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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