Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Pet Peeve ~ Too High

This is the most common mistake that I find when I go into other's homes. The "Too High" mistake. Lower the art in your mind and you can see how much better it would be. I usually think about 6 inches from the sofa works best.
When placing something over a table the same rule applies, so many times you need to stack pieces. Scale and balance is so important in design , these few little rules can change the whole feel of a space when done correctly. Look around your own castle, do you need to lower just a bit? Or maybe add something above or below? Is it time to go shopping or time to get out the tools?

19 comments:

  1. * G' morning, V-girl! I couldn't AGREE with you MORE, and to the POINT that the few times I've SEEN artwork hung too high it's actually made me "uncomfortable", wanting to CRINGE AND ALSO wanting to get out their HAMMER!!!

    Warmest hugs,
    Linda in AZ *

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  2. I know what you mean. However my dilemma is my husband is so tall that if I don't put it higher then six inches he'll hit his head on it when he sits down.

    The second one is definitely too high.

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  3. Yes, this is one of my pet peeves, as well. I've used the "stacking" method, often, to remedy a situation.

    At one time, in a past life, I belonged to an artists' guild. I was painting, back in those days and doing a show,now and then...late 60's early 70's. The correct way to hang art,was a valuable lesson learned, during those years.

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  4. I totally agree. I have gone into homes where you have to look up to see the art work on the walls. It drives me crazy. I always tell people to hang their art at the eye level of the AVERAGE persons height.

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  5. Yes, I have seen this one often. It can ruin the look of a perfectly good space. My son and d-in-law are about 6 feet tall and their artwork is very high, it makes sense to them, but not to me. My husband is also tall and he thinks my pics are way too low. It makes such a difference when everything is hung lower! Hugs, Cindy S

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  6. I do so agree. It seems the whole balance of a room is thrown off when art is placed way up on the wall. So hard to see. Hugs, Marty

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  7. I am with you sistah! I have right now in my very own home a mirror that is too high....DH was holding it and I stood back and in haste because it was heavy said "right there". BUT it's not right...so we need to fix...will probably need to do it when he's not here!
    Blessings,,,

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  8. I just hang everything at my "eye level"...since I'm only 5'1", it's always perfect. FYI, can't use this rule on the bathroom mirror though. Cat Daddy has to sit to see in it and there is only one "seat" in that room!
    Debbie

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  9. I agree ~ probably the thing I see most often, not just in client's homes, but in my parent's house {and it drives me batty!} When there are height differences between people, I usually tell them to pick somewhere in between the two heights. What a lot of people don't realize is that you are looking at this particular art while you are sitting down, not standing - that's why I use the 6 inches above the sofa standard too.

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  10. Isn't it funny that this seems to be the mistake that homeowners make most often when doing their own decorating? And when you fix it for them, they immediately appreciate the difference! I believe most people simply don't take into consideration the overall space or nearby furnishings when they're hanging art... they just think "the art goes up here where I can see it" and that's that, end of thought process. I can't tell you how many times I've seen 8x10 or 11x14 family photo portraits all in a row, way above eye level about two feet apart. The priority was to get those frames up on the wall because that's our family and we love them and, while we're at it, let's spread them out so they fill up more space!

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  11. I didn't know that rule! Good to know.

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  12. Is it me 'mrsben Brenda' you are looking for? IF so, haven't forgotten you dear Vicky, but at present it is difficult to type as was doing yard work the other day and crushed my ring-finger. (It is now very swollen 'n black...and of course blue. The latter my favourite color as you know. Hah!) Will play catch up on comments, once it is healed....promise.
    Hugs, hugs -Brenda-
    P.S: Gee this one hand typing is a slow awkward process. :)

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  13. hahah YES!!! me too!! another one is lots of times people have things too spread out.

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  14. MRS BEN/BRENDA, LOTS of folks were a lil' concerned cuz you weren't "around"! SORRRRRY about your finger (boo hoo), but dahhhlin', is the RING OK??? (ha!)... Glad you "checked in", just sorry it hurt to do so, sweet friend!

    Love,
    Linda *

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  15. I have the same problem as Renae with a mirror right now in our entry..I had to say ok! hang it right there! LOL but now I see it's way to high..hopefully that will be taken care of tonight or in a few days at least(hehe). Hope mrsben's finger feels better soon!

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  16. Yes, mrsben. it is you I was missing...so sorry you hurt your finger, I was wondering where you were. Thanks for letting us know you are okay.

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  17. Thanks so much!! *hugs self* your so sweet! Thanks for stopping by:0)

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