standing, and it otherwise makes sense to (ie. there's not furniture in front that makes it look odd to be so low/high/whatever).
It's not really DIY, it's more AIY (assemble-it-yourself), but I've been happy with ordering framing kits from AmericanFrame.com . For large pieces it can add up but it's still a lot less expensive than a frame shop.