Gallery Wall Inspiration

I love the idea of a gallery wall and have started the planning process to create one.  Through a little research on the web and some inspiration from Pinterest, I found a few things that I thought might be helpful to share so you can create a fantastic gallery wall for your home.

First up, some inspiration photos taken from Pinterest!

This collection is pulled together with matching frames arranged in a linear square configuration.  Gorgeous!

Black frames positioned in a random arrangement with pops of color.

Photo wall using ledges, accessories, candles and lighting from Pottery Barn.

Black and white photos in black frames with the addition of a typeface letter.  This arrangement takes up a good amount of space and would be great for an entry or family room where you are trying to cover vertical space.



This collection covers a lot of wall space both vertically and horizontally, has a random arrangement and uses various brightly colored frames.

Gallery walls can fit into every room in your home.  The traditional spaces are hallways, stairways and libraries.  But really they can go anywhere - in an entry hall, bathroom, over a bed (can act as a visual headboard), in a media room, dining room, where ever you are looking to fill up wall space with interesting objects. 

And the contents for gallery walls are endless!!  What about empty brightly painted vintage frames?  You can use a collection of mirrors arranged to create a beautiful reflective wall.  What about a wall gallery of your child's art, using coordinating frames in similar sizes to group the collection. What about framing vintage fabric or linens?  Have some gorgeous plates or platters that you don't see except on those special occasions - what a great way to get them out of the cabinet and on display than through a gallery wall.  You can use ledges or shelves to create additional dimension for resting your frames on.  Large typeface letters, memory boxes, framed postcards ...all have a place in a personal collection.  You can group together similar objects that contain an inspiration color, ie. creating a group that has pops of turquoise within them.  You can group your collection by matching frames like all black, white, silver or gold.  Or maybe, they don't match at all!!!  What a great way to create a conversation piece in a room.  The options are endless.

A few things to remember, when creating a gallery for a stairway, try to follow the upward slant of the stairs for creating your vision line.  When creating collections on room walls, general rule of thumb is to create a center point at eye level or 5 ft from the ground as your starting point and add your pictures from there.  A great option to help you with your layout is to trace an outline of each of the individual frames you plan to hang on brown craft paper (you can buy on rolls at your local craft store).  Cut out the outlines.  Use blue painters tape and tape the paper outlines to your wall to work through the best configuration for your wall.  You can easily move around until you find the arrangement that looks best for your room.  This approach helps to save you from putting a lot of unnecessary holes in your wall.  When you determine your arrangement, hammer in your hanging nails through the craft paper.  After the nail is secured, tear off the paper, then hang your pictures where your nails remain. 

For sourcing your frames, I suggest starting with places like Marshall's, TJ Maxx and Home Goods.  I have found reasonably priced single frames and multiple opening frames at these stores.   Hobby Lobby frequently puts their frames on sale for 50% off or you can use the 40% off coupon for when they are full price.

Here's some help for determining your gallery configuration.  As you can see, there are numerous options for how to create your gallery.

(source: Ann Beck Photography)

(source: Melissa Davis Photography)

Happy hanging! Have a great gallery wall idea you would like to share?

Cool Grey - Inspiration Rooms

Doing some research for a master bedroom re-do.  I love all the grey, cream and white combinations that make for a restful and elegant bedroom.  I hope to infuse some pops of pale yellow and animal patterns for some interest.  I want to focus on creating layers, using multiple textures, sparkly finishes and a bed that you can melt into!!  Aren't these dreamy??

(Source: Candace Olsen)

(Source: Pinterest)

(Source: Macy's)

(Source: Pinterest)

Ta-Da!

And for the big reveal...

Before

                                                                            

After

                                                                    

Here's the finished product from my yellow Thomasville 1973 re-do (previous post).  I love the way it turned out.  This looks great in my office and will be functional storage for paint and fabric samples!

I gently sanded the whole dresser with my sander mouse and a light grit sandpaper.  Wiped the dresser clean.  I then applied a generous coat of primer with a sponge brush.  Don't worry about the brush marks at this point, just make sure there are not any drips or clumps.  I waited several hours and then did 3 coats of the paint color with a good paintbrush. Waiting until each coat is thoroughly dry in between.  I finished the top with several coats of clear coat for protection since it will get a lot of use.

