Michele Ferguson, owner of Chateau Designs in Hollister,
practices what she preaches.
Ferguson believes when it comes to decorating walls with
art,
”
art
”
isn’t limited to pictures and paintings.
Michele Ferguson, owner of Chateau Designs in Hollister, practices what she preaches.
Ferguson believes when it comes to decorating walls with art, “art” isn’t limited to pictures and paintings. That’s why she likes to decorate her walls at home with mirrors, old frames – minus the pictures – and ceiling tins, which are pieces of tin with elaborate designs hammered into them often used to decorate ceilings in old Victorian homes.
“Pictures are great, don’t get me wrong,” Ferguson said. “But think of how you can make them more interesting with different frames or how you hang them. Then add something totally different by hanging something else on the wall, like iron grates or wood shutters with a cool finish, or something from the garden section at Target. Don’t be afraid to do something unusual.”
Hanging outdoor plaques and decorations inside can jazz up a boring wall, said Pamela Deeb-Cornaggia, owner of Pamela’s Interiors in Gilroy. Bringing a touch of whimsy to a room with art on the walls can make for great conversation pieces and can give an average room personality, she said.
What constitutes whimsy is as varied as individual personalities. Grouping baskets together on a wall is a creative way to decorate without framed art, said Carol S. Carr, owner of Carol Spence Interior Design in Morgan Hill. She’s also used hat boxes, painted fans and unusually-shaped mirrors to add flair to walls.
“You can also find beautiful decorative plates to hang, which can be as big as 2 feet across,” said Carr, who is a certified interior designer and a member of the American Society of Interior Designers. “But if you choose to hang plates, make sure they’re special. Select ones that are all different sizes. It’s OK if they’re the same size and different designs, but they’re better if you get a variety of sizes.”
For those who are fond of prints and pictures, frames can add character.
“If you’ve got wood frames, it doesn’t all have to be the same color wood,” Deeb-Cornaggia said. “They don’t even have to be the same material. Mix the wood frames with metal frames, and then personalize them even more by painting them a color you like.”
Take framed artwork a step further by playing with the matting, too. An 8-by-10-inch picture can almost double in size if placed at the center of wide matting, which adds an artistic touch, Carr said.
If the pictures don’t have a common theme, using the same color matting on each can help tie them together. Colored matting can also make black-and-white prints pop.
Finally, feel free to combine the unusual with framed art. The interior design Web site designtalk.homevisions.com suggests, for example, grouping four framed pictures in a block on a wall and centering a wrought-iron wall sculpture above them.
What to Avoid
Inevitably, nonprofessional decorators will make a few mistakes. Look at your walls with a critical eye, and don’t be afraid to get a second opinion from someone who doesn’t live with you.
Ferguson said one common mistake people should avoid is hanging small pictures with small frames on huge walls. If you have cathedral ceilings and the walls that stretch upwards for forever, don’t put a little 8-by-10 picture in the middle of it and call it done.
“One of the most glaring mistakes I see is people hanging their art too high,” said Carr. “Things should be hung at eye level, which is about five feet for the average person. So, if you’re hanging a picture, make sure the center of the picture is about five feet up the wall.”
Another decorating error is hanging something in a room that doesn’t match its surroundings. Keep within the theme and feeling of the room, Carr said. For example, a Southwestern picture of a coyote in a formal living room with traditional furniture is out of place.
Other Tips
n To make sure pictures hung side-by-side will be even with each other, use a level that comes with red laser beams. Follow the beam to make sure the frames will be at the same height.
n Don’t feel obligated to spend a fortune on art for your walls, Ferguson said. Expensive wall decorations can be a waste of money if you get bored with your purchase or later decide you don’t like it as much as you thought. But, Linens-N-Things and Bed, Bath & Beyond aren’t the only thrifty alternatives for great art. Try antique shows and garage sales for some great finds.
n Wall calendars are a great, inexpensive source for art, Carr said. Tear out the pictures and have them framed at a discount store such as Michael’s.
n Limit family photos in formal living rooms. Display the majority of these pictures in informal family rooms and hallways leading toward bedrooms.
n If you decide to leave the decorating to a professional, ask about the designer’s credentials, education and memberships to any professional organizations. Be sure to look at their portfolio, ask for references and be sure you have chemistry with the person you ultimately hire.
“I always say, if the person dresses themselves well, they’ll probably dress your house well,” Carr said.
n If you are gong to hang something heavy, be sure to check with someone at your local hardware store for advice on the best way to hang it.
