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There are as many ways to decorate walls with art and decorative mirrors as there are people in the world. You need not relegate yourself to current design standards, particularly when decorating with a past era in mind; however, there are common-sense “rules” and things worth considering that seem relatively timeless:
The first of mention applies to mirrors which, while both beautiful and functional, are most tricky in their use, but can be just as rewarding as an art piece. If passers-by are going to be looking into these mirrors directly, certainly you need to consider a workable height: 1) average the height of the eye-level of those who frequent the space, and 2) measure so the center of the mirror lands at that height.
Another thing to consider with mirrors is their innate ability to add light where light is lacking. Think of a mirror’s strategic placement as though the living space were a pool table with the sun being the ball and the mirror being where the ball strikes. At what angles will the light bounce through the day, and what will be highlighted as a result? This can be an amazing tool to illuminate a seating arrangement just in time for brunch, or a particular sculpture on a table, or even a piece of art on an adjacent wall.
If the decorative mirror is large enough, then what is reflected within the framed mirror becomes the art, so hang your mirror and have a seat in your favorite chair within the room. What do you see within the mirror? If you see an empty wall, perhaps that is where art comes into the picture.
First and foremost when considering art: It is your home. Decorate it your way. Some people prefer formality in groups of four, or for walls with higher ceilings, rectangles of six. Sticklers for design will oftentimes not space individual pieces within such groupings any further apart than half of the diameter of the smallest piece (this applies both horizontally and vertically). This standard is fine, but if your goal is to fill a wall and you have six pieces, then feel free to space them more liberally. Again, it is your home. If you prefer a more relaxed look, allow something special to inspire you. If you love flowers, for example, consider square-framed art as a six-petal flower with a small round mirror at the center. Perhaps a gentle arch, like a rainbow, from one focal area to another would be a beautiful way to fill what would otherwise be the empty space.
Then, of course, there are the focal areas themselves. It is fairly common-sense that if the focal point extends half-way up the wall, you would dress the wall above it to further enhance the focal area. Many people prefer to color-coordinate, but when dealing with art, color-coordination oftentimes is secondary, if it applies at all (art itself oftentimes being worthy of decorating an entire room around as opposed to choosing art according to the color of the walls).
Scale is likely more important than color, but this, too, is a matter of personal preference, and what you have on hand or can afford to acquire, and what speaks to you and brings your living space to life. (Need it be mentioned that this article would also apply to office spaces?).
Scale and placement often go hand-in-hand (scale being what drives many decorators to apply the diameter rule in formal as well as informal arrangements), and there is also practicality to consider. For example, if you have a reading chair in a corner and you wish to hang a picture near the chair, you would not hang it for convenient close-up viewing while standing, but you would hang it lower for viewing while sitting in the chair. Smaller art is most suitable for lower arrangements. Consider, though, a space where people stand, such as the foyer. This is a space for grand-scale pieces (as walls permit). This is where you draw the eyes upward toward the chandelier! You get the idea.
The decoration of walls is more than a flat surface; it is an experience. Your own imagination sets or breaks the boundaries. It’s up to you. Enjoy your space; enjoy your walls. They are giant canvases of the soul, so make them equally alive with who you are as a person. Let your walls tell the story of what you love. They will then speak to more than the eyes. They will speak to the heart and be truly rich and memorable. |