What's 'too close' to the counter edge? Eye-level is relative. So maybe a rule of thumb on that might be 5 feet? I think 6 inches is a rule of thumb for placement of a painting over a sofa. You don't want it to be floating out on its own, but want it to feel connected and a part of the whole composition with your cabinetry.

What looks best? Is it really so bad to look up at your painting a bit?

I prefer not to center on the vertical. Wouldn't that be about 20 inches above the cabinetry?

Squirrel has made excellent points as usual. Also, by hanging it a bit closer to the cabinetry, and leaving a bit more space above it, so that it is NOT centered vertically, you will make the ceilings feel taller.

The width of that pix seems great, and a couple of lamps on either side could finish the look. Before you decide that, tho, what other lighting will be near the buffet - do you have recessed lighting there? The reason I ask is that if you put a buffet light on either side, the center of the painting will likely not be adequately lit in the evening. You might want to do a large picture light if you don't have directional recessed lighting, and then use candelabra instead of buffet lamps on either end.

Or, you could be daring and hang the art more to one side, and then use a much larger lamp to sit in the empty space. Might be a more interesting look, depending on how traditional or modern your space is, and what if any lighting that is already there.

Thanks for your responses! Yes, eye-level is relative because I'm 5'9". I think I played around with a tape measure and found that having the lower edge about 18 to 20" above the counter looked good. And, luckily, the recessed lighting in that room lights up that part of the wall very well. (But your comments did make me realize that we have some very dark walls in our family room that will need to be addressed with picture lights if we ever hope to have art pieces on those walls. Grrr. It's always something. I hope picture lights are not too complicated or messy to install after the fact.)

I'm not sure how daring I will be with the placement. It's a pretty symmetrical space--despite the fact that I discovered that the outlets are not equidistant from the corners. But hopefully an inch or two off won't be noticeable.

Thanks again!

I like the asymmetrical idea. Jumped out at me when I read your post also. Also, if it's a symmetrical space, a little 'change would do you good' : ) (and some Sheryl Crow for Chic! lol)

Twenty inches sounds high to me. Kind of like a backsplash area. Maybe a decorative box or something beneath to connect a bit more and fill the blank area? Then again, with such a wide and tall expanse you probably don't want something too low.

You can always play with a large piece of brown kraft paper.

Part of my concern is that if it's too low, it might get splashed by food when we use the buffet. (We already have a couple food stains on the wall in that lower area--which had prompted a previous question about backsplash ideas above the buffet.)

While I could move it slightly to one side or the other, I will be limited by the outlets, or by buffet lamps if I get them. I could find some great sconces for the side walls instead of getting tall buffet lamps. Placing it completely off-center frees up room for another art piece--although I lack creativity when it comes to mixing artists.

Any chance for a great piece of tile art there? Splashes not a problem.

Hi Squirrel,

What kind of tile art would be big enough for that area?

One of those murals or patterned pieces. I've seen them quite large and they can be custom. The art you have is not covered with glass?

No, this piece we're considering is not covered with glass. It's a collage and has some three-dimensional aspects to it.

I'll have to think about the tile art. I don't think I've seen them around here.

I'm not really finding quite what I'm thinking, but here's a patterned one in a mosaic style -- third one down in the link is pretty for something like that. I've seen some unique and beautifully done hand-painted tile work in a high-end tile shop around here. Various painting styles too. Could also just be beautiful tiles laid in a pattern, monochromatic even. Or your blues and browns. Framed in tile or with just a narrow edge frame.

Stained glass piece might be nice too. Backlit on a dimmer for ambience : )

Here is a link that might be useful: Mosaic

Oooh. Very pretty. I'll show them to DH and see what he thinks. It might be too kitchen-y for that area. This room is the transitional area between the kitchen and the family room so I was thinking more "art."

I would post the piece we're thinking of but I don't want to jinx it. Can you believe that I had emailed the artist to find out if she has other pieces available and I haven't heard back. Doesn't anyone want to make money these days?