Photo Gallery: Make Empty Walls Works of Art

(Family Features) - Add personality and warmth to a room, hallway or staircase with an arrangement of favorite framed photographs, wall art or collectibles.

Proper lighting to the arrangement will give it the attention it deserves. Track lighting is a simple and affordable way to make a dark hallway safe and cheery, to light up a gallery of family photos, or to bring to life artwork or special elements of the room's decor.

Track lighting is a good option for illuminating specific tasks because the fixtures adjust to direct light where you need it. After a track is installed, you can use several types of housings along its length for different purposes. Choose fixtures of the same color and same general shape from the manufacturer who made the track.
Tracks are available in a variety of lengths and with the proper connectors can be configured in virtually any shape. The lighting experts at GE recommend halogen spotlights as the right choice for tract lighting. These bulbs add crisp light that filters out all the dulling yellow that is common with incandescent light bulbs.

It's easy to turn a hallway or entryway into a family art gallery. Be sure to select frames and mats of different sizes and shapes but that complement one another. If you're not sure how to select frames, ask your local arts and crafts store experts or your local framer.

Plan your arrangement of pictures on the floor or tabletop lined with kraft paper. You can move them around without leaving holes or marks on the wall. Balance sizes and distances between pictures. Use a measuring tape to be sure the distance between several pictures is equal.

Trace around the frames and mark where the hook should go. Then simply tape the paper to the wall and use it as your roadmap.

Step-by-step directions follow below. For more information about choosing the right light bulb or for tips on lighting a variety of rooms in your home, visit www.gelighting.com.

Instructions:

• Measure height and width of wall hanging area.
• Cut kraft paper to match area dimensions.
• Lay kraft paper on floor, and organize frames into your ideal arrangement.
• Trace outside of each frame with marker.
• Mark where nail hole should be (place nail hole at center of frame).
• Tape kraft paper template onto wall hanging area.
• Nail hardware through kraft paper; carefully remove kraft paper, leaving hardware in place.
• Hang frames on hardware.
• Install track lighting fixture with directional spotlights to complement the décor and space.
• Install dimmer switch if desired.
• Adjust bulbs to highlight the photo gallery
  

Shopping List:

• Picture frames and matting
• Assorted black & white and color photos (or artwork) in a variety of sizes
• Hanging hardware (nails, hooks, etc.)
• Kraft paper
• Marker
• Painter's tape
• Tract lighting fixture with directional spotlights
• Dimmer switch (optional)
• GE Reveal halogen spotlights (50-watt recommended)

Source: GE