Do you have a big blank wall in your house, a giant canvas that you just can’t figure out how to decorate? Yeah, me too. A few of them, actually. One of them is in Macy’s room, a big wall over her book/toy shelf.
It sat empty for so long because I just couldn’t decide what I wanted to do with it. A photo wall was an obvious solution, since I do happen to have eleventy-billion photos of Macy…how convenient! But I already had a collection of three photos hanging over her bed, so I was thinking it would be overkill.
And then I saw this, from Clara’s nursery from this post over on Young House Love:
I loved that it had a collected-over-time feel, something to add to as she grows up. I also love that they did a few photos but also included meaningful artwork. And I especially loved the asymmetrical feel to it, because a perfectly straight, level and lined up art gallery is too much work for this lazy girl. (And her lazy helper husband.)
So I started hunting, collecting and designing. It took a few weeks, but here’s what I finally came up with:
It’s a bit taller and more narrow than I originally planned, but I still love it. And I can always add to it in the future.
This shadowbox contains Macy’s very first hat from the hospital, along with her teeny little hospital bracelet.
And this one was inspired by another of Young House Love’s little projects…I cut three hearts from scrapbook paper and folded them in the middle to give a little 3-d effect. Then I glued them onto another piece of scrapbook paper.
I also framed two of my favorite little printables, and I’m loving how they bring in little pops of color.
(Those printables – and others - are available in my etsy shop, if you’re looking for some fun, kid-friendly artwork.)
And of course, photos! (plus a small frame of some cute scrapbook paper.)
I’m one of the least crafty people you’ll ever meet. So trust me, if I could pull this together, anybody can.
As for cost? Several of the items I already had…the giant M was a HomeGoods find from way back. I already owned the 5×10 gallery-mounted print at the tip-top, the framed birth announcement, and the two shadowboxes. I lucked out at Michael’s a few weeks ago and found several cheap, white frames on sale for $4.99. Add in a 25% off coupon, and six frames cost just $3.25 each. And the scrapbook paper was on sale - 6 sheets for $1. Woo-hoo!
My only real splurge was the $19 square owl print, which I fell in love with when I visited The Purple Polka Dot in Cary last week. I love it so much I could marry it. But that would be illegal. I think.
So there you have it! Thoughts? Questions? If you have created any kid’s wall art galleries, I’d love to see them! Link us up in the comments below!
P.S. I still have these three photos over Macy’s bed that I need to do something with.
I’m planning to DIY an upholstered headboard for her one of these days, so I’ll probably wait to decide once I get that into place, since it’ll change the whole look of that wall. I’m open to any ideas!
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LOVE your wall, it came out fantastic, very cool, tfs!!!