It’s Weekend Meanderings time with Elizabeth and Juliet, and our chance to share some cool things that have crossed our radars this week! Thank you for being here. I feel like I blink and we are here again and this week with the time change..WHY? But on to business..
Today I’m sharing a few tips on creating a gallery wall. When we did our home remodel, right before the pandemic, we removed the big interior wall to let more light flow from the front to the back of the house. Doing that left us with a long wall in the main living space. I wasn’t really sure how to deal with it, and for a good year or so, we left it blank. The idea of a gallery wall seemed to be a way to fill the long space with some personal pictures and art. My worry was how to make it look good?
Let me say I am slightly shy to share this as I am still tweaking it and filling the blank spaces, but I do think the overall tones and idea work for my white and earth toned house with black accents.
How to Create A Gallery Wall
-Find a statement piece for your center. I had a black and white art piece that was my focal point that I worked around.
-Gather other art or objects that can work with the main piece. For me, that was a San Francisco print of the Golden Gate, an ink drawing of a Victorian House, and a modern art print- all black and white and one with some tan.
-Choose 2-3 colors to go with to pull it all together. I kept it all black, white and tan or a light wood tones to unify these pieces.
-Add in family photos made to look arty. I had a cool vintage black and white photograph of my husband Max as a teen, taken by his mom for a photo class. Going with that cue, I used a photo of my boys as teens in a kind of surly (truly), pic from a vacation in France. It sort of looked like an album cover. I used the IPhone filter and changed it to black and white and did the same with photos of their faces. I cropped the pics to half their faces, and printed them all out on our regular printer. This is an easy trick and can make your photos look vintage and your wall will be unique and personal, but still look like ‘art.’
-Choose frames that pull it all together. Since all the photos were black and white, I went with a few in black, but mostly light wood frames from Target, to add an earthy, warmer feel and stay in our 3 color scheme.
-Collect your art and objects and lay them on the floor to find a harmonic look. I still felt the need for objects that were softer, so I added in a few woven discs . You could do this with round mirrors or anything that adds more texture and another shape to your grouping.
-Begin to replicate it on the wall starting with the largest object and work out from there. I used Command Strips for some things, but small nails for most, with my husband helping. Yes there were a few holes and pencil marks left, much trial and error to be honest.
-Remember this is a gallery look, so it doesn’t need to look perfect. Free form and and off-center is okay.. Perfectionists, this may not be the thing for you. It’s an organic look.
-Add to your gallery and change it up over time as your find new things. Just this past month I changed the main picture to this big black sea fan print. I also added in a new basket from World Market and removed another. I’m also going to enlarge some of the frames with the photos. Before the new pieces..
If you’re looking for wall baskets, Pottery Barn has this lovely collection, below.
I hope this helps! Have fun and give it a try.
My First Spring Dress Purchase
One thing I could use more for the warmer months is dresses that are easy and pretty. This FarmRio dress came in my email this week and I ordered it for a little getaway coming up. I loved the print and fortunately being 5’4 it didn’t swamp me and hit at ankle length in size small. It’s comfy and roomy and I think it will be a piece to wear for years to so much. The quality and fabric and pretty ties with beading, make it even more lovely in person.
A Pretty Tote
More pretty blues! I love the idea of a lightweight tote to take on vacation that can double as your day bag as well as at the beach. This H&M Jacquard tote fills the requirements, has a fun holiday vibe and isn’t some expensive bag that you need to worry about while you’re swimming, at the beach, or at the park with your kids. (It does kinda has the Dior vibe though!) I love the palm trees. I can see using this all spring and summer with sundresses and sandals and well everything.
OKA
Are you familiar with this wonderful British home decor site OKA? They have some beautiful things that would give your home some of that eclectic English vibe. I’m in love with this pouf, or floor cushion as they call it, in the prettiest pattern and lapis color. I just think it would be wonderful by the fire or just about anywhere you want to be able to put your feet up…
EXTRA STUFF..
