AboutJennifer Pierce Expertise I can answer any questions related to picture framing, art display, or art installation, including very large pieces, canvas stretching, shadow boxing, needlework mounting, and just about any type of dimensional or non-dimensional artwork display. The only questions I cannot answer pertain to fine artwork restoration (e.g. your Van Gogh oil painting is faded and you want it to be restored to the original brilliance--call a reputable museum for that).
Experience I have been in the picture framing business since 1987, with a specialization in hospitality (hotels) and commercial office installations. I have worked on artwork for nearly every major hotel and design firm in the world and have designed some pretty wild installations. Additionally, I have experience with almost every type of conservation technique
Education/Credentials All of my education was acquired in the field.
Question Could you please tell me the correct way to hang a picture over a fireplace. How high above the mantle should it be hung etc. Also I have a few family pictures on the mantle now, should they be removed and if so what type of things can be put there that will not take away from the picture. Thank you.
Answer The standard height at which to hang pictures is eye level on center, meaning that the center of the piece should be hung at the eye level of a 5'8" person. As you have already discovered, it's not that cut and dried when you're dealing with a fireplace. The fireplace defines the space available for the artwork; a large fireplace may not leave much room, and a very low fireplace may seem visually disconnected from a piece hung that high.
It's hard to say without knowing the dimensions of both your fireplace and the artwork, and also the ceiling height; however, I do think it's important (usually) that the picture be closer to the top of the mantelpiece than it is to the ceiling. This will visually connect the piece to the fireplace; too high and it will just seem to be out of place, "floating". It is possible also to hang it too low; I'll talk more about that in a moment.
First, I recommend you temporarily clear the mantel of all items. Starting with an empty wall will help you determine how best to showcase the main piece without being distracted by auxiliary items. You can always put them back later if you want to.
The next step I would suggest is to simply stand the artwork on the mantel and step back to see how it looks to you. You may like it just like that; art is very often just rested on the mantel shelf and leaned back against the wall. Obviously, this is not the most secure way to display the art; it's very easy to knock it off the shelf or otherwise displace it, so that's something to consider.
Since your ultimate goal is to hang the piece, leaning it will just give you a reference point to start with. You should see immediately how the proportions of the piece work with the proportions of the fireplace; this by itself may give you an idea of how high you want to hang it.
If your ceilings are normal height, and the piece is not overly large, try positioning it with the lower edge 12" away from the top of the mantel shelf. Have someone else hold the piece at this height while you step back and look. Again, depending on your ceiling height and the other proportions, you might need to tweak it down or up some. I also recommend flipping through some home dec magazines to see how others have handled this issue; you may see something that will inspire you. Probably, though, 8-12" above the mantel is fine with a standard-sized fireplace and 8' ceilings.
I had a fireplace once with a very short section of wall above it. The wall was only about 10" taller than the artwork. I centered the piece then dropped it down another inch or two before nailing in the hangers.
Regarding the family photos, there are a few factors to consider. One is your overall decorating style. If you've got a homey, cluttered thing going on elsewhere in the room/house, it might work to put the photos back. However, everything you put on the mantel is potentially a distraction from the artwork. For a designer look, you could choose some simple accessories which pick out a color in the artwork, or which have the same "feel" as the piece (e.g. simple contemporary chunky red glass vase with contemporary art piece that has a splash of red in it somewhere). The eye tends to linger on portraits of people; it would be easy for a few photos to steal the thunder of the artwork hanging over the fireplace.
Incidentally, like to group lots of family photos together on a bookcase, with or without books. They have a great impact when grouped.
I hope this helps you. If you like, come back with the dimensions of your wall, the fireplace, and your piece (or photos if that's an option) and I can get more specific.
