Decor Tips
Alternative Displays for Your Artwork
by Nancy Muldowney
Today, houses are being built with more windows to create more natural light within and to create the illusion of indoors and outdoors in closer communion with the home's activities. This gives us a more light and airy feeling in our interiors. However, it causes a bit of a problem for those of us who love to collect and hang artwork and memorabilia on our walls. Lack of walls to hang artwork does not mean you have to forego the pleasure of showing your artwork.
So what is a solution? Easels! Easels are no longer considered the solely for the use of the artist to paint on. Easels today come in all sizes and materials. There are contemporary styles and more traditional styles that will blend with all your antiques. There are small tabletop easels to display those small miniatures and graduated sizes up to floor size. Brass is a common material used for easels just as decorative woods are used.
Easels can fit into corners to fill blank spaces too. Sometimes a table or chair won't look quite right in a space but a picture on an easel will be just the right touch. Of course another very popular and trendy solution to displaying artwork is to lean the picture against the wall on a table or credenza or on the mantle. A combination of "leaning" and easel display are the answer to losing wall space.
Of course, an important element in all displays just as placement of pictures on walls is to have all pieces to be in the proper proportion for the space. Also the appropriate vertical or horizontal thrust needs to be considered. As always, the complete look of the whole display is important for the right visual impact.