Let’s Decorate: Photo Wall

Have you ever walked into someone’s home or maybe even in to one of your favourite stores and seen a photo wall and thought that you’d absolutely love to do that at home?  Then you get back home and you can’t think of where to start to create the look that you just saw and loved?

When you’re in the process of creating a photo wall, you need to keep a few key elements mind.

Here are my top 4 tips to keep in mind while you’re creating a photo wall of your own.  Remember these and you’ll be sure to have success and create a beautiful display in your home.

TIP #1:  Consistency  –   Think of consistency in 2 areas – frames and content

Let's Decorate: Photo Wall

Frames: Keep the frames the same in some way.
– White frames and light grey frames used together in one group is a great combination.
– Use different colours, but all similar tones.  Frames in 2-3 different shades of brown plus some in gold frames – this combination would have more depth.
– All black.  This looks great in almost any situation.  It’s a classic look that lends itself to any style of decor.
– Mix different shapes and sizes no matter what colours you choose.  This will create interest.

 

Content (what’s on display in the frames)  Some examples are:
– Keep all black & white photos
– Have a theme for the group.  Does your family love to camp and these are all photos of the last 5 years of camping vacations.
– All brightly coloured kids art.

TIP #2:  Balance – although you don’t need the exact same frames or the same size frames, there should be a visual balance of the weight of the frames throughout the grouping.  For example, if your display area is a horizontal rectangle, don’t put all the frames with 2″ thickness on the left side and all the frames with ½” frames on the right.  Scatter them throughout so you have some thick frames on each end and in the middle.  This will be much more pleasing to the eye.

Let's Decorate: Photo Wall

TIP #3:  Spacing – Allow just enough space between frames.  You want them to look like one piece of art, but not like a tight uncomfortable fit.  A good rule of thumb is 2″.

TIP #4:  Planning – When you’ve chosen all your frames and filled them with great pictures, it’s time to plan the layout.  Here’s a step by step of how to get a great result:

1. Start by determining the size of the space you want to fill.

2. Lay brown craft paper on the floor in that size.  Using green painter’s tape, tape the craft paper to the floor so it doesn’t move around while you work.

3. Using the 2″ rule, and balance, lay out the frames on the paper.   Another quick trick is to use an imaginary line on the top or bottom of the display and build up or down from that.  Or use a line through the middle and build up and down from it.

Let's Decorate: Photo Wall

 

4. Once you’re happy with the layout, trace all the frames with a pencil.

5. Give each frame a number. Just put a piece of the green painter’s tape on the glass and write the # on the front of the frame.  Write the # on the spot on the craft paper as well.

6. Using a level, hang the craft paper on the wall.

7. Start hanging the pictures by their number.  To keep them straight, use 2 nails instead of 1.

8. Once there are hooks for all the pictures, remove the brown paper and hang the photos.

 

Now you’re all set to have a great way to display photos of your fabulous HRM kid and family!

 

Wendy Monaghan, Interior Decorator and owner of Link Interiors, creates homes where life and style co-exist with flair.   She believes that a functional space allows families to have more quality time together and that children and all of their stuff can live in a beautiful home.  She is the mother of 2 fabulous HRM girls, aged 7 & 4.  For more information or to contact Wendy, visit her website, www.linkinteriors.ca

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hrmparent/CLkz/~3/5FToJtQkd5k/

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