We’ve all seen them (…and maybe even had one!) – a wall grouping of Artwork or Family Photos arranged in what started out as a neat, organized grouping, but somehow metastasized into a sprawling collection of loosely related items that make it hard to focus on any one in particular. The fear that re-arranging them will result in exposed nail holes that will need to be repaired, somehow makes it easier to leave well enough alone.
The solution to this, of course, is to come up with a “plan” in advance – and sticking with it! Organize your layout in advance using pieces of paper taped to the wall, and make your frames a size that will accommodate a variety of images, allowing you to change out images without upsetting the plan.
Tiling, while a “kissing cousin” to a grouping, take things to another level.
Tiling refers to a grouping of similar images, framed exactly the same way, to exactly the same size, and arranged in a tightly organized pattern on the wall – hence “tiling” the area with artwork.
There’s something about the technique that naturally draws the viewer in. The individual images are initially viewed as “One”, and the structure of it all makes a dramatic statement that can also highlight the architecture of the space. It also somehow makes the individual pieces of Art take on an air of importance.
Botanicals, Natural History Prints, and Architecturals naturally lend themselves to this design technique, but really any type of artwork can be used. A few years back, we even had a customer frame upwards of 36 family photos in bright red frames that were hung in four rows of nine. Talk about a bold statement for a Family Room!
If you’re having a hard time finding the “perfect” piece of Art for a tricky space, give Tiling some consideration. It’s a great way to deal with a space that doesn’t lend itself to a single, hard to find image.