QUESTION 1 - WHY AM I LOOKING FOR A TAPESTRY IN THE FIRST PLACE?
Probably because of the warmth and beauty of tapestries! Additionally, due to the large expanses in a lot of the newer homes being built, many homeowners such as yourself have begun searching for one or more tapestries to decorate some of your empty walls. The reason you are looking for a tapestry is that you may have come to appreciate them since your trip to Europe or have been directed to them by a thoughtful interior decorator. Maybe you have loved them all of your life and "now is the time."

QUESTION 2 - WHAT IS THE PROBLEM IN SELECTING A TAPESTRY?
There really should not be one. However, after selling hundreds of tapestries over the past 15+ years, I have noticed that there is one. There seem to be no perceived guidelines for selecting a tapestry wall hanging when in fact there really are! I would like to discuss these rather simple guidelines below. After you have read through this you should then be ready to start your search for "just the right one!"
You have most likely seen a few tapestries shown in a magazine or advertisement and, though they were very nice tapestries, were not exactly what you wanted for the space that you wanted to cover, and you gave up your search (or at least put it on hold). Or, you have seen a few on display in a furniture store or (God forbid!) a discount store that were not presented in an appealing fashion. You might have even been told that this was all that was available! Again you gave up your search. Now, however, due to the wonders of the Internet, you have found that there are choices! So, now what are you going to do? This is a major purchase and you want to do it right. To this end, I have found the next 10 questions to be common with every tapestry purchase made. Let's go through this step by step questioning process in order to help you in your selection.

QUESTION 3 - WHERE IS THE TAPESTRY GOING TO BE HUNG?
"LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!" This old phrase is truly apropos when it comes to your selection. Where is it going to go - in your hallway, living room, over a fireplace, in your bedroom, a winding staircase, in the kitchen? This seems rather simplistic and I don't mean to sound foolish. I have met a lot of people who love tapestries and want one, but haven't the slightest idea of where it is going to go. The idea here is that you have to have a plan. Now that you know where you would like to put it, let's go on to the next step.

QUESTION 4 - HOW LARGE IS THE WALL SPACE WHERE IT'S GOING?
This is usually pretty self evident but a good measurement of the available space is necessary. The height and width of the space will, of course, help determine how large of a tapestry will fit there. A tape measure might not even work in some cases - there are ceilings so high the painter missed a few spots. Trust me, it pays to have this information on hand when you start looking for your tapestry.

QUESTION 5 - HOW MUCH OF THE AVAILABLE SPACE CAN BE COVERED BY A TAPESTRY?
Now we are getting down to the specifics. A tapestry, as opposed to a framed painting, can occupy much more wall space - up to 80% and more! This is just a general rule - you can go much smaller if the room dictates it. You have to take the entire room into consideration when you make this decision. I urge you to make it wisely since the tapestry is going to be with you for awhile. This decision can be made relatively easily by going to the next step.

QUESTION 6 - WHICH DIRECTION IS THE TAPESTRY GOING TO GO?
You really only have 2 decisions - horizontally or vertically . Most walls dictate the size but there are some that make you scratch your head. In these, and most other cases, one of the best things to do is to "make your own tapestry" and try it in both directions. You can use a pinned up sheet, tape newspapers or grocery bags together, etc. Remember to take them down. A tapestry will usually look much better than any of these.

QUESTION 7 - IS THE SIZE OF TAPESTRY I WANT AVAILABLE?
Now that you have determined the size and the orientation of your tapestry, this is a very good question. The answer to which is "most likely." Despite what few tapestries you see in the decorator catalogs, there are really a lot of tapestries available in a number of sizes both vertically and horizontally. However, you should prepare to be flexible. Not all that you find that you like are going to come in the size that you have decided is the best for your space. Not only that but one thing we tapestry merchants always have to warn our customers is that all sizes are approximate. Don't let this scare you since it is usually not more than an inch or so in either direction. The listed sizes overall are quite accurate. Remember the "Location" thing? FLEXIBILITY, FLEXIBILITY, FLEXIBILITY!

