Creating The Perfect Picture Collage

Pictures, whether great works of art or precious family snapshots, give a room warmth and personality. Grouped together in a collage, they can become a striking focal point. For a decorator look, frame the entire collage with molding and paint the interior a bold accent color. Following a few simple steps, it can be easier than you might think.

1. Scope out a prominent place for your collage. Measure the size of the space you want to fill, giving yourself a little room for fine adjustments later.
2. Lay out your collage on the floor; position the molding to frame the collage in the desired size and shape and arrange the pictures inside. Varying the size, shape and frames will add interest to the final display.
3. On the display wall, find the location of wall studs to make sure any heavy items will be in position to be attached securely. A stud finder is perfect for this job.
4. Prepare to transfer the layout to the wall. Measure from the middle of one strip of molding to the middle of the opposite side to determine the overall length and width. This will become the perimeter for the painted backdrop.
5. Outline the perimeter of the collage on the wall, making sure lines are level and plumb. Just place the painters' tape along the outside of each laser-generated line to get the layout and paint preparation done in one easy step.
6. Paint the backdrop for the collage using a bold color that will complement the room's décor. With the many textured paints and faux finishing techniques available, the opportunities for creativity are endless.
7. Once the paint has thoroughly dried, attach the molding, centering it over the paint line to make sure there are no unsightly gaps between paint and molding.
8. Hang the pictures according to design. Once again, the iLine can come in very handy to make sure all the photos are straight and aligned according to plan.
9. Step back and enjoy a wall treatment that has the look of an expensive designer without the price tag.

Picture this: hanging artwork with professional style.

Courtesy of NAPSnet.