Up the Wall

You found the perfect home. You've furnished it

with the comfiest couch, the sleekest kitchen

table, and a couple of funky rugs. Then you sit

back, relax?and discover that your white walls are staring

right back at you. Now what?

Choosing wall art can be an arduous process, especially

with so many questions: What size? How many? What

about matting and framing?

Here are a few things to think about when deciding how

you're going to spruce up your space.

What images should I look for?

As a rule most people select images that mean something

to them. Some of the more popular images today include

sepia photographs, Tuscan landscapes, large flowers,

Muskoka scenes, wildlife prints, and abstracts. The common

thread that ties all of these varied subjects together is the

colours the artists have used in their palettes.

"In the past two years we have discovered that a

majority of people are selecting art to go with their décor,"

says Deena Pantelidis-Kowalski of Select Art Galleries.

"Today's trends dictate a minimalist look in art as well as

framing, whatever the choice of subject."

Photography, especially black and white, is also growing

in popularity among art enthusiasts and decorators alike.

Original photography at affordable prices can be found on

websites such as www.wallkandy.com. Shoppers can choose

from more than 100 original prints from locales including

Paris, Prague, and New York and frame the image right on

the site. Each city comes as a series, so finding six or seven

prints to fill an entire wall is a piece of cake.

What size and how many pieces should I hang?

Generally the size of the room dictates the quantity of

artwork hanging in it. First, look at the size of the wall. Is

it long, short, or very tall? For a long wall, consider hanging six or seven 16-by-20-inch frames in a row with minimal

spacing between them. For shorter walls, try a montage

effect with a couple of large- and smaller-sized pieces stacked

in an irregular fashion. For tall walls, consider a few large

pieces somewhere in the neighbourhood of 30 by 40 inches.

But be careful, warns Pantelidis-Kowalski: hanging too many

different types of pictures on a single wall will take away

from the display.

According to her, other factors also come into play. For

example, large impressionistic images require the viewer to

stand further back to get a better visual. Small, detailed images

require the viewer to stand closer. Therefore furniture

positioned in front of this kind of picture would be ineffective.

"Most artwork should be hung at eye level [of an average sized

person]," she says. "If you would like the picture to be the

centre of attention, then it should be at least a third smaller in

width than the furniture it is hanging above. You can also add

dimension to the walls by adding shelving to house art. Hang

art from the wall, prop it on a shelf-get creative!"

What framing and matting options should I choose?

The most intimidating part of decorating your walls is choosing

the right frame. A competent framer can help you select

frames that complement your picture as well as your décor.

Pantelidis-Kowalski says that this year's trends in

matting and framing include textured mats such as marble,

suede, and linens. The popular wood frames this year are

designs that are very sleek with a smooth finish. Dark

chocolate brown, black, pewter, and gold frames with simpler

lines are a popular choice. "There are many factors that

determine the final selection of framing. The framing choice can

vary depending on the colour scheme of the room and the

colours in the painting. Contemporary or traditional furniture

also dictates your framing and matting selections. Choosing wall

art does not have to be hard. Just follow these tips, grab a

hammer and nails, and start decorating."