Posted by
Elana Safronsky, Managing Editor
Friday, April 16, 2010 9:35 AM EDT
This is in boycott of the gallery wall. I have a gallery wall. I am a self-hater. If I see another magazine editorial featuring a wall of 'artistic happenstance', I may have to tear the page out and chew it. (That's too much, I agree. Sorry.)
But there MUST be another way! PLEASE, is there no other way to display artwork? Because simply hanging it on the wall is as big a transgression on good taste these days, as -- *gasp* -- having chairs that match your dining room table.
I can't say that the following options are a complete departure from the gallery wall, but they do offer another way. However slight. And I really like them. Won't you consider giving these a try?
Just Put It Down, Lean It To, Or Place It On
Vicente Wolf's living room, NewYorkSocialDiary.com, photo by Jeffrey Hirsch
The title says it all. Why over-think it? It's the lazy spouse's ultimate dream. To never hear, "can we PLEASE hang those prints already?"...
Create Something Especially Special
Poppytalk blog, + Ladies and Gentlemen Home blog
Just old, wooden pant hangers! Sure you shouldn't hang your Dali sketches using these, but I know most of us cover our square, boring walls with cute prints we got off of Etsy, so stop buying frames that most likely cost more than the print itself. Nothing wrong with affordable art, and it behooves to treat it in an equally fun way. This fun little rig-and-hanger via Ladies and Gentlemen blog shows a refreshing take on the gallery wall.
Wanna Really Stick It to Design? Go Digital!
SmartParts digital WiFi photo frame, via Geek.com
It's huge, it offers endless options and it's wireless!! It also has built-in speakers and thanks to the WiFi, essentially doubles as your computer screen (are you thinking power-point too?) Despite all this and more, most designers would brand it as a decidedly unromantic wall accessory. But if that's precisely your point, it'll cost you $750 US to stick it to 'em.
A Bit Sick of This Too, But Can't Help But Love It...
Lonny Magazine
Instead of placing it on the shelf, nail it to the shelf. It seems so counter-intuitive, but the result wreaks the perfect amount of havoc on the pinky-in-the-air feel of a library.
Wanna Really Really Stick It to Design?
Picture Pages
Ok, this may not be an aesthete's dream, but all joking aside, it's a cute idea. I could see some crafty person all over this. It's essentially a scrapbook, framed and hanging on the wall. I see a world of possibilities, namely for family photos. Imagine this in the hands of Samantha Pynn or Sarah Richardson? Oh it could work.
Oh What the Hey? At Least It's Unique
By German-based Details, via StyleHive.com
It's interesting no? What if you have a hole bunch of corners and very little wall space? I'm just saying...
Any other ideas? Still really love the gallery wall?