FURNISHINGS : Hanging Pictures in Home Should Be a Group Effort

Walls without pictures are not merely empty, they’re sterile and sad--but only slightly more so than a wall with just one picture.

Indeed, it takes a group of pictures to add vitality to a room, says Stephanie Hoppen, author of “Decorating With Pictures” (Clarkson Potter, 1991, $40).

Any wall is good, she says. Use large pieces of furniture such as a sofa or a long, low cabinet as anchors for a grouping. An architectural element such as a mantelpiece works, too. Bring an empty corner into a better relationship with the rest of the room by hanging a group of small pictures. Add interest to stairwells and long hallways by turning them into a gallery setting.

If you’re stumped for ideas, combine different versions of the same subject. “It could be roses, views of Venice, cats, photographs of your children,” Hoppen says.

Art photographs, botanical prints, architectural drawings, antique and modern advertisements and illustrations, fashion plates, pictures of pets, caricatures and plates are among her suggestions for wall ornaments.

Hoppen claims no special training in the art of putting pictures together. She says none is needed.

She started as a dealer in maps and artworks on paper in England and branched out to framing too. She now maintains showrooms in London, Toronto and New York.

“I learned framing as I went along, and I wasn’t particularly adept,” she says. “Even today, the pictures I put up aren’t necessarily right the first time. If I could learn, so can others.”

Still, there are some tricks of the trade:

* Look for wood or plaster architectural ornaments such as rosettes or finials that can add dimension to a wall of framed art works.

* Intersperse objects such as wall sconces, mirrors, woodcarvings and plaster plaques to create a more vivid setting.

* Hang a dimensional ornament above a series of paintings as a finial. It’s a finishing touch that often produces a more interesting effect.

* Work on the floor to create an arrangement. Step back and look. Try different patterns until you find one you like.

* It’s more difficult to hang pictures in a straight line than to create an asymmetrical arrangement.

* If you have a series of pictures identically framed, string a length of ribbon from one to the other. Each framed work is actually hung separately, but the illusion that all are attached to a single ribbon creates a pleasing visual whole.

* To lend interest to a wall full of books, include a few small framed pieces of art. An even more dramatic effect is created by hanging a picture across the front of a shelf. “You could hide all your paperbacks behind the picture,” she says.

* Look for new places to hang pictures, such as closet doors. If the door will be opened frequently, choose small, almost weightless, pieces.

* If a mirrored wall or door no longer delights you, cover part of the surface with framed art. Call a professional glass installer to affix the art to a mirrored wall.

* Since custom framing is so pricey, consider hanging oil paintings without frames.

Face the fact, Hoppen says, that good framing involves handwork, which is expensive. The more intricate the frame and mat, the more costly the job. This applies to custom work as well as ready-made moldings that have hand-rubbed finishes and intricate carving.

While a well-chosen frame protects against dirt, dust, fingerprints, accidents and moisture, it also enhances the artwork and contributes to the room’s decor.

When shopping for frames, pay close attention to the work on display and choose a framer whose work you admire. If there is no display, ask to see samples of his work.