San Francisco–based gallerist Suzanne Shade has a new twist on art display: tightly spaced frames that fit together snugly. Here’s her how-to for flawless installation.
Displayed photographs above by Traci French, available at The Beholder
Before hanging, decide on the placement of the artwork. Use a carpenter’s or a laser level throughout to ensure that your marks and the final arrangement are level. As you work, take time to step back occasionally and evaluate what you’ve done, making adjustments as necessary.
MATERIALS
Measuring tape
8 identical frames, each with projecting edges on the back so it can hang from nails
Pencil
Level
Hammer
16 1-inch nails
DIRECTIONS
1. Measure the combined width of all the frames. With a pencil dot, mark the horizontal midpoint of the planned arrangement on the wall.
2. Measure 60 in. from the floor up to the pencil dot and mark the spot with a second pencil dot. Erase the first dot.
3. On the back of one of the frames, measure the distance between the top of the frame to where the nail will hold the frame. Make a note of this measurement.
4. Start with the bottom row: From the pencil dot, measure down the distance noted in step 3 and mark it with another pencil dot. Use the new dot and a level to draw a horizontal line on the wall that’s slightly shorter than the total width of the row of frames.
5. Hammer in 1-inch nails (two per frame) on the level line; place nails approximately equidistant from the center of each frame. Hang the bottom row of frames, adjusting them along the nails until the pictures are level and fit snugly.
6. Using the bottom left frame as a guide (make sure it’s level), hold up the top left frame and mark its top edge on the wall with a pencil. From that pencil line, measure down the wall the distance noted in step 3, and mark it with a pencil dot.
7. Use that pencil dot and the level to draw a horizontal line that’s slightly shorter than the width of the row.
8. Hammer in two 1-inch nails on the level line for the top left frame so that it aligns with the bottom left frame. Continue installing nails (two per frame) and hanging the top frames, checking that each aligns with the frames beside and below before hanging the next one. Slide frames along nails as needed until all the pictures and both rows are aligned and fit snugly.
