Making it Work: Little Art Paired With Large Art
• Choose pieces that connect with one another in some way. A thematic element like a bird motif (first photo), when echoed in both the larger piece and the surrounding smaller frames, pulls the whole group together.
• Choose your colors carefully. Just as you would when choosing furnishings, pay attention to the colors in the artworks, and pick up colors from the larger piece in the smaller pieces.
• This is a good rule of thumb when hanging any group of art, but consider using matching frames to create harmony and provide a connection between larger artworks and smaller ones.
• Avoid exact symmetry. Hang your large artwork at the edge of the group instead of the center for a more effortless look. The last photo above does a lovely job with symmetrical artworks hung alongside a large piece, but maybe it's the exception instead of the rule?
What do you think? Do you like the look of art in various sizes grouped together? How do you pull it off?
(Images: I Suwannee (1 and 2); Martha Stewart; Country LIving; Design*Sponge)
Comments (14)
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It's a bit busy for me - I find the arrangements distract from the art.
view Emily the Cat's profile
I'm not sure I could pull this off successfully but I like the tips and some of these rooms a lot!
view sally305's profile
I love the colors in the first room--the whole thing feels so warm and welcoming.
view Tobiaty's profile
Mixing sizes can look OK, but putting tiny pictures waaaay up high where you can't really see them doesn't seem sensible.
view MansardRoof's profile
Firstly, always buy the highest quality original art that you can afford! Or go beyond your budget like myself, but always buy quality. Get some advice from an expert-- an artist always needs to talk about art. Interior designers always seem to have different motives than pure art motives when buying or hanging. Quality art will play off each other regardless of colour combinations, themes or frames. Certainly when hanging the same series of images the same frame is the best idea. But think of a frame as completing the piece, much like the upholstery for a chair or sofa. Would you take two designer pieces of furniture by different designers and upholster them with the same fabric just so they work better together? Shocking-- . Picking up colours in various pieces in your space isn't a bad idea, but doesn't really need to happen as colours that are discordant can make very interesting vibrations and spark greater interest. Themes--- are like colour combinations and can have remarkable resonances. One of the redeeming qualities of art (and there are so many) is that it is fairly easy to store. Rotating a collection as it grows into various locations in the space or into storage allows for interesting changes. The Japanese do this amazingly well with art objects and paintings changing with the seasons (they also do this with flooring and window treatments as well).
It strikes me that so many people and designers are fearful of many of the art's malleable qualities.
view Victorc's profile
Where does one find that raven print? It's stunning!
view linuxwitch's profile
In general, I agree, but I'd like to add that having a sense of humor, or hanging something tongue-in-cheek, can cause conversation, which is what art is about somewhat. To pull off a larger thrift store piece with a smaller more expensive piece would be a fun challenge. I think within the context of this setting the art works fine. My eye tends to be drawn to the left, which I think works. You know, birds, outdoors...maybe that's too much thought. But without a unifying theme, such as subject matter, framing, texture, color, it may end up looking like a tepid mess.
view RedSharkInteriors's profile
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/retrospect/hung-salonstyle-display-retrospect-095185
view Victorc's profile
Linuxwitch: Not sure about that painting but it is reminiscent of Frank Gonzales
http://www.frankgonzales.net/PAINTINGS.html
view Johnp's profile
This headline uses the word "pairing" incorrectly, at least with the photo shown.
view joey joejoe's profile
You don't have to spend a lot of money on fabulous original paintings in order to reap the many benefits associated with surrounding yourself with wonderful works of art. You can buy affordable prints, frame them up and bring beauty and spirit into your environment.
Here are some more tips about hanging and arranging artwork: http://ezinearticles.com/?10-Tips-For-Hanging-Artwork&id=3338039
view chazmiller's profile
sheesh is the first photo taken in the house of giants? how can anyone possibly enjoy the tiny prints mounted above the raven? I love the idea but some adaptation so you can enjoy the are is required or why bother putting holes in the walls? (and this is from someone that is super tall and likes it when art is hung well above the 5_ whatever inch is the norm)
view larchgirl's profile
I've been figuring out an arrangement for my living room, and was trying to figure out the best way to incorporate a large piece of art with smaller, so this is perfect timing for me. I was thinking of doing a somewhat symmetrical arrangement, but I really like the idea of putting the large piece at the end.
view Sassyladie's profile
Photo three works the best, I think. But only because someone with a trained sense of color and scale obviously arranged it. I definitely don't think I could pull this off on my own, unless I bought multiple coordinating art pieces, which would be missing the point.
http://modernhaus.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-am-boss-of-you.html
view aweekinparis's profile