Purchasing Paintings and Acquiring Artwork to take your Interior up a Level

When decorating our home, be it for the first or the tenth time, we often leave any wall art that we are thinking of buying or hanging till last. Not because we’ve pre-planned everything and know which piece will be going where and when and why – but because wall art is rarely the primary focus when renovating a room. We often find artwork to suit whichever theme we have established in the setting already, but very rarely consider that we could flip the sequence of events and do things the other way around, instead of modelling our interior around the art pieces that set our imagination alight. Your wall art can be excellent inspiration for what the whole of your interior could look like. Not to mention, a setting that has been designed around the wall art will look that much more professional because of the way the art will exquisitely complement each and every aspect of the interior.

Why Artwork?

Don’t rush into picking the first three paintings off the shelf in a store, if it takes you weeks or even months to find that perfect piece that may mean something to you, but is also just stunning to look at, then that’s not a problem. It’s better to put in the time and energy beforehand than lazily pick some cliché artwork and give your entire home an uninspired and boring feel, without any personal touches. Don’t restrict yourself to any one style, go ahead and have a look at art ranging from neon signs and fabric lettering to sculptures and vases, though this article is geared towards paintings and other art forms related to this bracket. Artwork can be the final piece of the puzzle – tipping your interior from halfway-there to homely, as their small finishing touches can help unify your setting and assert the theme you have chosen. You will find you enjoy every aspect of your home more if it is aesthetically pleasing rather than just the place where you do your eating and sleeping! You may find yourself surprised by just how much even one painting can do not just for a room, but for the entirety of the home, as they bring a sense of sophistication and royalty, and because of the variety available, there is sure to be that one piece that catches your eye immediately and then never leaves your mind. When you find that piece, make sure no one gets to it before you do, or you’ll kick yourself if it’s gone!

Wall art can breathe life into an already tired home, or help you start from scratch if you are moving into somewhere new. Some would even say that wall art is, in fact, the most important aspect of interior design – it’s the thing that makes or breaks the room, and you want to avoid the latter! It is advised not to leave the selection of your artwork till last (although some people avoid artwork completely) because of the kind of impact and effect you can create with it. By resigning it to an afterthought you are diminishing its power! Finding the right art for you is a much more personal experience than a beginner may assume – it’s definitely enjoyable, but also teaches you a lot about yourself, your likes and dislikes, inclinations and preferences, as well as the kind of person you are, the vibe you give off and the kind of environments you thrive in. If you aren’t convinced that artwork can have a significant impact on how you feel in your home, try and visualize a gorgeous painting hanging in your bedroom or living room, a feast for the senses, as you laze about or relax with a cup of tea or a book. Wouldn’t it just complete the set? Most likely.

Personal Paintings

A common mistake made by those looking to buy some art for their home is that they go for what they think will look nice or that will complement the setting, without considering if the art itself makes them feel anything at all. It is important to pick something that you simply enjoy looking at, regardless of interior design. Your home should be a taste of you, so don’t choose the safe options in favour of designing a home that is palatable for guests or for others. It’s yours to live in! The person who should be the most comfortable in it should be you! Don’t be reluctant to break free from tradition and go for the kind of artwork you admire from a distance but feel is too bold to actually display in your home.

Painting Styles

In terms of paintings, consider styles such pop art, minimalist, abstract, avant-garde and so forth! You could also opt for traditional or ethnic paintings, which reflect a certain culture and time and place in history. You may opt for paintings from a different country, maybe because that place is your favourite holiday destination or just your home!

Pop art originated circa the 1950’s and has a distinctive comic book-inspired style. It is known for its references to pop culture (like popular cartoons or Marilyn Monroe) and is a style well suited to sleek, sharp and minimalist decors, as the artwork is often simple, yet bold and high-contrast. Because of its nature, if you want a retro 90’s look then pop art will serve you very well indeed!

Minimalism is exactly as it sounds – pretty simple and minimal! It is characterized by geometric shapes and sometimes symmetrical patterns, but on the whole, it is a very laidback and clean style of art, for those who don’t want a bombardment of the senses. Whilst minimalism may, at first sight, seem bland and boring, in the right setting it brings the optimal amount of contrast to pop out against the wall for something truly pleasing to the eye, however, to yield this effect the rest of your interior must be very deliberately designed. Minimalism is essentially based on the mantra “less is more”, so if you are a “less is more” kind of person then definitely consider minimalist paintings and art as an option for your home!

Abstract art represents a lot of ideas at once, and each person who views an abstract painting will have a different perspective on it. It is a great conversation starter as each person discusses what they see in the painting, and guests can compare and contrast ideas. This style of art is definitely suited to a contemporary, “out-there” home, that may be a bit wild and wacky, though certainly, that is not a requirement! It would flourish in a neutral setting for that is where it can truly steal all eyes instead of having to fight for attention. Abstract art is a great option to opt for if you want to shake up a certain room or environment. If your painting itself is in more neutral tones, then that gives you a lot of flexibility in terms of the kind of interior your art will complement. Neutral abstract art will pair well with a large variety of paintings to cultivate a wide variety of atmospheres and moods. In some events, abstract painting can be a good fit in a traditional setting, but only if the contrast is finely balanced and refreshing rather than obtrusive and garish.

Colourful abstract paintings give off a fun and relaxed vibe which can often help family and friends feel at ease in the living room or other social areas. Abstract art is also well suited to bedrooms which are often left looking very neutral and boring likely because people assume it is a place for relaxation and not inspiration. However this sentiment shouldn’t push to go design a very “samey” bedroom – a bedroom can be soothing and relaxing even with artwork – you just have pick the right pieces. Work environments like an office or a study room also benefit from some colourful abstract art, bringing some vibrancy and energy into a place that cries out for it!

Abstract paintings can help you set a theme and colour scheme for a room. Evaluate which colours are repeated within your paintings, and then match the rest of the interior to the same hues, for some cohesion and unity. Mix up the old and new, some abstract art with some traditional wallpaper or furniture for something unique and exciting, without either style clashing with the other.

Another interesting combination is metallic wall art in your home. It will bring a refreshing and totally unique texture and feel to any setting, and is a great way bring some real interest to a wall and an interior – and is pretty much impossible to miss or not comment on! You can opt for the likes of silver and copper metallic art for something shiny and eye-catching. On the whole, this type of art would be best suited to more traditional rustic decors like country homes, due to their its vibe.

Gorgeous Graffiti

Graffiti art is yet another tantalising option, though it is strictly not for all homes. It is unusual, but in the right setting it is an eye-grabber and a show-stealer. It can work in study rooms, bathrooms, bedrooms and so forth. Beware, in many instances graffiti is likely to have a dramatic rather than dainty impact on your interior because of its vibrancy and boldness, so use it sparingly or as a statement piece! A benefit of graffiti artwork is that you can get it custom made, and each design is usually different from the last, giving you something that can’t be bought off a shelf and that no one else has in their home except you. Graffiti is an eclectic mix of colours, fonts and shapes to make something inspiring, invigorating and youthful. It’s no longer the exclusively rough and amateur drawings you’d see on walls and in subways whilst on a walk, it’s now an art form in its own right that a variety of artists and sculptors around the world take inspiration from. Designs can vary from simple and minimalist to massive action-packed pieces, depending on the kind of impact you are wanting on your exterior.

Graffiti is particularly suited to kids’ and teenagers’ bedrooms because of its youthful and energetic vibe, and you could encourage your kids to put their own stamp on their walls with a bit of (supervised!) graffiti, like a signature or their date of birth. The graffiti can be tailored according to your child’s hobbies and likes and dislikes in terms of design and particularly colour. Graffiti need not always be colourful, experiment with some black and white graffiti and discover the emphatic effect it can have in the right setting. However, graffiti isn’t recommended for more sophisticated and formal homes, because of its informality and unabashedness. Ultimately, graffiti is meant to be personalized and an ode to your style and taste, not anyone else’s. Graffiti can also carry powerful, even political messages, and can be a great conversation piece for guests.

Wondrous Watercolour

Watercolour paintings are a more classic trend when it comes to design. They are very artsy, relaxed and free-flowing, and help a home feel much more soothing and relaxing. The watercolour effect is ultimately not too difficult to achieve, and may even be something you attempt yourself, just grab a canvas and go wild! If you create something you are pleased with, then don’t hesitate to display it with pride! There are a variety of watercolour paintings, with something sure to suit even the pickiest of tastes!

Deciding on your colour scheme is often one of the most stressful decisions when it comes to planning out your interior – you probably don’t need to be told, but if the colours are off, the room is off, if the colours are right, then the room is perfect!

Working with Colour

You may feel overwhelmed by the sheer vastness of the variety of hues you can pick from – to the point where it is difficult to differentiate one colour from the next, unless you are an experienced artist or interior designer! You may struggle whittle down which colours are a definite no, which are a maybe, and which are an almost definitely. To help you get a gist of which colours do it for you and which don’t, start out with a painting that catches your eye, and then build your colourway from there. It’s an easy way to eliminate thousands upon thousands of colours that aren’t quite your cup of tea.

