April 16, 2022
It is important to put the canvas print face down on a clean, flat surface such as a newspaper or dust sheet. You will need enough room to work around it and to manipulate other items that you need to use in the process.
Make sure that you first clean the back of your canvas before starting. This means that if you have been handling it with bare hands, these should be washed and dried properly. Any excess dust will also require cleaning off to ensure a smooth finish.
The first step is to cut the canvas with a utility knife. This might sound a little intimidating but it’s actually quite easy, and you will be cutting a piece of canvas that won’t be used so you don’t have to worry about ruining the piece of art. Start by making sure to use a sharp knife and then make sure to cut on a flat surface. You definitely want to watch your fingers while doing this; it’s easy to slip!
You can use a ruler if you need help cutting straight, or if you are using an action print (not gallery wrapped) like the one shown here, just make sure not to cut off any part of the image. Start by making shallow cuts at first and then continue until it cuts all the way through. Once you have made your first cut, keep going around until each side is completely separated from the frame.
Finally, make small snips in each corner before folding them down with some pliers (use caution as these can be sharp). It should now look something like this:
After the spray adhesive is fully dry, you can apply it to the canvas. Make sure you apply it evenly and in light layers—otherwise you might end up with a lumpy frame. You can start with one spray of adhesive at a time and then build on that, or you can use three even sprays side by side. If there’s any area on the canvas that’s not completely covered by adhesive, then add another layer of glue over those patches.
Let the canvas sit for 10 minutes so that the adhesive becomes tacky before applying it to the foam board. It should stick immediately upon contact, but if it doesn't, press down firmly at least 5 times over every section of your painting so that it bonds well with the foam board.
Next, you need to put spray adhesive on the back of your foam board. Grab the can of adhesive. Make sure it is sprayed evenly and consistently, then press the foam board onto the back of the frame. Ensure everything is even and there are no air bubbles or gaps that could compromise the longevity of your canvas art piece. Make sure no glue gets on the front of your beautiful canvas!
Once your frame is built, it's time to add the finishing touches. First, you'll need to attach a sawtooth hanger to the back of your frame. To do this, lay your frame face down on a flat surface and use a hammer and nails to hold the hanger in place while you drill screws into each side of the hanger's mounting points. Once everything is secure, flip your frame over, find a spot on the wall for hanging (do not forget to use a stud-finder!) and hang away!
Congratulations! You've just built yourself an awesome new shadow box frame for your canvas print! It should be noted that this is just one way of framing a canvas print—there are many other approaches that we'll explore in future how-tos!
At first, it can be a bit overwhelming to know how to frame your art. But everything you need is in this section!
April 15, 2022
What is the ideal art hanging height to make sure you get the best impact from your art collection? We'll dive into that question and more here in this guide.
The rule of thumb for hanging framed art is 60" from the floor to the center of the framed art and about 5" from the top of the furniture. This will give your room a sense of balance and cohesiveness. For example, if you have a 4-foot-tall sofa, you would want to hang your piece(s) 65" above it (4 feet + 5"). What if you have an 8-foot wall? You can put multiple pieces on that wall spaced out evenly at 65".
If you have a wall with lots of windows or doors on it, it may seem overwhelming. In this case, just measure up to where you’d like your artwork to start and divide by two. For instance, if there are 3 windows or doors and measure 6 feet tall total, then you would measure up 30 inches (6/2=3) from each window/door casing and place one (or more) piece(s) along that line.
If you are hanging canvas or framed art above a sofa, the same applies with two adjustments:
When choosing the right height to hang canvas or framed art, the first step is to decide where you want your artwork to go in your room. Once you've decided on a location for your new piece of art, consider all of the elements that are already in your room and how they will work together with your new artwork. For example, if you have some statement furniture pieces in your living space like a large sofa and a bold chair, you'll want to pick larger artwork that can compete with these items. If not, then try using two small pieces that work together and create balance.