QUESTION 8- WHAT THEMES OF TAPESTRIES ARE AVAILABLE?
You probably already have some idea of what themes are available from your initial searching in magazines, ads, etc. These, however, are really pretty select. and don't show the vast array of what is out there. There is a company that deals nicely with tapestry themes: Castle Tapestry which is located on the central coast of California. On their site they offer not only a breakdown of the kinds or categories of tapestries available but also a "catalog" of these categories that can be downloaded for browsing off-line. This catalog features a Screensaver option of all of the graphics in the catalogs plus a Slide Show that lets you browse the catalog at your own pace. Having more than one theme in mind can open more possibilities for the project. As I said above, "Flexibility." Also, if you are indeed, flexible, and are not in an immedidate need of your tapestry, you may want to consider having one custom made with your own design.

QUESTION 9 - WHAT ABOUT THE COLORS OF THE TAPESTRIES?
I wish you hadn't asked. Of course intermingled with all of the above is COLORS. Obviously everyone has their individual decorating scheme that they would like to match. Is this possible? The answer to this is yes and no. I believe that there are enough tapestries in enough of the right sizes with enough of the right colors to meet everyones needs - but not their mates! (I won't go into that any further.) What needs to be done with the colors one wants in a tapestry, is to let the environment speak. That is, take into consideration the color of the walls, carpet, furniture, lamps, etc to make sure they will coordinate with the colors in the tapestry, whatever the theme is.

[I would like to take the opportunity at this time to make a statement: Anyone doing either a re-model or decorating a house from the beginning and have a tapestry in mind for any particular room - GET THE TAPESTRY FIRST! If it is going to be a major presence in your home, let the colors flow from it to the rest of your decorating. You will be happy you did!]

QUESTION 10 - WHAT ABOUT THE PRICE OF A TAPESTRY?
OK, now you know the size, direction, theme and color of the tapestry you want to hang on your wall. This is GREAT! But without doubt, the main question on everyones mind is "Is it going to cost me an arm and a leg and my retirement fund to own one?" The answer to this is "no." You can get some very large, low-priced tapestries that are absolutely beautiful but you have to know where to go. (Castle Tapestry has a good selection of these). You will find that the price of a tapestry is usually quite a bit lower than a framed picture of the same size.
Prices can run from $100 to $10,000 but many of those that going into a normal home are under $2000, with most them under $1000. There are many available for under $500!

QUESTION 11 - HOW AM I GOING TO HANG THE TAPESTRY ONCE I GET IT?
This is probably the most important questions. What good is a tapestry if you can't hang it? However, I won't go into this here since there is already a very good article on this at site called "How to Hang Your Tapestry." This is really a very comprehensive article. You will most likely be needing Rods, Hooks and Finials to complete the job.

QUESTION 12 - HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET THE TAPESTRY?
A very difficult question to answer because there are a lot of variables. It depends on the tapestry you are getting: is it in stock?; is it being done with a custom finish?; is it being hand loomed?; where are you located?; how soon do you need it?; etc. etc. The answer to all of these except the hand loomed, is somewhere around 2 weeks - no matter who you get it from! A hand loomed tapestry can take from 1 to 4 months depending on the size and the complexity of the design. It is possible, of course, to expedite the arrival by paying extra to have the shipping done. Yes, in most cases, you will be paying the shipping costs. However, this might be negotiable.

Hopefully this has answered all of your questions on How to Select a Tapestry Wall Hanging. Good Shopping!

Ron Whaley has been selling tapestry wall hangings for the last 20 years. He began selling tapestries while General Manager at the Hearst Castle concessions in San Simeon, CA, then later in his own, "Tapestry Only" shop in Arroyo Grande, CA. From his show room and workshope there, he offers a wide variety of reproductions of European (French, Belgian, Italian) tapestries as well as custom finished and custom hand loomed tapestries. He also offers the rods, brackets, finials for hanging them. In addition to knowing the full range of what is available Tapestry, one of Ron's true specialties is in coordinating the custom weaving of tapestries for his clients.

@Copyright Ronald R. Whaley 2004