Rethinking the Look of Things No. 66 - Coloring Outside the Lines: A Guide to Hanging Artwork

We all can remember when we starting coloring with crayons from the big yellow box. "Stay inside the lines" was a phrase often heard. I wonder how many creative wings were clipped with this lesson. I hope that those wings learned to spread wide and fly high so that a strong creative mind was cultivated.

In design we can find ourselves with limitations that present challenges, but how many of those limitations are unshakable?  Many times I've found myself with my tape measure in hand measuring inside the boundaries of wood moldings and been disappointed to find that the perfect piece of artwork wasn't going to fit. Until I realized that the lesson of staying inside the lines I was taught while coloring do not need to apply in design.

Learning to stretch design boundaries and push yourself to recognize the challenge is not always architectural, but often in playing by the rules. And sometimes rules are meant to be broken or rewritten. 

Don't get me wrong, I am a designer who loves a well-curated space, everything in its place, in unity and pure beauty. What I find myself thinking when a challenge arises is that in this space in front of me now - what is the best outcome for a meaningfully designed room?

After all, every design project is a different work of art. Not all rules apply to all projects. So let's learn to color outside the lines and see where that takes us. What we will see is that the perfect piece of artwork becomes even more perfect in its rebel state. That the seating not centered with the lines of the wood molding interrupts the architecture but it certainly doesn't change its beauty. 

Rethinking coloring outside the lines allows us to notice that every piece of artwork in a collage hanging over top wood molding rather than inside is worth a pause. It elevates each piece of artwork in the collage to pause status. It says, "notice me." 

We'll notice that hanging a wall of artwork where some are inside the wood molding and some are ignoring it is an indication that a creative genius was at work.

And when all the layers are placed carefully in their spots the entire space, where rules were broken; traditional thrown to the wind, has answered the call to color outside the lines.

Be inspired to rethink coloring outside the lines!

Resources: Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, House & Garden UK, Veranda, Decor Pad, New England Home, Tumblr, The Glam Pad, Pinterest

Rethinking the Look of Things No. 50 - Artwork in the Kitchen

Funny how we can subconsciously do things just because it is what we know, what we are familiar with, and what everyone else does. Let's rethink that. Are we just hanging cabinets on the wall of the kitchen because, oh I don't know, that's just what you do in a kitchen? Are we adding tile to the blank spaces on our kitchen walls because that's normal? 

Let's rethink the look of things and save those spaces for artwork that is that special we want to enjoy it even in when we are in the kitchen. 

Our kitchens are the heart of our homes. It is full of chatter, aromas, creative cooking and baking, experiments, entertaining good friends, the best place to share a piece of pie late at night with two forks! This room is full of inspiration why skip this area when contemplating where your treasured artwork should go?

Don't get me wrong, the most important design element of a kitchen plan is having all the needed storage. Just keep in mind places to put things doesn't always have to be cabinetry. It can be bistro shelves, a marble or granite ledge, suspended wooden shelves, glass front cabinets - all great places to display artwork that has a special place on the list of your favorite things.

I love artwork and when I am placing it in the home, I'm not thinking of its appropriate spot, for it is the artwork we place in the most unexpected places that sometimes we appreciate the most.  I have even hung oil paintings in a client's garage. 

Artwork is truly at home in the kitchen. Give thought to your artwork selection for the kitchen, consider the best way to install, do it without hesitation; you survived having a band aid ripped off, you can do this. Now enjoy!

The rethinking of artwork in the kitchen may seem like a tough challenge. After all, if one puts an oil painting in the kitchen is that like wearing flip flops to church? Why yes it is and neither has anything to do with irreverence, its about including it because its not a rule breaker.

Choosing and hanging (or propping) artwork in the kitchen does still have the same considerations as other art placement, excluding the subject matter. Remember scale, size, height at which it is hung,and practicality. Don't go overboard and hang art right above your stove! A good cook is most times not a neat cook, the mess happens as the menu is being created and mastered. If the art is just filling the void without thought then you picked the wrong piece.

Okay, my troops you have your challenge! Go put some artwork in your kitchen and do me proud!

Image Sources: Elle Decor, Pinterest, Deb and Danielle, Studio McGee, Glam Pad, Instagram