Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Welcome to Wall-y World! Part one...



They say one thing leads to another, and that has definitely been true over these past few days as I have, for whatever reason, been on a mission to warm up some walls in our home.

I'm pretty sure it has something to do with how inexpensive these projects are. And also that I am able to do them all by myself!

My first area to be attacked came about after I discovered 4 large matching frames that I had tucked away in a closet. I had originally purchased them with a different purpose in mind but they didn't quite fit the bill...and I never remembered to take them back...and I lost the receipt...and well, they ended up in a closet.

But, hey! That little mistake allowed me to do this first project entirely for free! Well, I guess not TECHNICALLY for free since I did have to purchase the frames in the first place!
But, doesn't it sound better to say that you did a project for free?
This is what greets you when you come up the stairs of our house and onto the landing.
It is on the way to the "kids corridor" where their bedrooms, bathroom and playroom all are.

It's not bad.
The pictures were hung up very quickly in a moment of,
"I want something on that wall and this will do for now."
Looking back the other way leads towards our Master Bedroom.


This next photo really helps you to see just how high that ceiling is and how much actual wall space is NOT being maximized.
Do you want to know what that paper says that is hanging on my son's door?
It reads, "Welcome to Legoland!"
And it is the truth!

 When I found those frames at the bottom of the closet, I knew exactly where I wanted them to go!

 I love how much more it fills in the space and really helps draw the eye up.




It is so dark and rainy here that it was very hard to capture the right lighting.
Plus, it's a hallway.
Nuff said!
Here is the view looking back towards the Master Bedroom again.


Having the half-round table there is perfect.
No sharp corners to run into!
You might think I am referring to my kiddos running into it, but actually there is another person, whom shall remain nameless but isn't me and isn't one of our children and lives in our house, who used to run into the table that was there previously.
Ahem.

I added this hurricane to the table and filled it with red faux rose petals for a little Valentine's Day touch.




Let's move on down the hallway a bit...


Straight ahead is the Playroom.
To the left is the kids bathroom and their bedrooms are on the right.


I'm all about keeping it real here folks so Clifford the big red dog made it into these photos.

I have been wanting to do something with this wall for a long time but wasn't quite sure what that would be.
I couldn't do anything that would easily be knocked off and it needed to be fairly simple so as not to make the space feel more crowded and narrow.



Going back through a copy of "Elegant Homes" magazine, I stumbled across this photo which gave me just the inspiration I was looking for!
I love that the frames are all the same size and style but the mats and the photos are varied. It keeps the lines clean and yet has a relaxed feeling to it too.


Drawing from this, I found inexpensive frames ($4 each) and came up with my own version.



I decided to mix it up a bit by adding the framed Initial Letters.
'H' for our last name, 'I' for Ian, and 'L' for Lauren.

Here is the view looking back down the hallway.

Not bad for a total cost of $36!

What do you think?


I'm loving it! And, of course, any opportunity to catch a glimpse of those precious faces as I'm walking by makes it that much better!


Hope your week is off to a great start!
Blessings to you,
Vanessa








41 comments:

Melanie said...

I think it looks great and I love how it fills the wall up.

Debbiedoos said...

You are awesome girl! Those picture walls look fantastic...Love it...what a great inspiration you are. How did you get them so even? Ruler, husband which one?

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

Looks great Vanessa! What an impact!

Traci said...

Vanessa, I think both walls look fantastic!! I have a picture wall in mind at my house too. Of course so far that's the only place it is!

Karen said...

Vanessa, I am loving it! I especially love the initals added in along with the photos being black & white. You did a great job hanging them.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

I have a somebody that isn't a kid, or a dog, and isn't me....that runs into things all the time. So I totally get the half round table...fact, I could use one of those!!

michelle said...

What a great idea! I love pictures in a hallway and seeing family surrounding me! :) Love the initials that you added, very clever!

Anita Diaz said...

Wow, you did a great job!! Love both walls. How cool they have a playroom! We need one desperately. I LOVE seeing Clifford! Our MBR door has a sign that says "NORAD helpers" from Christmas Eve while they tracked santa online.

Heather said...

What a great job! All the personalized details and photographs really make a house a home. Love it all!

Becca Bertotti said...

Hey there! What a score! While I really liked your wall before with the handsome black/gold frames, I LOVE it now with the four gold framed pictures! They really do accentuate the height of your wall, as well as balance better with your pretty, black demilune table below. Love the petals in the hurricane, too! And, your new picture wall is fabulous-o! Adding the initials is brilliant! I'd smile, too, every time I walk by. And, thanks for coming on over to visit my new little finds. I found the clock at Home Goods (MUCH less than $50)!! I painted it green though ... I can't remember, do you have a HG nearby? If so, run on over and grab one of the clocks! Hugs, Becca

Turquoise and Trine said...

Hi Vanessa! I love the photos in your hallway! Framing the initials was a great idea! It looks awesome!

Lori : )
Thrifty Decor Mom

Carrie said...

