How To Hang Pictures

Do you know Charles Faudree?  Mr. Faudree passed some time back, but if he were still with us I think he should have been on one of Oprah’s Master Classes for how to hang pictures.  He could have been Professor Faudree teaching Picture Hanging 600 (a graduate level course).  He did “gallery wall” long before the phrase was on anyone’s lips.  I have poured over the pages of his design books for years.

He didn’t do just one big picture (unless the room called for it).  I know I have been guilty of that in the past.  Pound a nail in, hang a picture, and walk away.  Have more wall?  Buy a bigger picture!

We’ve all done it.  But, let’s take a moment to be inspired by the genius of Charles Faudree and his unwillingness to just “put up a picture”.  Even if your style isn’t French, his picture and plate hanging layouts can work across any design genre.  Class is now in session.  Welcome to “How To Hang Pictures 101”.

I love this idea of bumping one picture up in the middle  of a trio.  Then, add in the extra plates underneath the bumped up picture and balance it out on the top….perfection.  But then again, I love symmetry.

I love the photo above because it reminds me I can hang a small picture UNDER a shelf.  I reference back to his work when I have a wall that needs something and it is so inspiring to think of all the possibilities besides just hanging one or two pictures.

Here’s another example of pictures mixed with plates placed on a wall in perfect symmetry.  I even love that the plates are the same on each side.  He usually used beautiful vintage or antique plates.  Something I’ve had a fair amount of luck finding at my local thrift store.  Usually at thrift stores I find plates in sets of five.  One or a few plates break from a set over the years and the person just gives them to the thrift store.  Perfect for my plate and picture walls!

Besides the incredible display of plates above the beds, I love the idea of placing a platter above a painting.  Notice how he mixes the gold of the frame with the antique white of the shelves and the crisp white in the plates.  It doesn’t have to all “match”.  In fact, if it doesn’t, it’s actually more interesting.  The little dog painting stays the focus.  Doesn’t the platter just give it more weight in the room?  Genius.

He was a master at finding the common color and themes in separate pieces. He could pull it all together in a beautiful way.  Group pictures that have the same color or colors in them.  Keeping the symmetry makes it look intentional.

Have some small pictures you feel would just be lost on a wall?  I love how he used these really small prints in a new way.  By fanning them out around the shelves they make the whole wall look finished.

Yet another example of plates and pictures.  It’s all in the mix.  Doesn’t it make you want to go rehang every picture in your house?  I know I’m going to take a second look at my walls and ask myself…What would Charles Faudree do?

By the way, do you struggle with how to hang pictures?  Here’s a quick “tiptorial” to show you the fastest and easiest way to hang a level picture.

1.  Cut blue painter’s tape the exact length of the hanger’s on the back of your picture.
2. Measure the distance from the ceiling for your nail holes.
3. Place the tape on the wall with the end of the tape at the mark you made from the ceiling for one nail hole.
4. Put the level underneath the tape and adjust the tape until it is perfectly level.
5. Put your nails in using the painter’s tape as your guide.

Level pictures!  Do you have any tips for how to hang pictures?  Which of Charles Faudree’s arrangements do you like the best?

I really, really want to know!

Nancy

 

 

My awesome friend Lucy from Patina Paradise put together this incredible party list. Lucy and I, we like to party at the same places. You should come to the party…it’s a blast:

 

MONDAYS
Something to Talk About @ The Crowned Goat 5AM CST
*Show and Share @ Coastal Charm 8AM or 8:30AM

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on The Porch
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life 3PM
Inspire Me Monday @ Sand and Sisal 4 or 5PM

TUESDAYS
Moonlight and Mason Jars @ Cherished Bliss 10 or 11AM
* Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style 6pm
* Vintage Inspiration Party @ My Salvaged Treasures evenings at 7 PM
* Dream Create Inspire @ Refresh Living evenings at 7PM
* Swing into Spring @ DIY by Design at 10PM
What’s It Wednesdays @ Ivy And Elephants

WEDNESDAYS
Creative Spark @ Two Purple Couches 9AM
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson 2PM or 3PM

Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch to Yours 6PM CST

THURSDAYS
Brag Worthy Thursday @ Bless’er House + 4 more blogs 5AM
DIY Like A Boss @ The Heathered Nest
*The Creative Circle @ Up to Date Interiors 8AM
Vintage Charm @ Charm Bracelet Diva 9AM
* Shabbilicous Fridays @ The Shabby Art Boutique 1:00PM
*Feathered Nest Fridays @ French Country Cottage 3PM
Simple and Sweet Fridays @ Rooted In Thyme 6PM

AKA Design-Weekend Retreat party 7 pm

Creativity Unleashed @ Practically Functional 6pm
*Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home 6PM
the weekend retreat @ AKA Design 6pm
Inspiration Friday @ The Painted Drawer 9PM

* A morning Cup of Joe @ The Cottage Market 6AM

SATURDAYS

SUNDAYS
* Silver Pennies Sundays @ Finding Silver Pennies 6 or 7 AM
Inspiration Monday @ Our Southern Home + 6 more blogs! 1 PM
**Amaze Me Mondays @ Dwellings 5PM