ARRANGING FRAMED PICTURES ON A WALL
Here's a tip to consider before hanging your favorite framed pictures on a wall. Spread the pictures out on a large table or on the floor. Then, arrange them the way you'd like them to appear on your wall. Carefully mark your wall with pencil dots (so they can be erased if there's an error), then hang your pictures!

COORDINATE YOUR PICTURES WITH THE ROOM THEY'RE IN
It's always fun to hang a picture that's relevant to the room it's in. For years, people have been decorating their kitchens with pictures of fruit and other foods, for example. Take that concept even further. Look in magazines for old photos of people scrubbing clothes on washboards, have them enlarged, frame them, and hang them in your laundry room. Find some pictures of babies sleeping, have them enlarged if necessary, and hang them in your bedroom. In addition to being a nice decorating idea, it may help you sleep!

CREATE UNIQUE PICTURE FRAMES
If you have some pictures with plain wooden frames, try adding some panache to them. You can glue dried flowers on the frame. Or, if the frame is for a baby's room, you can paint it and then stencil little baby designs (such as storks or baby bottles) along the edge.

UNIQUE FRAMED ART
Want something a little different to hang on your walls? Try going to old bookstores and antique shops. Look for old maps or watercolors of scenes that hold special interest for you. Frame them in an interesting way and hang them prominently.

GREETING CARD ART
Have you ever seen or received a greeting card that looks like a work of art? Then treat it that way. Buy a picture frame somewhat larger than the dimensions of the card and a background mat in one of the colors that is prominent in the card design. Mat the card in the middle, frame it, and hang it on the wall.

CREATE UNIQUE FRAMED MIRRORS
Plain, inexpensive mirrors can become instant wall art when framed with unexpected materials. For example, small mirrors look great framed in cinnamon sticks, shells, or dried flowers. Larger mirrors can be enhanced with uniquely shaped twigs or pieces of weathered wood. Most materials can easily be secured using a glue gun and glue sticks.

FRAMING WALL ART SERVES MORE THAN ONE PURPOSE
The primary function of a frame is to protect artwork from damage. However, frames can have a great impact by adding aesthetic value to the artwork being displayed. The frame should not compete with, but rather enhance, the artwork being featured. The use of decorative "matting" helps to lead the eye from the artwork to the frame itself. When selecting a frame for artwork, carefully consider the frame's color, texture, and fabrication to create a pleasing "fit."

Source: Gail McCauley, Interior Design Freelance Writer for Home and Garden.