How to make odd numbers work

When displaying objects in your home or garden, make them look really effective by using odd numbers.

Sets of 3, 5, 7 .......

Whether this be plants, photo frames, candle sticks, mirrors.

Hanging pictures and mirrors

Things to think about

Do not drill directly above or below light switches or plug sockets as cables conventionally run vertically up from light switches and down from sockets.

A cable, pipe and stud detector is an essential tool to help locate timber studs and identify the locations of electricity cables and water pipes below the wall surface.

Consider what type of wall you are working with – for example, a solid wall or a hollow stud wall – and use appropriate fixings for the weight of the picture or mirror.

Lightweight pictures and mirrors can be hung from a pin picture hook hammered into the wall, but check first that the plaster is sound. You want the pin hook to go cleanly into the plaster and not cause it to flake away.

Masonry walls will accept some picture hooks and masonry nails. However, for heavier pictures, a screw fixing is required with the appropriate size wall plug, to ensure that the weight of the picture can be supported. A power drill or drill/driver will be required to make the necessary pilot holes.

With stud (hollow) walls, plasterboard is attached to vertical timbers called studs and horizontal timbers called noggings. Locate a timber to screw into and you have a solid fixing for the nail or screw. To hang heavy pictures on a stud wall you must find fixing positions directly into the studs.

Mirror adhesive or selfadhesive mirror pads can be used to stick lightweight mirrors to a wall surface. Do not attempt this with anything but the lightest of mirrors.

Using two people to hang a picture is best, as one can hold it in place while the other can stand back and make judgements on height and position.

Picture wire is better than string for hanging pictures, as the wire will not stretch or wear through.

Lighting is important to show off pictures to their full potential. Consider having picture lights fitted, above a picture, or directional spotlights that may be tilted and positioned as required to highlight a special picture.

An impression of space can be created by hanging large mirrors in small rooms. They can also help to bring more light into a dark room, by reflecting the natural light.

Equipment you may need

Cable, pipe and stud detector

Safety glasses

Spirit level

Tape measure

Screwdriver

Pencil

Carpenter's awl (bradawl)

Hammer

Hang lightweight pictures and mirrors

Picture hanging kit (if you have lots of pictures to hang)

Picture hooks

Hang heavier pictures and mirrors

           

Power drill (for masonry walls)

Drill/driver and bits

Screws

Spiral/self-drilling wall plugs (for stud walls)

Hollow wall anchors (for stud walls)

Hang unframed mirrors

           

Mirror screws (for mirrors with predrilled fixing holes)

Mirror brackets (for mirrors with no predrilled fixing holes)

What to do with empty frames

Have some spare empty frames in storage, instead of hiding them lean them against the wall as a display or put them on the wall.

Frames are artwork themselves even without a picture in them.

Don't have fancy frames, just simply paint plain ones to create an eye catching display.

Creating a Wall Gallery in Your Home

A gallery wall can instantly elevate the style of any space in any room in your home. Gallery walls vary greatly, depending on the décor and taste of the people doing the arranging. They can be the full length of the wall, over a couch or other piece of furniture, going up a staircase, or just about anyplace else.

Select the Art You Want to Include

A gallery wall gives you a chance to make a statement about who you are and what you like. Your gallery is a wonderful way to document and tell a story of your travels and experiences, show photos of family members through the years, display art you've collected, display hand-drawn (framed) illustrations, incorporate metal or wooden objects you've collected, and much more.

Mix it All Together

Introduce several different materials and textures. Break up framed art with wooden art, metal signs and even natural elements such as feathers, branches, found objects, etc. Have fun using your imagination.

Mix paintings and photographs, black and white with color, and high and low pieces. Gallery walls can consist of your favorite pieces of art, paintings, family photographs, trinkets from trips, metal or wooden objects, and much more. If you're looking for items to fill your gallery, go to flea markets, garage sales, thrift stores, Etsy, consignment shops, your grandmother's house, antique stores, and other places of interest. Enjoy the hunt.

Frame It

In addition to the art you select, be mindful of the frames that highlight the art. For a clean, formal, and minimalist look, select frames in the same size and color. For a more eclectic look, mix and match picture frames so it appears that you've collected the art over time. If you go online you will find many framing opportunities that are far less expensive than going to and framing shop. You can find interesting vintage frames at flea markets, antique stores, and yard sales.

Tip: If you have an unsightly object on the wall (such as the box for door chimes, why not put a frame around it to incorporate it into the gallery.

Come Up with a Game Plan

Once you have all the art you want to include, remember that placement is everything. Don't just start hanging. Here are a few suggestions for coming up with an artful wall:

Measure the amount of wall space you want to fill. Then tape off a section that size on the floor. Arrange, re-arrange, and rearrange again everything you want to hang until you come up with the gallery wall that you feel looks best. Once you're happy with the arrangement, take a few photos for reference. Or cut out paper the exact sizes of your art and tape the cutouts to the wall. Then hang your art one object at a time.

The most important thing to remember is that there is no magic formula for creating an interesting gallery wall. Don't let the process intimidate you. Just jump in and enjoy the creativity.

Source: Sheryl Roberts