HANGING PICTURES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 831, 27 November 1929, Page 14

HANGING PICTURES

SEEKING BEST EFFECT The golden rule for picture-hanging is never to hang anything where it cannot be inspected without undue effort. Every picture has its own light and shade, and if sufficient care is given to the light brought to bear upon the picture an added richness and charm is at once apparent. Etchings and black-and-white drawings show to their greatest advantage in a rather dull light; water colours are best inspected in a medium light. Oil paintings, however, can safely bear any reasonable amount of light up to a glare even. The best height to hang a frame is about four and a-half feet from the ground level. The best method of avoiding a “crowded effect” is to arrange pictures in a symmetrical scheme, which makes an inequality of frame much less obvious. Heavy frames should always be supported by a two-strand copper wire or brass chains. If you elect to hang them by picture cord, a modern method Is to take a short length of cord straight across the frame-hack and then hang It on a picture hook. You will be glad to see how much less unsightly It looks than when the cord is exposed. Where a picture rail is fitted in a room, hanging is simplified; otherwise the wall, unless it is wood-lined, must be plugged. Do not allow a picture to tilt forward too much; it permits an excessive collection of dust at the frame back and destroys the picture view. Always remember that large pictures dwarf small rooms.

Pictures show to the greatest advantage against a plain background. Pastels, water colours, photographs and prints are best set off by a paper of buff or soft grey; oils look well against brown, tan or a warm green; miniatures and silhouettes are best on cream or white walls.

Be careful which pictures you allocate to various parts of the house. Choose something impersonal for the hall; pastoral or marine scenes, with prints or photogravures, suit the living room; cheerful landscapes and pictures that look their best at a distance are ideal for the dining room. When hanging on a narrow wall remember that a narrow, high picture looks much better than a big. square frame with a great deal of wall space above and below.

And another “golden rule” is to keep rehanging till you are satisfied.