Once you have your one (or maybe more) prized painting, pick only a few (3 or 4 maximum) colours from the piece to incorporate into your interior. Choose one colour that you want to feature the most heavily in your design, and then a couple of secondary colours to complement the primary hue. Make sure that the painting itself consists of the kind of colours that set it apart from its surroundings and make it hard to miss, you don’t want a painting that disappears in the backdrop in which it is placed, for that would make it a waste of money and space more than anything else. If your painting houses the right colours, any person who walks past it will experience it that much more viscerally.

One of the most classic art gallery walls is the simple white background amongst some traditional oil paintings or something to that effect. Whilst for some homes this age-old design will have the greatest impact, it is not the right choice for all interiors. Gone is the age of safe and simple art galleries and now is the time for experimentation and colour. Try to make sure your wall is an interesting colour without being too bold or brash, so that it doesn’t distract from the art.

It would serve you well to create an accent wall – one wall that is distinctly different from the rest and is the statement wall. If your walls are a darker hue your paintings will appear lighter and more airy, and if your walls are lighter paintings come across as darker. A neutral setting is advisable if you are still a beginner and are quite nervous about doing too much to your interior for fear that you may not be able to backtrack. It provides you with the flexibility to chop and change your décor as and when you please.

Technical Tips

Another tip for beginners is to opt for very similar art pieces or paintings. Artworks that are similar or identical in colour are much easier to work with and display than a variety of art which is more difficult to unify under one specific theme. On the other hand, if you are willing to be a bit bold or take a risk, try multi-coloured walls! It’s possible to have walls that are vibrant without being too much, and clashing with each other and potentially becoming an eyesore. If your focus is on a largely safe and neutral setting, bring in a few pops of colour for small bouts of refreshing contrast, this could be through wallpaper, art or other decorations – it’s up to preference, time and budget.

Try to make sure your art is of a variety of different textures – this adds extra depths and more interest to a room, instead of making it all feel very boring and one dimensional. Rough and tumble textures like metal and wood add a rustic and homely vibe to an environment, whereas sleek and smooth pieces add a sharp edge to a minimalist home.

It is also important to take the size of the artwork into account before you begin hanging up pieces. You need to measure accurately how much space you have on your walls to determine what kind of painting you can accommodate. If you pick large artwork you need to take care to make sure it isn’t too overbearing or drowning out the other elements in your interior. Equally, if your artwork is on the smaller side, make sure other elements aren’t overpowering it without giving it a chance to shine. Try to envision your painting on the wall before you actually start hammering in nails or hanging it on, as it will give you valuable insight about whether or not you have positioned the artwork in an appropriate manner to unlock its maximum potential. Also consider whether you want to go for just one piece or if your room would be better off with a gallery wall. The latter is well suited to entertainment areas like living rooms, whereas something like a kitchen might just need one painting for some slight variety.

Cutting Costs!

Purchasing original art and paintings will in almost all instances be fairly expensive, and maybe even an investment rather than a purchase. You may however be able to find some bargains online by comparing and contrasting prices of high-ticket items from different stores. If you aren’t so bothered about an original piece, then consider buying a replica that will do pretty much the same job for a much, much smaller cost. If you invest in large, original paintings, you likely should place it in a setting that is as simple as possible, so as not to distract from something that came with such a hefty price tag. This will give the painting a certain aura and boldness, making it the undeniable star of the room, and maybe even the house!

Hanging Your Art

How you are going to hang the art you purchase can be as important as the art itself. If this job is done poorly it can be a real eyesore, and not only ruin the painting but ruin the entire interior for you as well as guests! If art is going to be hung poorly, it certainly may as well not be hung at all. When hanging your painting/s consider the space available, if you have tall walls then you have the option of placing artwork higher than usual, but equally if your furniture or the floor elements of the setting do not reach very high then a painting that is closer to the ceiling may look awkward and out of place. As a general rule, you want to make your art look as though it is taking up the largest amount of space possible, for maximum effect, but also so that the environment does not look too crammed, which can sometimes happen when a variety of design elements are all in close proximity. If you are torn between two sizes that are fairly similar, it is generally advised to try out the larger size first.

Now, some people don’t have the time or effort to hang up paintings – it is definitely more work than it first seems. Others don’t have the possibly of hanging art up because they are renting their living space. In this case, you probably want to consider just leaning the art, on some drawers or on a shelf, so that you can still display it without putting nails and holes in the wall. You may even want to consider mixing it up – hang some pieces, and lean others – this works surprisingly well and adds interest to an interior, as well as adding levels and dimensions to the design. When hanging, you may opt to go for the strict, traditional rule of exact measurements and neat rows. Equally, you may choose to create more of a free-flowing display that you feel complements your home better. Either way, it’s important to remember that there isn’t only one right way to hang art – it largely depends on the person and the interior.

An imaginative gallery wall can be a more accurate reflection of you as well as the other aspects of your interior, and can help cement a certain vibe and atmosphere within the home. However, it’s still worth keeping some tips and rules in mind, so that you can take inspiration from them without copying them to the dot. Placing your painting/s around 56” / 57” from the ground keeps it at a general eye level, making for comfortable and pleasurable viewing for the vast majority of guests. Be sure to remember that it is the centre of piece that should be 57” from the ground, not the very tip of it. Sure, you’ll have to do some calculations and measurements, but if you take your time to get the numbers right it will definitely be worth it! However, in amidst all the precision don’t forget to still inject some of your unique creativity into the display, it is a great chance to make use of your individuality. Even get the family involved in deciding where certain pieces should go and why. Ultimately, the call is yours about whether you will hang up a multitude of paintings or just one, extra special, piece. You may already have a Van Gogh in amidst your storage boxes!

If you really want to go the extra mile, try hanging art that traditionally is not hung, though you’ll need the help of some special tape and hooks, and maybe a professional too! If you want a display that is staunchly minimal, then hold back on all the paintings and select only the very best few. If you want your space to be busy and lively, hang all of them up! You can choose between symmetry and no symmetry, and could even try making cool shapes, designs and patterns out of your paintings. You could also just hang the paintings pretty casually, creating a more relaxed vibe. If you aren’t bothered about the maths or measurements, just go with what you feel! It is your living space after all. Mix up the styles and sizes of the paintings you hang up to give guests a surprise and something new to look at as they wander from room to room.

A bold wallpaper behind the artwork will also help to draw attention to it. Of course, try and keep some cohesion between the artwork and wallpaper, so that it looks deliberate and planned rather than a bit too eclectic! If there is no cohesion, often the wallpaper and paintings can fight each other, meaning neither piece really keeps its place and can be admired for what it is.

Ideas for places to hang your paintings include: living room, stairways, corridors and bedrooms. You need to take into account if the place the painting is situated in is a standing or sitting area. If it is a standing area like a hallway then naturally the painting should be placed higher, in the region of 60” to 63”, to adjust to a higher line of sight. This is particularly true for hallways with rather high ceilings. If it is conventionally a sitting area then the painting would benefit from being hung lower. If you want to experiment with different heights then enlist the help of someone else, and ask them to hold up the art at various heights, whilst you stand or sit at a distance and evaluate the effect the height has on the artwork. Whilst you are in this position, take a moment to evaluate the furniture or possible distractions around the paintings to decide if it a good placed for it to be hung. If you are hanging your painting above furniture or a TV, hanging it a bit closer to said furniture can sometimes have a complementary effect, where all the pieces work with rather than against each other, making a cohesive whole. However, this effect tends to only work for art that is on the larger, rather than smaller, side.

Finding a Frame

You may also want to consider framing your art before hanging it, though make sure beforehand that this is compatible with your budget. The easiest options are the sophisticated black and white frame, which can suit a wide variety of styles and hues. If you are unsure about which frame will complement your art the most, start with one of these two options. You may want to frame each piece in either all black or all white, or mix up the colours. It’s possible to leave some unframed for a more rough and reckless vibe. You may think leaving artwork unframed is foolish or a missed opportunity, but this is simply a common misconception. Not only does all art not need to be framed, some artwork is worse off because of a frame! You can mount canvas paintings in a way to leave the edges exposed for something a little different.

However, if you are definitely wanting a frame then you must begin by determining the kind of style and genre your painting falls under. If you have a more traditional piece then your frame should reflect and complement that – go for something like a wood frame or a more expensive gold or silver one, to add to the sense of history and mystery. More contemporary art could benefit from a simple frame. You can also find frames that combine these two, if you are wanting the best of both worlds and are unsure of which style of frame to commit to. The great benefit of a frame is that is makes it easier to mount art on the walls, or at least easier than if the art was not framed. Don’t be afraid to shake up your interiors, place some contemporary frames and art in a more traditional room, and vice versa. Whilst it is tempting, try to avoid going for the same frame for each and all of your pieces – it gives off the impression of being repetitive and uninspired. Mixing up styles, sizes and colours when it comes to frame can reap great rewards, and add a personal touch to your décor.

If you have a large piece, a larger frame would go well with it, as well as a smaller, or less wide, frame for a smaller piece of art. If the painting itself is bright and lively, it wouldn’t be wise to choose a frame that is bright and lively also, as the entire piece will become too overcrowded. Try and achieve a pleasant balance between busy and quiet. Frames can also help dress up what might be a mediocre piece of art. If you can’t afford to go for the more expensive pieces, consider framing a cheaper piece to make it look like hot property! This is a great option for those interested in being more cost-effective, or who maybe have only begun to experiment with paintings as décor.

