How to hang a picture and other essential lessons for the stylish home

Like tying a Windsor knot or brewing a perfect cup of coffee, knowing how to hang art on your wall is a hallmark of everyday style and nuts-and-bolts know-how. The where, what, and whys of hanging art are an overlooked, under-appreciated line of inquiry. Most of us simply wing it with a quick eyeball and a swing of the hammer. “How hard can it be?” we think. “What can go wrong?” The answer, of course, is plenty: crumbling plaster, ruined antique laths, mismatched art hung too close together, or a poorly mounted photograph warping in its frame.

But beyond the technical mishaps, there is a more essential lesson to be learned: The skill and consideration with which you decorate your home makes an aesthetic statement about the world you inhabit – and more importantly, when it’s done right, it very clearly looks a whole lot better.

How to Hang a Picture: And Other Essential Lessons for a Stylish Home is a user-friendly guidebook that details everything you need to know about hanging, framing, decorating and displaying art.