Finding a Place for Everything on Move-in Day
(Then Returning to Re-Assess After a Tragic Storm)
We've helped a lot of people hang their art collections, and we've handled everything from tons of family photos to heavy art and mirrors.
However, the most interesting stories happen when we help someone move into a new home, and this project was no exception. In fact, the story unfolded over several years, and you'll get to see how the homeowners rearranged their collection as life brought new changes.
But to begin with... I'm always struck by the feeling of chaos that moving can bring. These homeowners were super cheerful and organized... they had even unpacked the art and decided on a few placements... but it still felt like everything was "in flux" when we arrived.
However, the most interesting stories happen when we help someone move into a new home, and this project was no exception. In fact, the story unfolded over several years, and you'll get to see how the homeowners rearranged their collection as life brought new changes.
But to begin with... I'm always struck by the feeling of chaos that moving can bring. These homeowners were super cheerful and organized... they had even unpacked the art and decided on a few placements... but it still felt like everything was "in flux" when we arrived.
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They had lots of large, heavy art pieces which had yet to find a home, including a nine-foot-long Masai quilt which you see leaning in the photo above. And although they wanted to keep as much of their collection as possible, they were downsizing from a larger home and weren't sure they would find a space for everything.
Fortunately, this is what we do best! We started by walking around together and finding places for the most important pieces first.
You know, this can feel like a chore when you have to do it by yourself or with your partner, but it's actually really fun when you have a team to help you.
If it's just the two of you hanging pictures, one of you has to hold the picture up by yourself (which is tough when it's heavy) while the other person says, "A little to the left," or "A little to the right." And you can't make decisions together, because one person is too close to the piece to really see it properly.
Fortunately, this is what we do best! We started by walking around together and finding places for the most important pieces first.
You know, this can feel like a chore when you have to do it by yourself or with your partner, but it's actually really fun when you have a team to help you.
If it's just the two of you hanging pictures, one of you has to hold the picture up by yourself (which is tough when it's heavy) while the other person says, "A little to the left," or "A little to the right." And you can't make decisions together, because one person is too close to the piece to really see it properly.
Whereas when you're working with us, one or two of us can hold up the piece, and then you can stand back and talk about it together at leisure.
It really takes the pressure off.
One of the first pieces we found a spot for was this large oil painting of a pensive nude. As soon as we held it up, everyone agreed that this was the place for it. After experimenting a bit, we found that it looked best centered between the piano and the edge of the wall.
It really takes the pressure off.
One of the first pieces we found a spot for was this large oil painting of a pensive nude. As soon as we held it up, everyone agreed that this was the place for it. After experimenting a bit, we found that it looked best centered between the piano and the edge of the wall.
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On the other side of the piano, we installed a kingfisher sculpture on its metal base. The resident kitty was very interested in this bird!
With just a few more placements, we had one room looking like "home" already.
With just a few more placements, we had one room looking like "home" already.
By the way, take a closer look at the photo above, and notice how the painting on the right is a little higher than the painting on the left.
This was another result of being able to stand back and look, and experimenting with placement.
Was it better to hang the painting directly behind the plants, so that they blended together as one piece of scenery? Or was it better elevate the painting a little bit? The homeowners decided on elevation, and we all liked the little quirk of the painting rising up a bit.
Next was the dining room, where we installed a surprisingly heavy print sandwiched in Plexiglass.
This was another result of being able to stand back and look, and experimenting with placement.
Was it better to hang the painting directly behind the plants, so that they blended together as one piece of scenery? Or was it better elevate the painting a little bit? The homeowners decided on elevation, and we all liked the little quirk of the painting rising up a bit.
Next was the dining room, where we installed a surprisingly heavy print sandwiched in Plexiglass.
This one would be tricky to hang by yourself, because the border of the piece is clear, and you don't want the hangers to show behind the glass. On the other hand, you would also have to use a very sturdy hanger to accommodate the weight.
Luckily our streamlined toggle-bolts can hold up to 200 pounds each, even without hitting a stud, but they're only a quarter-inch wide.
So we were able to hang it safely and beautifully.
In the same room, the homeowners had several large pieces ready to hang. However, we suggested that they use just the large blue seascape, because it seemed like the darker piece was fighting it a little bit, and it was creating a lot of tension in the room.