So there you are, these were some tips on what kind of paintings and art styles may be the right ones for you, and how to display them in your home in the most effective manner possible. Now of course, decorating with paintings can be very expensive indeed, so it is advisable to go for testers and tasters and to shop around to make sure you have picked the perfect pieces for the perfect price. If you already know you want to use paintings as wall décor, then use the options above to decorate on a budget, with the same going for if you rent rather than own your property. Happy decorating!

source https://www.otomo.co.uk/blogs/news/purchasing-paintings-and-acquiring-artwork-to-take-your-interior-up-a-level

Using Wall Furniture to Save Space but Still Amaze

Most of us want our home to feel warm and inviting, for our family as well as for guests. We often hang up and display photographs, paintings and maybe even quotes that give a taste of who we are and who we’ve been. Whilst they can be stunning and bring an entire room to life, sometimes it just isn’t practical to have ginormous (and expensive) paintings on every wall in every room. Whether our restrictions are our budget or our space, sometimes we need to be cleverer about how we are going to decorate our home without cramming everything in and then realizing we haven’t got much space left for necessities such as storage units.

Wall furniture is a great answer to the dilemma of limited space, as they can serve two purposes – function and aesthetic. Wall shelves can be a statement piece and conversation starter in themselves, whilst also giving you the liberty of being able to store things on them for convenience so that you don’t have to put away photos and art that mean a lot to you due to a lack of space. Below are some ideas of wall furniture you could purchase, or even make yourself! They can be adapted to suit any budget and any taste, and there are also a few DIY ideas if you are more hands-on and have a little bit of spare time to devote to a project. If you are running low on time, a trip to local furniture stores or even a glance on websites will give you thousands upon thousands of options to choose from, so go wild!

Wall Furniture Floating Shelves

The first popular idea for wall storage that is both pretty yet practical is the humble floating shelf. Floating shelves are pretty basic and bare all things considered, however, they are a tasteful little addition to any home and are useful for displaying decorations or equipment. Due to their simplicity, they are very versatile, and a floating shelf need not just be a shelf, it can be a part of a large composition of floating shelves that can be arranged in quirky ways to create the image of stairs, pyramids, circles and so forth. The only limits are the space available and your imagination.

Floating shelves are particularly suited to areas in the house like the living room, study room or office. They eliminate the need to open and close doors every time you want to quickly grab something, which is something you may have to do for cupboards or drawers, and in this regard floating shelves are much more efficient and convenient. If you have a small room or a tight space, floating shelves could be a lifesaver for you as the shelves themselves (depending on the design) take up minimal space. It could also be worth making your own shelf or carefully customizing a store bought one and tailoring it to your specifications so for maximum space efficiency.

Because of their aforementioned versatility, floating shelves can be altered in style and colour so that they complement pretty much any theme or style or your setting may have. They can suit traditional, abstract, contemporary and minimalist decors, among many others. Vary up the design and colour of the floating shelves you buy or make for something explicitly “out there”. For unique floating shelf ideas consider implementing circular floating shelves in your home – they will be certain to catch your eye from a mile away!

In the same way, corner shelves can help to make the most of those pesky corners that are often difficult to dress up in any way. They also take up an oft-forgotten place and so are unlikely to get in the way but will still manage to turn heads due to a distinctive style. You can opt for expensive shelves that are purely for decorative purposes, but beware that if you try and sneak on some ornaments or anything of the sort they may become damaged by the additional weight, as they aren’t built to withstand much pressure,. Consider carefully whether you actually have space for decorative shelves or if you need ones that are multi-purpose.

Show off your Own Shelf!

If you mulling the idea of making your own shelf take into account a few of these ideas about what you could do to make the perfect one. You could use wooden crates or wooden sticks to assemble a shelf. A crate, in particular, is very handy because there are fewer modifications required – just nail your crate to the wall horizontally and once you are certain it is strong and stable you’re good to go! Before mounting the crates, you can paint or decorate them in various ways for a personal look, and encourage other family members to add their own little imprint on it too. Even if you leave the wood as is, it will have a lot of natural beauty and design to hold itself up. Put together several crates for one mega piece, which would work particularly well on an accent wall. You could also repurpose out-of-use instruments or sports equipment such as skateboards by making a few minor changes and then simply mount on a wall. An old table can be used in much the same way. Cut the table in half and voila! You have the basis of two shelves already. It is even possible to hang buckets on the wall as a quirky form of wall furniture.

Whilst wood is usually one of the first if not the first materials to come to mind because of its warmth and sturdiness, you need not limit yourself to only this. After all, if you want a clean, sharp living area then wood may not be too conducive to that. You could try something like copper instead, which is a popular choice for ornaments and other decorations and can work well as a shelf too. It is malleable enough that it can be prised into a variety of shapes, whilst having enough strength to support whatever you place on it. If you are really willing to splash out, opt for marble. The process for making shelves out of marble is much the same as it is for other materials, though you may need some industry standard equipment to work with a material such as this. These shelves can go in corridors, kitchens or even bathrooms.

You can also experiment and challenge yourself with some DIY in the kitchen. One popular idea is to make your own spice rack so that spices are in reach whenever you need to grab them. The design must be practical, otherwise, the spice rack will serve little to no purpose and just become a waste of space. Before you even begin buying or recycling materials, do a survey of the amount of spices you use and the containers they are in, then model your spice rack on your specific mix of spices, so that each has its own space without getting in the way of the other.

Mixing it Up

If your wall furniture is a bit too bland or safe with its colour choices, instead of throwing it out and paying a lot of money for something entirely new, you could spruce up your current furniture! Accessories like decals or stickers can bring brighter hues and some vibrancy into a boring home. What’s more, they aren’t as permanent as the likes of wallpaper. Bored by the renovation you made six months ago? Simply remove your accessories or swap them out for a new style or colour. In this way, they are a lot more cost, time and labour efficient. Use accessories on your wall furniture that contrast with existing hues and textures for something for interesting to the eye, but try to make sure there is a general theme or cohesion within the entire piece, otherwise, it can come across as ill-thought-out and rather slapdash. You can even put silly or sophisticated lettering on your shelves and cupboards for a personal touch. Spell out names, messages, quotes, labels – anything that comes to mind.

Technology Tips

To vary up your storage spaces, instead of using all rectangular or square units, throw some other shapes in there! Think hexagons, circles and triangles for a clean, geometric look. Mix up between tall, narrow, wide and so on to keep things fresh and interesting instead of too safe and samey. Another interesting look would be to assign one wall as the “gadget” or “entertainment” wall. This wall would display things like TV’s, speakers, home assistants like Google Home or Amazon Echo, as well as any other fancy gadgetry you may have or are planning on buying! Depending on how much or how little technology you have, you can choose to go for a simple, minimalist entertainment wall as these can sometimes have a more striking effect. You may want to consider this path if you have or will be getting a rather large TV, as too many things surrounding it on the wall can lead to a very cramped feel, and take away from the natural “wow” that a large flat screen can bring (provided it has been designed with aesthetics in mind). It could be worth hanging up your large TV, and maybe some speakers or a sound bar on the shelf or storage unit below.

If you want to maximise the show-stealing effect a gorgeous TV can have, then consider getting a personalized frame around it! These can sometimes be pricey however if you want to make sure your TV is complementing the theme of the room or of your home as best as it can then it may be an option you seriously want to consider. TV’s don’t tend to come in vibrant, experimental colours – companies try to stick with neutral tones as they are the safer option for most homes. However, a neutral tone may not bring the oomph you want from your TV, especially if you are wanting to make it a statement piece, so a frame around your TV can help add a pop of colour or a personal touch if that is what the room is lacking. The frame need not be like the kind of frame you’d expect around a photograph or painting – tightly bordering the edges – it can be spaced out, leaving a gap between the frame and the TV where the wall is showing. This adds another dimension of colour and texture, and though it won’t be the best option for every home, it will be a great option for some!

For a unified look, you could ensure that everything is mounted with the same colour and texture of finishing i.e. chrome, silver or even wood! In this way, you can have a certain running theme throughout the wall where everything complements instead clashes each other. Perhaps you could go for a wallpaper of a lighter hue if all your entertainment systems are leaning towards the deeper and darker colours or vice versa. This helps the wall and the technology be distinct from each other while still working together – and one can pop out against the other.

If you’ve got stray or backup wires or little things like remotes or batteries, invest in a couple good quality baskets to store them in. This goes a long way in helping keep the living room tidy instead of constantly cluttered but also contributes to that sharp, minimalist look mentioned earlier. Of course, you can scour the internet or local shops to find the perfect baskets to complement the room, but you could even try your hand at making your own. It largely depends on how hands-on you are, it may be more convenient to buy instead of DIY! If you are storing some items that are only used infrequently you may want baskets or boxes that come with lids to prevent them from collecting dust and becoming a pain to maintain! Woven baskets are a gorgeous touch and bring a rustic, homely feel to a setting with their unique texture. If a traditional, country theme really tickles your fancy then you can assert this theme with the use of jars and jugs for a more “rough” rather than sophisticated look.

