Tag: home tour

My Shock and Shame Gallery Wall

Posted on January 28, 2016April 13, 2018 by Mama

It’s so funny these days when I have a friend over that hasn’t been to my house in months. Without fail, and usually when they are putting on their coats and turning around to leave, each of my guests will stop, look, and exclaim, “You put pictures in your frames!”

This sight to behold of which they speak is the gallery wall I finished in my hallway/living room. Apparently my frames hung empty for far too long, if it seems to be such an awe-inspiring revelation to so many of my friends. I did speak about it in last year’s resolution post, so I guess it really did need to get done and I guess it was a big old box I got to check off the list. Yay me!

So today I wanted to show you my finished gallery wall and talk a little bit about how I accomplished it. I really like the asymmetrical look of it and the variety of textures, depths and shapes of my frames. I love the one little circle frame in the grouping, but it drives my sister-in-law crazy. To each her own, I guess.

As you can see in the picture, my gallery is on a small wall between two entry points at the back of the living room. It’s the main thoroughfare of our home and not wide enough for furniture of any sort, so I wanted to make an impact with this small collection of photos.

As far as placement goes, I used a couple of large pieces of butcher paper taped together and arranged my frames on it, in the floor. Once I found a composition I liked on the floor, I snapped a photo so that I could remember where everything went and traced the corners of each frame with a pencil. I made sure to vary the size, depth and texture of the frames for an “organized chaotic” look.

After everything was the way I wanted it on the floor. I centered, leveled and hung the butcher paper on the wall with painters tape and started hammering nails. I started with the large dominant frame in the middle and worked my way out in all directions.

Months later (and only after my preschooler started asking if we were related to the people in those frames), I finally picked and printed photos. I used Mpix to print the photos, because they do beautiful true black and whites. I ordered a few extra pictures, to see which ones to use in each frame, and I am very happy with the outcome.

Here’s my one tip about filling those frames — photos are fairly inexpensive, so order your pictures and fill your frames quickly (so that you don’t have to experience the same shock and shame I have endured) and change out photos that don’t quite suit you at a later date.

So here’s to your own gallery wall. May it be easy, swift and rewarding. . . and heaped with smiling faces you know.

Chandelier Find Makes Me Giddy

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Mama

I’m so super excited about my newest find for my master bedroom! This adorable chandelier was the perfect light for my room that’s decorated a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll. Okay, so the rock and roll part may be a stretch, but I do like the mix of old and new that I have going on in there right now.

So when I spied this light for $120 at Junk Appeal, a local antique shop (no the light is not actually antique), I worked a deal and took it home. Never mind that we recently bought and installed a new light in this very spot a few mere months ago — that lovely previous purchase will go to the entry hall where it will look splendid.

I knew when my husband didn’t put up a fuss and immediately helped me hang it, that I had found a good thing. . . either that, or he was finally just given up (love you, honey). Either way, the light is hanging (with only one crystal casualty) and making me smile. Okay, I realize this means I need to put the finishing touches on this room, show it off a bit and move on to the next project on the list — the master bath, or maybe it’s the hall bath, or the kitchen, or the basement, or. . .

Fall Home Tour at The Quarter-Acre Wood

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Mama

So I know the fall decorating season will be drawing to a close with the rapidly approaching Thanksgiving holiday, but I wanted to share my little touches of autumn with you as a “better late than never” thought in mind. I tried to keep things very simple this year, because I went all out for my son’s fifth birthday pirate party in October and Christmas will be upon us at warp speed. So here are a few touches around the house that hopefully let guests know that I didn’t completely ignore my favorite time of year.

I love to change out my house number pots for the season, and these beautiful mums were just the thing to brighten the front porch. . . until the little deer decided to come all the way up to the house and chew off every last bloom. *sigh*

This was such a super easy wreath to create with large sunflowers and burlap ribbon. I hang it on my door every fall to welcome my guest to the door.

Inside, I simply added some hydrangea blooms to my IKEA metal pitcher and the brown throw to the chair. This spot is so cozy, and I love to curl up here with a book.

This year I changed out a couple of items on the mantel for a fallish touch, including the addition of the “original” work of art you see here. My moms group had our monthly Mom’s Night Out at a local paint-your-own-art place called Happy Trees Painting in Kansas City. I was surprisingly happy with the outcome, and of course the subject was perfect for this time of year.

Here is the last little touch of fall in my living room. It’s a little chain garland my son and I made before Halloween using strips of scrapbook paper. If you remember my post about keeping it simple between now and the end of the year, I suggested making something easy with your kids. So I did just that. My son loves to use the paper cutter when I have it out, so I let him cut the strips (under my direct and constant supervision) and then we linked them all up together. We both enjoyed this super simple craft, and I love the added autumn touch!

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