I just bought this beautiful book, San Francisco Cocktails for the husband’s upcoming birthday. This is a beauty packed with history! Did you know San Francisco has a big connection with Lima, Peru, where most ships stopped coming through from the east around Cape Horn? The Ghiaradellis and others started there, and brought some traditions with them. This book has great photos and craft cocktails from the coolest SF restaurants and all the way down to the San Jose (yes you heard that right), and even Los Gatos. Definitely one for your bar or for that person who loves the Bay Area, San Francisco and it’s history.
I know a lot of you are Serena & Lilly fans and they just notified me that they extend their Spring Sale Event until next Tuesday, 3/22. You can get 20% off everything except sale. My friend just ordered this beautiful pendant for above her dining table.
I also have this version in my entry. A great time to get beautiful quality lighting or rugs.
If you’re in the market for pendants, Mary Ann of Classic Casual Home, wrote a great post this week,
13 Great Pendants to Update Your Kitchen. All of them are gorgeous, and she has some good advice as always!
Ukraine is on the top of my mind everyday and in Juliet’s post today she mentioned and linked to a Frontline documentary, Putin’s Road to War. I saw it this week and I can’t recommend it enough about the madman and how we got here. Please take the time to watch it. I also follow many Ukraine Accounts like Eyes on Ukraine with daily news on the situation from the ground, and the official account of Ukraine on Instagram, and NATO. Arnold Schwarzenegger made a 9 minute plea to Russians this week which we can only hope gets out to them, and I thought it was so good.
Thanks for being here. Please pop over and see what ideas my friends Elizabeth and Juliet have for you this week..
PINECONES AND ACORNS
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
Wishing you all a beautiful weekend, and thank you for being here!
Kim
If you missed the last Weekend Meanderings, on tennis clothes, entry rugs, a pretty home and more, you can read it here.
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I need to get that book for Howard!! Love your new dress!!
Thanks for the pendant light mention! Have a fun Saturday!!
I know I think he would love it Mary Ann! Loved your pendant post! xo
Hi Kim,
Love the gallery wall. I’ve done a few in my home, and found that tracing out my frames, etc. on Kraft paper, and labeling them, then placing on the wall, has been a great help.
Thanks Jill! Thank you for that. That is another great way! We sort of did that, but with a ruler and no paper. Would have been smarter to do the Kraft paper.Thanks for the tip!
Kim! You’re on fire today! That gallery wall … no need to be shy, it’s amazing. I’d like to do something like this in our hallway and will follow your advice. Oh my gosh, that blue and white summer dress. Love. Want. Need. Ditto the pouf and tote. Jim’s birthday is coming up too and I just ordered the San Francisco Cocktails book. Thank you … he’s going to love this! So will I … its so fun reading about history around the Bay. Mary Ann’s pendant post is so good and they’ll be lots of good deals to be had at the S&L sale. Hope you have a wonderful weekend! It’s drizzling here … but we’re headed to Sonoma! xo
Juliet, Thanks I loved your post! So many cool women I didn’t know about like the French Laundry founder and your blogger Shannon. I also love the Jack Rogers.. So many fun things. I think Jim will love the book too. Hope Sonoma was lovely. Even in the rain, it sounds fun. xo
Hi Kim,
You did a good job with your gallery wall, I especially like how clever you were about making the hip portraits of your boys. I’ve been wanting to hang a gallery portrait wall in the hall downstairs and even had frames collected and ready to go, then I forgot all about it! I need to get on that! For me it’s easiest to lay everything out on the floor first and then start hanging one at a time in the closest approximation of where they were in my final layout. There are always some goofs but it’s usually no t to hard to fix mistakes!
Wish I had a sunny vacation to look forward to, that dress is adorable!
Going to check out Mary Ann’s pendant post right now! I’m desperate for new ones over my kitchen sink.
Xo Heidi
Aww thanks Heidi. It was kind of fun and to be totally honest, I had the frames a long time and the pictures before we did it..I think I am like you, I do hang things a bit in an organic way. You have the most wonderful art, so I can imagine you would have a pretty stunning wall. I know Mary Ann had some great pendants! xx
Love the gallery wall and the relaxed CA vibe. I can see doing your remodel and sitting with the wall took some time to figure out, what you both created was not an easy task. Congratulations, you guys nailed it.
