Monday, June 18, 2012

Gallery Wall completed (almost)

My favorite part of the house is my Study.  Not that it's big or lavishly decorated, it's just comfortable.  The only furniture in there is a 'tired old' sofa (that I find sooo comfortable) a desk, that was given to my son years ago that I have since repainted a TV and my desktop.   It's situated in the middle of my house, with two entrances and no doors for privacy.  So, usually, everybody who comes to visit, either me or my son, find themselves in my study chilling and relaxing.  So it only made sense that when I decided on a gallery wall that I put it in my Study.

About six years ago I started with this







With a busy schedule, I let a few years slip by.  After adding some texture to the wall I decided to approach getting my Gallery Wall completed.








I stopped again, got sidetracked, started working on other projects while trying to figure out what else to do with the wall.  So after another 2-3 year sabbatical I decided to approach it again.  I gave it a theme, selected some pictures of my family, adjusted the color to a faded black & white using photo editor, added a letter big & bold to each picture and printed them.






To get the look I wanted I balled up the pictures and stained them with tea. 







With my first attempt I dunked the pictures in tea, loved the vintage look, but the paper was too soggy and almost ripped away so I resulted to using a brush.  I let them dry overnight.








After cutting out the pictures I burnt the edges and then got some heavy board paper that I had cut and painted black.  I glued the pictures onto the boards and mod podged them I wanted to mod podge them but I didn't have any and I was too lazy to run to the store,  so I had to resort to making my own using fabric medium.











I remembered I had a strip of trim leftover from another project, so I cut it to size, 






I painted it black and used hot glue to stick the pictures onto it













I then hung it on the wall.  Anyone coming into my Study would know this was my Family Gallery Wall.








My son drew this picture in the 2nd or 3rd grade, both his teachers and I were amazed at his talent at that age.  I'm not sure who it's a picture of, but I immediately framed it, because I knew it would always be on my wall.






I had a very dear aunt that passed away some years ago.  I remember visiting her and she always kept this particular fan displayed in her front room, maybe it's a souvenir from a vacation she went on, or maybe someone had given it to her from their vacation...whatever, I decided to give it a spot on my gallery wall.





My son had won several ribbons while in school, unfortunately I could only locate two of them (does that make me a bad mommy???)  I removed the pendants from the ribbons (the colors clashed with my color scheme) and attached them to a neck piece I found in his room.  I think he's going to hate knowing I was rummaging through his stuff in his room. ;-)





While in his room I spotted his hat & tassel from his graduation party, it's been roughly handled, dropped, walked on, etc.  it looked pretty beat up, but hey isn't vintage the new "in thing".  Actually, I was just too lazy to touch it up.





My family gallery wall isn't totally completed, but I'm getting there.  There's enough space for a few pictures, keepsakes, etc.






Who knows in another year or two when I complete my family gallery wall, my humble sofa will have either been painted, upholstered or updated!








So, until then, I'll work on a few other projects until I can decide on how to finish my wall.  LET YOUR CREATIVITY FLOW!

24 comments:

Amy of While Wearing Heels said...

Sherry, everything you do, you do it well...even if it took a few years to complete :). I love how much thought you put into everything on display. AND, you inspired me to try tea staining :)

Brandi said...

I love the technique you used to age the pictures. Your gallery wall is coming together very nicely!

JoKnows said...

This is beautiful Sherry, and so meaningful too! I love your son's picture. I frame my kids' work too, because they are so creative while they are young!

Highland Monkey's said...

That is a brilliant idea. I have a walk through study/craft type room so everybody ends up there as well! Might have to adapt you idea!

Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap said...

the family sign is very creative and unique! definitely my favorite!

Artsy Craftery Design Studio said...

Hi Sherry: Did you end up using the brush with tea or with diluted paint? The banner is a very nice anchor for your gallery.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sherry! Oh, what can you not do? Everything looks wonderful and love that you've framed your sons work.
Thanks for popping in to see me.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Brooke said...

I love that your gallery wall is filled with things that have so much meaning. It must make you feel so good to be able to look at those things every day. I love the family sign that you made! Your gallery wall looks beautiful.
www.inside-outdesign.blogspot.com

Liz @ Quirky Vistas said...

Sherry, that is so cool how you did the F-A-M-I-L-Y. It's fun to see the different ways everyone chooses to create their galleries when they do them. I love the style of yours and that you are using items with history attached to them as well as pictures and paintings. Sometimes a little bit at a time is a perfectly smart way to do things. It's good to let the look develop over time. It sure seems to have worked for you.
Liz

fiona anderson said...

Your gallery wall looks great and I love your aged photos and the 'family' piece you created with them.

Thoroughly Modern Me said...

You sure do tackle some big projects and they all turn out beautifully. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my weekend finds. Can you believe I got that ribbed cookie jar for $8. I was thrilled. Have a great week.

Roisin said...

Lovew the aged look of the pictures with the letters on them.

Rhissanna said...

Wow, Sherry, I think this is my favourite of your make-overs so far. The FAMILY board ties everything together and the quirky items like the cap and the fan make it very personal. Really lovely. Of course, this just means eve more people will congregate in your study!

Gypsy Heart said...

Great idea my friend! You are very creative with those photos and the banner. I know your family loves this wall!

xo
Pat

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Hi Sherry,

I love your gallery wall. I think the banner is so fun and creative.

Dee

Patty said...

Sherry love your wall. I love child art and your son's picture is wonderful. It's interesting to see the strings on his awards. They are different in with the beads on them. Very cool!

Comeca Jones said...

Like the new look Sherry and I really like the letters!

Patty said...

Hi Sherry,
I love your wall and I love children's art. Your son's picture he made is wonderful! I think it's interesting how the award has beads on it. Very different from something around my neck of the woods. Nice job as always.
Patty

Anonymous said...

Sherry, WOW! Love your family gallery wall! The FAMILY letters are so creative and original and your son's artwork is fantastic! Love all the personal mementos too, like the fan and awards. What a special display to enjoy everyday! :-)

Unknown said...

Found your blog via the Thrifty 101 link party. I love gallery walls (am currently planning one for our hallway) and yours is just so personal! Especially like your son's painting.

momto8 said...

you wall is wonderful!! everything about it!! bet it is a conversation wall too!

Poppy @ With a Dash of Color said...

This is amazing! I just love how you added the vintage look to those letters..such a fantastic job! Looks perfect on your gallery wall! Love the painting done by your son, amazingly talented. Gets it from you,I bet! I love how you incorporated treasured family memorabilia on your gallery wall:) Thanks for the inspiration and for your sweet comment on my garden party. It was a pleasure having you over. Happy Sunday!~Poppy

Kammy's Korner said...

Your son's pictures has me going "wow!" :)

Help! Mama Remote... said...

You did an awesome job by personalizing the wall and adding parts of your family to it.