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Thinking Off the Wall
ASK THE

artsperts www.harmonmeek.com

by Kristine Meek and Juliana Meek 599 NINTH STREET, NORTH, SUITE 309 | NAPLES, FL 34102 | 239.261.2637

Dear Artsperts,

I have an open kitchen, but don’t always want to look directly
into my kitchen. Do you have a solution?
Signed,
Open Floorplan

Dear Open,
Open floorplans are on-trend and have been for the past
few years. There is a convenience to open spaces and, in general,
people enjoy the look and feel of large open spaces in their homes.
However, there may be times when you don’t always want to see
immediately into the kitchen. Especially if you are having a dinner
party and maybe don’t want guests to see the activity happening in
the kitchen.
We do have a solution using art. Most open concepts have large
kitchen islands. One use of the island would be for a sculpture to
be placed on the island. Your eyes are more apt to be drawn to the
sculpture than the kitchen behind. Depending on the material of
the sculpture, this may be a permanent solution as stone sculpture
is too heavy to move. An aluminum sculpture would be a lighter
alternative if you need flexibility with choosing to have the artwork
up or needing the counter space.
Another solution is to use a painting. That might seem unlikely
since a painting can’t levitate. However, it is possible by framing
the work in a thick contemporary flat frame and adding corners to
stabilize the work. This concept also allows flexibility in that most
paintings on canvas are light enough to easily move off the counter.
Our Dad came up with this very solution when our mom
wanted to host a dinner party, but didn’t want guests to have to see
into the kitchen. Another concept our dad created is a rotating art
centerpiece. A triangle of three panels with a small work of art
on each side. He created this concept for when our Gallery hosts
dinner events.
These concepts are ways to think “off the wall” to incorporate
paintings in your home in unusual ways. Plus, it will make a fun
topic of conversation during your dinner party!
Sincerely, Painting by Miguel Saludes framed in such a way it could
The Artsperts be placed on a countertop and stable enough not to topple.
The painting can be put up or taken down easily depending
on when the owner wants an open kitchen . The center-
piece is a rotating display with three small watercolors by
Richard Segalman.

22 Life in Naples | April 2024