This week my daughter and I worked on her “All About Me” family photo project for school. I selected some family photographs and then I began talking with her about what she liked and what she wanted to share with her class. I pulled out a bunch of scrapbooking supplies I had from past projects and my daughter instantly went for some bright flower cut outs. She loves flowers, so she quickly began punching out the paper petals and she was all smiles as we began adding the flowers to her collection. We added a few stickers to talk about her favorite things like the beach and ice cream and in the end, I must admit her little poster really does look like her. I think she really had fun with the project and she couldn’t wait to show it to her dad when he came home.
I believe that each of us has a story to tell and one of the most important thing you can do when decorating your home is to have pieces that spark memories and meaning. When we first moved into our home in Chicago it took months before our house really began to feel like home and I must admit that one of the game changers for my husband and I was getting the gallery wall hung in our hallway. My husband isn’t one to talk much about decorating, but the night they were all on the wall he immediately noted the difference. That little collection of photos has grown over time, but been it has been a part of all of our homes together.
I started that collection when I moved into my first place after college. My mom’s Aunt Winnie has the most amazing gallery wall in her hallway. Winnie has quite a collection of photographs, but to me what always made hers so unique is that she framed and added in some special mementos as well. A fan from one of her son’s wedding and family treasures that make it more than just photographs. It’s a collection and the story of her family. I have always loved her home and her beautiful gallery wall. She was way ahead of the trend but her collection is still one of my favorites.
Inspired by her home, when I began to decorate my first place out of college I created my own gallery wall. I copied old family photos of my grandparents, siblings and parents and I put together my own. I wanted my house to be a collection of our memories reflecting both the past and our lives now. I have a mix of old portraits and favorite snapshots. My girls will often stop and ask us about the pictures, which is important to us because our grandparents and Mark’s dad have passed away. The photos have been a wonderful and fun way to share family memories with our daughters. We also have hung pictures of them and molds of their handprints that I made when they were babies. The girls just love seeing those and telling you which picture and handprint belongs to them. They may be little, but they understand they are a part of the story too.
So as the holiday season approaches and you begin thinking about family and getting your home ready for gatherings I wanted to share a few styling tips I have learned along the way on how to incorporate family and special collections in your home.
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Think about framing and including sentimental items like a memento from a special trip, a post card, a wedding decoration or piece of artwork made by a child or family member
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Add more than just family portraits. I love to mix in fun candid photos that tell a story. Pictures of a favorite moment or place.
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Have a pretty wedding invitation, birth or graduation announcement then think about framing them.
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Add a painted sign with your last name, the name of a favorite place to visit, a special quote or song lyric
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If you don’t have space on your walls then make a grouping of framed photos on a chest, table top or desk
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If you want a way to share a few more memories then think beyond frames and iPhones and make hard copies of some childhood photos and travels and put them out in a bowl or basket so you can actually see them and share them with others.
Want a home you love? Then start by finding those special things and photos you like most and display them. Curate a group of photos and a collection of special items together. Collections often look better when they are displayed as a group. Take a collection of boxes, figurines, paperweights, beads, rocks or shells then group them together on a shelf between books, on a table, or in a tray or a bowl. One photo frame can get lost or feel small, but a group or small collection has a presence. It’s those little details that will make you smile and add a personal touch to your home. Those are the things that truly say something about you and that make your home memorable and meaningful.
Come back next week for the part two of this three part series, because I am going to discuss few more specific ideas about how I like to group and hang gallery walls. I am also going to share my sister’s gallery wall as well as some of my favorite sources for frames and decorative elements.
