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DEAR MI-LING: I have a heating vent on the wall above my sofa. Because of the cathedral ceiling, the wall is very high, but the vent is still 2 1/2 feet below the ceiling and about 7 feet from the floor. I need to hang something above the sofa but fear that it will just draw eyes to the vent.

Would it be better to hang one large art object, or several small ones? Any tricks to help make the vent visually disappear? I don't want to paint it the same color as the wall, and it can't be moved.

My instinct is to hang one very large thing, to make the vent seem even smaller and therefore insignificant.

—Linda

DEAR LINDA: I can visualize your problem. Having a vent directly behind your couch at the level where you would hang a picture is definitely a design problem.

I had a similar problem with unsightly light sockets. I had two of them positioned about 4 feet from the floor directly on both sides of the fireplace in my family room.

They were installed in the middle of both walls. Not pretty, and not sure why the builder chose those locations. Maybe he was planning to add built-in cabinets.

My solution was to place a beautiful hand-carved screen directly in front of the sockets in one corner and a big-screen TV on the other side.

If you absolutely do not want to paint the vent, consider placing a piece of iron, metal or other open artwork over the vent that will still allow for good airflow. You could even buy a screen and attach it to the wall like a piece of art. Make sure there is enough space above and below the vent. Hang it like an accordion.

Another option is to have a mural painted behind the sofa and hide the vent within the painting, or make the vent part of the painting.