Interesting Ideas

A mirror, though of course very practical, can also be useful as a quirky and bold form of wall décor. If the room can handle it, try out a big mirror that covers a significant amount of a wall for a stunning effect. Mirrors are also known for helping smaller spaces look more spacious due to their ability to reflect light. If space is really tight, then a very large mirror may not be the most sensible option, seeing as space would be a luxury. More often than not, a collection of few, large items, has a much greater impact on a setting than several small decorations. Regardless, try to keep items within a close vicinity for significant, sizable impact. If decorations are scattered on different walls many meters apart it is difficult to cultivate a certain mood or atmosphere, and each individual piece loses out because of it.

Wall furniture ideas for the kitchen include signs, baskets or spice racks, among many other possibilities. Instead of implementing woven baskets into your living room, you could try them in the kitchen, for a warm and inviting atmosphere is what can sometimes be a cold, harsh and neglected place. After all, there should be something in every room to bring a smile to your face or be a comfort in one way or another! If you have special cutlery or dinnerware that you shelled out for to use on special occasions, display them year-round on some shelves, with the help of plate hangers. After all, it really would be a shame to keep beautifully crafted, ornate dishes and cutlery have hidden away from public view, when often they are so mesmerising to behold. In a similar vein, pots and pans that undergo day to day use can also be hung from hooks on your kitchen walls for an extra dimension of sparkle and shine (only once squeaky clean of course!).

Cabinet Calamities

If you have some items or decorations you wish to display, but find that room on your walls is pretty scarce, you might be tempted to display things further up, nearer to the ceiling. This may be on a shelf or more commonly on top of a cabinet, where we may place little plates, photos or trinkets for the sake of filling up space or adding colour or even new textures. It can be very inviting, if we see some empty space on a shelf or a cabinet with an empty roof, to place something on there for the sake of placing something on there. You may be guilty of this, but no doubt in the next 5 homes you go to you will also be able to find an example of this somewhere. It is important to truly consider whether the space you are filling really needs to be filled and if the décor you are placing actually contributes to the design element or is simply lost in the crowd. If the answer seems to be the latter – leave the space as it is, eventually any space that may stick out as being uncomfortably bare will soon become a part of the overall aesthetic. It is advised that if you have less than 2” to 3” of space above a cabinet, particularly in kitchens, then the left space as is instead of placing something there that will ultimately be pointless.

Items placed up high are usually hard to look after and often end up simply collecting dust due to neglect, as you could potentially even forget that you placed them up there in the first place, due to a lack of effect. Furthermore, placing decorations up high on cabinets can divert our eyes upwards and our attention away from the real statement pieces and stars of the room, which would mean there is no point shelling out for big-ticket items in the first place. Don’t distract from the pieces that bring charm and character in favour of filling up those difficult spaces that tread the line between bare and full-as-they-are. However, in some circumstances (and only some!) a cabinet could benefit with a bit of décor, but this would be dependent on certain conditions being met.

If your cabinet is short, or just a fair distance below the ceiling, it may meet the criteria for a bit of interior design. Before you cram the top of the cabinet with old memorabilia or some fake plants, consider what effect you want to achieve by placing something on top of the cabinet. It may be you want to bring a bit of vibrancy and colour to the setting. Equally, if your cabinets seem to be a little too short, you may want items that can help “increase” the height of the cabinet, or at least give the illusion of doing so. In this case, use big and bold decorations, for small and intricate pieces will do very little to extend the cabinet, and will be too far away to truly be appreciated for their ornate details, and thus will be a waste of space, money and effort. It is imperative to keep in mind that items on top of a cabinet will be viewed, in most distances, from a fair distance away, and so if they don’t have a bold impact from afar then they aren’t really serving a purpose being on top of the cabinet.

Consider items like boxes, or again baskets, or large vases of pretty much any style to fit your theme. These can also be very practical as they can be used for storage. It would be wise to have a few of a similar type of big and bold decorations for the maximum impact when viewed from far, as they can all blend together to give the illusion of one, larger piece on top of the cabinet instead of a few little ones.

This could be an opportunity to showcase something special that you may have hidden away in storage, or to purchase something beautiful that you had your eye on but you didn’t have a reason to purchase. It would be ideal if, instead of just a solitary item, you had an entire collection to display, as there are few better places to put it! Just because you have a few large items together on top of the cabinet, doesn’t mean they will have the intended effect, you need to ensure the pieces are all unified by way of colour or at the very least, style. The repetition of patterns and colours will ensure that the piece on top of the cabinet is not lost, but able to catch one’s attention and be appreciated for what they bring to a room, be that colour, style or atmosphere.

Another idea, to avoid the hassle of placing decorations in difficult places, is to hang up a curtain. However, the most important thing to reiterate that every item placed up there must be deliberate and serve a very specific purpose (maybe more than one purpose). If you place any old thing up there because it looks mildly interesting it detracts from the time and effort you put into making the rest of the room as gorgeous as it could be.

These were but a few ideas about how to implement wall furniture into your home for something that is unique but still useful. You’ll find that once you have your shelves or baskets or racks up on the wall you’ll find it hard to ever live without them!

 

source https://www.otomo.co.uk/blogs/news/using-wall-furniture-to-save-space-but-still-amaze

How Wall Plants can Improve your Home and your Health!

If you think your home is lacking a bit of freshness or greenery (or if you’re just nuts about nature!) then you may want to invest in wall / vertical gardens or some indoor planters, to bring some of nature’s brilliance inside your home instead of just out in the garden. Greenery is perfect for squeezing out as much charm as possible out of those tight little spaces that often feel like they can’t accommodate any kind of decoration.

Along with the ability to bring a tired house back to life, they can also fill up the largest or littlest of spaces, without taking up any of the floor and becoming a trip hazard! However, plants aren’t just good for filling empty spaces, they can be real statement pieces and often the star of the show! You can pick between thousands upon thousands of varieties, and find a plant in any colour or with any kind of style. You can even dye your plant a different colour if you change your mind, though you will have to do some thorough research beforehand to avoid killing your plants. They cannot really be resuscitated and so all your hard work and time could potentially go to waste!

Go along to your nearest garden showcase or workshop to find out from industry expects which plants will be the most effective in your home, but are still suited to your experience level when it comes to tending to plants. Some plants require no water, some require a bit of watering here and there, but some need a constant eye on them if they are more pernickety! Of course, there’s the added bonus of the oxygen they will produce for your environment (if you look after them well!) as well as the environmentally friendly nature of plants as wall décor. After all, it is easy to see that using plants instead of plastic paintings is better for the environment, as they reduce our carbon footprint.

You may be inclined to believe that keeping plants within your home or hanging off your walls as a form of decoration, is a modern, avant-garde type of décor. Interestingly enough, this is a practice that precedes modern times, and there is even evidence of this form of design being used in the ancient world of Babylon. It just goes to show the timeless wonder and beauty of nature, and plants as a form of decoration are unlikely to ever go out of trend or stop being a refreshing addition to a home. Plants work fantastically well in modern and traditional settings alike, as long as you go with the right variety and are very particular about where they are placed and for what effect. You may already have a theme that the plants must complement, or equally, you may just want an array of bold and brash colours to bring some vibrancy into any setting, though the living room particularly is often a candidate.

Home-made Herbs

If you want some greenery in your kitchen, why not go with a herb garden? In much the same way you’d grow and tend to regular flowers, you can grow and tend to herbs and be left with a fantastic garnish or ingredient at the end! Herb gardens will become essential to you if you consider yourself an experienced cook, but equally, if you are interested in the world of cooking a simple herb garden could help you along with your foray into food. Either way, there are few feelings comparable to eating food you have grown yourself!

Loving your Living Wall

If you are really daring, instead of a few plants here and there you could create an entire living wall / vertical garden! It would likely make sense to then have this wall as your accent wall, so as not to attract too much attention away from something so beautiful, or have the wall compete with another statement piece for attention. If the idea of a living wall is, um, growing on you, then you may not want to delay getting started. They can take a while to perfect, as you will likely make little tweaks here and there. If you are planning to grow seeds rather than buying matured plants, you will need a lot of patience as they grow into something magnificent, but as with a lot of things that take time and effort, the end result will be worth it! Be sure to enjoy the journey of a blossom rather than just the finished piece itself, for you will feel much more pride and joy in your creation if you do.

When it comes to maintenance, over-watering your living wall can often be just as big a problem as under-watering it. Watering your wall too often can severely damage or even kill your plants, and also contributes to the growth of mould, which certainly is not a welcome presence in a home. Do what you can to make sure your living wall is one that is in direct sunlight, as this is imperative if you want your plants to thrive and blossom to their full potential. Often this means you will need to choose a wall that is near to a window that can let in light. Also, take care not to overdo your wall in terms of décor – let the plants do the talking. If you add too many cool and crazy patterns, colours and decorations you can run the risk of ruining the elegant effect of the plants. If there are noticeable blank patches in your living wall, you could potentially hang a frame or two or something equally personal, as long as your item/s of choice complement the greenery. In most cases, however, a living wall that is minimalist in style will have the most profound effect on a set.