Another thing to consider is the mood or feeling you want to portray in the room with your artwork. Is it going to be a more formal and serious space? Or do you want it to be lighthearted and fun? If it's going to be more formal, then try hanging your art at eye level (around 57 inches from the floor) so people can easily look directly at each piece when having conversations. On the other hand, if you're looking for something fun and playful then try hanging everything above eye level by about six inches up from where eye-level would be and arrange them in an interesting way so they're easy enough for people's eyes to follow as they walk through the space. This will also give any visitors something interesting to look at while they wait for their host!
When hanging artwork over a dominant piece of furniture, such as a fireplace or sofa, it’s best to hang it so that it’s centered above. Here are a few design tips to help you determine how far above the furniture your art should go:
If you’re still unsure and need more of a guideline, here are some rules of thumb to help you decide:
If you’re hanging something above a piece of furniture: Measure from the top of the furniture to the center of the artwork. For example, if your sofa is 32” tall and your artwork is 18” tall, then 12” should be showing between the top edge of the sofa and the bottom edge of your artwork. This will keep it aligned with other pieces in your room that have similar measurements. Assuming there aren’t any windows or other obstacles in place, this rule also applies to pieces hung above a mantelpiece.
If you don’t have a fixed spot or a prominent piece of furniture, you can choose to hang your artwork either at eye line level or just above eye line level. To make life easier for yourself we recommend using our picture hanging tool! You can find it on our website here. Another important thing to consider when hanging frames is that they need space between each other. If there are gaps that are too close together then their visual impact will be diminished so try grouping them in numbers divisible by three!
There are several helpful guidelines to consider when determining the right height to hang your art. First, let’s define the term “center of the artwork.” This is simply the point that you would measure up from if you were hanging a single piece of artwork—the center of the top or bottom horizontal edge or vertical sides.
When hanging art above furniture, keep your eye level in mind. To determine where you should place it, stand back at least five feet and make sure that the center of the artwork is about 57”-60” from the ground. The ideal location for one piece of art on a wall is centered above a piece of furniture—not necessarily directly centered on the wall itself for reasons discussed further here https://homedit.com/how-high-to-hang-art/. You also want to make sure that your art is proportional to both its surroundings and your room; too big and it will dwarf everything around it while too small will get lost on a large wall without other decor items nearby to balance it out visually.
Remember: It takes time to find just the right spot! If you need help visualizing how high off an existing piece of furniture you should hang your canvas or framed print, take a step back and squint at things until what is trying to be conveyed by this sentence becomes clear (or just look up some pictures online).
April 14, 2022
Choosing art for a kid's room can seem overwhelming. With all of the options available, it can be hard to make a final decision. How do you find the most appropriate art for your home? Don't worry. Take a deep breath and relax. The process isn't difficult. I'll walk you through the steps to finding kids artwork you love at prices you can love even more!
Unlike any other room in your house, kids’ rooms can start to feel like a playroom or daycare if they’re not decorated. This is a fun place to be extra creative because it’s for your child and no one else. When picking art for their room, there are some things you should keep in mind:
Ultimately, don't worry about whether or not an artwork is good enough for your kid's room; all artwork is good enough! It can be something from an artist whose work sells for thousands of dollars or it can be handmade by you or your child; both are great options!
Framed art work is a great way to add personality and visual interest to your child’s room. The right piece of wall art can make the room feel more like a bedroom and less like a playroom. Frames are also great for kids because they are not fragile or easily breakable, unlike most art pieces that are not framed.
Another reason to consider hanging framed artwork in your child’s bedroom is that it is typically hung at eye level, which works well for children. Art at eye level allows your child to admire and engage with his or her artwork on a daily basis. This can be especially helpful when you hang pieces of art that feature things your child loves, like animals or nature scenes. If you hang un-framed pictures lower on the wall (below where a traditional frame would be), then it will be difficult for your little one to see what he or she enjoys about the pictures.
Finally, framed pictures can help complete the theme of any type of kids room décor. For example: if you have chosen an airplane theme for your boys room then select some aviation-themed prints and hang them in frames along one entire side of his room for impact. Framed images hung together create an interesting visual effect that adds depth and character to any room design!
