We rely so much on screens to tell us the time nowadays, that we have come to overlook the impact that a good old clock can have in a space. Clocks are as much works of art as functional pieces, and they can say a lot about your personality too. Big, small, short or tall, here are some novel ways to tell the time in your home…
Create a clock gallery – Just as you would with family photos or pieces art, a clock gallery involves grouping a collection of clocks on a wall. The display possibilities are endless: arrange them according to size and shape; choose only classic or vintage timepieces; scatter them all over the wall or arrange them in a straight line – anything goes.
Mix and match – If you already have a photo wall or art gallery in your home, add a clock or two to the mix for some added interest. Clocks and books also go well together: place a small clock on top of a pile of horizontally-stacked books; use clocks as bookends on either side of a vertical arrangement of books on a shelf; tuck a clock in amongst the books on a bookcase; pair an antique clock with a few first editions, or even match clocks and books by colour and size.
Go BIG – If you have a large empty space somewhere, fill it with an oversized clock. Let a large round wall clock rest on the top of a fireplace mantle (or hang it very low, just above the mantle, so that it appears to be resting on the top). Fill a niche space with a classic Grandfather clock, which has the ability to both stretch or shrink a room, and even act as a room divider. Or park him it at the end of a long passage or on a staircase landing as a focal point.
Location, location – Place clocks where they’ll catch the eye when you first enter a room (or leave, for instance at the door on your way out). If they chime, place them where you’ll hear the sound the best throughout the house. If you have an antique clock that can be damaged by heat and moisture, don’t place it anywhere near the kitchen area.
In the zone – So many of us have friends and family living abroad that a collection of matching clocks set according to different time zones (like Johannesburg, London, New York, India, Hong Kong and Sydney, for example) will look both decorative and serve to keep you all connected.
Hang ’em high – Do you have very high ceilings? Hanging a painting too high up will detract from appreciating the aesthetic of the piece, but a clock won’t look out of place way-up high. In fact, a clock is just about the only thing that you can hang nice and high.
Sit them down – Clocks don’t always have to be functional. Small antique clocks that don’t work anymore can make for a beautiful display set on an antique cabinet or sideboard. They will also hold their own standing next to a decorative bowl, vase or ornate frame for a lovely layered look. (And even though they don’t work, they’ll at least be on time twice in one day.)
Go bright, bold and unusual – If you have neutral colours on the walls, a brightly coloured clock will make them pop. Throw in a pattern, texture or interesting clock face and you have a piece of functional art. Don’t want a typical round clock face? Go square or oval, choose a retro sunburst pattern, invest in a clock with a swinging pendulum, hang a reflective mirror clock, hang a clock inside a vintage frame, or tell a story by standing a Grandfather clock in front of a wall adorned with interesting wallpaper.
DIY your time – Invest in a wall-clock kit or use the mechanisms from a clock you don’t use anymore to create your own one-of-a-kind timepiece. All you need is a working clock movement, hour hand, minute hand and second hand to get the ball rolling. Opt for a selection of wooden, plastic or metal numbers in assorted sizes and colours (1, 2, 3, 4 or I, II, III, IV), numerical words (one, two, three, four), or a combination of the two (1, two, 3, four), or even use family photos instead of numbers for an interesting ‘photo’ clock. Another idea is to paint a clock face on the wall using blackboard paint and scribble down numbers and inspirational words in chalk (1, love, 3, joy, 5, live, etc). Get the whole family involved and turn your DIY clock it into a fun weekend project.
Take it outside – Large metal wall clocks are perfect for outdoor living spaces. Affix one to the patio wall or wherever you gather to entertain. Or opt for the more primitive, but still dependable, sundial to count the hours as it keeps track of the sun.
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