Tall walls. They seem so majestic and grand when you first walk into a perfectly staged model home. . . Then, you move in, start trying to decorate them and realize that the task is bigger than the wall itself. Holly emailed me for help with decorating the tall wall going up her stairs, and I'm sure it's a problem many of you who live in newer-built homes are struggling with, as well. There's always the question of what to hang and how high to hang it.
Holly sent me pictures of her previous attempts to address this type of wall in her home:
While I appreciate the fact that she used the shelves to fill alot of vertical space, something about hanging shelving in a stair landing doesn't make sense to me. I feel like what you display on shelves should be accessible and it's not here, unless you jump from a few steps up and have good aim :)
I think the big "B" print is better, but even though it's a large piece, it still seems to get lost on the wall.
So, this is what I would do:
Since there's most likely not one (great-looking) piece of art that's going to fill up this space, I would create a really large, symmetrical gallery wall. This isn't the time to skimp by only using a few frames or small frames. I would go all out and use the same large frames, filling the space visually.
I like the way these are grouped really tightly together:
Not only will it be a great place to hang some of your favorite photographs in plain sight, but a big grouping will make a really bold statement in an often seen spot.
Okay, your turn. What would you do?
I've got lots of those kind of walls in my home, so I've come up with tons of ideas on this topic! I do love the arrangement of photos in the same frames, but my favorite thing to do is find lots of random frames that have one linking attribute-same mat color, similar frame color, etc-and hue the photos accordingly. It adds a uniqueness to such large walls! I also install a heavy-duty curtain rod and hang colorful quilts that my mom has made for me over the years. This is a good idea if you like to change things up often, or with the seasons/colors. Good luck!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a large grid of frames. Great thinking!
ReplyDeleteWe have a two story staircase in our home with trim around it. I just bought a vintage bus roll and plan to hang that. It's 4'x8' and will really anchor the space... I hope :)
I was going to suggest the same thing! Those images look stunning. I think we all ooh and aww over grand walls but they are really challenging in the end!
ReplyDeleteI love that idea. WOuld that work above a fireplace? I have a 2 story wall in my living room and have no idea what to put above the mantle!
ReplyDeleteI think I would recommend one large piece of art (a bit bigger than the B). I know that large art can be expensive, so maybe even a large piece of very cool wallpaper on an art canvas would do it! M.
ReplyDeletewww.interiordesignmusings.blogspot.com
Groupings work so well for large walls. Love your examples!
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I'm not generally a fan of "accent" walls, but a tall space like that might be a place to give it a go - a cool stenciled pattern perhaps?
ReplyDeleteYes! I love your suggestion--I think that would look awesome.
ReplyDeleteI would paint out the railings on the stairs to a darker color (or on the opposite end white). I would then paint the large wall a slightly darker shade (like a soft grey) and add the photo gallery.
ReplyDeleteCreate wall panels using decorative molding like here...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.invitinghome.com/wall-decor/wall-panels_project.htm
Tracy @dailydecorator.com
I had a wall like this in my first house and I hung a street banner in it...approximately 3x7, looked great. I think the key, like you've pointed out, is to FILL the space! Janell
ReplyDeleteLarge groupings of similiar types of art or prints are my favorite way to address a very large/tall wall. The examples shown are perfect. Love it...it adds instant warmth, drama and interest to an otherwise boring big white wall...well done!
ReplyDeleteLove the squared frames, as opposed to rectangle. If you wanted to be a little most cost effective, instead of filling the whole wall with frames just do 3 or 4 rows and paint thick, horizontal, tone on tone strips behind the frames. I really hope we can see the after of some of these spaces!
ReplyDeleteI have a landing very similar to hers. I added a demilune table and hung a very large mirror. I've even thought of buying one of those huge leaner mirrors hanging it so that it barely touches the floor and then have the demilune up against it. Wouldnt that add some drama and depth coming up the stairs!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the gallery wall ( I too posted the same pic) it looks WONDERFUL in a staircase.
ReplyDeleteI would do the gallery wall, love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is great. I was thinking gallery wall from the beginning but your examples are perfect!
ReplyDeleteI love your idea, Emily. Gallery wall is a perfect idea for large walls. But if the home owners are feeling a little fancy, they can incorporate a wall fountain (a flat and large rectangle slate type). It will be such a dramatic and wonderful focal point.
ReplyDeleteJessie
www.mixandchic.com
She could do some wall moldings to break up the space. She could do planks going all the way down in a horizontal pattern one right on top of the other.
