So you have a big empty wall that is just calling for a gallery arrangement! The possibilities are endless. Botanicals, Vintage Maps, Photographs, drawings or paintings are all prime suspects. You can create groupings based on color, type of media or even frame color or style. A gallery wall should reflect your personality and style. Mix paintings and photography, black-and-white or color photography, and combine different shapes and sizes. The easiest way to make your gallery wall appear unified is to pick a common theme. Or you can use works in a similar color palette that will complement each other and the space.
These sketches look beautiful framed in simple gold frames. No need for any matting. They look wonderful on their own. Try not to hang items too high (or translation don’t let your husband tell you where to hang them!).
The unifying factor here is color. Love the mix of drawings, black and white abstracts and photographs.
These vintage egg prints with simple mats echo the color and texture of the setting in which they are placed.
In my home I framed old calendar pages and filled up a huge vacant wall in my entry. The ceilings are over twenty feet so I needed something that would really fill up the space. Here I followed the line of the railing and centered them in the space.
Botanicals are always wonderful. The more the merrier. You can gather your own, press them, and frame them in inexpensive frames.
A collection of arrowheads are framed in matching frames. Love this!
Once again an eclectic mix of art. The unifying factor is color.
Here is an example of placing one of the larger works (in this case the mirror) first and working from there .
I love the eclectic use of different medias here. You can’t go wrong with black white and gold.
This grouping was created by working from a center line. This works great when you have more horizontal space than vertical.
A large photograph, drawing or map creates a different impact when divided and conquered.
A lovely grouping of mirrors. The sum of the parts here is more interesting than each one individually.
I find this little grouping extremely interesting. The unexpected placement of the small painting is genius.
Once again each one of these trays individually may not be that interesting, but presented as a group fabulous!
At our lake house I grouped old ceiling tiles together in shades reflected in the room . I think the imperfections of the individual tiles make the group more interesting. These can be found on Ebay and antique and junk shops.
This arrangement took some talent to put together. Combining high and low items and different shapes creates interest. I like the ethereal quality of this grouping.
I always lay out my works on the floor before hanging. If you are nervous about putting holes in your wall (who isn’t!) try this trick from fabulous home blog before making a gallery wall. Hold piece of paper on back of frame and mark with Sharpie where to put the nail-then tape back on wall and nail right through the paper!
Here are some different combinations that might be helpful to you when creating a gallery wall that I found on Pinterest.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your hammer, some nails, and gather some of your favorite works of art and have fun!
All image sources can be found on my Pinterest Boards here http://pinterest.com/chattersley/
.JPG)
