Hey again,
I'm moving these art pieces out of the dining area and into the living room. I'm going to be placing them above the fireplace. However, I live in a very old house ,100+ years old. Anyhoo, if you look closely at the picture below, you can tell that the fireplace is not exactly centered in the wall. The fireplace is basically flush on the left side where the wall dips back, but on the right side, there is approximately an inch of wall before the wall dips back. So my dilemma is should I center the pieces by centering them on the wall or should I center them above the fireplace? I have two pics posted below, the first shows the paintings centered on the wall, the second centered by the fireplace. I personally think they should be centered above the fireplace, but I want some other opinions too. And once I do hang them, what it a good height above the fireplace to put them?
I admire
your sensitivity, but in my opinion, you have an essentially symmetrical condition. I for one see no real difference between the two options. To the extent that it might be appreciated, I agree with you that the pictures could be centered over the fireplace. As it is, I'd be tempted to ignore the very slight offset of the fireplace, and center them on the wall. This will be a little less distracting than the alternative, I think.
As to height - I would match the space above the woodwork to the space on either side of the artwork. This height needs to be judged in relation to the standing height of viewers, however, and adjusted as necessary to feel right.
Anyone ?
Thanks for your input...
my only problem with centering it on the wall as opposed to the fireplace is that I think because of the two columns on the front of the fireplace, it is obvious when they aren't centered above the fireplace. If it weren't for those two columns on either side of the fireplace grate then I would definitely center it on the wall itself. It just kind of stood out to me when the painting were off kilter above the two columns...basically because they are almost the same length apart as the paintings are wide(whe put together).
Yes
The saving grace (or justification) in this instance is that the columns stand away from the fireplace surround, so that depending on where you stand the precise symmetry and alignment of art to fireplace varies. This means that to judge the alignment you must stand exactly opposite the centerline of the composition. Did you plan to put an X on the floor for visitors to stand on to appreciate the precision of the placement of the art ? Or perhaps your seating is just opposite the fireplace ?
But I do applaud your efforts. I'm rather particular about such things, myself. I think that handsome art piece (such a nice color complement to the woodwork) will look great on this wall. The amount of space around it promises to be very well-composed. I say, have some eggnog and relax. . .it's been a long and painful year.
Best wishes for 2008 ! Stephen
Yeah, I see your point...
but the fireplace is located directly across from the entrance to the living room which is a regular sized doorway. So when entering, it is obvious if they are not centered above the fireplace because of those two columns. If not for the fact that it was directly opposite the doorway, it wouldn't bother me at all.
And that wall color was pretty much the only choice to paint the room. The fireplace uses those marblized bricks which are the wall color and a not very pretty brownish-maroon color. So in order not to clash with the fireplace we used the colors from the marble bricks, and the maroon-brown was to dark and ugly a color to paint a room.
Ah --
I understand. There's a controlled focal point. . .
Good move. You'll have to do your best to achieve order. If you believe the vertical alignment issue overrides the 1" offset on the wall, then that's the solution. I'd consider splitting the difference: art 1/2" off the fireplace to the right; 1/2" extra space on the right-hand wall space -- but only if that looks good. It's like the kind of adjustment graphic designers have to make with type: I call it "give-and-take diplomacy"!
If the art can be hung on clips that allow you to slide it a bit right and left, you can micro-adjust it ?
A warm hearth
Everyone has a great point. What I find difficult to settle on, is the mismatch of art and architecture. The modernist art clashes with the traditional fireplace mantle. Personally, I would find something that merges with pre existing without excluding your modernist taste. Ideally on big ole slab of art instead of two...more harmonious balance. I think you'll find the placement much easier to resolve.
One hour to the New Year...best to all!
Well. . .
I think old and new here are united by color. Speaking of which, I refuse to believe that the only colors that could have been selected for this room come from the stone. But that's just me.
I agree with Barry about intuitive (I won't say random or accidental) choice. When taking pictures, the movement of the camera just prior to hitting the shutter are milli-moments of final choice, almost intuitive -- aren't they ?
how 'bout this?
i, too, appreciate your sensitivity to the manner in which detailed placement affects overall harmony. i find sdr's comments quite helpful; here are a few of mine to add to the angst...
sdr mentions the micro-adjustments employed by graphic designers: brilliant. mechanical alignment gets you started -- and it's a necessary place to begin [some skip this essential step altogether and miss a great deal] -- but in the end the optical alignment is your final concern which takes you to the end of the task.
having said that, and with the acknowledgment there are two opposing forces at work here, i would submit that those two forces are not equal in strength -- the more dominant of the two being the entire fireplace itself with it's very prominent vertical thrust [because the columns extend from floor to mantle]. those visual cues would be difficult to overcome by the more subtle offset of the fireplace on the wall itself.
to throw in a visceral comment or two, i dislike the vertical arrangement of the art altogether -- so much so that i'm tempted to even call it "wrong" based on the inherent intent of the artist to align the elements from one picture plane to the next. for what that's worth.
regarding the twin pieces and their distance apart from each other, i would use the thickness of the linear strokes comprising the artwork itself [perhaps an inch or slightly less] as a guide to begin. then use the gut-feeling method for final adjustment.
lastly, as for the height of the pair on the wall, i would start with what "eye level" [traditionally 66" from the floor] introduces into your formula, in addition to what remains both right and left of the "set" when positioned as "centered" [as described previously]. controlling factors to be given prime consideration are the vertical dimensions of the horizontal members of the fireplace surround itself.
what the heck ... i'll just post an image of what i have in mind rather than droning on with the verbiage. a little time in photoshop will do the trick.
a final opinion: i personally wouldn't add any more frame the art. i like it as is. good luck, and a happy new year to you all!
Oooh, Thanks for th advice everyone...
kdc, I don't plan on framing the art. I'm not sure how much longer I'll actually be living at this apartment. I live in an old house that was converted into apartments. I'm planning on buying something in the next couple years so I don't plan on spending money on having them framed now when hopefully my new place will have more modern lines which I hope will work better with the unframed canvas.
And I didn't have the choice what color to paint the room. I don't particularly care for the color. It's hard to tell in these pics, but it's a shade of green that I'm not fond of. They did get the color scheme from the marble bricks around the fireplace though. My dining room has a fireplace with diffent color scheme for the bricks (bue, green, ecru). They used the blue (which I do like) to paint that room. My neighbor has a fireplace in his living room where the bricks are all one color...kind of a gold-mustard color. So that's what they painted that room. He doesn't care for the color, but I absolutely love it. Though not hugely thrilled about the color his dining room is painted. This house it like 5000 sq. ft. and has somthing like 10 fireplaces. None are working fireplaces though.
Personally....
Those two nice pieces are dwarfed by the fireplace. That fireplace needs a large sculpture, mirror or painting that is nearly as wide as the fireplace.
Those two plaques should be on a blank part of your wall above a table or chair, perhaps on a diaginal!
Try it. See what how you like it.
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