AboutSara Tro Expertise I am a professional custom picture framer and designer. I have experience in all areas of
picture framing, and own my own custom framing shop. I can answer questions relating
to the design of a piece, the preservation of the artwork, color theory, photograph
restoration, decor, art placement, room balancing and installation questions.
Experience I have owned my own retail custom frame shop for 5 years, and managed a high-end shop before that for 5.5 years. I worked for a professional restorer and archivist for 8 months prior to the management position. I am also a fine artist myself, with a BFA in Photography and Printmaking, and have been framing my own work for years and years.
Education/Credentials BFA Fine Arts, NYSCC at Alfred University, NY
Expert: Sara Tro Date: 5/15/2008 Subject: Hanging oil painting on a curved staircase
Question I have a curved staircase in my entry. From downstairs to the ceiling of the
second floor is about 18 ft. I wanted to get a 36 x 48 oil painting of my
children to put on the wall. The center of the wall, where a picture would
hang, is approx. 13.5 ft. tall. Do you think, first of all, whether the picture
will be large enough. Second, once I get the oil painting framed, I'm not sure
how I'll hang it on a curved wall. Any suggestions?
Answer hi Annette!
thanks for writing! Great question!
So, without seeing the space, its hard for me to judge if that size piece will look right there. 18ft is a high, dramatic ceiling, which is fabulous, but the painting may look small there. Is there a really vertical feeling in that spot, or more horizontal? If the space is vertical in feeling, you could add just a few extra inches to the long dimension?
What I would do is get a piece of neutral grey board, or even cardboard, cut it to a size a little bigger than you were thinking, and hang it on the wall where you think it should go. If it looks skimpy, you know to go bigger. You can cut off material in 2" increments and hang it again, and hopefully there will be a size that fits perfectly! I would also try hanging it not centered, but slightly lower than center. It may keep the piece part if the household better,even though its on a tall wall.
As for hanging on a curved wall, screw some large "d-rings" into the frame on back at the same level on each side. Attach a loop of wire to each one, making sure its going to hold.. Loop it through a few times and twist the loose ends together tightly. Make sure the loops are long enough, about 2-3" long, then mark where you want the painting to be. Using earthquake proof hooks, (they're kind of a pain, but the painting won't get bumped off the hook), use the loop ends to attach the painting to the wall. Because the painting will stand away from the wall, make sure your loops are long enough to reach, and the earthquake hooks will help keep it from being bumped off the hook. Those are the kind with the little extra piece that opens to allow the wire in, and then snaps back to keep it from coming out. They make it harder to remove the piece later, if you want to, but itllbe secure.
Hope this helps!
write again if you need more info or further explanation..
Best of luck!
(do you have someone to to your portrait?)
Best,
Sara
