Hang up a collection of art

So you've got the keys to your new home and you want to begin to hang your collection of art, and other collectibles or your Aunt Joanne's quilt, but you are stumped on how to start.

First, figure out locations for your art and other wall hangings. Some people are compelled to hang all the items in one place.

The effect can be dramatic, and like any work of art itself ... has to be inspired. Perhaps the colors tie together the works of art or contrasts them, or perhaps you are trying to tell a story with your art grouping, or maybe they are just a random selection of art and items that work well together.

Another approach is to spread the love, and by love I mean place your precious works of art around your home.

One or two pieces per wall and your walls will be singing like they do in art galleries. Of course, you should also take into account the type of room, the amount of light and how much space you have in order to be able to appreciate the work without having to stand on the stove to get the perfect angle or distance.

The placement of your art should feel natural. Allow the items to make themselves at home. Prior to hanging, lay your works in each room by groupings where you think they may go. Over some days, you can revisit each grouping to see what feels right in each room.

Next is the how to hang.

Let's face it, the best way to hang anything is on a stud. But finding a stud is not easy. Knocking on the wall to try and feel your way is one way, but you might be left with as many holes as in town in war-torn Afghanistan.

There are instruments called stud-finders but they can or cannot work invariably depending on how much money you spend on these tools.

Not all walls are created equal. Some are built of drywall or wallboard, older walls may be built of wood, wire and plaster, and yet others may be built of concrete or poured cement.

Each of these walls requires different tools and hangers to place your art on the wall.

Another variable is the weight of the item to be hung. You'll in the very least need some of these tools: an electric drill and appropriate wall bit, a hammer, and a screwdriver with different head bits or a selection of screwdrivers with both flat heads and Phillips.

You will also need a variety of nails and screws.

To hold these works of art in place, you will also need a jack nut (really, a small molly bolt), a molly bolt (a bolt with a self-expanding cage which will engorge itself in the walls hole), wall dogs (a screw with a spiral wide flange that's acts as both screw and molly) or toggle bolts (a bolt with spring-loaded wings which open once passed the wall opening creating a span of support against the wall surface).

• Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida.

© 2017, Creators Syndicate