ReplyDeleteGreat Idea!!! You figured that out perfectly! I have the same problem....my solution a mirror gallery wall! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletethank you for this post. We have a tall stairway wall that's been driving me bonkers. My husband says tapestry.... I say um... major $$ and tough to find one we both agree on...
ReplyDeletegallery wall it is... :) a HA!
I love your idea of a gallery wall. I have a huge 2 story wall in my entry above the dining room and I hung a very large flat basket on the wall. You can take a look at what I did here
ReplyDeletehttp://sew-pink.blogspot.com/2008/07/one-of-best-purchases-ive-ever-made.html
I love your blog, it is one of my first reads every day.
I agree, a gallery wall is the way to go! I would even suggest taking it further and painting the wood on her railings either a dark ebony, white or even being slightly adventerous and going with a grey. I'm a huge fan of detailing stairways, and even in its simpliest form you can have fun.
ReplyDeleteI have a setup very much like this one, only there is a pair of sconces on the wall. Currently, between the sconces, I have a family portrait, but it does get lost.
ReplyDeleteI think it might make sense to design some long, quilted wallhangings (I'm a quilter), where one hangs between the sconces, and the other two hang on either side of the sconces. But that may look silly, considering their positioning around the sconces...
How about a stencil by Olive Leaf (discovered on your site--just wonderful large-scale designs) framed by moulding?
ReplyDeleteA gallery wall is perfect- a symmetrical one on the stair landing is a great idea! When you're following the stairs, and using the diagonal wall, I like to hang art to follow the diagonal of the stairs.
ReplyDeleteI do like the gallery wall but whenever I've attempted this there have been issues with shifting frames and I'd hate to have to pull out a 9foot ladder every week. I would go for a very oversized piece of art...custom canvas, tapestry, framed wallpaper. I'd love to see her space when she finishes.
ReplyDeleteI Love that arrangement, but I still don't think it'd work for my two story space. PLEASE take a look at it and give suggestions. Right now I have two very large prints above the cabinet, but it just doesn't look right to me. But what would be big enough to fill THIS space? http://decorallure.blogspot.com/2010/08/17-foot-drapes.html Emily and readers, what would you do with this big of a two story space. Even the clock above my couches is driving me nuts...
ReplyDeleteOkay Emily you are so talented. I need your help with my house! furniture and fabrics I can handle, but I don't do well with decorating walls and filling up spaces well.
ReplyDeleteI would love it if you'd stop by my blog this week for my first giveaway of hair accessories. I need some love over there!
http://littlemisspennywenny.blogspot.com/2011/04/first-giveaway.html
Xoxoxo,
Jen
If I were the homeowner, I'd go through all of my family photos. Older photos, new photos all of them. Print them on black and white in various sizes and hang them on the walls. Also, maybe mix in a few tiny mirrors or objects in frames.
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying the "what would you do" feature. It's awesome, and i love your clever solutions. I's also fun to hear what the other amazing bloggers say. I like the idea of a gallery wall too, seems perfect for this space, and one of the brilliant blogger ladies suggested painting the stair rail, i think that's a great idea!
ReplyDeleteCindy
I would hire you to give me this great idea!
ReplyDeleteWe had really large walls in our family room and my husband used molding to create three super large frames. The middle one was 5 x 4 and the two on the ends were 5 x 2. We painted the insides of them a darker color than was on the wall and put framed prints inside the large frames. It was beautiful and really filled up the space!
ReplyDeleteEmily hard to top that idea of yours. Framing art is what I'd go for as well. We have that exact same staircase in our home in Las Vegas. Hard to paint knowing where to stop and hard to give personality to. Photo groupings if done right are ideal. Thanks for visual, you've got my wheels turning!!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the large frames! We recently tackled this issue in our own house and ended up doing a board and batten around the walls in a blue/gray color. Instead of painting the walls (which I originally wanted to do)we painted the board and batten this was a much easier solution:) It also made the walls seem less overbearing and cold. http://imperfectlypolished.com/2011/03/01/board-and-batten-part-2/
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a gallery wall. In my new home the ceilings are taller and I have had to work extra hard to make accessories and art look appropriate with the extra wall space.
ReplyDeleteYou know I love, love your blog, and look at it daily. However, sometimes it gets me in trouble as you can see by this link to my blog!
ReplyDeletehttp://johnsontwinsplusone.blogspot.com/2011/04/progress.html
Thanks for all of your inspiration!
Since this is the first day I have been able to sit at the computer longer than 10 minutes...I will be reading backwards....but for this comment...I would do what you suggested :)
ReplyDeleteI love the gallery wall idea - I wish I had a wall large and tall enough to do that! I would throw in some mirrors along with the picture frames!
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