Decorate with Photos - 2

As a follow up to my first post on decorating with photographs, I thought I would provide you with some useful resources frame resources for creating your own gallery display.

First off the all in one package: The Picture Wall Company Inc. They have frames, templates and all the supplies you need to hang an impressive photo gallery with no fuss, no muss. The impressive display wall below was created by combining four of their framing kits. This headache free experience does not come cheap, but the results may be worth it to some.


Below, is the mix and match solution from Michael's, your local craft store. I haven't tried this system, but it doesn't look as easy as the Picture Wall. However, what it does seem to offer is a little more customization. You pick a template, then match the frames you want to the template. My only concern with this, is the frame selection. If the only frames are these heavy black frames, it is a little limiting.


Aaron Brothers offers a wide selection of frames and all kinds of mats. They are a great resource, but somehow they haven't figured out that providing clients with hanging templates would be helpful to many... and might actually help them sell more off-the-shelf frames.


Pottery Barn offers a nice range of frames, though they do not offer a great selection of sizes, or mats since this is not their core business. The frames range from traditional to streamlined.


Last, but not least, do not underestimate Ikea, the Swedish discount furniture store. While their frame designs are basic, their pricing is very competitive and with a little creativity, you can use their frames to great effect. Check out this Riba frame display courtesy of decorpad.


So with a drill and level in hand, I hope this inspires you to set up your own photo gallery.

[PARENTING]: Reading

Why is it that all of my favorite magazines have folded? First domino, now cookie...

The publisher's sent me a note informing me that the remainder of my subscription would be fulfilled by Glamour. Who in the world thinks that a person who reads domino and cookie would have any interest in Glamour. Have they not studied their demographics?

Anyway, I digress from my real intention with this post. The last issue of cookie featured a kid's library designed by Kelly Wearstler for her two boys. The minute I saw it, I knew I wanted my son to have one. Not only had his pile of books become unruly, but I wanted to further encourage his already strong love of reading.

photo courtesy Cookie Magazine

So I turned a junk cupboard in my son's room into his new little paradise. The project took my husband and I one and a half days to complete over the Holiday break (including demo, painting and installation).

BEFORE:
AFTER:

The first words out of my son's mouth when he saw his new room, were "WOW, WOW!"


Would love to know what you think, so please leave a comment.

P.s. now I just have to figure out what to do with all the junk that I used to store in the cupboard... but that's another story.

Decorate with Photos

Besides my love of photography, I have a passion love for interior design so I thought I would combine the two in this post to provide design inspiration on how to decorate with photographs.

After taking the time to take professional photographs, it's really a pity not to maximize the impact of the images, so here are a few ideas that can easily be replicated.

From private spaces...


to public spaces...

photos courtesy of decorpad, pottery barn and crate & barrel

...thoughtful arrangements in an eclectic mix, a themed grouping, or a series can work wonders in a room. Do take note though, that in most of these images, the photographs are not just framed, they have a mat and frame, giving each image some space to breathe.