Corey Damen Jenkins on How to Hang A Gallery Wall
“The salon-style arrangement in my Michigan home features a variety of pieces that are meaningful to me. I created interesting juxtapositions between size, shape, medium, and color,” says Jenkins in his latest book, Design Remix: A New Spin on Traditional Rooms. Photo courtesy of Rizzoli New York.
Having won a devoted following for his classic interiors, AD100 designer Corey Damen Jenkins describes his look as “elegant and luxurious but also functional, practical and never stuffy.” Inspired by music, architecture, haute couture fashion, and his beloved hometown of Detroit, Jenkins draws parallels between the city’s resurgence and his own designs. “Even though Detroit is an “old” city, it’s not nostalgic. An equally powerful quality is its resurgence after a period of decline—how it came back to life with the spirit and underpinnings of what was there before, but with a contemporary flair,” says Jenkins. “I like to channel that spirit of vibrant regeneration—and not merely replication—into a category of homes that have what I call “good bones.”
In his latest book, Design Remix: A New Spin on Traditional Rooms, Jenkins presents his take on classic interiors, alongside his masterful sketches, pro tips and tricks, and touching story about his journey to becoming an interior designer (that frankly had us in tears). In addition to covering useful topics such as creating a minimal look within the context of a traditional interior, Jenkins delights us with his step-by-step lessons for creating the perfect gallery wall.
Corey Damen Jenkins in his hometown of Detroit. Photo courtesy of Rizzoli New York.
The following is an excerpt by Corey Damen Jenkins from Design Remix.
“A salon-style hanging is a great way to give a small or overlooked space its own personality. Stairwells, foyers, powder rooms, and breakfast nooks are some of my favorite areas to use this kind of design element—any small space where you want a shot of verve and character. While you can buy pieces with the specific intent to create a salon-style collage, I think these compositions are most successful when they incorporate mementos of significance and pieces that you already own.”
A salon-style hanging featuring heirloom artworks and needlepoints owned by Jenkins’ clients. Photo courtesy of Rizzoli New York.
Corey’s 5 Tips for Creating a Gallery Wall
Choose Your Approach
There are two basic directions: uniform, where the frames match and subject matter is consistent (all black-and-white photos or watercolors of the same size); and eclectic, where the frames are different sizes and shapes and there’s more of a mix of elements and a looser grid.
Think Outside The Frame
A salon-style collage is a great way to showcase collections or inherited items like antique mirrors, African masks, mounted plates, or pieces of porcelain. Depending on the approach you choose, you can make a dedicated space for these elements or mix them with others.
Plan Before You Hammer
Once you’ve chosen your elements and the space in which you want to hang them, lay everything out on the floor and arrange it there. Be sure to measure the place where the frames will hang and the space between each of the pieces, so you come up with a collage that makes sense for the space before you start putting holes in the wall.
“Layering artwork over bookshelves is another favorite technique of mine,” says Jenkins. Photo courtesy of Rizzoli New York.
Sketch by Corey Damen Jenkins, courtesy of Rizzoli New York.
4. Take A Break Before You Commit
After I’ve created my groupings on the floor and measured everything precisely, I always step away before I start hanging. While nailing the spatial relations are key, your gut will tell you if it’s working visually when you look at the final product after a pause.
5. A Little Goes A Long Way
You don’t need an extensive art collection, tons of family heirlooms, or a huge stash of antiques. Four or five pieces that have sentimental value collaged together thoughtfully can be more impactful than an entire wall—and easier to put together successfully.
“One of the things I like best about working with kids is that they tend to be as fearless about color as I am,” says Jenkins. Photo courtesy of Rizzoli New York.
