A happy Monday to ya! I was looking through my house getting ready to do some organizing. It’s Springtime so that’s what you’re supposed to do (right?). I realized that I had never shown you guys my hallway makeover (gasp)! Downstairs we have a hallway leading to our guest bath and then to our garage. It’s short and narrow, with no windows nearby, and felt a little confined to be honest. One of those items listed on the ‘cons’ list as we walked through the house before buying it. A ‘con’, but not a deal breaker, you know?
One of the first things I did when I moved in was to work on this hallway. I wanted desperately to add interest and prettify this ugly space. I thought a great way to spruce it up and utilize the space would be to make a gallery wall of family pictures (mostly the kid’s). {Unfortunately I don’t have any ‘before’ shots because this was before I blogged and took incessant pictures of every.little.thing.}
For several years I gathered a random collection of picture frames from Walmart, Target, Pier One, and others. The frames were either black or some sort of dark wood finish. That wouldn’t work in this already dark-ish space, so I brightened them up with a pretty shade of blue spray paint; Global Blue by Krylon. One of my fave shades of blue!
A few of the general principles I’ve found useful in decorating:
Arrange items in clusters of 3
Balance (even distribution)
Continuity
By painting all of the frames in the same color, there is a sense of fluidity, which I think will also trick the eye into thinking the space is longer than it really is (according to me).
The easiest way to arrange a gallery wall is to split it in three ‘sections’. In the middle I placed a large ‘H’ (from Michael’s) painted in the same shade of blue, to sit within a cheap thrift store empty frame (painted in white), with ‘handmade art’ underneath.
This vignette is ‘anchored’ on either side with a small grouping of frames in a similar pattern, to create a total of three sections. For balance I made sure to place the frames according to size and shape, and I even tried to get similar poses (some playful shots, and some serious shots) to be on the same side (I can be weird like that). My favorite shots are random pics of everyday activities. These were taken by our point and shoot camera over the years.
As far as the ‘handmade art’ is concerned—that is just a white frame from Target. I wrapped the backing in burlap, painted the lettering on to a cheap grey folder and taped it into place (you could use vinyl letters as well), added the glass that came with the frame over it. Voila! Instant ‘art’.
On the outer ends of the gallery, I added a little unexpected black and white—you know, just for fun! I made the “Love” sign (click here for the tutorial), and the “Follow Your Heart” sign was found at the dollar section at Target. It’s held in place with a 3M Command Strip (love those). So easy!
The wall is painted in “Wheat Bread’, by Behr.
So I started by telling you how dark and dreary this hallway is yet all you see here is light and bright! I’d like to give all of the credit to my gallery wall makeover, but I cannot tell a lie. The back door to the garage door was open while I was taking pictures letting in a bunch of sunlight. If I could keep that door open 24/7 I so would!
A Family Gallery Wall easily put together by repurposing items, adding a little paint, and imagination!
Have you made a Gallery Wall in your home?
Linking up here and…
Dianne @ Skinny Seahorse says
Love the blue. So cheerful. My hallway has all white frames and they are all the same. It’s feeling a bit drab now. Thanks for the motivation for change.
Barbara @ Chase the Star says
Dianne, thanks for the compliment, I love blue so much I have somehow managed to incorporate it into almost every room in the house! Glad you are motivated to update your frames!
Crystal says
Love the blue color!! Im getting ready to redo our family picture wall, but I haven’t made up my mind exactly how I want to. Thanks for the great idea! It looks great!!
Barbara @ Chase the Star says
Hi Crystal! So glad you’re inspired! Would love to see what you come up with!
Megin says
I love the pretty blue! It looks great.
I visiting from Monday Funday. I hope you can stop by my blog and leave a comment and Link Up!
~ Megin of VMG206
http://www.vmg206.blogspot.com
Barbara @ Chase the Star says
Thanks for the invite Megin! So glad you stopped by! :)
Nichole says
I love the idea of having a family photo wall… I may even do this going up the stairs to the bedrooms.
The colors are perfect!!
Barbara @ Chase the Star says
Nichole, I’d love to see what you do in on your stairway, I have a gallery there too, but have been itching for a change there forever! Need some inspiration:)
Jamie says
I love family walls! And you did a fantastic job, love it. I’m so glad I found your blog. I’m your newest follower. You should join up to my new link party {1 party, 5 blogs!} http://www.somuchbetterwithage.com/2013/03/give-me-goods-party-1.html
Have a great week!
Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com
Barbara @ Chase the Star says
Thanks Jaime!! You are so sweet! Welcome:) I will stop by your blog thanks for the invite!
Julia says
Hi! You were the link before me at the Lil’ Luna link party so I wanted to stop by and say hi! I love your gallery wall. You made a great balance of photos and printables and did wonderful job! Thank you so much for sharing!
Cheers,
Julia
It’s Always Ruetten
Barbara @ Chase the Star says
Thanks Julia! You are so sweet! I can’t wait to check out your blog..
Jen @ de Jong Dream House says
I love the cheery blue frames! I have several gallery walls in our house. I am slightly addicted! You can see the latest one here: http://www.dejongdreamhouse.com/2013/03/chair-rail-family-gallery.html
Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. says
That turned out beautiful, my friend! It matches your blog design! hee hee Love the pics of baby Chasey!
Barbara @ Chase the Star says
Thanks girl! I think you may be referring to Brock’s baby pic! They look so much alike at that age!
Selene Galindo says
I love the pops of blue against the white! Very clean and fresh looking, great for Spring!
Selene @ Restoration Beauty
Barbara @ Chase the Star says
Thanks so much! I am a lover of all things blue especially in the Spring time!
Meegan says
Great job on this wall. It can be stressful to pull it all together, but you did an amazing job!! Pinned and Tweeted :)
Barbara @ Chase the Star says
Thanks Meegan!! You’re so sweet!
Michelle Paige says
The blue frames really look great on your wall. Love how you arranged it.
Barbara @ Chase the Star says
Thanks Michelle!
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says
So cute, Barbara! Love how the blue ties everything in together!!
Barbara @ Chase the Star says
Thanks Kristi! Blue makes me so happy:)
Christine says
I just LOVE it Barbara!!!
Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer… From Dream To Reality last week!
lisa says
Looks great! Love the bright blue color you picked to add some fun to the hallway!
Barbara @ Chase the Star says
Thank you Lisa!
[email protected] says
Featuring you today! :)
Ginger @ gingersnapcrafts.com
http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2013/04/10-colorful-projects-for-you-your-home.html
Barbara @ Chase the Star says
Thanks Ginger! What an honor to be featured on your fabulous blog! :) :)