More Than a Just Pretty Face

Now, the average Joe will agree that plants are a marvel to behold – they possess a certain effortless beauty and are very pleasing to the eye. However, underneath the surface, they do more than just sit and look pretty, and in fact, extensive research and psychological studies have shown that plants have other benefits to our health and wellbeing that may come as a surprise to you.

It has been proven that office workers have higher levels of productivity when in an environment that incorporates greenery. They are also off sick less often, and even make fewer errors in any tasks they complete! Greenery also has a positive effect on patients in hospitals, and students in classrooms. Plants are of course adapted for efficient gas exchange, and thus a benefit of having plants indoors is that they reduce the level of carbon dioxide in your surroundings. They also reduce the amounts of certain pollutants that may be present in your environment as well as tackling some of the dust that may be floating around, which could be particularly useful for those who find that dust often sends them into a sneezing fit.

Studies have shown that plants’ leaves can even absorb or reflect noise to a certain extent and therefore can help to reduce some of the background noise that may be present in an office or classroom, perhaps due to heavy traffic or a lively city. Plants have even been proven to improve systolic blood pressure levels, reaction times and even concentration/attentiveness! Plants truly are nature’s medicine!

Picking Plants

When it comes to which type of plant is the best for you, you need to consider what exactly it is that you want from the plant. Do you want a long, droopy variety that will have the effect of drapes and would work well in a living wall? Then you may want to consider the likes of the aubrieta and dichondra. Do you want to go for pure beauty and elegance, something that instantly catches the eye of anyone who enters the room? Then plants such as the Calatheas or Neoregelia may be for you, and as a bonus they don’t need natural sunlight to grow, making it that much easier to look after them! Do you need something simpler, just to fill a blank space? Then consider plants like the Pothos or English Ivy. If your primary concern is maintenance of the plants, then you may want to prioritize air plants, which are a variety of plants that don’t even need soil to be able to flourish, or succulents, which are also very easy to tend to do. These two types of plants are an ideal choice for a beginner, who may not have had much experience looking after plants before.

Presenting your Plants

Once you know which varieties of plants will be the right fit for your home, get creative about how to display this gorgeous greenery in a way that will do it justice! There’ll be a variety of pots and planters you can purchase to display your plants, but you could also try your hand at making your own planter! This way it can be personalised to your style and specifications and is more likely to complement your home nicely. You could use a trellis (propped against a wall or hung up) and have some hanging plants criss-cross through it for something fabulously unique. You could try some sleek and stylish geometric planters if your home has a more sleek and modern theme.

If you want something really out there perhaps you’d like to consider upside down planters! These can be suspended from the ceiling if plants that are the right-side-up are just too mainstream for you! You don’t need to worry about how the plants will be cared for and watered, upside down planters feature innovative designs that mean maintenance is still possible. You can also fashion a simple herb garden using rods and curtain rings, or perhaps with the use of a pallet or crate. Pockets can be crafted out of sturdy materials such as wire or plywood. Using wood as your primary material will produce something that is particularly warm and comforting. The benefit of making your own plant or herb display is that you can chop and change the size and style whenever you wish, maybe by repainting the panels or adding stickers and decorations. You also get the satisfaction of having made something with your own hands! You can find a bank of videos and forums online each with their own unique take on a DIY planter you could make, with step by step instructions and sneaky tips and tricks, if you are interested in the DIY route and want to see what options you have.

If you’re not into the idea of hanging plants off walls, there are a large variety of other styles you could opt for. These include concrete planters to suit a minimalist home, or maybe hexagonal planters for something elegant and chic. You can even use old boots and other shoes to grow plants in, for a more homely and rustic setting. Encourage the little ones to each grow their own plant in an old throwaway shoe. You could also experiment with the likes of mason jars, with an added advantage being that these are easy to transport and place on a windowsill, which is the place that will be seeing the most sun in all but a few homes!

There aren’t many limits to how or where a planter or pot can be placed. If your planter is on the larger side you may be more constricted as to where you can place it, maybe on a large shelf or windowsill. Smaller planters can be placed a larger variety of places, perhaps on a table or even in the corner of a bookcase. You can place pots in ascending order on a shelf, or if you are creative you could find a way to make other shapes or even a pyramid with your plants! You may or may not choose to leave that to the pros though! Of course, it is not a requirement to have multiple pots and plants, if the only one does the job, then one is enough!

These are just a few of an ocean of ideas about which kind of greenery you could potentially incorporate into your home and how. Plants possess a natural therapeutic beauty, but more than that they also have positive physical effects on those who are near them. They may not be the ideal for all homes, but they can add a breath of fresh air to most any room, and are definitely worth any time you may have to give them!

You might also like Wall Art

source https://www.otomo.co.uk/blogs/news/how-wall-plants-can-improve-your-home-and-your-health

How to Make a Stunning Gallery Wall

A bare wall is a license to thrill. While you may look at it with misery wondering how on earth you are going to bring life to it, do not despair - an empty wall is simply an opportunity for you to start afresh and express your unique brand of thinking! It’s your chance to make your house feel like home, and no doubt you will be keen to achieve that as soon as possible, for it helps us feel comfortable in a new and alien environment.

One of the more traditional ways to fill up a wall in your living room or bedroom would be to transform it into a gallery wall. It’s a great way to dust off the photos that have been neglected in the albums and instead display them for family and guests alike. The walls will serve as an ode to memorable times, a story of where you’ve been and who you are. They can also be an expression of your personality or more ordinary day-to-day life if you display photos of your favourite hobbies, pets and so much more! You can display mementoes of special events like birthdays, weddings and other such celebrations. Of course, instead of the theme being family or memories, you could go more abstract with photos of scenery or quirky quotes – pretty much anything that gives an idea of who you are and how you function! If you have a favourite musician or a favourite place in the world or even a favourite flag, you can buy a professionally shot high-quality photo and then frame and hang it. Either way, it’s a great way to personalise a room rather than to simply decorate it with flowers or wallpaper that may not necessarily mean as much to you or say much about you either.

Another bonus is it’s a great way to decorate without risking knocking things off the shelves, as everything is hung up securely so that even the little ones (hopefully) can’t wreak havoc on them! Forming a gallery wall, whilst not the most difficult thing to accomplish, isn’t the easiest thing either. For one, you may struggle to find enough photos that you are happy to put up on display, or you may feel that the photos still don’t really make space feel alive or give it character. It may be that your photos themselves lack character, try to go for fun, impromptu shots that exude a fun vibe. You could potentially book a photoshoot to try to achieve that same effect. Equally, be sure to dust off every last album and even check your devices for quirky shots that are a great reflection of you and your family.

Complementing Colours

Survey your surroundings, and consider whether they would benefit from some vibrancy or colour, or if they’re better suited to more neutral and classic tones. Remember that the colour of your walls will have a sizeable impact on the photos you place on the wall – make sure they aren’t too samey, but that they don’t clash either. Consider of course, what colour your photographs are – is there a theme? Are they black and white? Are they all in colour? Or are they a mix of both? Depending on how old the photo is, it may have even begun to fade as it ages – in some cases, this could be to your advantage, but in other cases less so.

A display may work better if you use similar photos for the sake of uniformity i.e. all black and white or all in colour, or alternatively similar frames. Matching some aspect of the photo (its frame, colour, theme etc.) is a great way to create a symmetrical display that could be much more pleasing to the eye. It’s also handy for making a display feel complete and finished, rather than lacking in something you can’t quite put your finger on. Try to make sure that the surrounding decorations also benefit the photographs in some way, so that the different aspects of the room work together instead of against each other. You could endeavour to match the frames or the photos with the furniture in the room, or even the walls or wallpaper.

Black and white is a particularly popular theme with gallery walls, and it’s easy to see why – you can never go too far wrong with it! It is a classic combination that has withstood the test of time and trend. The photos themselves look sophisticated and chic. It also makes choosing frames and other colours for your room a lot easier, as you can stick with neutral and safe colours, that can be swapped out for something for bold and daring once you feel ready for it. It’s difficult to control the array of colours that will be present in our photos, with scenes of holidays and vivid celebrations, and this can be a problem when you try to balance these colours out to create a cohesive display – it can sometimes just come across as a bit of a mess. You may want to consider converting these photos to black and white or making a copy and then converting those specifically for your display. Another sneaky advantage is that the photos won’t fade or yellow as quickly, if at all, and so can maintain their charm for decades to come. To balance out darker photos, go for a frame of a lighter hue and vice versa. You also have room to experiment with the colours and textures of frames, if you aren’t wanting a completely black and white makeover.

If you aren’t up for anything bold, don’t hesitate to still bring some lighter colours in, and maybe a few eye-catching contrasts here and there for something refreshing (providing it isn’t overdone). A more vintage and retro look can be achieved by incorporating sepia tones into the frame or picking photos that may have naturally faded to take on a sepia hue. The shade gives a particular historical feeling and some may think it too formal for their bedroom when others find it to be their cup of tea. Once again, a bold frame may complement the photo nicely. For a more colourful gallery go for more light and airy tones like white and yellow, that bring more of a fun and easy-going vibe rather than the more formal, neutral tones. You could even experiment with the likes of ombre frames if you really want something out there!