Your spring dress is very pretty. Great Choice.
Katherine, Thanks so very much. That’s really nice of you to say! You never know when you are doing these things. I feel like we are getting there.
Hope you have a great weekend! x
Kim, the gallery wall is amazing! I would love details on the black and white drawing of the facade of the building and the large swirls that look like script, they are beautiful. The dress is fabulous! Farm Rio is one of my favorite places for dresses, they are all beautiful and unique. The bag is classic, I just hopped over and purchased one! I have never purchased anything form Serena and Lily but I do love their pieces. Your chandelier/pendant in the hall is beautiful. The cocktail book looks liveth perfect gift. Thanks for sharing so many interesting, beautiful and fun things. Have a wonderful weekend.
Aww Elizabeth you are so nice. Thank you. I am glad it looks okay! I do love those prints. I have had some of them a long time!
I just received the Farm Rio dress and it’s lovely and really well made. I had no idea the fabrics were all custom. It’s like a craft piece for the price pretty special! Isn’t that bag cute? So glad you thought so too. I just wanted it for a little trip and I knew I’d use it a ton this summer. The Serena & Lilly pieces are also so well made. Everything I’ve got has worn beautifully. Thanks Elizabeth. Sos enjoyed your two posts- Fridays and Saturdays as always and have a few meals this week planned thanks to your recipes! xo
Kim, I love your post! I shared your gallery wall today and then when I went back, I see that you made one big change. I love it. I hope you found another spot for the other large piece of art!
I think the photos of the boys (I did not realize it was in France) are so cool the way you did half of their faces. I can not believe you printed them out at home. They look so good!
I did watch that video from your Instagram link…I hope they see it…somehow. It’s so scary and so terribly sad.
Annie, Wow thank you so much. So nice of you to share! I did have fun making those pictures and I am going to enlarge them a bit! Yes it was from Antibes..Your are so kind.
I know the Arnold video was really good. Scary isn’t it? Thank you again dear Annie. xo
When did hanging lights become PENDANTS?
IAM SO OUT OF IT BUT THEN AGAIN MY HOUSE IS DONE TOO MANY TIMES IF YOU GET THE DRIFT!
LOVE THAT LONG MAXI DRESS………….I have yet to find a strapless BRA that works!THAT WOULD BE A GOOD POST!BRA’s!
ANOTHER VACY for you and the HUBBY!
YES, I AM JEALOUS!!
I will watch those videos you suggested!
XXX
I know I guess it’s a hanging light! Pendants are smaller.. Yes the strapless bra thing. They either do nothing, or kill you.. LOL. I will try and see if there are some I can recommend! So far I’m out of luck with them too. Let me know what you think of the videos. xoxo
Hi Kim, your idea for photos of your boys is GENIUS!! Our older son was 13-17 when we lived in Budapest, and we always say that he sulked his way around Europe! 😊 It’s his birthday soon, we’re going to do a photo for him – the one we’re thinking of really does look like an album cover! I also love the photos of your two boys, with the half faces – really cool.
Thank you for the link to the documentary – unfortunately, it’s not available to me (perhaps geo-blocking?), but I can watch some of the interviews around it.
The news every day out of Ukraine is just so awful. But then again, there are also so many inspiring incidents coming out – Arnold’s video was fantastic, it would be great it if had the desired effect.
Thanks for being a lovely positive part of our day Kim!
Patricia, That’s so funny and believable. Those ages… You know what I was dealing with! how wonderful you’re going to do a photo for him! Great birthday idea. Thanks the half face thing was kind of fun! I’m not sure everyone would do the same, but as a mom you love those faces!
Shoot I am sorry the documentary isn’t available.. Glad you saw Arnold. I amazing grateful for people like him. Hopefully some of this tis getting through to the Russian people! Thanks so much! xo