Wise Design FAQ: Art & Hanging Art

Nothing makes a space feel more like a home than art on the walls. For the next in our FAQ series (see how to hang curtains and how to style shelves), we thought we would discuss another common query: where do I buy art and where/how should I hang it?

Art is SO personal. What speaks to me may not speak to you. Art worth owning has a backstory: it speaks of your loves, interests, travels, funny stories, friendships. Its presence in your home should feel like a period on the end of the sentence. There. All is as it should be. Our SE Contemporary Craftsman clients (image above) had an amazing and super unique art collection, based on years of collecting. It can take time and patience to find the right pieces.

But where to find art? The short answer is everywhere! Art is everywhere! Stopping in at your local coffee shop for your weekly chai? Look on the walls. Chances are that a local artist is displaying some of their pieces for sale. School fairs, holiday fairs, art fairs, neighborhood street fairs, shops, galleries small and big, have exhibits with fantastic artists, often locally based. Portland Art Museum has a gallery that represents almost 200 artists from Oregon and Washington with pieces to rent or purchase. Buying local is always our preference but you can also collect pieces during your travels. Flying to New Bedford this summer to visit their whaling museum? Hey, me too! And you can bet that I'm bringing home a poster to frame.

Your child's drawings, your friend's child's drawings, a silly note, black and white family photos, a ticket stub from your first concert, photos from that dreamy vacation...the list goes on and on for what can be displayed as meaningful art on your walls. The important distinction is that it means something to YOU. Nothing is wrong.

Different styles of art displayed together in our Council Crest MCM project

Sometimes we have clients who are looking for a particular sized piece: a big empty wall or a blank spot that needs something in its place. Always we recommend first looking local: speak to an artist you love and ask if they are interested in working with you for a custom piece. If budgets won't allow, not to worry! There are other options.

Our NE Mason Residence client framed their art with a large, neutral mat with lots of negative space. This allows it to have the same impact as a larger piece of art. Portland has many frame shops that can help give advice on mat style, mounting style, color and size as well as frame options.

In this same home, finding a long, rectangular piece for the wall in between the windows would have been a tricky find. Grouping a small collection (one or two would feel incomplete and empty) solves the problem and shows off incredible women of color throughout history.

Art doesn't have to be displayed in a grid. Our clients in the NW Nob Hill House project, shown below, had a combination of smaller pieces that together form a cohesive palette. A mix of paintings, sketches, photos and an antique mirror form a lovely gallery wall.

Mixed media like sculpture, wall hangings, shadow boxes, textiles can also be displayed. Art is freeing with its no wrong answers. Again, it's what speaks to you.

Textiles and feather wall art in our SW Modern Home project

Sculptural grouping at the Bridlemile Midcentury

Dramatic wall sculpture in the dining room of the Laurelhurst Park Home

You may be saying, ok got it. I know what to hang. Now, HOW?! What's a good rule of thumb to follow?

Best advice is to follow your eye line. Obviously this varies from person to person but typically that hits at about 60" from the floor to the center. Aiming to hang art at about 60" on center is a good starting point. That being said, having a friend hold a piece centered at 60" high while you step back to review is always a good idea. You may want to lower it, you may want to raise it, especially if another piece of furniture or another piece of art is placed under it.

More amazing art at the SE Contemporary Craftsman project

Look at surrounding windows, casework, trim and make sure your art work has room to breathe. You don't want to place it too close to a door or window opening and have it feel squished. If it feels like the piece is lonely, either rethink its placement or consider a large mat or grouping.

Art is easier than paint to change and makes a huge impact. It's everywhere, all around us. Don't be afraid to display what is meaningful to you and yours and instead be proud of your uniqueness. Your art tells your story.