Displaying Your Frames

Whilst the photos you choose will certainly take centre stage, do not underestimate the importance of how you display them. Your family photos need not stick out like a sore thumb, you can incorporate into your home in such a way that they can also contribute as a design element rather than just something as sentimental and personal. Before anything else, you need to pick a wall (or more than one) that is looking bleak and tired, or maybe was once very fashionable but has now lost its charm. You may want to consider spaces such as empty walls or the wall running up a staircase, or even something like a bathroom! Try and identify which wall your eye is naturally drawn to first when you walk into a particular room – that is a particularly favourable wall to upgrade as it makes an impact right away. You may also look at awkward small spaces that maybe don’t suit typical decorations like art or flowers, but are still crying out for a bit of attention.

Evaluate what kind of structure you want to order the photos in – something rigid and organised, like a straight line? Or would you prefer something more relaxed like photos spread loosely on the wall? This will largely hinge on what kind of atmosphere your room has or you want it to have. Think how much room you have to work with – is it an entire wall? Or just a few spots that have been neglected? Is it taller than it is wide? Or the other way around? All of these will give you an idea of whether you want to hang up the entire family album or just a few of your favourites! It is important to plan ahead of time what kind of general theme your photos and frames are going to have, and it may just be that you want a more varied mix to keep onlookers on their toes! Either way, make sure you know how many photos and exactly which ones you are working with, rather than leaving that till last. When it comes to actually displaying, very few people will tell you it’s easy, but once you hit the sweet spot you will have something incredible to be proud of.

Most likely the most important reason to plan is that any mistakes made will be very costly and time-consuming! A misplaced nail or hole will be very difficult to rectify, and may get you into hot water with your landlord if you are renting! If you are unwilling to commit to a certain design just yet, it could be worth starting off with a very simplistic gallery wall and then building and developing it as you become more confident about your ideas and also have more photos that you may want to hang up! If you do not have an entire wall to work with you may want to opt for a collage or a multi-frame, as these can enable you to fit the same amount of photos into a smaller space. Make sure the photos don’t come across as too crammed or unkempt unless messy is the kind of vibe you’re going for.

A hanging kit could make life a lot easier when it comes to actually making the gallery wall a reality. Once you have your particular mix of photographs, framed or unframed, and you know your look – chic modern, abstract, traditional etc. you could start with a simple grid and then envision your gallery wall from there. Try and ensure your gallery wall is the real focal point of the room rather than having it fight for attention with another statement piece, as a clash like this can be rather unsightly. Perhaps place your photos above your sofa or television. If you are going to put photos near furniture, ensure that they complement each other in terms of colour, as this will greatly enhance not only the photos but the furniture too.

Framing photos is not an unspoken rule or a requirement. Sure it can often make a photo feel complete, but you can hang unframed photos on a line like you might do with your laundry, or find another quirky but refreshing way to display photographs. You could potentially buy one large frame and then insert lots of small photos into it for something different. You may need to trim photos for this – making them all of equal proportions will add to a clean and stylish look. Other unconventional ideas could be displaying photos on a ladder (if you have a stepladder lying around!), putting photos into charming little bottles, making a wreath or hanging photos from fairy lights. There are a million more ways to display them, it all depends on who you are and what you like.

Achieving an Atmosphere

Photographs are particularly apt at bringing some warmth and comfort into bare and cold rooms. Tell the story of your life, or your family’s life by making a chronology of family photos for guests to delve into and delight at. Be creative! You need not restrict yourself to only frames, if you make effective use of shadow boxes you can add some depth and variety to your gallery wall! You can use them to display a few photos at once – perhaps ones in the same settings or with a similar colour scheme for some cohesion. You could mix up larger photographs with smaller ones, or even try hanging similar photos or pieces of wall art together so that they come together to make “one” large picture – it’s tricky, but for some of you who are more advanced when it comes to design, it could reap great rewards! And it certainly makes a great statement piece on an accent wall.

If you want a country and homely atmosphere within your walls, retro decorations like an old record player or shop sign can help you achieve just that. Similarly, using old-fashioned frames for photos creates an aura of mystery and class around them. If you’re feeling really sentimental, try something like quotes or flower decorations or hearts around the photos of those you hold near and dear, to really make a statement! If the photo is more nonchalant you can decorate its surroundings quirkily with textiles or stickers to enhance the relaxed and fun vibe.

Personalise your frames or photos with special names or important dates so that you always reminded of your favourite moments and your favourite people in life. You can also blow a photo up onto a canvas if you are after something unapologetically big and bold, which is particularly suited to walls that have a lot of empty space going to waste. You could also personalise each frame – whilst this will certainly take more time and effort than buying a few frames, it can be worth its while. It ensures that the gallery wall does not become boring or uninspired but instead that instead there is a little uniqueness in each frame, and something new to discover each time. Go wild! Use gems, jewels buttons, sequins, cloth, crayons and anything else that you think will work. Getting other family members to personalise a frame can be an enjoyable communal activity. It can also be immensely fun to display your photos in a certain shape, for e.g. a tree or a cat, as it adds some more charm to the wall and often is very eye-catching, not to mention it allows you to put your creativity to good use!

How to Hang

If you are renting, you may not have the scope to be able to put holes in any of the walls. If that is the case you can still make a gallery wall work! You could use hanging strips, which are capable of holding up frames instead of the traditional nails on the wall. You can also chop and change photos with ease, which is not always a flexibility you get with a nail in the wall. In the event that you can use nails but only a limited amount, you could look into attaching shelving units on the wall, and then displaying photographs on those. Once again, you can rotate your photographs whenever you see fit so that all of your favourite photos can enjoy their time in the spotlight. You will use considerably fewer nails when hanging up a shelf than when hanging up each individual frame. You could also take inspiration from museums that use cables to hang up artwork so that it is simple to swap out one picture for another whenever it is required.

Touching on the practical side, you may be satisfied with making simple markings wherever you want to place your nails, making sure they are the correct distance away from each other and then getting on with the physical work. Others who want to be a bit safer, perhaps because you are still a beginner, could take measures such as tracing frames onto paper and then sticking the paper up to get an idea of measurements and distances. You can also experiment with the placing of the frames with this method, leading to a better end result, especially because you are at less risk of making a mistake!

If you are struggling for ideas about how to hang your photos, try this: put three photos that are identical in colour and size in the middle of your display – this will create a centrepiece for the centrepiece. Try and make them around eye level, the recommended distance is 60”- 66” or 152 - 187 centimetres off the ground. However, if you have very high ceilings, it would be worth hanging them a little higher up than normal. Once you have hung these three frames, you can take the display in any direction you wish. You could put rows of photos around your centrepiece, maybe making a specific shape or just placing them in neat and clean rows. You could make a cute little set of stairs by placing each frame slightly higher than the one before. Frame risers can bring your photo off the wall for a 3D kind of effect, bringing a new dimension to your wall. If you opt for shelves as suggested before, you can still experiment with a display by creating a pyramid effect. This would be achieved by putting the most amount of photos on the lower shelf, and then decreasing the numbers you go up the shelves, leading to a peak or tip.

If you are still enticed by the classic option of a row of frames, use some pins and thread/string to ensure that the line really is straight rather than wonky, which would inevitably ruin the display. Of course, you can use the likes of a ruler and other DIY tools to ensure the line is straight, for if it isn’t there’s no point even bothering with the classic look! In a lot of cases, it is preferable to keep photos grouped firmly together, as it helps to establish the theme.

These are but some of the ways you can spruce up your walls if you have been looking for ideas. Whatever you decide to do with your photos, make sure you make good use of them so that they are reminders to you and your loved ones of memories that you cherish! And just to reiterate, planning is very, very important before you begin screwing in holes or hanging nails, because should you make a misstep it can turn out to be very bothersome, and then you will inevitably end up wishing you had planned better beforehand!

source https://www.otomo.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-make-a-stunning-gallery-wall

Engagement Rings

So where does it all starts? When do you think we actually feel the need of writing this article on buying a perfect engagement ring? This article is a result of many activities done beforehand. Those activities start with liking, loving each other and then come to the idea of an engagement ring. The relationship is taken to the next level through this step. This step proves out to be a very important one as the boy and the girl both are trying to understand each other’s taste and likings for the rings. The proper and perfect solution is what each of them individually wants. This is where the men face problems as to what should be offered to the princess of their dreams. Well, here I am to solve all your problems related to the technical words of the Jewelry world and understanding the steps of a process which will enable them to purchase a ring which is going to be as perfect as that of the princess of the gentlemen. Let’s start the incredible hunt then! Let us search for the minute elements which make a big difference in the purchasing of a perfect ring for one’s girl!

