Phoebe HowardAs I was working on this, I realized that one post could turn out to be very long and possibly a little overwhelming so I decided to break it up. Tuesday's post will NOT be about accessorizing your walls but, other than that, I'll do as many posts in a row as I need to say what I want to say about the topic. I guess some would call that a series :-)...
You've also probably seen all kinds of room photos from designers that have not followed some of these guidelines (I've probably shown some of them on this blog), but we're not going to go there. What I'm sharing with you are very basic in-the-box principles that aren't new, but some that I've learned and used successfully that will help you to get it right without guesswork, or necessarily having to have an "eye" for design or art placement.
#1 - Follow and work within the general shape of the space you're accessorizing.
For example, I typically view the space above a sofa as a large rectangle. With that in mind, these first two don't work...
(the first one may seem extreme, but I've seen it many times - random art placement - we'll cover this in another post in this "series")
While these two definitely do...
Sofa in these examples is from Pottery Barn
So before you accessorize your wall, analyze the shape of the space first... What is it? A square? Rectangle? Triangle? Once you've analyzed the space there are a bajillion (not a word, but I like it) ideas for what you can put IN the space and how you can arrange it and still be within the basic framework, but defining it is step one.
Since my examples don't really have much of a pretty factor, I thought I would end with this bedroom by Phoebe Howard which also demonstrates art fitting, not fighting, the space.
You've also probably seen all kinds of room photos from designers that have not followed some of these guidelines (I've probably shown some of them on this blog), but we're not going to go there. What I'm sharing with you are very basic in-the-box principles that aren't new, but some that I've learned and used successfully that will help you to get it right without guesswork, or necessarily having to have an "eye" for design or art placement.
#1 - Follow and work within the general shape of the space you're accessorizing.
For example, I typically view the space above a sofa as a large rectangle. With that in mind, these first two don't work...
(the first one may seem extreme, but I've seen it many times - random art placement - we'll cover this in another post in this "series")
While these two definitely do...
Sofa in these examples is from Pottery BarnSo before you accessorize your wall, analyze the shape of the space first... What is it? A square? Rectangle? Triangle? Once you've analyzed the space there are a bajillion (not a word, but I like it) ideas for what you can put IN the space and how you can arrange it and still be within the basic framework, but defining it is step one.
Since my examples don't really have much of a pretty factor, I thought I would end with this bedroom by Phoebe Howard which also demonstrates art fitting, not fighting, the space.
Edited to add a blogging question: For some reason my posts don't show up in Blogger Dashboard or Google Reader until 2 or 3 hours after I've posted them. They do promptly publish with FeedBurner (for example if I have my feedburner set to e-mail posts at 11:00 am CST, it does) but Blogger Dashboard and Google Reader are always way behind. Any idea what I may be doing wrong or is that normal? Thanks for any help you can give me!
Happy Sunday!
Posts
21 comments:
wow pk thanks this is a great post! I have hung up the "start" of the idea I have already like I said I was going to try that weekend we chatted.. and it fits! Now the next step..im glad to see it fits with what you had demonstrated! LOL I think this will help alot of people!
I love this post. I am always searching for ideas for decorating my wall space. My front room (living and dining) is a long rectangular room with vaulted ceilings. I have tons of wall space, and I struggle with what do put up and where. Looking forward to your series of these.. :-)
I have no advice about the publishing question, so much of the technical side of blogging remains a mystery to me!
I love the first example you show. Brilliant. I once had a client (fashion) who hung a gigantic painting in her Den, covering every inch of one wall. It was so unexpected in the small space, your post reminded me of this example.
Enjoying your posts, as always!! Have a great weekend...what is left of it. Janell
excellent advice - I can't wait to read more!!
Love these tips! Thanks so much for this information - it definitely makes sense! I look forward to the rest of the series - can't wait! I adore the mirror in the first picture and the entire bedroom in the second - simply gorgeous!
I have some walls that have been giving me trouble, so I am excited to read more! Bring on the inspiration! :)
I don't know about the posting time difference, but you are not the only one. I've gone to link up to other blogs and find over 50 other bloggers have done so already and I'm just seeing the post for the first time.
Good points here, PK. I have a post going up shortly about my own living room and a piece of art I have hanging over my sofa currently {stolen from another room}. It will be changing to something that fits better, but it is a good example of what not to do!
Excellent post - I really never thought about thinking about the area in that sort of defined space, but that would totally help placement and selection of the art. Can't wait to read the rest of it!
I have a question now that I've read the post. If I have a rectangular piece, such as a buffet, is it okay to do a rectangular arrangement above it that is arranged horizontally, rather than vertically? Does this make sense?
I want that first room! What a wonderful place to sit and stitch! I have a few wall spaces in my home to decorate so I'll be reading this series.
Nice examples - love your diagrams!
I'm not sure about the timing question, either. I've noticed that posts can take a little while to show up on my collection of RSS feeds.
those first 2 pictures look JUST like what my husband did in his office... God bless him, his decorating is just plain awful! there is only so much i can push on him, but i'll do my best! maybe i'll forward him this post... ha!
happy sunday,
rachel
Nicely done PK!!
Have great week!!
Great post! I love the picture of that bedroom...just gorgeous. I'm not certain about your technical problem, but I learned a few weeks ago that the post time is on PST, not EST, so it posts 3 hours later. I've started to adjust my times for this. Not sure if that's the issue, though...
Well said! I have never thought about it before. I find that this concept is hard for people to understand as well as size- buying too small for a large area. Love the examples!
Ooh, good post. Can't wait for the rest! I have a wall that raises all kinds of these questions. Where do I enroll my walls for PK therapy?? :)
Excellent advice (and I like your little pics). One of these days I'll show you the space over my mantle where the ceiling line slopes down from left to right and the firebox is placed asymetrically. I have yet to figure out what the heck shape that wall is!
Karen - If I understand what you're saying, the answer is yes (in my opinion). I e-mailed you last night with an example of what I thought you were talking about, so hopefully you got the e-mail or are checking the post comments.
What a great lesson - I can't wait to read more!
This is some great advice - I struggled with the huge empty walls in our living room for a long time, and I think I've finally figured it out. It can be really hard to fill a space without distracting from the furniture below it! Thanks for the tips!
PS - re: your blogger question, Reader takes awhile to refresh when you add a new post, and I'm not sure there's any way to "hurry it up". :( I switched to Wordpress recently and it seems to run a lot faster. Hope you get it figured out!
This is very good advice! I for one will enjoy this series. . . or whatever you call it. :)
Post a Comment
I LOVE hearing your comments!
Thanks SO much for stopping by! Please come again! :-)