Danestress Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 I lack an eye for this kind of thing. I am going to attach a (not very good) photo of the painting. It's actually 100 paintings framed together. My DH spent over a year on this, so it's beloved. I am also going to attach a photo of the wall. The ceiling is 9 feet but that includes hefty crown molding. The table is 40 inches high, so highish. The painting itself is about 42 square. So I am trying to decide how many inches above the table the bottom of the painting should be. In other words, what clearance. If I wanted the middle of the painting to be at eye level for an average man, I would need the middle of the painting to be about 65 inches. That would put the bottom edge of the painting only about 4 inches above the top of the table. The bottom photo is a mock up using paper for the painting (the painting is actually wider than the paper, but it's accurate for height). It is hung with the bottom about 8 inches above the table. I think that looks too high. But if I ever want to put anything on the table, it will block part of the painting. Which may be ok. Or not? I guess I would love to know what others think about how high to hang this. It's REALLY heavy, so we need to get it right the first time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Michelle* Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 I think the mock-up looks right. It's balanced between the crown molding and the table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justLisa Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Well I would hang it so the "average" person viewing is sort of looking a the middle-ish area. If that makes sense. So if the table is 40" and the painting 42 square that means a 5 foot tall person would be viewing the center of the painting if it was just even with the table. So you could move it up a foot or so. Also depends on the size of the room. If you are looking at it from 50 feet away it's different than standing right next to it. So I think you have some give but I would go with 12 inches or less above the table Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 You HAVE to put something on the table that overlaps with the painting or it will seem like it is floating, imo. I agree that 8 inches looks a little high. How about 6 inches? Can one of you hold it up to the wall (like dh) and you eye it out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted September 15, 2012 Author Share Posted September 15, 2012 You HAVE to put something on the table that overlaps with the painting or it will seem like it is floating, imo.I agree that 8 inches looks a little high. How about 6 inches? Can one of you hold it up to the wall (like dh) and you eye it out? We can't use the actual painting to eye it, because it is pretty heavy. That is why I used the paper. But for whatever reason, the photo is turned sideways. Sigh. And I definitely will be shopping for things on the sideboard - perhaps lamps and a shallow piece for the center. I am ok with that covering part of the painting. I just want it all to look proportional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 IIf I wanted the middle of the painting to be at eye level for an average man, I would need the middle of the painting to be about 65 inches. That would put the bottom edge of the painting only about 4 inches above the top of the table. That sounds about right. But if I ever want to put anything on the table, it will block part of the painting. Which may be ok. Or not? Yes that would be ok. :-) I'd much rather see artwork hung too low than too high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanvan Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Unfortunately, I can't comment on where to hang the painting. I'd need to be there IRL. I don't do well with pictures. I'm going to disagree with Ellie, though. I was recently in a home where all of the artwork was hung too low and it drove me crazy. I'd rather see something hung a bit too high than so low that my neck hurts trying to see it. I think it's slightly easier for people to look up, and from across the room it is definitely easier to see artwork hung high rather than low. I enjoyed looking at the painting. Does your Dh concentrate on dogs, or does he paint other subject matter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyK Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Well I would hang it so the "average" person viewing is sort of looking a the middle-ish area. If that makes sense. So if the table is 40" and the painting 42 square that means a 5 foot tall person would be viewing the center of the painting if it was just even with the table. So you could move it up a foot or so. Also depends on the size of the room. If you are looking at it from 50 feet away it's different than standing right next to it. So I think you have some give but I would go with 12 inches or less above the table I agree. I've noticed most people hang pictures too high, but they are supposed to be at eye level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Personally I'd center it between the top of the table and the ceiling. Then I'd build height on the table top - candlestick lamps, vase of something tall, etc. But that might not work because the ceiling is 9 feet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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