Engagement Rings UK

This is the first and foremost aspect which a person must consider before making a purchase of an engagement ring. Putting this, in other words, I would say it’s your budget estimation that will decide the type of ring you are going to purchase for your girl. The budget marks the first step of this process as this is going to put a bar on the last limit which you can spend on the engagement ring. This is where the differences arise. In case you have allocated very less budget to the ring, the quality will also be lowered in the same way. The more the budget ready to be spent upon, the more will be the quality of the product. The next thing that is required to be understood is that you must have a budget defined in your mind for the purpose of buying the ring. This should be the maximum amount that you can spend on the ring. This allows you to have certain benefits. The first benefit is that you are very clear in your mind that which range should be fixed for you. The jeweller will be facilitated in advance and his work gets more focused on the product range you are interested in. The other benefit is that this will stop you from falling into the trap of the marketing agents of the jewellery company. They will try to grease you and tell you to increase your budget in front of partner or even in personal emotional persuasion but you should be telling them that this is all you have segregated for this purpose. This will help you in staying away from unnecessary spending more on the engagement ring. You will be running things according to your plan and course of action. Remember, an engagement ring is just the beginning of the process. Do not overspend that will make your debt-ridden later. Plan well in hand and decide a budget.

Negotiation is the key to win not only an argument but also an engagement ring. Yes, undoubtedly you can bargain with your jeweller regarding the price of the ring. Your ring can be modified according to you and that can also let you lower the price if some specifications are not required in the ring. A girl who truly loves you will never fall for the ring, but for the thoughts that her man puts in buying her that ring. The type of ring you decide should be an elegant one, something which you can afford and the one for whom it is made likes it. That is the whole agenda behind purchasing it. It is not about showing off or getting into debt, it is about showcasing your love to her and making her realize that she is the one worthy of the next level. A smart girl would always like her husband to spend more on a honeymoon package them on a rock. The bond gets established when the ring is put into her hands. Now the ring can be of diamond, platinum, and sapphire or emerald it will establish the same bonding between the two individuals if they truly love each other. Now I am not saying that you should buy any crap and put it on her ring finger, but do set a limit to the expenditure on the engagement ring. Buy which you can afford. If you want to propose just do it. Don’t give too much thought to spend heavily.

Spicing things up

Who doesn’t love surprises? When someone does something unexpected for you, with all the preparations you feel really amazed and happy and teary and a wide range of emotions just tuck into your mind. Girls like things which are emotionally driven. All the thoughts put in to make the situation a memorable one is something that they will cherish for their lifetime. This quality makes them different from their counterparts. But the counterparts should realize that if they want a memorable and fully enjoyable married life, then they should make an effort in this direction. Give her a surprise. Research on what she likes to wear? Which metal does she wear the most? What is her style statement? And all this will lead to a grand proposal ceremony which she will never forget them.

Get her a ring which fits her!

You must never make this mistake of getting a ring which is a complete misfit. This is going to put you in trouble. Okay, let’s get it straight that every girl does dream of this day in her dreams. She really wants a perfect marriage proposal thing to happen to her. And the engagement ring which is completely a misfit can impact the decision she will make to say that ‘yes’ or ‘no’. This makes the fit an important aspect to be considered before gifting it to her for that big occasion. But that does not make it a dead end. You can go to the jeweller again and with some money put in, you can always get it reshaped in the perfect size. If you want to maintain the surprise component for your future wife, you can get a ring which she does not wear enough and give it to the jeweller so that the size problem gets sorted out and she gets impressed by your acumen. The amount of effort you put in will determine how much she is going to turn you in for in the proposal. It is not the money that will matter here, but the efforts of yours. So all the guys out there do know the perfect size of your mate or else you will fail big time when you get on your knee.

Understand and research on her style

Girls really like to wear jewellery, normally. Some like to wear all the glittery and grand while some keep it decent and elegant which goes along with the dresses. There are some who do not like wearing these sorts of things at all. Being a man you should know what your gal likes. In case, you think you are short on that aspect. I advise you to go out and research. Getting a perfect engagement ring is a bit of work. Try noticing what she wears on her dresses. What kind of jewelry is her forte? Is she outgoing and likes to show things to her friends and family or a geeky one who likes the thought put in much over the type of ring chosen. Try understanding whether she likes more of gold, platinum, silver or any other gems. She might also like to wear her birthstone as jewelry over all the other things. All these questions can only be answered when you notice her day by day. You can also take her straight to a mall where you can act like you are for buying a shirt for yourself and you can pass by any jewelry shop you pass by where you can just stop to window shop. There you have a chance of understanding what she likes and what kind of design is she much more likely to admire. Making a note of all the glances and reviews she gives for the different types can really help you in going a long way not only with the purchasing of things but in making her fall for you even more. Just make sure that you do not let her get any hint of your hidden ideas behind the visit. You can genuinely go out for shopping for your mother and ask her randomly if would have been for her what she would have chosen? All these questions will guide you towards taking a reliable decision.

Engaging in the ring band!

There are a number of options available in the market for the type of the ring band to be attached to the main stone. These bands are available in yellow gold, platinum, rose gold, white gold and silver. All these bands have their own specific characteristics and price tag too. There is an option to go for a mix of all these metals also in case you want it all in one. Go for the one which will suit your gal the best. All you need to remember is that every metal has a silver lining and a dark lining. That wasn’t funny? Was it? Anyways, look for the advantages and disadvantages of the metals and then choose the one band for your gal. For example, platinum is a long-term metal which does not fade out soon, but once it does, you cannot bring back its lustre back. Platinum is a strong metal and will last for longer time. On the other hand, gold is a weak metal in its comparison. It can be gifted but it will reduce over time to become thinner and thinner in size. It will make you to spend some more bucks on the same ring after 10 or 12 years to get it redesigned and bring it back in its shape. However, the lustre property of the gold is very good. You can get it back from rusting in its original shape and colour. Think whether both of you would like to go for the long-term durability of the metal or the design aspect which is going to affect the choice of your gal. According to the recent trends going on in the market, silver bands are really in vogue. If you have someone who is hype and in touch with the trends, get her a silver band and she will be more than happy and if she is more of earthy and classic sort of a girl, then you can go for traditional bands of yellow gold metal.

The four C’s of engagement ring

After identifying the type of band which you want to gift her, we will try to find out the other important aspects to be seen in the making of the ring. These aspects are called the 4 C’s of the engagement rings which make us identify that the ring purchased is a worthy one for the value paid or not. Understand this art in a bit of detail as it is important not only from the viewpoint of a lover who wants to propose her girl, but buying a quality product so that no one can fraud you in the process.

The 4 C’s are cut clarity, colour and carat. These factors will determine the quality as well as the cost of the metal. Let us now choose the type of diamond which you will be choosing considering all these parameters.

Cut- Getting the cut is the human skill. All the other factors are embedded by nature into the stones but this C needs to be tackled properly. Diamond is the hardest substance present on earth. Cutting it at perfect angles and with precision allows it to look shiny and reflect light all the time. If the cutting work is not done properly, it leads to failure of the diamond to shine properly. The cutting ensures that even in the minimum light, the diamond will shine because of the angles at which it is cut. Cut defines the authenticity of the ring and the wearer too. Therefore, mind it as to who is cutting the metal for your ring. Get in touch and figure out that they are as professional as your girl will be showcasing the ring to a number of friends and relatives. There are a number of diamond cutters and merchants available, you can go through the list of the cutters and choose the showrooms which have the best of the cutters so you get a stone well carved and beauteous. Get the first step right first. This will help you be ready for the second.

Colour- Yes! Diamonds come in many colours. Choose the one which you like according to the research you did on your girl and by looking at your pocket. Though I have already dedicated one section to this aspect there is a constant need to remind you peeps with this aspect as it is very likely and tempting for you to go easy on that aspect. Getting back to the point, the colours are segregated from D to Z where D shows the maximum colour of the metal and Z is colourless. Colourless diamonds are very expensive and rare. But then you are already guided with this aspect that goes for the one which you can afford and look out for the sort of colours she would want to wear. One good place where you can search for these can be the wedding albums as these things are not worn on a daily basis. Get on with a microscope and identify what is it that she likes to wear. A yellow one or a bluish diamond or no diamond at all! A tedious task to do indeed, but figuring things out is not that hard once you get down to work.

Clarity: that is why I suggested you to go for a professional who is a brilliant shaper. Clarity in diamonds is very important. The more the clarity of the metal, the more will be its brilliance. The good quality of a diamond is judged when it is able to reflect or disperse the maximum light and it only happens when it is cut properly. Diamond exists in its natural form in the environment, the cutting and shaping are done by the humans and the angles at which it is cut defines its value. The well-cut diamonds have maximum clarity and are usually expensive in range. Just like the colour of the diamond is ranked from D to Z, in the similar way the diamonds are segregated on the bases of the clarity from SI1 to SI2.

A term which you will encounter while identifying the clarity is inclusion. The inclusions are the additions made to the original metal. The less the inclusions, the better will be the clarity of the diamond. Also, remember never purchase a diamond which has inclusions in the middle or at the top of the diamond as this will not make the diamond look brilliant enough and it will not be able to disperse light. Try buying diamonds which have the least amount of inclusions possible as the clarity matters. When your girl would wear the ring, her eyes should glam up with the brilliance of the metal. This is also an important aspect to be considered as any other relative of yours or your girl for that matter, who has an eye for the metal can easily reflect on this aspect which can impact your relationship. Go for diamonds with less inclusion henceforth.

