You’ve painted the walls and chosen your furniture, but how do you add that special something to give your home visual interest? Here are our ideas on bringing art and objects together to create dynamic displays.
UNEVENLY LOADED Cluster objects of a similar scale together on one side of a room, opening space opposite where something special can be displayed.
A Ben Foster sculpture sits alone on the unloaded side of the room, with just a lamp for company, drawing the viewer in. The space between the loaded and unloaded sides creates balance through juxtaposition. Create a salon hang on the loaded side, by using a mix of paintings, photos and prints in similar tones and frames so that they sit in harmony. When applying this in your own home, try arranging the artworks on the floor first, so they’re the right distance apart when you hang them on the wall. You may need to play around a bit, but persevere as the results will be worth it.
HIGHS AND LOWS Hanging art at varying heights will encourage the viewer’s eye to zig zag around the room.
Recreate this look by displaying two similar style artworks at different heights. We’ve used two Will Handley pieces of different sizes. A bench does double duty as a display ledge to lean a larger artwork against the wall, then dynamic tension is created by hanging a smaller artwork higher than expected. This is a great display idea for hallways, or walls leading to other rooms.
BUILD A PYRAMID Arrange smaller items on either side of a display, building up to taller objects in the middle.
The pyramid works particularly well on a long narrow ‘stage’, such as a sideboard or mantel. This simple but effective display idea can be created using a wide variety of objects, from very small to very large. The key is to choose a range of different sized and shaped items – old and new, rough and smooth. Think about layering to create push and pull between objects. For example, the space between the lamp and the silver jug creates an open shape that snuggly fits the smaller glass vessel.
SUPER-SIZE SCALE Use large objects to trick the eye into believing a room is more spacious.
If you’re wanting to create maximum impact in a smaller space, go for one large, colourful artwork. Pair this with simple, structured furniture, such as this BoConcept sofa with removable cushions. This will create a relaxed place to sit, while only using a small amount of space. An oversized statement lamp completes this simple trio.
BOOK ENDING Place two objects of the same height at either end of your stage to contain the items in between.
This is an easy display idea to emulate on either a small scale, as shown here with the candle holders, or on a larger scale using furniture, such as lamps or two single chairs at either side of a room. The items on either end do not have to be larger than the items in the middle, but they do need to be visually strong enough to hold it together.
For product information see the Oct/Nov 2014 issue.
Styling Amber Armitage
Photography Melanie Jenkins