Luckily our streamlined toggle-bolts can hold up to 200 pounds each, even without hitting a stud, but they're only a quarter-inch wide.
So we were able to hang it safely and beautifully.
In the same room, the homeowners had several large pieces ready to hang. However, we suggested that they use just the large blue seascape, because it seemed like the darker piece was fighting it a little bit, and it was creating a lot of tension in the room.
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It looked better on its own, with the quiet painting from the front hallway tying in with the blue theme. This is something we do often: install one or two pieces first, then decide on placement for others later to make sure they'll all play well together.
But don't worry... our art consultant (that's me!) found a home for the purple portrait.
Far away in the main bedroom, I noticed that it would tie in beautifully with the existing throw pillows on the bed. Here's our lead installer, Arthur Teel, holding it up so we could preview it.
But don't worry... our art consultant (that's me!) found a home for the purple portrait.
Far away in the main bedroom, I noticed that it would tie in beautifully with the existing throw pillows on the bed. Here's our lead installer, Arthur Teel, holding it up so we could preview it.
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We also centered a few smaller pieces on the windows. This is another factor that we're always considering: how will your art work with the existing architecture?
I could write a whole post about this... for example, you usually hang pictures higher in rooms with high ceilings or massive furniture. That's why you can't just turn your decisions over to AI. Every room is different, and sometimes it's better to bend the rules and go a little higher or lower than "standard" so every piece meshes with its surroundings.
I could write a whole post about this... for example, you usually hang pictures higher in rooms with high ceilings or massive furniture. That's why you can't just turn your decisions over to AI. Every room is different, and sometimes it's better to bend the rules and go a little higher or lower than "standard" so every piece meshes with its surroundings.
The kitchen was slated for a complete overhaul, but meanwhile we hung some charming little still-lifes, and a massively heavy eagle. I loved this placement... you could see him from the dining room and he just drew you in.
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We even found a spot for the big Masai piece, in a tranquil guest bedroom where the furniture just happened to match beautifully.
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All told, "move in day" took three days, because we kept finding new spots for art.
But I'll focus on just one more vignette, because it shows how we handle complex groupings.
This was a little set of "abstract" pieces which were actually maps of our clients' last home. They asked us to hang them together as a collage, and you know... this looks simple, but if you're not familiar with creating gallery walls, it would be surprisingly tricky to arrange on your own.
But I'll focus on just one more vignette, because it shows how we handle complex groupings.
This was a little set of "abstract" pieces which were actually maps of our clients' last home. They asked us to hang them together as a collage, and you know... this looks simple, but if you're not familiar with creating gallery walls, it would be surprisingly tricky to arrange on your own.
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We started by using paper templates, which is our standard for informal, multi-piece layouts like this. These aren't so hard to cut when they're small, as long as you're very precise. (They get way harder to handle when they're big!)
The trick here was in the arrangement. In fact, I've spent less time arranging much larger layouts. The surprise here was that this particular arrangement really needed to break the rules.
The trick here was in the arrangement. In fact, I've spent less time arranging much larger layouts. The surprise here was that this particular arrangement really needed to break the rules.
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I've drawn a black line through the second photo so you can see what I mean. We found that the bottom piece had to be a little off-kilter in order for the layout to work. And that's just something that takes a trained eye.
And with the final pieces installed, the new house was finally a "home." Our clients left us a very kind review.
And with the final pieces installed, the new house was finally a "home." Our clients left us a very kind review.
"We recently moved to a new home in Asheville and we needed help unpacking and hanging our art collection which includes over 70 pieces. We enlisted Asheville Art Installers, Arthur and Faith Teel, to help us.
"Our expectation was that their role would be to simply hang the art at our direction. As it turned out what we got was two very thoughtful collaborators who played a much more significant role in hanging our art than we had anticipated.
"We could not be more pleased with the way our collection looks in our new home nor could we more pleased with the collegiality and contributions of Arthur and Faith. We recommend them with enthusiasm and with gratitude.
"Our expectation was that their role would be to simply hang the art at our direction. As it turned out what we got was two very thoughtful collaborators who played a much more significant role in hanging our art than we had anticipated.
"We could not be more pleased with the way our collection looks in our new home nor could we more pleased with the collegiality and contributions of Arthur and Faith. We recommend them with enthusiasm and with gratitude.
- Claude P. Sheer
(Maybe this is all you need to read, and you're ready to get started. If so, click the big red button.)
