Tips on Arranging Framed Needlework

                                                  by Lucy Lyons Willis

                                                  Copyright 2001 La Chatelaine Designs

  Framed needlework can be artfully arranged on a wall along with other framed pieces to introduce colors and interest to a room. Displayed artwork can be related in theme, colors or totally different since the real keynote of their visual interest is in their variation. One color or object in one piece can enhance another. For instance, by choosing old and modern, or country and Victorian frames in a variety of finishes, each piece will have individual interest, yet the combining of the various pieces in an eclectic way will contribute harmony to the entire focal wall.

    One should try to avoid hanging pictures in a straight line which can be tiresome unless it is done as a specific "statement" in a room design. Instead, group your framed pieces in an asymmetrical grouping mixing large pieces with smaller ones. There is a tendency to hang a picture in the middle of the wall regardless of anything else. It will look better when hung in relation to a grouping of furniture. This will help create a focal point and unity to the grouping. There is a wonderful article in an antique issue of the Needlecraft Magazine dated November, 1931 entitled Use Pictures Decoratively by Agnes H. Barton in which she states, "Small pictures dotted just anywhere over the walls appear insignificant and rob a room of charm and repose; a surprising sense of order can be given to a room by properly grouping pictures. It is desireable to have some larger pictures with the small ones, especially on the larger wall surfaces. The one important thing to remember about the arrangement of small pictures is to use them in groups as one unit, and not as a series of unrelated spots. Connect these groups in some way with your furniture. Avoid the commonplace ways and try for individual effects to fit your particular furniture grouping and wall spaces."

    If pictures are hung on wallpaper they should be sufficiently important in size and effect as the paper design otherwise they will get lost in the background.

    Most often it is difficult to decide at which height to hang framed pieces. The answer of course will depend on the size of the picture, the size of the room, the height of the ceiling and the subject matter of the picture ~ Example: A large landscape design would be attractive hanging on an opposite wall from a main seating area to give an illusion of looking out through a window, versus a small design of a basket of flowers close to the top of a table to give the impression of the basket sitting on the table. A small design can be given a sense of importance by perhaps hanging it over a mantel or table. Pictures should be hung where they can best be seen by people when standing, logic being that when someone is standing they are most apt to examine a picture. Of course, all your pictures cannot hang at the same height, but the overall display should be at a pleasing level. However, there are two sides to every coin, an entire wall covered with pictures and artwork is also dramatic. A friend of mine has the entire wall of her staircase covered with samplers ~ it takes me an hour to climb the stairs!

    One note on choosing frames:

    Consider the background (history) of the design you have done. If it is perhaps a pineapple design of Colonial Williamsburg during the 18th century ~ this period was more elegant since the colonists became interested in fine embellishments for the homes. They wanted the same beauty and quality found in European designs. American cabinetmakers such as John Hancock, Gilbert Ash and John Goddard began to produce pieces of European origin yet suited to American tastes with carvings of shells, scrolls, medallions and heads of wheat. Woods most commonly used were cherry, mahogany, curly maple and gum. Try one of these woods to frame your "historic" design.

    Other Examples:

    Early American design originated from around 1650-1700 and is rustic in character. The ladder back, rocking and Windsor chairs and corner cupboards are some representative pieces of this period. Designs of this nature would probably look great in a frame made of either oak, pine, hickory, ash or maple since these woods were common during this early period.

    Oriental designs were greatly used by Thomas Chippendale during 1718-1779 known as the "Age of Mahogany" ~ naturally mahogany!

    Greek, Roman, Egyptian designs were popular during the French Empire peiod of 1804-1815 ~ Red Mahogany.

And you thought you were through with decisions when you had finished stitching!