A Wall By Any Other Name....

Have you ever felt the frustration of a blank wall staring at you and you’re at a loss for how to decorate it? Or how about a wall that you hung something on and have not liked it ever since? Me to!

So what are we going to do about it? My recent post about art got me thinking about buying more art and turning some fun stuff I’ve collected over time into art. I’ve realized that buying art is fun. Bringing art home and trying to figure out where to display it - not so fun! With that in mind, I will let you in on a new trend that I am thinking of trying – a Gallery (or Salon) wall.

Here is a great example:

eclectic staircase design by chicago media and blogs Lola B's

Gallery Walls are huge right now! Just page through a Pottery Barn magazine or look at some Interior Design blogs and you will get some great inspiration! I’ve always been drawn to gallery walls even though thus far I’ve been a little timid to try one myself. There is just something about it that intimidates me, even though it seems like anything goes and you can't screw it up!

Sooooo, we have two large walls in our house that are lacking. And I mean just lacking something! There is no wow, no pop, nothing! I am just not sure yet which wall I am going to tackle and turn into a gallery wall. But this post has definitely put it out there and I am about to choose which wall and get started! I need to get photos of my final product for you, right?

This is what Pottery Barn is showing for Spring. I can do that! Easily!

A gallery wall is a great way to display fabulous art, photographs and quirky treasures that tell the story of who you really are. They make a great statement and become a fun conversation piece. I’ve never met a gallery wall I didn’t like! I love that it makes the home feel more lived in and gives you a glimpse into the lives of the people that live there.

Doesn't this office say a lot about the person who created it? I LOVE it!

contemporary home office design

So far, I’ve shopped my house and pulled all sorts of different artwork, frames and artifacts together to see what other items I want to purchase and/or create. Now, I am in the process of figuring out how to display it all in a fun, cohesive way.

I'm thinking something along these lines...

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After carefully researching what I do and don't want to do with my own personal gallery wall, I have come up with a few tips from those that have tried a gallery wall and have succeeded!

1. Take time to figure out what you want to display. Only select items that you love and want to see every time you pass that wall.

source: http://www.mydecoratingaddiction.blogspot.com/

2. Display things that have meaning to you or your family. Display quotes or mottoes and inspirational words that mean something to you. Would you display a photo of a bird if you hate birds? Isn't this display so fun to look at?

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3. Mix it up! If you decide you want to use a single color frame, then use lots of different shapes and textures of the same color frame. If want to use lots of different colored frames, then make sure they tie into the other colors within the room. Mix prints with photos and other objects such as framed fabrics, letters, shadowboxes, vintage metal pieces, etc. You get the idea!

source: http://www.sawdustandpaperscraps.com/

4. Lay it out first! Either lay it out on the floor or use templates taped on the wall. You don’t want to start hanging your gallery wall and find it doesn’t fit the way you thought it would. You want to lay it out and play with it until it looks fabulous! No one says you can't use the funny pages from the Sunday paper as your templates!

source: www.younghouselove.com

5. Have fun with it! One thing I have learned from researching gallery walls is – there is no right way to do it! Because it is a reflection of you and your tastes there is no one other than you who knows if it is done right! So hang up that crazy orange horse head along with your framed photo of Great-grandma Mae and the vintage keys you found in an old desk! Just make sure YOU love how it looks!

Sherry and John at Young House Love hung photo strips, a horseshoe and even a photo of a llama. Now that's having fun with it!

source: www.younghouselove.com

So, find a blank wall that would benefit from becoming a gallery wall and get to work! Put up all kinds of things that will put a smile on your face when you walk by it every day. That is what I am planning on doing! And I hope to have some photos to share soon! Wish me luck!