How to curate a cohesive gallery wall.
Recently we’ve been thumbing through design books during our daily quest for inspiration, and one observation that always rings true: art makes a space. Whether it’s a large-scaled piece that perfectly completes a color palette, a thought-provoking little easter egg, or a well-balanced composition of multiple pieces — it’s more often than not the art that ties all the elements in a room together.
We’ve been thinking more deeply about gallery walls in particular since our homes are the three-dimensional expression of our personal history. A gallery wall is a great way to display all the memories and mementos that make up the fabric of your life. Utilizing a variety of mediums in your gallery walls can yield richly complex, personal, and dynamic displays. For example, incorporating a framed memento such as ticket stubs from your first date adjacent to your wedding portrait can add an interesting narrative breadcrumb, while peppering in paintings, fiber art, and candid snapshots adds variety, color, and texture. To create an overall sense of cohesion consider using frames made from a similar material or color and create a grid system that allows for consistent breathing room between each piece.
Heather Shaw, a Toronto-based artist has created a deeply personal gallery wall that encompasses tiny treasures and personal elements.
Photography by Donna Griffith; styling by Lynda Felton.
Interior Design by: S.R. Gambrel, Inc.
Photography by Eric Piasecki
We’ve been deep in the weeds with Steven Gabrel’s book “Perspective” and it is evident that he has mastered the art of gallery wall curation. Take for example the sitting room in this Mayfair apartment in London. By using two mediums — highly saturated post-impressionistic landscape paintings and figure line drawings, he has balanced the overall composition by creating moments of tension and relief that keep the eye bouncing between the elements. The analogous palette in the decorative accessories and wood tones creates an overall sense of cohesion, while the rich moss green velvet walls create a cozy grounding backdrop.
Here in this Santa Barbara detached office/gym/lounge space we created a mini-gallery corner by layering in pieces from plaster artist Dawn Bassett and painter Jeff Wenzel. The neutral hues in the artwork compliment the textiles and natural materials in the furnishings creating a dynamic yet holistic space.
There are so many resources out there to help you curate a perfectly cohesive gallery wall. We’ve enjoyed working with Sarah Hurt from Seattle Art Source who has an excellent eye and fantastic artist partners at her fingertips. If you already have a collection that you need help composing into a gallery, Framebridge has a fantastic gallery wall design service that can help you create the perfect composition. Or if you’re just looking for more tips-and-tricks from design professionals, check out this article from our friends and colleagues over at Redfin, “10 Tips on How to Create a Gallery Wall”.
The natural hues in the artwork curated for this Santa Barbara multi-use space compliment the plants and hardscaping in the garden beyond.