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WHEN IT COMES to interior design challenges, wall decorations are some of the hardest to get right.
It’s the perfect storm, really: a literal wall showcasing who you are and what you’re into. Throw in a spirit level and the chance of ending up with a home full of unsightly holes and you’ll understand why so many of us approach them with trepidation.
No more. We’re showing you how to up your frame game with these tips from two interior design pros.
If you try to hang a lot of small or mid-size frames, you’ll risk ending up with a busy, cluttered looking wall. Instead, aim to include one large piece to serve as an anchor.
Large prints or art pieces can be expensive, but interior designer Roisin Lafferty of Kingston Lafferty Design has a budget-friendly tip: head to a stock photo website. “We use Shutterstock a lot,” she says. “For example, if there’s anywhere you’ve traveled to that you really loved, you can buy a great shot pretty inexpensively, download it in high res and print it out as big as you like.”
Lisa Marconi, co-founder of design studio Dust, also likes to hit up Etsy for simple, abstract artworks that you can download and print in the size and shape that works for you. “It’s a really great way to get something big cheaply” she says.
Before you bring a hammer to a nail, play with different compositions by laying your frames out on the floor (some people also like to use masking tape to mark out the shapes on the wall). “You want to position things so that you’re visually led through the space, and the photos and art tell a story as you walk through,” advises Roisin.
Start with the largest piece, then mix and match the sizes and orientation of the others around it; ideally, you want vertical, horizontal and square pieces to create a balanced feel. Make sure to leave at least 2-3 inches of space between each frame.
There are a few things you can do to prevent family photos from looking too messy. “Firstly, try making sure all your family photos have mounts,” advises Lisa. “This instantly makes them look more high end. I also like to put snapshots in frames that are the same size and colour. So the pictures themselves can be different shapes and sizes, but the overall look will still be cohesive.” Try white or light wood frames for an intentional, pulled together feel.
Sticking to the same colour palette works for the photos themselves too – you can either go for pics that are the same tone, or turn quick iPhone shots into black and white ones using mobile filters.
Walls aren’t about ticking some trend box – they’re a way of surrounding yourself with what you love, be that places you’ve been, beloved family members or colours and patterns you find inspiring.
So instead of just pictures, aim to hang a mix of elements. “Adding different textures takes things to a whole new level,” says Lisa. “You might try adding a little neon sign or a cool plate.” Other ideas include picking up a vintage painting or quirky map in a second-hand shop, a fun abstract print, a quote you love or even a framed kid’s sketch.
Be prepared to be patient when building your collection – it won’t all instantly go together, so don’t be tempted to just add things as you go or you’ll end up with a half-hearted, chaotic arrangement.
Picture ledges can act as ‘training wheels’ for gallery wall newbies, letting you play with scale and shape without putting too many holes in your wall (the ones from Ikea are a popular option). For a high-end finish, Roisin recommends painting your ledge the same colour as your wall. “That way, they look almost invisible,” she explains.
Picture ledges are also a great way of displaying an eclectic mix of things – from books and postcards to record covers and even small plants.
Some basic DIY tools and a tester pot of paint are all you need to bring attention to a single standout piece. “You can use FrogTape, a spirit level and some measuring tape to paint a much larger square on the wall behind a small piece,” Roisin explains. “It’s great for drawing the eye, and you can go as bold or subtle as you want.”
Another way to create impact is by painting the entire wall. “Having a dark wall immediately makes a statement and helps smaller pieces pop,” says Lisa. A colourful background means you can do fun things like have photos “floating” in glass without mounts, or play with complimentary tones by say, framing a patterned wallpaper sample.
Speaking of mounts, Lisa loves to experiment with these too: “Instead always going for white or cream, try a black or dark mount, or go for something fun and colourful,” she recommends.
“My absolute pet peeve is when when a piece is hung too high” says Roisin. “Pictures and art are there to be appreciated, so they should be at eye level.”
If you’re hanging frames near furniture, it’s important that the two work well together in the space. “You can’t just plunk it on the wall,” laughs Lisa. “You’ll end up with pieces floating somewhere near the ceiling. A good rule of thumb is to allow around 1.3 metres between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the frame.”
“Tell me one of your weaknesses”
“I speak my mind”
“I don’t think that’s a weakness”
“I don’t give a fcuk what you think”
Travelling from Dollymount last night were we :P
Describe myself in three words?
“five foot nine”
Brilliant.
“on the dole”
;)
Always be closing
Looking for job
‘Need more words’
Three words,Big,Bad,Beautiful.
……….I’ll see myself out.
One use for a baseball bat, beating an interviewer around with a baseball bat, for asking stupid questions.
Could use a brick for the same thing.
The reason the brick and bat questions are asked is to determine how creative the applicant is. If the applicant can only come up with one or two suggestion then it is oblivious that person is not creative and would not be suitable for certain roles which require innovative solutions. I agree some of the questions seem worthless but for many of them there are reasons to ask them.
Totally agree. A brick or a bat. I think I would go for a bat, easier to carry, easier to swing, lighter, has a further reach (if not thrown) so you don’t have to get up close and personal, doesn’t crumble after a hard impact. Can burn the end to use as a torch. Can use as a walking stick. Can swing it to clear shrubbery, can play with it with a ball or use it for fruit crushing. Plenty more things that can be done with it.
