Ask the Expert 
Wall art
QUESTION: I have a long narrow living room space that opens on to the dining area, kitchen and hall. All rooms have cream colored/Navajo White, walls and white ceilings. The living room sofa, love seat and chair are all mission style Merlot dark wood. That room has a very light tan carpet, colorful window cornices, white blinds and no drapes. I don't know what to put on the walls. Paintings seem to clash with the cornices. It all looks lovely but hasn't given me the sense of warmth I would like to have because the walls are bare.
-- Frank Maitoza from Hemet, CA
ANSWER:
If you are looking for a way to spice up your walls with something that won’t compete with other elements in your room there are a few things you can try. A large mirror with an interesting frame can help open up your narrow room and add additional light. If your furniture is mission style, look for a frame with an oil rubbed bronze finish, or something unusual that says “early American” like an old window pane fitted with mirrored glass. Black and white or sepia-toned photography is another great way to add some interest to your walls. Choose several prints with a similar theme, frame them all with a simple black gallery-style frame and arrange them in a cluster on your wall or in a row above your sofa. Other ideas to try are floating shelves, wall sconces or even wall-mounted candle holders.
Expert's Bio
Laura is an accredited member of CDECA, The Canadian Decorators’ Association and has been working in the design industry in one form or another for well over a decade. With training in both Boston and Toronto, her talents range from interiors to styling to graphic design. The diverse experience has led to a broad range of projects, including work on HGTV’s Designer Guys and Style Dept., as well as photo styling for House & Home magazine. Her company Laura M. Stein Interiors creates leading-edge designs that are distinctive, dynamic, expressive and livable and offers a full range of services, from individual consultations to complete design packages. Please visit our web site at www.lauramstein.com.
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