Gallery Walls: Random. Risky. Rewarding.
There are certain spaces in my house that you might look at & consider me to be a minimalist when it comes to the decor. While this might be true, it’s not because I have a highly-defined sense of style, but more because I have highly-defined disdain for dusting. My philosophy is: less stuff= less to dust. But, my decorating plan for our ever-evolving home library is a step away from my norm. I’m going for fun, eclectic, cozy. This inspiration picture is a little taste of what we’re heading toward. {photo source}One of these days we’ll have a wall of bookshelves similar to this one, and some cozy chairs that are perfect for curling up in with a good book. Another element I’ve been wanting for our room is a gallery wall. You may remember I did a gallery wall for my kids’ art in our craft room here:And I did another one in our entry with my door photos from Europe:In each of those gallery walls, I played it a little safe & kept a little uniformity by keeping the frame color the same, but for the library, I wanted a little more eclecticism (yeah, that’s really a word, I googled it). I want a wall that has interest. One that begs you to stop and stare for a few minutes to take it all in. With a touch of unpredictable. Getting a look like this can be risky, but just like everything in decorating in my home, I know the most important thing is that it works for me. I started this gallery the same way I did the others, by gathering all my art & laying it out on the floor. Then, I just arrange & rearrange until I find the configuration that “speaks” to me. Once I get the right arrangement, I measure the perimeter of it to be sure that it fits the area on my wall. It helps to take a picture of your configuration for reference later when you are hanging the pieces.After that, it’s time to hang. I must admit, this is the hardest & most risky part for me. I hate having to put nail holes in my nice pretty walls. And I definitely want to do it right the first time to avoid any extra holes in the wall. That’s why I’m a fiend with a level & measuring tape. My pieces for this wall are mostly a collection of prints from places we love. This is a map of my husband’s hometown…And some prints we bought in Boston…A collage from our first trip to NYC…A Paddington Station clock to remind us of when we stayed in Paddington on our trip to London last year. (I found this at Hobby Lobby, but it was perfect!)And another HL find was this Paris Opera House print–we were there, too! I also added in my plaques from Ballard Designs and this iron gate piece for a little dimension. I also wanted to include this little print of Paris I bought from a street vendor when we were there, so I took an empty frame, a piece of twine, and a couple baby clothespins (also found at Hobby Lobby), & created my own art.I you want to display something like this, just take the twine & tape it to the back of your frame & then clip it on with the tiny clothespins. Couldn’t be easier!I love our collection so far. And the best part is that there’s still plenty of room to add onto it when we find more art from our favorite places. Are you wanting a gallery wall? Go ahead and take the risk. You’ll love it. And remember: the only rule is that you make it a reflection of you…I’m sharing my wall at a few of these places & the Nester’s Take a Risk Day & the Gallery Wall Party at The Inspired Room.Check them out!
Penny of This-N-That
March 21, 2011 @ 2:12 pm
This looks so nice!
Penny
Ellie
March 21, 2011 @ 2:36 pm
I l.o.v.e. your gallery wall! I have an entire file of gallery walls – and a huge pile of frames and some mirrors – but I will admit I'M A BIG CHICKEN! and can't seem to put it together.
I love your blog 🙂
xo ellie
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
March 21, 2011 @ 2:47 pm
I love all the different things you've added to your gallery wall, Julie! I have a client I'm working with who would like to do a gallery wall when we finish up her kitchen. She is already starting to collect frames for it.
Jayna Rae
March 21, 2011 @ 3:34 pm
Great collage walls. I am currently putting three together. I think they are one of my favorite things in the whole world. By the way, so jealous that you've been to Boston. It is my DREAM vacation.
marty (A Stroll Thru Life)
March 21, 2011 @ 3:42 pm
Love it. I love gallery walls and tend to do way too many. You have such a beautiful collection of pictures and the placques and the addition of the clock is wonderful. I always add a shelf too. Beautifully done. Hugs, Marty
NanaDiana
March 21, 2011 @ 3:44 pm
You did a wonderful job with the wall. I love it and I really, really love that clock. I almost bought one like it, walked away, and when I went back it was gone! What lovely memories to have before your eyes! xxoo Diana
Amy
March 21, 2011 @ 4:33 pm
Wow! That looks great! I love it. Next time you come, you can slipcover that chair and then help me do a collage thingy like this somewhere. I promise to have the ornaments out of the glass jar and the heart topiary down by then.
