Friday, March 4, 2011

Wall Workshop #1: Symmetry

In my anniversary post, many of you requested ideas for decorating your walls. Since I know the feeling of having those big empty walls staring at you in the face screaming for pretty things, I thought I'd start a little Wall Workshop! I'll be doing a post once a week (until I run out of ideas) to offer some tips and inspiration for getting your walls into shape! 

Phillip Gorovan photography here

Day 1's tip is SYMMETRY! Now, collage walls are kind of the big thing these days (you know I love them too)...but sometimes order is the best remedy for those big open spaces. Decorating with symmetry seems basic but that doesn't mean that it has to be boring. There are lots of interesting ways to dress it up! 

1. Mirror + Art Combo 
Use a large interesting mirror in the middle and frames around it.
 It's especially nice when the frame and mirrors have the same finish. 

Notice how it's complemented by the small console and lamps. 



Palmer Weiss via Lonny


 2. Triple Mirror Effect
(you can use long mirrors in a series to create a cool effect- Ballard designs has some great ones!)



image here

3. Pattern Play
(Go to a local specialty paper store and pick up some pretty papers and frame them. These look like some on sale Crate & Barrel but you could customize your own for a much less$)

Nest Interior Design here

 4. Collections
(frame vintage prints from an antique shop, take apart an old book, or a real collection in shadowboxes, plus you can buy new botanical prints allover these days! )




Turner Davis Interiors here

Diane Bergeron here

image here

Caldwell Flake here

5. Silhouettes 
(For a larger wall try a family photo in the center with symmetrical silhouettes on the sides)
Tobi Fairley here

6. Split Series
(buy or create a large art print and then cut and frame into 3 pieces)
The Cross Design & Decor here

7. Photo Art
(Frame a series of photos shot together i.e. same location, lighting, tones, scenes to create a piece of art)
image here

Ken Gemes here

8. Framed Fabric 
(a large scale pattern like a suzani or an ikat looks amazing framed in a series!)
image here

*If you have any specific wall questions for future WALL WORKSHOPS, leave a comment and I'll try to help.                                                            

                            Happy Weekend!

20 comments:

  1. Thanks for all the tips!!! I have a huge wall in my game room! What do you think about hanging fabric panels on a wall?? :)

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  2. Can you give pointers on how to frame fabric? Thanks a bunch!!

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  3. Wonderful ideas! I am so glad I read this post! I am always looking for new ways to hang art and give life to a room with framed pieces. I love the idea of framing inexpensive, chic paper prints! Thanks! :)

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  4. This is a great idea for a series. I always think there are so many different ways you can create interest on wall and this is the perfect way to organize the visual inspiration for that. Thanks!

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  5. i love this post.
    SO helpful.
    PLEASE keep it up.
    hoping to have decorated walls one of these days. (when we figure out if we're moving back to ny or not)

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  6. Hi Caitlin! I love your blog. I stumbled upon it a year ago and have been reading ever since. I'm so glad you are doing this series. Do you have any tips for decorating walls with a high ceiling? Thanks!

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  7. Thanks for sharing your fabulous knowledge! Keep it coming! :)

    Happy weekend!

    turnuptherad.blogspot.com

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  8. I mostly just want you to come help me with my house! Can we request that?

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  9. Love all of the ideas! I cannot wait to get my wall going once we are all moved in. Love your blog, and love this workshop, thank you!

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  10. what a great roundup! Have considered many of these, love seeing all these strategies in one place.

    Heather

    loveyourspace.blogspot.com

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  11. This is great! Thanks for all the tips! When you live in a tiny apt, sometimes the walls are the only ones left to really decorate.

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  12. I'd love to see some tips or rules of thumb for decorating walls that don't have any furniture on them. I have a few spots that have a large wall space, but don't have enough room to have some sort of a little table to ground it.

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  13. Hi. I am a huge fan of your blog. We recently built a home and we have really high vaulted ceilings in our great room and kitchen. Any tips on decorating walls in rooms with high ceilings?

    Also, I have beautiful white kitchen cabinets and I am usually NOT a fan of decorating on top of cabinets, but my ceilings are so high...I am wondering if I need something up there. And suggestions besides fake ivy??

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  14. Symmetry -- now you're talking my language! Loved the mirror and picture combinations with similar frames. I never would have noticed that without you pointing it out.

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  15. This is a great idea for a series of posts. I look forward to continuing to read them and as always get wonderful ideas. Having just moved from two living rooms to one, and adding a baby (and all the toys that she is collecting) to the family, I'm now turning my attention to rearranging the wall decorations so the timing on this series is great for me.

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  16. Gorgeous post. I love symmetry, and these are amazing examples!!

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  17. I love that you gathered up and categorized all of these, it's great to see together and consider! Walls can be so intimidating...I'm looking forward to this series!

    Right now we have a gallery wall of our favorite family photos and I love it, it's especially fun when my baby points to a photo and says "Opa!" You're post reminded me that I need to add some colorful silhouettes of our family too!

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  18. This is probably so basic that everyone already knows the answer, but I always struggle with how high to hang wall art. Hanging too high above furniture results in floating art. Too low looks cluttered (and may even result in a ridiculous height for actually viewing the art).

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