MISS MOOX: Martha Stewart

People are often intimidated by the prospect of hanging artwork. I have been in homes where there is literally nothing on the walls. Or worse, there are stacks of art leaning against the wall and they didn't just move in. I swear, I can almost smell the owner's fear! Hanging art is one of the best ways to personalize your home so don't be afraid! I think the key is to plan ahead. Gather up all of your artwork and photographs in one spot and think about where each piece will go before you start the hanging process. Here are three basic tips for arranging artwork:

-Keep the artwork in proportion to the wall (if you have a long skinny wall, try hanging the art stacked in a vertical grouping)

-Makes sure the scale of the art relates to the scale of the furniture it is hanging above (you don't want a huge art piece hanging above a tiny little table or it will just look dwarfed)

-Hang artwork in groupings that relate to each other (black and white photos in a grouping or hang different mediums of art that are framed in a similar manner like all in gold frames)

Here are some more tips and images for inspiration!

Hang artwork in a row
TIP: Note that the space between each piece of artwork (both horizontally and vertically) is the same.

Hang artwork vertically

Hang art in a grouping
TIP: If you are considering doing a large art grouping, I recommend tracing the frames out on craftpaper and arranging the paper on the wall first with painters tape so you don't end up with a million holes in your wall!

Wrap art around walls gallery style

Mix up different sized artwork within an overall group

Stack art in a vignette

Ideally you want to hang artwork at eye level for proper viewing but there are times when it can be more interesting to hang art in unexpected places.

Having a hard time filling a bookcase? Try adding art to break things up.

Draw the eye up by hanging art above a doorway

My last tip involves hardware...you have to use Ooks! It is the best product for hanging pictures straight and it doesn't damage your walls. You can also buy them locally at Michael's and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

~Images: Martha Stewart Living Decorating Details

Yeah right, like this ever happens!

Martha. You either love her or hate her. Regardless, that woman has mad skills AND way too much time on her hands (as my mother always says). I think everyone has had a "Martha Moment" where we try to be super crafty or organized or innovative. Channeling your inner Martha takes a lot of work and can be frustrating as all get-out because she (and her team of thousands I imagine) make it look so easy! Case in point...I have tried a cazillion time to fold my fitted sheets like this and it NEVER looks like this. I mean NEVER, not a once.

Just in case you feel a "Martha Moment" coming on while tackling your linen closet, here are some of her helpful hints:

-Make sure everything is visible and that everyday items are easy to reach

-Out of season items like beach towels or heavy comforters should be at the top of the closet while everyday items like bed sheets should be in the middle

-Group items by category and label the shelves so items are easy to find

-Make sure all items have room to breath so they don't get damaged

-To keep antique linens from yellowing, use tissue paper to separate them from each other and don't stack them too high to prevent enticing bugs and mold

-Use zippered cloth or plastic bags to store and protect items like comforters and blankets

-Hang table lines instead of folding to prevent wrinkles

~Images and Content: Martha Stewart Good Things for Organizing