Jessica
March 21, 2011 @ 6:02 pm
I just love this, what amazing items you have there. And plenty of room to grow the gallery if you'd like!
I think I have some of those prints from Boston too. And I think a map is a perfect addition to a gallery wall for sure 🙂
ashleigh
March 21, 2011 @ 7:12 pm
We just moved and I did a gallery wall in the upstairs hall. I love it! Its soo colorful and bright! 🙂
Honey at 2805
March 22, 2011 @ 1:55 am
Your gallery wall looks great & I like the other walls your done too! Please come by and sign up for my giveaway!
Paige
March 22, 2011 @ 10:24 am
Well done!
Lisa
March 22, 2011 @ 1:28 pm
Love your eclecticism! (Wow, that hurt my brain to type.) Your wall looks fabulous and I love that it's all mixed up, fun and interesting.
letterstoliney
March 22, 2011 @ 1:31 pm
Your latest gallery wall looks terrific – you have a real knack for placement. What a great way to commemorate some of your favorite memories. Love the fun clock and the tiny clothes pins – inspires me to do a "flexible" gallery wall where I can easily swap out different pieces. Congrats on the risk!
Amber
March 22, 2011 @ 2:39 pm
It looks fabulous! And I like that you have some different objects in there yet they're all cohesive. Looks really nice!
Orange it Lovely
March 22, 2011 @ 3:10 pm
oh so fantastic! I love it. All of it.
~Tana
Hi I'm Misty.
March 23, 2011 @ 12:44 pm
all of these walls are beautiful. I absolutely love what you've done. My favorite part is including objects and non-traditional pictures, etc. Love the gallery wall!
Aubrey
March 25, 2011 @ 4:27 am
Love your gallery wall! We travel a lot too and it's fun although challenging sometimes to incorporate all your travel finds into your decor!
Funky Junk Interiors
March 26, 2011 @ 10:27 pm
Lovely! You have a wonderful eye for arranging. You certainly nailed 'wall art'! 🙂
Donna
Melissa @ The Inspired Room
April 6, 2011 @ 3:40 am
Wow, so awesome! I love that you use things from places you've been. Your walls are inspiring me!! Thank you for sharing!
GLENDA CHILDERS
April 6, 2011 @ 9:27 am
Hi Julie,
Just popping over from The Inspired Room. It is great to see your gallery wall. Mine is #10.
Fondly,
Glenda
Gg – Notes on the Journey
P.S. I love it that you found momentos of your Europe trip once you got home. Think of all the hassle you saved carting stuff around and going through customs. I just became a follower.
Misty ~ Not an Empty Room ~
April 6, 2011 @ 1:20 pm
I love how eclectic this wall is. It really makes it interesting. So much more fun than just uniform standard frames. This is my kind of wall!
Karen @ The Whimsical Lady
April 6, 2011 @ 11:30 pm
I don't know which of your ideas to copy first! I've saved most everything in my idea file. I love the clips and the tiny clothespin 🙂
Karen
KarenB
April 8, 2011 @ 4:52 am
I loved making my gallery wall of places we've been. Although, I didn't include all of them yet. I love the little trellis. It turned out great!
Stacy
April 8, 2011 @ 4:23 pm
I love skeleton keys and the gold chunky frames!
Janna Renee
April 21, 2011 @ 4:44 am
we r working on our own wall right now!!
kim's art wagon
November 24, 2011 @ 12:06 am
Thanks for the inspiration! I really love the clothes pin hanging frame.
kim's art wagon
November 24, 2011 @ 12:07 am
Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement. I especially love the clothes line frame. It will be great for the every day masterpiece from my little kids.
Tina Gleisner
December 17, 2013 @ 1:38 pm
Love your tip on hanging a print that's too small for the frame, as it's also easy to change versus taking the frame down from the wall … so sharing this tip