Creating your own Gallery Wall

My blog is feeling a little neglected lately and I don’t blame it. Summer, travel, kids and sunshine are not conducive to sitting at a computer! So please forgive the infrequent posts this summer … I have been spending what free time I have on client work but also enjoying time with my boys and the pleasures of summer. I know the time will come all too soon when we are back inside for most of the day and I do not want to wish this time away!

Since it was SO hot today, I did manage to get a few things done around the house while we enjoyed the comforts of nice cold air-conditioning.

I was looking through some of my files and was reminded that I have literally dozens upon dozens of pictures I’ve saved over the years of art gallery style walls that have made me swoon. I’ll share a handful of my favorites with you here … some of them I don’t even have sources for, but they are all exquisite nonetheless. Dining rooms, stairwells, bedrooms, living rooms, I love them all.

Check out Kate Spade’s New York apartment … each room is an art gallery in and of itself …

So I’ve been slowly collecting some pieces for my own art wall. I decided to pull them out today and play around with them a bit to see how I might put it all together.

These are pieces I’ve found in stores, art fairs, online, etc. that spoke to me in some way. As with all art, I think the most important thing is to make it personal.  Some of my pieces are travel inspired … a painting of Paris, European architecture …

I loved the original frame on this vintage watercolor.

I like to look for tiny art as well … perfect for nestling in between bigger pieces. I found the original painting of a farmer’s market and the feather both on Etsy.

It’s also nice to mix in a few nontraditional pieces.  I love the 3D quality of this vintage keyhole and pair of keys. Set on a beautiful background with just the right frame they too become art. (These were an Etsy find as well.)

I might even add in one of my own pieces. This is a chalk drawing I drew when I was in 3rd grade that my parents had framed and recently gave back to me.

Like I mentioned … I like to have a quite a mix. Black and white sketches paired with vibrant oil paintings …

So where and when am I going to hang this art wall? Well, therein lies the problem.

I haven’t quite settled on the place.  I am torn between this wall along our staircase …

Or holding off until we redo our dining room. I also think I’d still like to add a few pieces … I’d like something with a person or people. I think part of me enjoys searching for pieces so much that I’m not quite ready to commit to finished display. But that’s one of the great things about it … you can swap things out or tuck new things in as you find them.

If you are interested in creating your own art wall I’d suggest first going through your own home and picking out some favorite pieces.  Also keep an eye out at art fairs or smaller boutique home stores … especially for smaller pieces that usually are fairly affordable.  Periodically get on Etsy and search original oil painting, vintage painting, framed art, black and white sketch … you get the idea. It will take some time to sift through the results … but something may pop out at you and it is an easy investment. I am always pleasantly surprised by the quality of original artwork on Etsy.  And many of the shops specializing in vintage often have wonderful old art in its original frames … a great way to give your collection an “inherited” look. (Inherited art just sounds like it’s worth a lot of money, doesn’t it?)

Also check out Vintage Printable and the New York Public Library Digital Gallery for a huge collection of searchable art you can print right from your own computer and frame however you want.

I’d love to see what you have done to create a gallery style wall in your home … I’ll add it to my collection of inspiration photos and share the best here on my blog.

Have a good week!