But We Did Come Back... So Keep Reading to See How Things Had Changed.
Our first return visit was planned. Our clients added a stately sunroom after they bought the home, and they also remodeled the kitchen and made a few other upgrades.
They needed us to bring our big yellow scaffold and hang a beautiful tapestry over the kitchen counter. Hanging items high up on the wall like this is a fairly popular service, but be sure to let us know ahead of time so we can assess your project.
They needed us to bring our big yellow scaffold and hang a beautiful tapestry over the kitchen counter. Hanging items high up on the wall like this is a fairly popular service, but be sure to let us know ahead of time so we can assess your project.
If you've gotten this far, there's a solid chance that you love art as much as I do, so let me show you this tapestry a little closer.
(Look at the little ducks hiding in the leaves!)
When they remodeled their kitchen, they also removed a somewhat oppressive set of upper cabinets, so they had room to feature the sweet little still-life paintings which I showed you before.
When they remodeled their kitchen, they also removed a somewhat oppressive set of upper cabinets, so they had room to feature the sweet little still-life paintings which I showed you before.
The dining room was repurposed into a music room, where the client kept his wonderful collection of guitars... so of course we had to move the eagle to watch over them. He's so intense, like the embodiment of rock 'n roll.
In the dining room, we installed a blue seascape over their tile fireplace. If you ever need this done, please let us know beforehand... they asked for this on a whim as I recall, and someone had to run out and buy the right drill bit to pierce the tile. It was totally worth it, though.
In the dining room, we installed a blue seascape over their tile fireplace. If you ever need this done, please let us know beforehand... they asked for this on a whim as I recall, and someone had to run out and buy the right drill bit to pierce the tile. It was totally worth it, though.
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And with that, we thought we were done.
Then Came the Hurricane.
If you're new to Asheville, you might have missed the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Although we personally escaped most of the damage, many homes were flooded, and many more were damaged by falling trees.
Image credit: Bill McMannis on Flickr
Our clients weathered the storm in their basement, listening anxiously as a dozen trees fell on their home.
Thankfully, the kitty made it through the storm.
Thankfully, the kitty made it through the storm.
The house didn't fare so well, but fortunately they had a great insurance company and an excellent builder. (They had a lot of nice things to say about Judd Builders of Asheville.)
Sadly some of the art didn't make it through, and after all of the chaos of rebuilding, our clients had also changed their outlook on art.
I'm not sure the difference will be obvious, but they had a much sparser approach this time. Instead of trying to find a home for every painting they owned, their new goal was to place the most important pieces, and let them breathe.
We started again in the sunken living room, where they'd had the opportunity to replace the storm-damaged floors. There was a little less furniture this time, and just three stately images.
Sadly some of the art didn't make it through, and after all of the chaos of rebuilding, our clients had also changed their outlook on art.
I'm not sure the difference will be obvious, but they had a much sparser approach this time. Instead of trying to find a home for every painting they owned, their new goal was to place the most important pieces, and let them breathe.
We started again in the sunken living room, where they'd had the opportunity to replace the storm-damaged floors. There was a little less furniture this time, and just three stately images.
In the sunroom, the eagle had survived and was taking pride of place over the kitchen. The big, calm seascape filled the adjacent wall.
The purple portrait of yore now stood alone in the main bathroom, where you could really experience the intensity of the piece on its own.
I've found that helping people find places for their art has taught me to be sensitive to individual philosophies.
Sometimes you're not ready to let go of a cherished piece... and other times you're in the mood to pare down and live more simply.
Both approaches have value. Our goal is never to just "hang pictures." We're really there to create an environment where you're surrounded by beautiful things that remind you of the interesting life you've lived.
And honestly, we do this because it's fun. We've met so many wonderful people, and we'd love to get to know you, too.
Sometimes you're not ready to let go of a cherished piece... and other times you're in the mood to pare down and live more simply.
Both approaches have value. Our goal is never to just "hang pictures." We're really there to create an environment where you're surrounded by beautiful things that remind you of the interesting life you've lived.
And honestly, we do this because it's fun. We've met so many wonderful people, and we'd love to get to know you, too.
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CONTACT US
9:00 am to 6:00 pm, M-F 828-649-5242 Owner: Arthur Teel 113 Rector Branch Road Marshall, NC 28753 [email protected] |