Framing Tips

• If your frame presents mold and/or insect infestation, it’s time for a new frame. Artwork should be completely separated and isolated from any potentially damaging materials by an impermeable barrier such as glass or metal.
• All additions should be removable without damaging the artwork, or its support. You should minimize exposure of the work to adhesives.
• Artwork should be separated from the glass using a matte or spacers. Make sure you use archival, acid-free materials and methods to ensure protection of your artwork. If artwork is not properly framed and preserved, it can fade, yellow, stain, and even be burned by the acids in inferior framing materials.
• Choose conservation in your framing. Conservation glass safeguards works against damaging ultraviolet light, blocking up to 97% of the harmful ultraviolet spectrum, and thus significantly reducing fading due to light exposure. By comparison, regular glass blocks approximately 47% of the ultraviolet spectrum.
• If you are planning to send artwork through the mail, we recommend the use of acrylic glass. It is lighter than conservation glass and will not shatter in the event of an accident.

Hanging Tips

• Begin by inspecting the piece to be hanged. Make sure the hanging wire or cording is in good condition.
• If the piece is too heavy, wire is not recommended. Hang it directly from the "D rings" or straps to divide the weight evenly. In some cases the best solution is to use some sort of railing system.
• Inspect the wall make sure that is in good enough condition to hold the weight of the picture. Choose the correct wall hooks based on the weight of the picture.
  Make soft pencil marks on the wall to determine where the hooks are going to be placed. Re-check your measurements before you decide to make the hole. Humidity and age can cause deterioration.
• Use a stud finder to locate wall studs for secure hanging. It’s very likely that you won’t find a stud by just tapping the wall or guessing.
• If you are hanging a picture on a papered wall, use a razor knife to cut a tiny V-shape in the paper, lift the tab and place the nail or screw in the exposed area. If for some reason the picture is taken down, simply putty the wall and paste the ‘V’ back down with wallpaper adhesive to cover the hole.
  

How high should I hang the piece?

The average used by most of the interior designers we have worked with in the Washington Metropolitan area is 65" from the floor to the center of the piece. However, there are several factors that will determine the actual height of the picture, such as the size of the wall, the size of the picture and furniture, and the most important… the eye level of the residents of the house. It’s usually preferable to hang art lower than higher.

Picture Groupings

A picture grouping consists of two or more items that are hung close together. Smaller pieces can be hung closely together to form one unit covering a large wall space. Be creative, you can mix all kinds of artwork. The size and shape of the frames will give you the inspiration you need. We recommended hanging larger pieces above the smaller ones.

The more pictures you have the harder it becomes to hang them. To make your job easier lay the pictures on the floor, start with the centerpiece, and work your way out. Once you have your arrangement, then proceed with hanging.