Oh my goodness I absolutely love how you used all of those wall spaces!! I can't wait to be able to try that sort of inexpensive decorating in my own place soon. Thanks for sharing!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Vanessa, both of your walls look wonderful with the new frames and the pictures. The larger frames on the short wall are wonderful with the height they add to the space. The collage of pictures and letters on the next wall is genius. Love the frames and the different size prints and the letters are perfect. Very pretty and interesting arrangement. You did really good!!!! Hugs Marty

peggy keys said...

Hey Vanessa, I am a born and bred southerner by birth and at heart. I think you have done a terrific take on southern decorating. I love the introduction of the pine looking frames since they add another color into the overall mix. Southern is definitely an air of gentility which can be accomplished by making your family and guest feel welcome in your home.

An Oasis in the Desert said...

Bravo to you for being so creative! Both areas look perfect. My theory is that you cannot have too many pictures of your kiddoes or, in my case, my "grand" kiddoes! Seriously, very nice job, Vanessa.
CAS

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Your photos look wonderful! Be sure to check my latest post. I'm passing along The Stylish Blogger Award along to you!

Pam Kessler said...

Both of those areas look great now. I especially like the area with all the 9 frames. i may have to steal that idea.

Savannah Granny said...

I love those babies. What a joy to see those sweet faces frozen in time. I am sure they are growing leaps and bounds.
This is very beautiful and well executed. Love the fact that it was also thrifty.
Ginger

Richella Parham said...

Your walls look great! Personal and fun, just right for the hallway. And the little wall with the table looks very elegant. Good for you!

I live in Legland North Carolina, so I totally understand Ian's sign!

DIYbyDesign said...

I love what you've been up to. The photos look great. Those are some high ceilings!! What a deal on those frames. I really love what you've done. It looks just amazing.

sheri said...

very very cool!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Vanessa, the four frames look much better on that wall and I love your gallery style wall, too. Thanks for joining this week.

NanaDiana said...

Vanessa- I love it~ Both areas are wonderful ... my daughter has a gallery going up her stairway too and it is always one of my favorite ares. Now you will have just a glimpse of those dear faces when you pass by. Great idea..and I REALLY love the variation of mattings...that they are not all the same. Perfect! Hugs- Diana

Emily {Frilly Details} said...

Both walls look great!! I especially like the one with nine frames. Love how you included the initials. Great job!!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I've seen the wall of photos in decorating magazines and I've always wanted to do that! You have done a beautiful job and inspired me! I love the cute little table, too! I love the arrangement of photos over the table, too! Great job! ♥

Anonymous said...

Your wall looks lovely now! You've done a great job.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Vicki said...

Both walls look great now. I'm with Debbie, do share your secret for hanging those nine frames so straight?

Unknown said...

Vanessa,
I love what you've done with both groupings....I've been wanting to do something similar with the wall going up our stairs.
Looks great!

Amber said...

I Love all these pictures!! Thanks so much for the inspiration! If you get a chance check out my blog www.mysewsouthernlife.com I am new to this blogging thing. Thanks again!

Debbie said...

Both walls look great! I am very fond of decorating with family pictures and unifying them with frames and/or black and white tones.

And I agree about the rounded edges of the table. I see your "ahem" and raise you an "ouch".

Bethany @ Our 4 Sons Plus 1...Super Cute Girly Girl said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such sweet comments- you made my day! I'm happy to follow you right back!

The pictures look lovely! I, too, am in awe of how straight you got them all! :)

Sue said...

Sometimes, all it takes is a little ingenuity and the smallest amount of money to make something look 100% better. That's just what you did when you filled that large visual space above the half table and in the other area outside the playroom. Like how you added the kids' initials there, too. :-)
I wish you could pay me a visit when I have my sale, too. Maybe whenever you come east to visit your sister we could meet up? Jungle Jim's is a fun place! LOL
hugs, Sue

Bonnie@Creative Decorating said...

Oh Vanessa, I love the framed pictures!! I am such a fan of family photos. The four together do make a better impact in the high space. I also love the rose petals in the hurricane glass. Gives me an idea for my foyer!! Thanks for the inspiration!

Green Door Girl said...

I really like the LHI gallery wall - it looks great! :)

Val said...

This is fabulous...I love it and might have you to do this myself!!! ; ))) Happy Wednesday!

Kelly said...

Lovely! Photos grouped together look beautiful, and yours look just as good as the ones in the magazine!

Kell

Ashley said...

Love all the new photos! Especially how you added their initials in there. I use so many family photos around the house. I just love seeing my kiddos faces :) I am also in love with those vintage car prints in the playroom.

Tina said...

Both walls look great! and you picked the perfect photos to frame!
And kuddos to you for them all being straight!

Christie said...

Both spaces look amazing! I love what you did! And love seeing the pictures of your sweet family!!XOXO, Christie

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Hi Vanessa~ Your hallway spaces are looking just gorgeous! I love how you both spaces came out- and what a beautiful family!! :) Thanks for sharing this at my party!

Tonya said...

WOW!! Very nice. I love the new look. Isn't it funny how when something just does not look right, it drives us crazy. I have such a hard time getting my husband to understand this phenomena.
Oh, and thank you for following me on my blog! :)