The Art of Hanging Art

Imagine you’re standing in the center of a room in your home, surveying the open wall space around you. In your hands is a piece of art that has spoken to you. It’s exactly what this room has been missing and you are about to affix it to the space that’s just made for it. 

While some may consider hanging a picture or other piece of art on the wall about as foolproof DIY as one can get, the truth is it’s not quite that simple. Follow these steps to make sure you get it right.

Make a plan

The worst time to figure out your new piece is off center (or otherwise not quite what you expected) is after the nail is in the wall. Whether you’re hanging a collection of pieces or just one, spend some time envisioning exactly where your art is going. Use a true-to-size paper template and painter’s tape for a trial run. When you’ve measured, admired and confirmed you’ve got it right, then grab the tools and hangers.

Remember, the eyes have it

In most cases, the best height for artwork is eye level, which means the center of your piece should fall at about 58 inches above the floor. If your ceilings are relatively low, however, you’ll want to adjust this. In that case, a good rule of thumb is to imagine your wall divided into quarters with your art falling in the third quarter. Another exception is when you’re hanging a cluster of pieces. In this case, align the center of your gallery at eye level and work the additional pieces in around it.

More than a nail

Is your idea of hanging art on the wall grabbing a nail and hammer? You’re not alone. There’s a better way, however. A single nail in drywall isn’t going to tolerate much weight. You may know already that hanging a heavier piece is a job best well suited for a stud in the wall. However, if you don’t find a stud in a ‘picture-friendly’ location, that’s okay; you have options. Consider using self-threaded anchors, screws, picture hangers or even a finishing nail hammered in at an angle. These tools provide greater holding power than a simple nail hammered straight into the wall.

Hang it straight and use bumpers

Remember the first step? Don’t eyeball this process. Grab a level and let the bubble lead you. Before you hang the picture, consider adding self-adhesive rubber bumpers to the back of the piece. These will help prevent movement on the wall, keeping the piece level once you’ve placed it. 

Don’t be framed

Framed art is gorgeous, but it’s not your only option. Get creative in what gets hung on your walls. Hanging clipboards to hold photos or art you wish to rotate makes a fantastic alternative! Empty frames, mirrors and other collections can be unique and eye catching wall art. The only thing holding you back is your imagination!

by Anjie Cho

Choosing the Perfect Countertop for Your Style

Sprucing up your space can be as simple as a can of paint and a new set of drapes. When you’re ready for a bigger update, however, it’s important to select the right materials for the job. For example, whether your redoing your kitchen, bathroom, laundry or other workspace, selecting the right type of countertop can set the tone for the rest of your design. Before you delve too deeply into storage space and paint swatches, let’s talk countertops.

Natural Stone

There’s a certain beauty and elegance inherent in natural stone countertops. The most popular of this type is granite. It has become a favorite for its durable, scratch-resistant surface, as well as the fact that no two pieces are alike. Going granite ensures your kitchen will have a completely unique look. Granite, however, does require annual resealing to ensure its ability to ward off stains and handle heat and water. 

Marble is also a gorgeous natural option. If you’re looking for an elegant, distinctive look, consider a countertop of white marble. Marble is naturally cool to the touch so it holds up to heat well. It’s also one of the more affordable natural stone options on the market today. Even with sealing, marble can stain and scratch easily. That may not be a turn-off for you, however. These countertops will take on an aged, patina like finish that you may find appealing. 

Other natural stones include soapstone and slate. The former is porous and needs to be sealed with mineral oil to avoid staining. The latter is comparatively soft which means it can be scratched, but some due diligence with a bit of steel wool will buff slate back to its smooth glory. Both soapstone and slate come in deliciously dark hues. 

Engineered Stone

If you love the look of granite but not the maintenance, take a look at quartz. These countertops are made by combining ground quartz or quartz chips with a combination of polymers, resins and pigments. The resulting countertop is extremely hard and durable with a glossy sheen to boot. Quartz countertops are non-porous which makes them stain resistant. They’re also crack resistant. All this without the need to seal or reseal. 

Concrete

If you’re looking for a customizable, unique look, consider concrete. By adding components like recycled glass, stone, tiles, color and texture, you can tailor these countertops to your own personal style. Although concreate is considered very durable, it must be sealed in order to be so. These countertops must also be resealed regularly to keep them resistant to heat, water and stains. Cracking is a risk, so be careful about overloading the surface or dropping heavier objects on your concrete countertops. 

Butcher Block

The right type of wood with a proper sealer applied can make a beautiful countertop. Further, wood countertops are a great work surface for cooking and baking, so home cooks and avid bakers may be big fans! Creating a craft room and need workspace? Wood countertops might be a great fit as a cutting surface. You will need to keep up with periodic resealing and regular oiling with linseed oil to keep your counters looking good and limit risk of bacterial growth. If you’re not ready to commit to a room full of wood countertops, consider using it for an island or other small section. Then finish off the rest of your space with a countertop of another ilk.

by Anjie Cho

Choosing the Perfect Living Room Sofa

Your living room is where your family comes together to catch up on the day or to binge watch your favorite TV show. It’s where you entertain company. A lot of everyday life happens in this one space, which means selecting the right seating is key to creating the comfortable, inviting room you’re looking for. 

Feeling overwhelmed selecting the right sofa? That’s understandable. Between sofa shapes, arm styles, cushion sizes, and fabric options, you have no shortage of choices. Let’s break it down to a few guidelines to simplify the process.

Size

Although finding the perfect size sofa for your space can start to feel like a Goldilocks experiment, sticking to a minimum guideline will narrow down the choices for you. Select a sofa with a seat height of at least 17 inches. This will ease sitting and standing, as well as put less strain on your knees and back. In the same vein, look for a sofa with a maximum depth of 18 inches. If you fall in love with a sofa deeper than that, adding throw pillows will shorten it, as well as add a pop of accent color and flair. 

Space

Undoubtedly you’ve stood in the showroom of a furniture store, admiring the sofa of your dreams and picturing it nestled perfectly into the available space in your living room. You’d not be alone, however, if you got that sofa home and found it was either too big or too small for the room. It can be hard to eyeball what’s going to be the right fit. Before you hit the store, measure the available space. Remember to leave 12 to 18 inches between the sofa and the coffee table. This allows sufficient room for slipping in and out, while keeping the table close enough for comfortable use. Also take into account the other furniture pieces you’d like in your room. Will you include a chair and end tables? How much clearance will you need between the sofa and entry way? The most gorgeous, lush sofa will lose its luster if it’s out of balance with the available space.

Livability 

Certainly aesthetics are important, but don’t overlook functionality. Will your sofa be a central spot for movie night, complete with popcorn and drinks? Look for durable fabrics. Real life is happening on these cushions, and you’re going to want material that can handle it. Likewise, do you like to stretch out to watch TV on your sofa? Do you find yourself falling asleep cuddled up into the corner of the sectional? Look for the arm style and couch shape that is most comfortable for the way you use your sofa.

by Anjie Cho