A gorgeous ikat stencil is sort of hard to compete with though. The wall directly opposite of the stencil wall houses a gallery of photos. I just added the finishing touch, so I thought I'd show you.
The finishing touch was turning this
into this.
I finally found the perfect fabric to line the back of this frame! This is a dollar store frame and I used command tape to adhere the stainless letter "P" to the front. The letter was a Target purchase from years ago. It sat with a cardboard backing for about 8 months until I found this fabric! Here's a closer look at a few of the other frames that make up this gallery wall.
My hub proposed with a fortune cookie at the Chinese restaurant where we had our first date, Peking Dragon in Dana Point, California. Clearly I kept my fortune from that night. It's the only one I've ever kept!
We took a generations photo a few years before my grandmother passed, and I've treasured this ever since. While I love this picture because of what it represents, it also makes me think whoever thought highlights only in the front was a good look was clearly mistaken. :)
Awwww - once upon a time we were young!
I framed our moving announcement. I found these on Etsy from Greencard Designs. She makes personalized moving announcements and lots of other cool stationary items.
So that's the ikat wall's step sister, what do you all think of her? I know a dining room isn't the room you'd usually add a gallery, but I really love having all these family photos/keepsakes in a room where we break bread together. There something about this wall that gives this room a comfortable, casual vibe. At least it does for me. Do you have a gallery wall in a not so common place in your home? Do you like to mix your frames or are you a one frame color person?
Oh yeah and did you watch The Voice?! Who do you think is going to win?!!!!!
Your wall looks great. I love all the sentimental pieces, especially the Move card. So cute.
ReplyDeleteThat looks great! You have a beautiful family. Love that move card, too!
ReplyDeleteYour wall is soooo nice! Love how everything has a meaning. You are so cute:)
ReplyDeleteHey and I saw your tweet about me bing young. Okay, I really think you're no more than four years older than me! Am I right?!!!
So sweet -- love seeing your family pics!
ReplyDeleteI'm kinda obsessed with gallery walls. I have one in my living room with black and white photos, all in black frames, of the kids and fam. I have color flower close-ups, that I've taken, in black frames in my hall and over my bed I have all random photos, drawings, kid art, shelves, etc. in all mixed frames and wood finishes. Clearly I have a hard time narrowing down my wall art choices. :o)
ReplyDeleteBoth walls are absolutely great - interesting in different ways so there is balance! Working on doing the same with old b&w family pics, decals, fabric..
ReplyDeleteshe looks great! :)
ReplyDeleteI've been going back and forth about the gallery wall in our home (and where to put it not like we have a ton of options) - I'm glad you posted a picture of this because I have thought about doing this with different frames (not all the same color) and I really like how it looks.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are gorgeous, and great idea to frame sentimental keepsakes, such as your "marry me" fortune! I love it! I'd say for an even bigger impact, you could throw another larger frame or two into the mix for extra oomph!
ReplyDeletei love that fabric behind the p- it;s perfect! and love the collection of photos and memories. so sweet!
ReplyDeleteLove the stenciled wall, black and white is a fav. of mine. You also did a wonderful job on your gallery wall. The moving announcement is adorable too, Kathysue
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone! I've always loved the look of a mix of frames - gives it more of a collected over time look which I always love. Although I have seen all black or all white frames that look just as great too!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I've been watching The Voice and I'm sooo hoping that Dia wins!! I could listen to that girl sing the alphabet; she has the coolest voice ever! Second- I am so in love with your dining room! I love the gallery wall that you've added. I think it's a wonderful idea to have photos and mementos in a room where you gather with your family. I am really wanting a gallery wall but haven't done one yet because we've been renting and haven't been in this house (and won't be in the next one) for long enough for me to want to take the time. But I can't wait to have one! I think I'm an all-the-frames-one-color kind of girl, but I like them all to be different sizes and shapes. btw I'm featuring your stenciled dining room wall on my blog tomorrow for my "Before & After Thursday" series. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Brooke! I'm honored :) I agree Dia is my fav too! Her voice is so unique.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a gallery wall!! I need one! I also want a stenciled wall!!!
ReplyDeletewww.moddybee.blogspot.com
I am still working on my gallery wall! Hopefully I will get it done before we have to move few years down the road.
ReplyDeleteI love the generation photo. I really wish I had one done with my grandma, my mom, me, and my daughter when my grandma was visting last year. Maybe I will get to visit my grandma and we will have a photo together.
Without being too nosy,are you still in Southern California? The reason why I ask is I live in Southern California.
Carmel your wall looks fabulous, love the beautiful photos! Martina
ReplyDeleteI love it! I save all of our announcements and holiday cards and have them framed all over the house too. I Need to put together a wall... haven't gotten around to it. Yours is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI just love this post! So much emotion on that wall. I LOVE the fortune from Peking Dragon and the sweet sentiment about moving. All so great. Well done, my friend {as always}
ReplyDeleteHey Megan - I'm in Kentucky now - where my hub was born and raised. I'm from Southern California though, and I try to get back at least once a year to visit family and friends!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great Carmel! Love the fabric you used, great choice!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great gallery wall, Carmel! Love all the fun personal touches. That's what they're all about! And what a GREAT moving announcement (:
ReplyDeleteThe wall looks great! And the best part about it is all the sentimental touches! Love the fortune cookie!
ReplyDeleteWell holy crap...I am still loving the ikat wall...must have missed it somewhere! Gotta go back a look around! I think the DR is a perfect place for a gallery wall....as you said...and dang, you sure are pretty!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice moving announcement to have on you're wall. Very clever!
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