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Displaying Artwork

TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-255 -- More Projects »
John Wolfe, an art-framing expert, shares his advice on displaying and hanging artwork.

  • Keep photos straight by piercing a piece of masking tape through the sticky side with a thumbtack, then applying to bottom corner of photo. Do this to both sides. The tack will prevent the frame from slipping without piercing the wall.

  • To make a picture look bigger, use a darker-colored mat. Lighter-colored mats draw attention away from the frame and allow the viewer to concentrate on the image within the frame.

  • Consider using wide mats (greater than two inches) for prints and photos to create an updated look. Mats wider than prints give greater importance to small images.

  • Layering mats can create a unique piece of custom-framed artwork. Using two or more mats is also a good way to accent colors in a room.

    The best mats to use are museum-grade 100 percent cotton rag, acid free. Most mat boards are made of a buffered wood pulp with a lower pH and are not guaranteed to last forever.

  • Frames and mats can create a theme for your artwork, so make sure that you choose frames and mats that correspond with what you want to convey.

  • When choosing a frame, make sure the color of the frame doesn't overpower the colors in the art.

  • Put artwork in a frame large enough so that it is not lost in the decor of the room.

  • When trying to fill a large wall, consider using two or three theme-related prints, as opposed to one large picture. Use an odd number of pictures. It is more visually appealing to the eye.

  • When arranging several pictures on a wall, always hang the key focal picture first. It's best if this picture is larger than the others and has special meaning.

  • Always put similar pictures in the same area or room. That way they can more easily complement each other.

  • Never hang artwork indirect sunlight or near a heat or air-conditioning vent. High temperature and humidity levels can cause accelerated growth of mold inside the frame.
Also in this Episode
TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-255
•Cooking Exotic Vegetables
•Displaying Artwork
•Laundry 101
•Tip of the Day
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