Hanging Artwork, Plates, and Mirrors
My Winter House decorating project continues...
During the early stages of this quarantine, I decided it was time to refresh some of the rooms in my Winter House - it seemed like the perfect opportunity since I could be home to oversee all the work. Not long ago, I had the carpets replaced and took several pieces of furniture to a local upholsterer for recovering. The next stage was to hang pieces on the walls - decorative plates, mirrors, and artwork. Because some of the items were heavy and needed precise positioning, I called on an expert to help. David Kassel owns ILevel, the only company in New York City that specializes exclusively in arranging and securely installing all types of art - paintings, prints, fragile plates, mirrors, posters, drawings, and family photo collections. Using design and technical skills, David and his team work alongside major galleries, corporations, private collectors, and homeowners. Over the years, David has worked on many projects for our magazine, "Living." He's also hung pieces for my daughter, Alexis. And last week, he was here at my Bedford farm hanging dozens of decorative pieces around my home.
Enjoy these photos and tips.
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- Here I am with David Kassel, owner of ILevel. David and I are standing in front of one of the walls now decorated with beautiful Wedgewood drabware. Don’t worry, we both just removed our protective face masks for this photo.
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- The plan was to hang drabware on nearly all the walls in the room between my foyer and servery. The room was previously used as a small dining room, but I decided to create more relaxed seating areas for gathering and reading. Earlier in the day, we placed all the plates on tables in preparation for hanging.
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- I also wanted to move a few large mirrors around the first floor of my Winter House. Whenever leaning heavy artwork against a wall, always place towels underneath and behind the edges so nothing gets damaged. Art and photos should always be hung after other decorations have been decided. The height and width of pieces will always affect the hanging of any print or painting.
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- Here is a series of mushroom photos selected for the wall along a staircase.
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- Here, David’s colleague, also named David, measures, and places level marks on this wall for a mirror. The team uses blue painter’s tape that has a very light adhesive.
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- Using some paper and tape, David creates an envelope to catch all the dust from where he is drilling. This saves time and keeps the areas clean.
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- All the dust is collected right into the envelope.
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- David brings a case filled with all the necessary nails, screws, wall anchors, and hooks.
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- All the mirrors are hung from two hooks for security. Here are the hole and the tape marks for one side of the mirror.
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- For this piece, David decides to use large D-rings. These D-rings are available at hardware stores in different sizes and are great for hanging heavy pieces up to 200-pounds. When choosing D-rings, always make sure it fits the back of the frame on which it will be mounted.
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- David uses picture wire to attach to the D-ring, so there is added flexibility in case the mirror needs adjusting later.
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- Here, Carlos and David hang the mirror.
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- And then check it for level – everything is always checked and double-checked for straightness.
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- Here’s another mirror getting measured for hanging. This full-length mirror will go into my foyer for guests that want to take a quick last look when they arrive.
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- The mirror is actually not as heavy, so David uses these picture hanging hooks, also available online and wherever picture hanging supplies are sold. These hooks are compatible with drywall and plaster, and because they are hammered into the surface at an angle, do not need to go into a wall stud.
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- These hooks are easy-to-reposition and the hook leaves just a pin-size hole on the wall. This hanger, which can hold up to 75-pounds, also has a reinforced elbow for added strength.
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- David and Carlos carefully carry the mirror to its new location and hang it.
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- David takes a look to see whether it needs any adjusting. Another tip to keep in mind – be sure the piece does not block any moldings or other fixtures.
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- It looks great in its new home.
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- Here’s Carlos measuring a wall along the staircase to my second floor.
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- It was the perfect location for this Niagara Falls painting. It’s hung high enough so that it is not blocked by the banisters when looking at it from the first floor – another important consideration when hanging.
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- Next, the plates. Plate hangers can be found in different sizes. These have springs and vinyl tips and sleeves to prevent scratches.
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- David places a plate hanger on every plate. They also feature flexible brass wires to keep the plates in place.
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- We also used these plate hangers from Martha by Mail. Anyone remember these or have some of their own?
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- Before hanging any of the plates, they are all arranged on the carpet, so I could decide the plate composition.
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- Meanwhile, David marks the positioning on the wall.
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- The plates are hung using these single nail picture hangers.
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- Each one is carefully hung and measured in the same way it was arranged on the floor.
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- Here’s one wall of plates all finished.
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- Across the room is another wall of plates – perfectly positioned between two floor-to-ceiling windows.
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- Carlos works on the mushroom prints on the wall by my back stairwell.
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- These pieces are hung in pairs. Carlos checks for level on the upper print. The process for hanging these is a bit more mathematical. Carlos takes into account the size of the wall, any mechanicals such as light switches and thermostats, and the measurement of the stair risers. All of these affect where the prints should be placed.
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- Here’s a view from the top of the staircase once all the photos are hung.
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- For bulky and very heavy pieces, ILevel uses wooden cleats. These cleats are made from basswood, but any straight wood will work. ILevel uses two different thicknesses depending on the job at hand – half-inch and 3/4-inch.
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- Here, the team is affixing one side of the cleat to the back of another mirror.
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- The bottom of the cleat is cut at an angle.
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- And when it is on the wall, it will be placed on top of another piece of wood also cut at an angle. this shows how they will fit together.
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- I wanted the mirror centered between these two lights.
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- David measures and marks the space for the bottom cleat.
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- Measuring is the most important step, so David makes sure everything is just right before screwing it into the wall completely.
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- Then the piece goes up – it looks so great.
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- When hanging any kind of artwork or mirror, David always recommends holding the piece in position first to be sure it’s in the best spot. Always stand back and look at it from a distance, and consider all reasonable possibilities.
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- Here I am with David Kassel on my left, along with David and Carlos. Thank you so much, ILevel. Everything looks terrific. I can’t wait to share photos of the finished rooms in a later blog. And please go to the ILevel web site for more information.
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