I was just introduced to the website, Free Vintage Posters from another great site, Crocodile Tears. They have a vast selection of free posters that you can print and hang for practically nothing! I found a Boston one for me and an LA one for Megan that are fairly representative of the two coasts right now. What can you find?
-Andrea 3 Comments I have come across some really great new to me ways to hang artwork or display paper recently. I thought I would share. The first option is called Hanging Line and it is carried by Kontextur. I like this option for it's simplicity, the magnets that hold it up (no wall damage) it's waterproof, and the fact that it only costs $12. 
This next option, called indie mats, just premiered on Decor8 yesterday. I like all the colorful options, the scale, and the youthfulness of the mats. These kits are great because they add interest, but they all go well with each other, so you have an instant gallery! They are also a no tools needed option as they come with adhesive, it sounds like similar to 3M strips. They come in sets, starting at $29 for 4 frames, very budget friendly! 
My last discovery, is not really a discovery. We all know how easy it is to hang artwork, lists, etc. from a binder clip that is attached to the wall. But did you know the clips come in mondo, huge, gigantic size? Land of Nod did it again, and at 3 clips for $16! 
Obviously all of these options are for pieces that are less precious, more temporary and light hearted. If you want a piece of art to last you have to buy the archival mats, glass, frames, etc. But for those times when you want an inexpensive and whimsical way to hang art, these options are fantastic! Do you have a trick for hanging art? We'd love to hear it. -Andrea Stephanie has a lovely wall that she'd like to style. She has a beautiful family and lots of photos to hang. This particular wall is visible from a side entrance and the kitchen that is open to their family room. Stephanie's question is where to hang the photos. Should they be at eye level from the main level, or should they be at eye level from the lower level? The pictures that were so thoughtfully taped up to show the scale of the wall are 4x6s. 
I would like to point out a few things that I think will help determine the space to be used. First, that ledge is so tall, and I would guess incredibly useful, that I think hanging frames five feet off the floor of the lower level would be too low. I also think it would help make the area more transitional (ie, help draw your eye from one level to the other) to have multiple rows of pictures at various heights. I would love for the grouping to help break up the horizontal line of the architrave, or door header. I thought this 2nd Opinion would be the perfect time to reference a couple Gallery systems that are on the market. 
This is the nicest and possibly the most famous version on the market today. It's called, The Perfect Picture Wall. This system comes in a variety of finishes and either a 1" frame or 2" frame. I've highlighted the option above because I think the wall could carry the weight of the 2" frame very well and I think this wood finish would look very warm. I also think it would hold up to color family photos if that's what Stephanie chooses. If you wanted to have a really large gallery wall they offer configurations where you group multiple sets together. 
The above picture is of Michaels Hang Your Own Gallery. It's the same idea as it includes a template and frames, there are fewer finish options though. I would stick with the horizontal or full-scale wall option as opposed to the staircase template as the proportions would fit Stephanie's space a lot better. The wall itself is vast, but the stairs are few. I hope you like these options. Now all that's left is to pick a system and admire your beautiful family! -Andrea | We're two bi-coastal designers who met at the corner of 2nd and Strand in Santa Monica.
ANDREA. I'm the east coast half of our magical design team. I have a long standing love affair of anything blue and beachy. I appreciate the tried and true design elements of my New England home.
 MEGAN. True to my west coast living, I love design with a blend of casual sophistication. Living in a small apartment, I've developed a love of clutter free, well organized spaces.
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