Hi Genevieve,

We have a large wall above an open staircase and I am not sure how to decorate the 6 foot by 7 foot area. I'd like to use framed photos. Would it be better to do a series of three photos, one large canvas or a grouping of several 8 x 10" framed photos?

Thanks,
Amy M.

Hi Amy,

Thank you for the question! It's a popular one, so I'm glad I can answer this for so many people at once. Getting started can be very intimidating as you feel like you might "mess it all up" with one wrongly placed stroke. First of all, take a breath. Now you’re halfway there.

To begin, lay all of the pieces you want to hang up out on the floor and start playing with configurations. It's not a science; it's about story telling. By visually positioning things that share threads of history, content or aesthetic, you begin the design process.

I typically hang the most prominent piece first at eye level and then build around that frame. Stagger things at different heights, hanging them close together (1-2"), and make the eye move across the full space.

I say, use it all! Large photo canvases, fine art prints, and 8" x 10" framed photos will create more variance in size and proportion. The more pieces you combine, the more interesting it all becomes.

Have fun,
Genevieve

Hi Genevieve,

What are your thoughts on taking photos of the children's artwork and then printing them on canvas for home decor? Some of the artwork is too small to frame and be seen. Also, the medium they used to create them is not something I would expect to last a long time.

Thanks,
Gina and Robert S.

Hi Gina and Robert,

I think this is a beautiful idea! A very simple but powerful way to display multiple pieces is to scan or photograph all the artwork, and digitally quilt them onto a collage photo canvas. It lasts forever and I guarantee every visitor will ask where you bought that fine piece of art. It will blow their minds when you tell them it's not a priceless contemporary piece, but rather art made by your little Picassos!

Enjoy your family's talent!
Genevieve

Hi Genevieve,

I REALLY want to incorporate family photos into our home, but I am not a matte and frame person. Also, I’m overwhelmed by the sheer volume of school and vacation pictures we have. It’s paralyzed me! I’ve been hoarding pictures for years, but can’t seem to find the solution for displaying them. The years are flying by and I want to showcase all of our great times.

Thanks,
Kimberly F.

Hi Kimberly,

Join the club! We are all trapped in this digital holding tank, so I'm happy to be a part of this project. Let’s all release the photos! Since you are not a matte and frame person, start creating photo books. They are a powerful and beautiful way to visually tell the story of your year. Best part: no framing required whatsoever.

Cheers to creative freedom!
Genevieve

Hi Genevieve,

We want our daughter's newborn photos to be the art in her room, but we cannot pick favorites and don't know how to make them work. She is now 6 months old and we recently had more beautiful photos taken, but we’re not sure if we should use some of those, too. What would look better: canvas or framed? Photos in a similar color or all different? And how many on one small wall?

We are so indecisive!
Jennifer, Kent, and Audrey W.

Hi Jennifer, Kent and Audrey,

What a sweet way to welcome your daughter to the family!

The eye sees things in a more complimentary fashion through odd numbers. Consider a collection of three or five wall panels so it is easy to have a center focal photo. Play with cropping and try to capture the pure essence of her as a newborn: A curled hand, a set of feet, a little squishy tushy, and her sleeping face. Then the main photo could be her portrait.

Another approach is a picture when she's older of the little lady in mama’s arms on one side, an equally powerful portrait of baby and daddy on the other side, and her close-up in the middle. There is so much color in a child’s room that I would stick to black and white since it is graphic, simple and timeless.

Good luck,
Genevieve

Hi Genevieve,

I have photos of my two sons EVERYWHERE in my home. One just graduated from Marine Corp Boot Camp and the other got married last month. I would like advice on how to display my Marines memorabilia in a way that I can add to it as he progresses in his career. And I want to display wedding pictures but I can’t find the right frames. How do I do both creatively and on a budget?
Tammy S.

Hi Tammy,

You sound like a great mom.

The main question for memorabilia is how do we display a collection? I would snap a picture of each medal on a black velvet background (so your son can keep the medals) and then order a framed canvas print of each one. Vary the sizes and stagger them over the wall. Medals are absolutely stunning with such amazing stories behind each one, so this is a great way to enjoy them for years to come.

For wedding photos, I like to keep the frame simple since the photography is the star of the show. Framed canvas prints would be very sophisticated and special for this type of photograph.

Best to you and your sons,
Genevieve