Coffee, WFH, & Gallery Walls

The above image is a vignette designed and styled for Christie’s Emerging Collectors event in NYC. Images courtesy of Christie’s Inc.

Lately, I’ve found myself drinking my morning coffee and staring at our blank dining room wall with a sense of unrest. These days, I have a feeling I’m not the only one paying a little more attention to the space they inhabit. At Studio Alyse, we are still assisting clients virtually in hopes of making their home feel more comfortable during these uncertain times. We’ve found art is a simple way to bring life into a space. We try to find pieces that are fun, but also comforting in some way.

Adding artwork instantly sparks a little joy to the space. And a little joy sounds good right about now!

Last year, I had the opportunity to speak at Christie’s Emerging Collectors event in New York City. This event strives to make art more accessible to everyone. I was honored to speak in front of a variety of collectors, from those with impressive art collections, to young art enthusiasts looking to purchase their first “big” piece. For this exhibition, I was asked to design a gallery wall made up of two vignettes. I wanted to create a vignette that felt comforting and livable. The salon-style gallery wall reveals a personal and eclectic sensibility that could easily be integrated into a real living space. Many homeowners have the tools around the house to make a vignette similar to the one pictured above, which makes it the perfect after-WFH activity! But, how do you create the perfectly balanced gallery wall? Can only a designer’s eye pull this off? Absolutely not, anyone with the right guidance and tools can achieve this look in no time!

T I P S + T R I C K S

B R E A T H E | This is meant to be fun, so think of it as a meditative practice, instead of something that has to be “perfect”. Nothing is perfect, and if you’re tackling this little project yourself, it’s best to remember: imperfection is beautiful.

P R E P | Make sure you have the right supplies before you start. I suggest a level, paper, painters tape, scissors, pencil, a hammer, nails and anchors. Know your walls - you may be able to only use nails, but anchors or picture hooks usually provide the support a frame will need.

L O C A T I O N | You’ll need to select a blank wall with optimal space. Foyer walls, living room walls, and stair walls make for a great canvas.

S T Y L E | Salon Vs. Grid: Decide if you like a structured look or a more eclectic look. Grid-style gallery walls usually have a theme and matching frames sized the same. Like the name implies, they’re hung in a more precise grid layout. A salon-style gallery wall offers more flexibility and creative freedom. These are often filled with eclectic pieces in varying sizes, hung in a more abstract orientation.

S E L E C T I O N | When selecting pieces, from children’s art to collector items, make sure each piece evokes joy. A range of media, periods, and styles are what make gallery walls unique and personalized. I love working with new artists and makers as well as antiquities and vintage pieces. I think the blend of new and old is quite beautiful in a home. The contrast of materials and styles creates a truly unique interior with an eclectic feel.

Images courtesy of Christie's Inc.

R U L E OF T H R E E | Try to find similarities in three's. For example, in the wall to the left, there are three works of art with blue accents. They're spread out from one another, but still connect and achieve cohesion. Try to find pieces that subtly compliment each other. There should always be a connecting link, even if it’s not a visual one (theme, time period, geography, etc…). Sometimes a simple black frame brings everything together. I suggest a variety of techniques and genres to create a well balanced ensemble.

P L A N | Lay out the art on the floor to start, this gives a good idea of the completed look. I suggest starting with the largest piece and going from there. If you’re planning to place the artwork on a blank wall, center it at eye level (60” from the floor). If you’re going for a gallery wall located above a piece of furniture, leave 10”-12” between the art and the furniture. This will allow for styling later, and give the art space to breathe. At Studio Alyse, we also follow the “2/3 rule” - art should be about 2/3rds the width of the furniture piece it sits above. Lastly, uniform spacing is the secret to making the gallery wall appear balanced, 2-3 inches between each frame is ideal. 

H A N G | Once you have a layout, outline each item with paper. You can use the paper cut-outs as a template on the wall before you start hammering away. From there, tape up your templates and start the hanging process. The level is you best friend during this stage.

If you follow these tips and tricks, I’m sure you’ll be on your way to a successful gallery wall! If you need help sourcing artwork, Studio Alyse is always here to help make your house feel like a home.

Hope you’re staying safe and healthy out there!

xx

-A