Carat- the weight of the diamonds is measured in the carat. The more the weight of the diamond, the more you are supposed to pay. Well, this is not something that you have to worry as all the good merchants know how to play with the dimensions of the diamond ring. Even with less weight of the diamond, you can make your ring’s diamond look quite big. Leave all that to professionals and you just sit back and enjoy coffee with your future fiancé.

I am in love with the shape of you!

Not only does the diamond present itself in various colours in the universe, but it also has different shapes which of course the merchants or the diamond cutters provide them. Shapes really matter! Who else would know this better than you guys? Right! Just like the 4 C’s that we just saw in the above section there are some shapes available to you to choose from. This step would require you to have the knowledge of the previous options which your girl has opted for while wearing her dresses. It is just according to those preferences that you are required to choose one shape for her. The shape of the ring can be round, oval, princess, pear and heart style. Now it is totally the choosing part and the preferences, which will be the main guiding force in choosing the ring shape. There are no technical aspects involved, which need to be checked beforehand. Rings with round or princess style rock at the centre are the most popular type of shapes trending and most of the girls go for choosing this option. Yours can be a different one or the trendy one. Understand what she would like and once done communicate the same to the maker of the ring. That is it.

The setting part

Now when the band and the metal to be affixed on top or inside the ring are chosen, what is left is the setting. Which type of merger would you like it to be? Should it be Tiffany or an eternity band or a bezel, channel and pave’s setting. All these types of settings are allowed to you whom you can choose from. Each and every setting has its own unique proposition and looks lovely when chosen according to the personality which your girl carries. The setting should be such which will accentuate the beauty of the one wearing it. Both the ring and the girl must complement each other. This will happen only when you will do your homework properly. So it is all on you men! Tiffany started as a company and introduced its classic style through its very name. The simple band consisting of a small diamond at the top makes it look extremely elegant and grand all at the same time. It is one of the all the time favourite designs included by the merchants. The look is really classic and timeless. It can make any girl fall for it. But wait! There are other options left.

The next arrangement is that of an eternity band. Instead of one big diamond placed at the top of the band, the eternity band has diamonds placed as beads in the band which makes it look pretty. The small diamonds can be signified with a vow with your girl and you can maintain that eternal bond with that eternal band that you put in her hand. This will strengthen your bond like anything.

Liked by the professionals, mostly comes our next setting in the row which is the bezel setting. This setting has a rim of the band encircled around the diamond. This rim can be shortened or can cover it completely. This gives a sense of protection and secure feel is the forte of this setting. You can go for this setting if it is green signal from the type of rings your girl wears.

The next setting is channel. Just like a channel small-small diamonds are placed on a channel which is made up of the band and the diamonds are fixed inside that band that holds it like a rim circling around. It is different from the eternity band as the latter has the diamonds fixed and rim supporting it. Diamonds set on a prong is a style which channel setting would give if you want to opt for it.

Moving on to the final setting, we have paved which is pronounced as pa vay. A list of diamonds held closely together in tight rim of the band with a slightly bigger diamond in the middle of the arrangement is pave setting. This setting looks bit traditional on the outside and can be liked by girls who are driven by values and traditions. All the settings are in trend and look cool when worn by your love. The love of the diamonds never fades away and no matter what and how they are arranged, they will look awesome either way. It is just about the one you like. Go for your choice.

Passing on heirlooms

This option which is capable of taking the entire headache of choosing the perfect engagement ring out of your mind. All the above steps will be rendered useless if you have this saviour option with you. Yes, there are family properties which are hired and given down to one generation to the other. This passing is usually seen in families with a rich cultural background and prosperous homes. So, in case you belong to a household which is royal or had held importance in the previous times can allow you to get rid of the extra burden. What is more exciting to know is that there will be no need to spend fortunes on the engagement ring as it is already ready and kept secured in the cupboard of your grandpa or grandma may be. You can always consult with your parents and the girl afterwards if there needs to be a change done in the settings of the ring. The mutual consent of the elders would make it even more prosperous for the good days to come. Blessings never go in vain and the heirloom would feel like the blessings of a number of generations passed on to the couple which will protect the bond. The feel of being an heir to a legacy is something different. It is just the ice that needs to be broken between you and the girl after proposing her.

 

No Diamonds please

Well, there are some iconoclasts too. There are always exceptions present in the universe. When everyone wants to go right, there are some minds that go left. So, if your girl is an exception and thinks that diamond is out of fashion. Don’t worry! I have got a whole lot of other options ready for you to decide from. There is sapphire, ruby, emerald and birthstone for that matter. But do check with the future better half if it will be okay with her. There are many girls who like birthstones to wear as their engagement rings. Also, you can also ask the parents of yours if they have an heirloom engagement ring as you have found the one girl you were looking for. This would need some planning, but then if she is the one they would come to know sooner or later. An heirloom can really make some girls feel special as there is a whole lot of history attached to the epitome of love. However, the style of the ring can be a problem which can, of course, be reframed and put into a new form if the girl feels like so.

Insuring an Engagement Ring

The precious thoughts and time taking the whole process is, the more complicated is the protection of this precious thing. It means a lot to you and your girl. This is the starting of a bond which you will savor for the rest of your life and this makes it imperative for you to secure it and protect it against any theft, damage or fraud. The engagement ring can mean a lot to a girl. This is something which they wait for their whole life and once it has happened, the effort should be of protecting it against all the odds. The option which was invented keeping this aspect in mind was that of the insurance of the engagement ring. Replacement is another option that both of you will enjoy. In case you want to pawn it and get on to some romantic getaway, then let me tell you that this is possible in all terms. With so much financial and investment aspect put in place, you are in no way compromising with this aspect of the step. This step is as important as the first step. There is no alibi to this. Now let us what are the types of insurance that you can go for insuring your engagement ring. The options are listed as below:

Actual value Insurance: This insurance is a type of insurance which will record the depreciation incurred by the engagement ring and calculating the actual value year by year. It will take into consideration factors like inflation, wear and tear, etc. to calculate the actual value. That actual value is what you get in case you lose your ring. But again the reasons must be such written in the contract. The terms and conditions are binding on both the parties as the basic principle of the insurance companies is ‘Uberrame Fidei’. This option is considered to be the least expensive one in comparison with other methods.

Replacement policies: These are the policies which allow you to refund the current market value for the same product. Isn’t that amazing that you are paid the current price of the same article which was bought for less value back then. This type of policies usually let you stay in profit but only when the terms and conditions provided in the contract are followed properly. Any violation or tampering with the guidelines can lead to cancellation of the policies too. Such type of malpractices should be abstained from. Also, only a limited number of companies give you this option. Your merchant from whom you are buying the ring, or your own contacts will help you know such companies which offer the replacement insurance policy option.

Renter’s insurance policies: There are a number of homeowner’s and renters insurance policies which allow the individual to include items like an engagement ring in the insurance policy. There you get coverage over these items for a premium paid. Again the reasons for the lost, theft or misplacement must be according to the rules given in the contract of trust between both the parties. This will ensure that the price is paid for in time.

Remember, everything has a price tag attached. If you are taking an insurance policy, there surely should be a premium attached to it. So, it is a decision left at your discretion whether you want to opt for the insurance option or not. It is a recommended advice which couple should take seriously and should get them a policy which will keep the sign of their love safe and secure. Almost coming to the end of our article, we also need to discuss the last but not the least mistake which people do and because of which sometimes all the engagements are not taken up to the next level. All the endings are not happy. So, let me answer the question that what if due to some inauspicious events you are supposed to call out your wedding. Will the engagement ring be taken back by the merchants or the showrooms? Can you return it? Well, I think yes. It can happen only under some circumstances. Not all the companies provide this facility of returning the ring after purchasing it from them. Talking about the laws of the state, every country has its own verdict on this matter. Most of the countries consider the engagement ring as a conditional gift and if the marriage is taken off due to any reason, the other party must return it to the owner of the ring. The ring can be taken back by some reputed companies. However, you are supposed to make sure that the contract provides for such returns and only then can such an arrangement be made possible.

There are a lot of sentiments attached to an engagement ring. It is considered as a true token of love which is legal too. This is advised to the individuals to take ample amount of time to think about the relationship they have and the bond they share with each other. This bond should not be given approval based on some infatuation or confusion about the future. Both the parties should be on the same side before taking up this decision for life. It is only when the whole process listed above comes into play and the guy starts the quest of finding the perfect token of love which he wants to present to the girl he loves and promises to love forever. The sentiments should not be made a play. Not only sentiments, but this needs a lot of financial planning and it is a costly affair. Diamonds cannot be bought every day to propose a number of others every day. Hence, please look out for strong reasons and the compatibility before going out and buying a ring. This concluding paragraph forms the very base of the whole article and this is why it is discussed at the end as the foundation of the relations must be laid on strong bonding, compatibility of the spouse and the view of long-term mutual love to stay together. There are a number of companies out there who not only specialize in providing the perfect engagement ring according to your needs but also make it a memorable gist for both of you. Understand each other, see the connection and then start venturing out this bridle rod of love which will start with shopping of engagement ring for your loved one. Happy Shopping!

source https://www.otomo.co.uk/blogs/news/engagement-rings