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