INTERIOR DESIGN
FIVE FOUNDATIONS OF
Whether you’re looking to fill a bare wall, or add colour to your interior space, the experts share their top tips
1 CURATEDDISPLAY
A gallery wall of artwork is a beautiful way to embrace your creativity and bring personality, scale and interest to a living space. ‘Try not to overthink the process of hanging pictures as a gallery wall. A natural harmony will often reveal itself when you instinctively bring together artworks in a clustered display that you love,’ advises Emma Pocock of Turner Pocock. ‘To help create balance in the room, use a key focal point, such as the banquette seat in this image, to judge the ideal width of the hang.’ If you’re lacking in confidence, try mapping out the design on the floor and playing with combinations until you find one you love. ➛
2 SIZING UP
The amount of space you have will play an important role in choosing the best pieces for your walls. ‘The key is to make sure there’s enough space around the edge of the piece – with the wall acting almost as an extra frame. A single picture can have a real impact in an interior, but you can spend forever searching for the perfect size for your room. Remember, you don’t have to hang art in prime position – if your chosen piece isn’t working above the mantelpiece, for example, why not find a new spot for it? I love putting a great picture somewhere really unexpected,’ says Sue Jones, co-founder and creative director at Oka.
3 ILLUMINATINGTHOUGHTS
‘Lighting artwork in your home isn’t always necessary, but it can highlight the art and create a focal point in your space. Using picture lights above artwork creates a sense of intimacy with the art and enhances the character of the piece. However, you may want to forgo additional lighting if the space is already well lit, or in areas where it would feel too cluttered, such as on a picture wall with multiple artworks. Lighting art can sometimes involve rewiring so it’s best to focus on the most impactful pieces. The lighting should always discreetly enhance the artwork rather than dominate it,’ says Katie Lion, senior interior designer at Kitesgrove. ➛