To create a unified look for your child’s bedroom, you can choose artwork that matches one of the other elements in the room.
If you use a theme for your kid’s room, select artwork that matches it.
If you don’t want to use a theme, pick art that incorporates your child’s favorite color.
Give your child a say in choosing their art.
Whether it's a print of the solar system, a painting of the family dog, or an illustration of ballet dancers, children love to feel that they have some control over their surroundings. Involve your child in choosing artwork by asking them what they would like and why. If you are looking at prints or catalogues together, ask them which images they prefer and give them a reason as to why you also like that image. If you're visiting an art gallery (and who isn't?), ask your little one which works stand out and why. Don't be afraid to discuss emotions—children are extremely good at expressing what makes them happy or sad. If you don't want to buy the piece your child chooses, ask them to narrow down their choices for you.
While it's tempting to decorate a child's room with fun theme art—like an under-the-sea or jungle theme, these types of art can get dated as children grow up. Instead of choosing themes that might not age well as the child grows, you'll want to look for classic artwork styles that will remain timeless and are likely to appeal to the child even when he or she is older.
Think about finding playful paintings that still have a modern aesthetic. For instance, if your son loves sports, look for paintings that depict happy kids playing ball rather than paintings of specific professional athletes. Or if your daughter loves ballet, consider purchasing a painting of a beautiful ballerina on pointe rather than one of her favorite heroine from The Nutcracker. As children grow up they may change some tastes, but they're less likely to outgrow classic art styles like this.
When it relates to kids' room art, you have endless choices these days. You can find pre-framed art in any style you want or select an unframed print and select your own frame. You can even choose canvas art, which is painted directly on a canvas. The choice is up to you. Here are some tips on choosing the right look for your child’s room:
March 15, 2022
March 14, 2022
Think about what you want the room to feel like.
If you want it to feel invigorated and lively, a brightly painted piece might work well. If the room is already full of color, maybe a more neutral piece would be better. If you have dark furniture and are looking for something more subdued, maybe a darker painting will suit your needs better.
Each room should be individually assessed. Don't forget to consider the mood of the room, what will balance the furniture and color scheme, and most importantly, your personal style. Art is an investment in your home and your happiness. If you choose something that doesn't resonate with you or match the mood of another piece in the room, it can look out of place. If you choose something that has a similar feel to the rest of what's on display, your art will fit right into its home - which could be a great way to add diversity to a space.
Before you dive into your online shopping cart, take a look around the room where you imagine hanging the piece. What are the predominant colors already present? How do they make you feel? Do you want to add another color to the mix, or would you like a more monochromatic look? If so, consider searching for artwork in complementary shades (opposite on the color wheel) that will contrast with existing patterns and hues. You can also search for art in analogous shades (next to each other on the color wheel), which is great if you want your art piece to blend in seamlessly.
Choosing art for your home is a fun process, but it can also be overwhelming. There are so many options out there that sometimes you don’t know where to start! To help make the process easier, here’s a checklist of considerations to think about when selecting what will grace your walls:
Next comes the frame. Frames look great and they do protect your artwork when hanging it on the wall, however, there are a few things to consider. First, let’s consider the size of the artwork and how this will relate to the frame. You can use a smaller or larger frame for effect, but generally, pick a size that is close to or slightly bigger than your piece. If you have an abstract print of blue and green colors, then you will want to think about getting a frame in one of those colors as well. If you have an art nouveau piece with lots of ornate design elements then you will want to pick a more ornate frame. It’s really up to you and what works best for the overall look that you are trying to achieve depending on the style of your home.
Materials vary greatly when it comes to frames as well; some materials go better with certain types of artwork than others. For example, wood frames tend to be more rustic in nature so this would probably not be ideal for contemporary style prints; however, if you had a large painting of flowers or another type of floral art it might work very well indeed! A metal frame might work better for something like abstract art since it doesn’t have any real subject matter that needs highlighting by using certain materials over others (or at least none more than anything else). Check out some examples below:
The first thing you should do is spend some time in your space, deciding what feels right. If you have a lot of natural light, consider art with rich colors so it will pop against the warm tones of the sun. If your kitchen has cool blue countertops, go with a piece of art that has warm colors to create harmony and balance. If you need something to really draw attention to an area, like a large wall or bookcase, consider a bright statement piece that is visually bold. This can be anything from an abstract painting to colorful photography--just make sure it stands out!
