DIY Life

Hanging your artwork or photographs on the wall seems like it would be straightforward and easy to accomplish. However, most of us are doing it incorrectly. From the placement of the artwork to our method of hanging it, we could use a few tips.

Where on the wall do you have your pictures?

Most people make the mistake of hanging their artwork or photographs too high on the wall. Hang your pictures at eye level. What exactly is eye level? According to the standard that is used in art galleries, the center of the picture should be between 60" -65" from the floor. You can even break this rule and go several inches lower in a room where prople are generally seated, such as a dining room.

The size of the artwork should relate to its surroundings.

A small picture on a large empty wall will get lost, while a large picture will overwhelm a small wall. Pictures should be smaller than the furniture over which they hang. For example, a large painting hanging over a tiny table will look unbalanced and top heavy.

Being the mom of a toddler doesn't let me sit for extended periods of time, so I have to pick and choose DIY crafts that are not so mind intensive that I get lost in them and end up totally ignoring my child. I know that will end when she goes to preschool, and I can focus on more intricate projects.

One of the first on my list for that time will be this paper cutting tutorial. I am decent at drawing, and pretty good at sitting for a long time, when necessary. The fact is, Heather makes it very easy to fall in love with her artwork, so her "cut tut" should definitely be added to everyone's crafting "to do" list.

Heather gives instructions detailing her drawing of the design onto thin white paper, used sticky tape to adhere the white paper to a piece of black construction paper,and then sat for hours cutting out the intricate design.

This project takes extreme patience and some seriously steady hands, both of which I don't really have right now. If you happen to have that patience and steady hand, I'm sure your not so crafty friends will be amazed to receive your gorgeous gift.

[via Whip Up.]

Nothing says 'fresh' and 'modern' like graphic artwork. It's a perfect pick-me-up to a drab decor, or it can add a funky flair to a traditional decorating scheme. However you choose to use it, graphic is "in."

You could spend a fortune and buy some canvases from a trendy artist, or you can do it yourself. I vote for me!

Plaid has a very easy tutorial showing how to create your own graphic artwork: a set of three coordinating canvases that you can make, using stencils and four colors of paint.

After painting the base color on each of the canvases, just use stencils to paint on the designs. They will have your own personal touch, you can make them to match your own decor, and they will give your room an instant face lift. They'd also make a cherished housewarming gift for a special friend.

If you fear art, as some do, and this project is more than you can handle without an accompanying Margarita, you can try framing some handmade paper instead. A block print design will give you a similar look, and you can still say that you did it.

These days, it's easier than ever to accumulate great art prints, but where to hang them all? And do you really want to pay to have them framed? If they're an odd size or shape, it could become expensive.

Yesterday, an easy solution was posted at Apartment Therapy Chicago. Salvage, thrift, or purchase a plain board at least a few inches bigger all around than your artwork, and stain it, if necessary. Then nail two Boston Bulldog Clips to the board -- they're sometimes just called Bulldog Clips, and are available at most art supply stores. Put your print in the clips, hang it on the wall, and you're all set!

If this isn't your style, you can always try using a nicer board, cut to your specified dimensions and painted a neutral color like black, or a color that coordinates with the art, matte or glossy. You could even consider spray-painting the Bulldog clips with some kind of finish, like metallic black model enamel.

When you're done, you'll have a funky custom display solution, like a giant clipboard that allows you to change your art out on a rotating basis. Pretty cool, huh?

Do you love the look of graphic patterns hung as artwork? It adds a contemporary twist to any decor, and if you find the right pattern, it will easily spruce up a tired room.

You can easily replicate the look at home, framed or not, for a fraction of the price.

How, you ask?

To make it the most affordable, use handmade paper. Cut your paper to the size of an affordable frame, and frame it as you would any other artwork, as I did in this photo.

You can also get the look of expensive patterned material stretched on canvas using handmade paper. Simply wrap the paper around a budget-conscious frame -- it can be ugly for this -- and staple it to the back. Just be careful to fold the corners neatly. Looks just like it is stretched on canvas, with a lot less work and money behind it.

You could also scour the clearance racks at your local fabric store and see if you can get any bargains on patterned material and do the same with fabric.

How's that for a quick and cheap room pick-me-up?

Sure, it is one thing to see a great mantel display and reproduce it in your own home. In fact, it is a great idea, because inspiration from other sources is what this feature is all about.

But what if you could learn to create your own original mantel displays using the same techniques the professionals use? Now there is a DIY skill you can apply time and time again.

Better Homes and Gardens Magazine has a tutorial online that teaches basic design points that you can apply to your own mantel designs.

So in the spirit of being inspired, and tutored in basic mantel design elements, I set out to create three show-stopping mantel displays in my home, one for each fireplace.