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FAQ: HOW TO MAKE A GALLERY WALL THAT YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WILL LOVE

Mar 29, 2023life + family

One of the most frequently asked questions I get, either in person or over the internet, is regarding the gallery wall in our family room. Finally getting around to answering all the questions and rounding up all the tips and sources. Buckle up (it’s a long post!) and let me know if I missed anything. Here’s how to make a gallery wall that your family and friends will love.

5 Things That Might Give Your Project Momentum:

  1. Start with the end in mind… what are you going for!? Keepsakes? Favorite pictures? Displaying a collection? Is there a theme? Conversation piece? Certain colors? All black and white? Decide what vibe you’re going for… it can always change, but having a direction helps. Sentimental was what I was going for hence the family photos, framed notes, and abundance of kid’s art. A great way to figure out what you’re most drawn to is to scour Pinterest and start a board.
  2. What about the frames. Uniform, eclectic, different sizes, same sizes, oversized?
  3. What’s one piece of art or picture that I can build around? What colors or shapes can I pull from it?
  4. Do I have a designated area where I can store the art, photos, and frames while I collect them!? (If not, make one!)
  5. How much DIY am I willing to do? This will help you be realistic with budget, keep things from being overwhelming, and help you decide where to shop! Don’t mind painting? Goodwill will be a fun spot to shop. If not, save your time and energy and skip the thrifting. Want to be totally hands off? Framebridge would be a great option!

Favorite Places to Find Art:

  • Minted
  • Anthropologie
  • Etsy
  • Your Kids’ Art (how to scan, edit, and blow up kid doodles and art)
  • Personal Notes & Letters
  • Juniper Print Shop
  • ILY by, Rae (coming soon)
  • Search Local shops
  • Your Camera Roll (worth a deep dive, always!)
  • Art.com
  • Sugarboo & Co
  • Artfully Walls
  • The Poster Club
  • Block Shop
  • Lindsay Letters
  • Urban Outfitters
  • Lucy Mahon Prints are so Fun to me!
  • Glassette
  • Uprise Art (speedy but has some good inspo if you’re up for an art project!)

Favorite Places to Find Frames:

  • Ikea
  • Framebridge
  • Goodwill
  • H&M has great frames (simple and clean!) and poster mount hangers.
  • Urban Outfitters
  • West Elm
  • Pottery Barn
  • Wayfair
  • Amazon
  • CB2
  • Target

How to Arrange + Hang:

There are so many tips, tricks, and hacks for hanging art, including using velcro hanging strips (brilliant!). If you’re not sure which route to take, I highly recommend a quick DIY search on YouTube — especially if your doing more of a grid style layout as opposed to a mismatched style (like ours) which is more forgiving. We like to start with the biggest or most middle piece and work our way out from there, using nails, a pencil or painter’s tape, and an eye for spacing. Whatever method you use, it’s helpful to remember that it’s ok to mess up, nothings perfect, and good things take time (and maybe a couple different tries). Make it your own and tell a story that will make this a gallery wall that your family and friends will love.

Mindsets That Will Help:

  • Done is better than perfect and honestly, perfect is overrated. Also, it doesn’t have to be perfect to be a pretty collection/display of things that make you happy.
  • Starting is the hardest part.
  • Holes in the wall are easy to fill with a little spackle and paint!

THE END!

Do you have a wall in your home that could use a grouping of art? Or a gallery project that you’ve been putting off? Hopefully this post will help!

Eventually, I will be moving this wall downstairs and doing something different and fresh (for us) here. Already dreaming of what I might want to include. Have my eye on this art (or something similar) and plan on taking up as much of the wall space as possible. Also hoping to add a few options to the ily shop!

Feel free to comment with any follow up questions.

Xx, Rae

A FEW POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE: 5 budget friendly ways to update your home, “TEXT ME” printable poster, a mini summer (or spring) home-bar + playlist

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    Apr 19, 2023 at

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So happy you're here! I'm Rae, style enthusiast, amateur cook, graphic designer, firefighter wife, and mama of 5 (big) kids. We live in the PNW with our 12 chickens and dog, Waffles...

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YOU’LL NEED:

VANILLA SIMPLE SYRUP
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

VANILLA SWEET CREAM COLD BREW
1-2 tablespoons vanilla syrup (recipe above or use store bought)
1/4 cup half and half
1-2 cups cold brew of choice

HERE’S HOW:

VANILLA SIMPLE SYRUP
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and water. Stir until sugar has dissolved. (Make sure not to boil!)
Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes. Stir in vanilla extract.
Store in airtight container for up to one month in the refrigerator.

VANILLA SWEET CREAM COLD BREW
OPTIONAL: Beforehand, pour cold brew into an ice cube tray and freeze.
In a large glass, prepare your cold brew (or coffee) as desired… (hopefully over ice cubes made of coffee :).
In a different glass or jar, whisk together 1-2 tablespoons of vanilla syrup and half and half, with a handheld frother (or use one whisk attachment on a handheld mixer) to desired frothiness. Pour over prepared coffee.

Serve immediately and enjoy!
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YOU’LL NEED:
1 medium zucchini, sliced into thin rounds
1/4 cup coconut milk (or milk of choice)
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
pinch S + P (salt and pepper)
avocado oil (spray if you have it!)
marinara sauce and/or ranch for dipping (optional)

HERE’S HOW:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment (if desired). Slice zucchini into 1/8 inch rounds.
Pour milk in a small bowl. Combine panko crumbs, parmesan, salt, and pepper in another small bowl. Dip zucchini rounds in the milk and then dredge in crumb mixture. Place on baking sheet. Repeat steps for all zucchini slices. Before placing in the oven, give a light spray or drizzle of avocado oil.
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YOU’LL NEED:
2 3.5 ounce packages of instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups whole milk
8 ounces whipped topping (like cool whip), thawed
2 sleeves graham cracker rectangles
1 package mini chocolate chips (or cc of choice)
HERE’S HOW:
Whisk or hand mix pudding, whole milk, and whipped topping. Set aside.
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Top with chocolate chips as desired, cover, and chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours (or overnight) before serving.
Notes
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