Another way to pick out great artwork for any room in your home is by incorporating pieces into existing decor items like pillows or rugs; this helps create cohesion between different areas while still maintaining each item's unique qualities. The key here is finding pieces that complement each other without being too similar!
March 14, 2022
If you've just hung a piece of art on the wall, you might be thinking – did I hang it flat against the wall? Will the piece be straight and aligned? Does it look alright? Chances are you had no idea if your artwork was hung correctly. We all tend to hang our artworks with the hope that they'll be aligned straight against the wall. But unfortunately, that's not always the case.
First, gather all the tools you need. You'll need a hammer and nails. You can find these at your local hardware store. While you're there, also get some wall hangers that match the size of your artwork—make sure to measure first! If you have any leftover tools (like screws or anchors), store them safely in a toolbox. It's always good to keep spare tools around.
Now, get everything ready for hanging on the wall. To avoid getting hurt, make sure there aren't any kids or pets around who could bump into you while you're working with heavy equipment! Also mind your own safety by wearing protective gear like work gloves and glasses if necessary. This way, even if something does go wrong and an accident occurs, you won't be injured!
Next, you need to hang the picture on the wall. I like to choose two separate points over my picture, one at each end, to hook up my picture. I then pick up a hammer and a few nails and mark the points on the wall where I want to hang my hooks.
Now that your points are marked, go ahead and hammer them in. You’ll notice that these aren’t regular nails though—they have a little hook at the top of them. This is what you will use to hang your artwork later on! If you don’t see any hooks in the hardware store when you go looking for this type of nail, just ask for some “hanger wire."
There's nothing quite like hanging your art right where you want it. Not only will it make your home look and feel more personal, but you'll also have the satisfaction that comes from hanging a piece correctly.
Before taking a step back to admire your work, make sure the artwork is hung straight and level with the use of Crescent Creative Products Perfect Pro Picture Hanging Tool with Level that is designed to help you do exactly that. Also take a moment to check for another common problem: If the frame isn't hanging at eye level, you may find yourself straining to see it or not even noticing it at all!
Next, make sure you are using the right kind of hook for your wall type. If you are hanging something on drywall, use a drywall screw and anchor. Tap the anchor into the wall, then screw in the hook. If you’re hanging something on plaster or lath, use a toggler bolt. Drill a hole in the wall that is slightly smaller than your toggler bolt, then insert it into the hole and tighten it until it expands behind the wall.
If you’re not sure whether your walls are drywall or plaster/lath, look at them closely: if they have horizontal seams that look like thin lines of caulking between strips of wood or metal, you have plaster and lath walls (this is less common nowadays).
To hang your artwork, you will need a set of tools and materials. These include a hammer, nails, wall hooks, a drill and screws, picture hanging wire, art hanging hardware (such as D-rings or sawtooth hangers), a picture hanging kit (which includes everything you need to hang one or more frames on the wall), picture hanging strips (a pre-attached adhesive strip that can be mounted directly onto the frame backing) or even just an old towel to cover up any leftover mess from previous DIY projects!
In addition to basic tools like these, which should already be in your toolbox if not purchased separately from the store beforehand:
A tape measure for measuring distances between holes on different walls
A laser level so there won't be any major discrepancies when it comes time to put up that first piece of art
The last thing you need is an assistant to help you hold up your piece of art! Even for larger pieces, enlisting a friend to help out is a much better option than hiring someone. Not only does it save money and make the experience more personal, but having a good friend with you can make hanging artwork together a fun event. The benefits of having an extra pair of hands are numerous:
Once you have the right tools, hanging artwork can be easy. All you have to do is take your time and follow these four steps:
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