apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Aren't those picture moldings on the wall? Why not just hang pictures from the moldings as designed? You can nail through the hook right into the molding if you're really edgy about quakes (that's what the little hole is for), although I've been through a few and my unnailed hooks have never budged.

That said I personally wouldn't put anything above my headboard, although the other bedroom walls are fair game.

http://www.thecollection.fr/v1/ look at [on the wall]. really expensive but has stunning "wallpaper" that would be fantastic just hanging unframed by itself, or use it as a base for ideas of where you could take this.

or search around for a funky kimono to put up. a light piece of bamboo to hold up the arms across (click on my name for an example).

I don't see why it's not possible to fasten directly to a stud (which you should try to do anyways), then use earthquake hooks (described here: http://www.worksafetech.com/pages/PH.html) more details on hanging art in an earthquake zone here: http://www.chubbcollectors.com/Vacnews/index.jsp?form=2&ArticleId=138

in my experience, anything that's gonna bear loads of over ten pounds or so should either go into a stud, or, less desirably, use appropriate drywall anchors (although it sounds like that is not an option in this case).

I think stretched fabric (put marimekko into an ebay search for some good stuff) is a safer alternative to a large, framed print (if it does come down). Also, I have crumbly walls in some areas of my apartment too and rely on those great Command picture hangers that are like little pieces of velcro (I haven't tested anything that heavy yet, though).

For maximum versatility, and since you have high ceilings, create a new and very modern picture rail and a heavy duty one. Locate all the studs along the wall stretch for the new rail. Pre drill at each location to verify the depth of the plaster and that you hit a stud. This is just drilling a small pilot hole and keep pulling it out to check what the drill is in. When you hit wood you can stop. Get heavy duty stainless steel screw eyes from any hardware store long enough to reach through the plaster and get an inch into the wood. Thread a single steel rod through the eyes and you now have a picture rail you can probably do chin-ups on. Hang the sword of Damocles, it won't come down unless (on the west coast) you whole house comes down too...

Paint a mural on the wall.

Hi I have never posted before but I am intrigued by your question.

Have you ever been to the Reprint Mint? They have stores in Berkeley and in Alameda. They sell a variety of posters and art reproductions that are mounted to thin board. They look minimal and are thin and lightweight.

I believe you can also bring in your own poster or photo to be mounted.

Lightweight, sturdy, no glass, lots of options!

Whatever you bring in will be permanetly mounted to the board surface so it is bad for sentimental or very valuable art or images - but it is great for posters, cards and so on...

oops I see you are in Seattle! Well maybe if you ever visit here?

I have a large painting over my bed -- unframed. (I don't like frames on contemporary paintings, because they don't serve any function, the way they do with prints.) An unframed painting is very lightweight.