insideKENT Magazine Issue 122 - June 2022 | Page 168

HOME + GARDEN
Curating Your Own Gallery Space cont ...
OUR TOP TIPS : It doesn ’ t have to be expensive … There is so much affordable art on the market nowadays , therefore building a gallery wall shouldn ’ t have to break the bank . Mix it up and perhaps start with your most expensive piece and then add to it with bits you have collected , secondhand gems , or bargains that you ’ ve found . The same goes for frames ; there ’ s a plethora of affordable frames out there , you just have to go in search of them .
Sea Green Gallery Wall , Beach House Art
FIND YOUR FRAMES
Framing is probably one of the most important aspects when it comes to your gallery wall and your choice of frames will heavily contribute to the overall feel . You may want to consider using the same or similar frames for a minimal , clean look . Black frames work particularly well for black and white photographs and prints and will create contrast , while lighter frames will allow the artwork to pop . For a more eclectic look however , incorporate different frames ; perhaps adding one of two ornate golds into the mix or splash of wood here and there .
Plan The Layout , Desenio
For interest , play around with frame sizes and consider borders and remember to include both vertical and horizontal pieces for the perfect balance .
PIECE IT TOGETHER
Lay everything out on the floor and experiment with placement . Focus on finding a balance that you think works for the space and always keep in mind the scale of the wall . The larger the wall the more pieces you can include , but don ’ t run the risk of overdoing it – gallery walls can quickly become chaotic ; always start small and build on it .
Consider the height of the wall and where the frames will start and finish ; if you ’ re hanging over a piece of furniture you want to consider the space in between . Also the spacing between images needs to be well thought through - start with a 5cm gap and adjust accordingly ; smaller spaces may look better closer together , or if you ’ ve a large space you may want to play around with sizes , say between 5 and 10cm – it ’ s entirely personal and whatever you think looks and works best . If you ’ re including plates , textiles or other nicknacks , you can afford to be even more experimental with placing . Again , experiment with a few different ideas and choose your favourite .
OUR TOP TIP : Use the inserts from the frames to plan your wall … Sometimes the answers are right in front of your eyes , for example the paper from inside frames is very handy for planning your layout on the wall . All you need is a little bit of blue tac and you ’ re good to go !
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