apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I think it could work if, like shown, the images and frames are all complementary ... and if there are no naughty cats around to bat at the swinging pictures and string!

Use fishing line it hides very well.

Oooh fishing line (high test) would be perfect!! I love this look. I can imagine make the upper part of the line attractive too, to give it some balance. For example, maybe installing a number of sturdy, attractive metal hooks into the wall. Then, run the fishing line (or wire) from one corner of the frame, through a large flat "rivet" type thing, and then back down to the other corner of the frame. Then hang the rivet on the hook. This would make the hooks and rivets part of the presentation, and the entire thing would look like one giant piece of art, rather than just the frames themselves. Or am I nuts?

I agree about the hanging anxiety, especially in earthquake-prone California. Things WILL fall on your head -- just ask anyone who was close to the quakes in So Cal in the early 90s or Loma Prieta in 1989. But all the most stylish hangings these days seem to be framed -- what's a gal to do, beside pin up textiles, such as a nice Indonesian Ikat?

I think they are all hanging from a picture rail. I have a picture of a similar arrangement in a shotgun house in New Orleans. In my picture, the wall is a darker color and the light strings against the wall formed another graphic pattern above. It was in a country/cottage shelter magazine and I believe I've seen the image online.

What I don't understand is all the apartments that don't want you to hang pictures. Why don't they take the time to install picture rails, then they would eliminate the problem of people hanging them regardless?

The first thing I thought, after thinking it looked great, was, earthquake. I mean, it's going to happen. Why tempt fate? Over the couch maybe? I guess I could just as easily be taking a nap on the couch during an earthquake. What about the wall in the entry way or hall? I just assumed that they used picture frame moulding - it looks very cool.

Heather & Monica Ricci & AT:

I actually just moved into a larger place that has Picture Rails and have been trying to research hanging some of my frames (which are pretty heavy) with fishing line!

Would you gals have any resources or other suggestions? I've never done it so anything would help!

Thanks!