If the brick is made of chocolate, you can use the bat to break it up, bake it into a cake and give it out at lunch time, lol.
Nah, I just eat the chocolate brick. However if the brick was made out of gold I wouldn’t need to be in the interview in the first place :)
Chocolate brick – aka Yorkie… :P
Bricks are good for orange order marches down o Connell street , good old Bertie and his infinite stupidity
Bet the smarmy interviewer asking that question never had to answer a question like that
Was going to say shoveing it up said interviewrs ass for same reason.
I was asked the brick question before. As far as I can recall, I said a pencil holder and a floor ornament. I love my brick.
My weakness?
“Kryptonite”
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time ?
Sitting in your seat asking the same stupid questions .
Now you just know that some interviewee is going to get one or more of these questions next week by some sadistic interviewer .
Stupid. I rarely go by an interview. I know within 10 seconds of meeting somebody. First impressions more important.
Interviews are just something for HR people to pass the time with.
The HR Dept. = The Human Remains Dept !!
So if in the first 10 seconds the person is a bit flustered then they’re always a flustered person are they?, its nothing to with the fact they’re wearing a suit in July.
First impression isn’t negative if a person is flustered. Everyone gets nervous at an interview and can show it in different ways, so that doesn’t matter.
Yes, a suit does matter as it shows an effort has been made to actually get the job.
I was asked to describe myself in 3 words at the end of an interview for a teaching position. I was stumped. I thought I was ready to head out the door. Needless to say I wasn’t called back!
“Not easily summarised” seems like the only honest answer.
I’ll remember that one!
@ Niamh: Got the same one and in a moment of madness replied “A living legend”. Didn’t get a call back either
“better than you” doesn’t work either.
“Hates Cheesy Questions”
Your wife’s lover ;)
Most of these are completely idiotic
Have you ever seen a grown man naked ?
It’s a shock and a crying game…
Have you ever been in a… in a Turkish prison?
I’m useless…couldn’t answer any!
Do not worry Joan. If you could answer these, I wouldn’t hire you
Thanks Gis…are u hiring by the way?
Interview Panel: “How do you cope with stressful situations?”
Me: “I carry a flick knife.”
Them: ……..
Me: ………
Them: ………
Me: *FLICK*
In true Irish style… Just answer the question with another question.. turn it back on the interviewer :).. “jaysus.. a brick?.. what colour???”.. etc
Went for a series of interviews for a job many years ago, one of the first ones lasted 3 hours with just one bloke but as I remember him he was alright to talk to. Another interview, as they progressed, was facing 3 people and another man to the side who was some sort of psychologist, he took notes and never asked any questions but because you were very aware he was there it tended to be even more intimidating. There were a couple of other shorter interviews too but I don’t remember much about them. I got the job – then failed the medical. They had a very intensive medical exam too.
Getting worried there.. I read that as an INVASIVE medical exam first time round
It was a bit like that too Thomas, not your average “look up and cough”.
Is it not squat and cough ?
Put the brick on the accelerator.
Eh… The baseball bat question would be the ruination of my career!:/
Don’t worry, they are going to ban those videos soon, so the next generation are safe :P as noone can work their way around internet filters :P :P
A man goes for an interview for Bus Eireann
When he gets there, the interviewer says, “You’re 45 minutes late! The job’s yours.”
When I was about 17 I went for an interview for a position as a receptionist in a car sales garage and the interviewer was such a creep. He asked me was I naughty when I was younger and when I answered the question saying no with a nervous laugh he said ‘ ah I bet you were you have a naughty look to you ‘ …. I guess I was meant to rub my foot up his thigh or something, but I didn’t I was frozen with awkwardness and I ever got a call back. Looking ack at that I tear view now as a 31 year old woman I’d love to find that perv and rip his nuts off !!
* interview
The journal are struggling for news today.
Hi COOM. You’re on the wrong article for news, this is a feature. If this kind of article isn’t to your liking, have a look at our 9 at 9 instead. http://www.thejournal.ie/9-at-9-51-1041487-Aug2013/
I doubt COOM would find his way to the interview successfully in the first place.
What do you expect to be paid……
” why is a manhole round”
” what are your weakness ”
” describe something you had to do you didn’t enjoy”
The guy who interviewed me was a creep he tried very hard to come across as a cool dude , didn’t work.
Stryker asked me “would you like to know a little about a lot or a lot about a little?”
Also, “do you Trust people or do they need to earn your trust first? “
“Describe yourself in three words”…….. The best candidate…..
There’s on only 2 uses for a brick In my mind.to build a house or sink a dead body. When do I start?
Stupid questions.
Had a three hour interview for my current position in work, considering I had an hour interview to initially join the company I have to say it was unexpected :-)
Some friends and I have been asked some ridiculous questions for teaching posts such as :if you could be a biscuit which one would you be?
If you were an element in the periodic table which one are you and why?
Most stupid one was if you could be any town in France which one would you be? My reply was I’ve never been to France! Went down like a lead balloon….
I was offered a cigarette halfway through my last Interview. What do you do in that situation, they knew I smoked, do you take the cigarette or politely decline?
I LOVE MY BRICK!
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