I used Martha Stewart's Araucana Teal from Home Depot.  I got the color in a Satin finish with primer added in.  I love this light, bright and cheery color.   Don't you think it looks like it has smiley face now??  It's so glad to no longer be the yucky yellow!

And here is a close-up of the handles.  I used Rustoleum's Oil Rubbed Bronze paint and primer in one for these.  Not only did it change the color, it added some texture as well.

Stay tuned for the reveal of my Louis XVI chair - it has been a fun project as well.  Totally changed my mind on the fabric - it is turning out great!

Faux-bamboo Dresser

For my next project, I found a bright yellow faux bamboo 1970's Thomasville dresser.  I love the decorative details around the legs and the knobs are so vintage looking.  The top surface is a tricky one - it is white Formica, FORMICA?  Yes, doesn't seem right, but I looked past that and bought it anyway.  It will make a colorful addition to my office. 

Here's the before picture.  I will need alot of primer for this one.  The paint is yellow with what looks like a faint splatter of gold accents.  Yes, a totally 70's look.

I plan to paint it a light teal and paint the knobs an aged bronze metallic.  Stay tuned...will post pictures when it is done.  Can't wait to see how this one turns out!

DIY hand-painted geometric rug

Ready to tackle a gorgeous DIY project?  I have been seeing a lot of the hand-painted rugs lately and especially love the design on this one.  This project involves using an inexpensive IKEA rug  - I have seen this project done on one from IKEA that has a slip-proof back which is great so you don't need to add a rug pad and it is cheap!!  With supplies, this project runs well under 100 bucks.  You pick the color that matches your interior.  What a great idea and fun project!!

Click on the link below for steps to create this rug.   

http://www.designsponge.com/2011/09/before-after-painted-geometric-rug.html

10 am

Are you at all concerned where you are daily at 10am?  No?  Maybe you don't have the problem I have......yet.  I am totally consumed with One Kings Lane.  I know it is totally irrational to worry about where I am every day at 10am - but I might miss something, and worse yet, I might miss something super cheap that I would love!! Some of you may be saying, what are you talking about?

Taken from Crunchbase - One Kings Lane is the leading flash sales site for the home market, offering members access to spectacular designer home decor, furnishings, accessories, and gifts – at prices up to 70% off retail. One Kings Lane works directly with leading home brands to bring the very best products at exceptional prices to its members – every day of the week. One Kings Lane also partners with top designers, decorators and industry insiders to deliver content that inspires, enlightens and informs.

Every day at 10am that day's sale starts.  If you see something you like, you better put it in your shopping basket, because some items sell out fast.  You have 10 minutes to finalize the purchase of anything you have in your basket (I think this is supposed to counteract any hoarding activity).  Membership is free, merchandise is not :(  I have gotten great deals on a Safavieh rug for my kitchen and two chevron pillows for my bedroom.

So now you know http://www.onekingslane.com/  Happy Shopping...see you at 10am.

French ...Ooh, la, la

Imagine the thrill when I was doing research on a newly acquired re-sale shop chair to find that it looked very similar to a Ballard's chair.  Here is the Ballard's chair called Louis XVI...eh...starts at $329.  

Louis XVI style has fluted, slim, straight legs usually topped with a square box with carving inside.  The style usually has classical motifs like colums and is never free form. 
My "new" chair is in great condition. 

When purchasing a gently-worn chair, I always check for its wiggle factor.  You know, does it wiggle and shimmy when you sit on it or push on its back? This one was strudy as an ox!  The upholstery had definitely seen better days and was in a weird shade of peach.  I would find when striping the upholstery off (a million tacks later), that the cushioning was still in tact, in great condition and had an even loft.  I plan to paint the wood a gray color with glazing on top.  I'm on the fence about the upholstery...either the Amy Butler floral or the Chevron.

Can't wait to see how it turns out - will post the after picture when the project is completed!