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Yesterday I shared a look at my updated gallery wall with Simply Framed, a wall that definitely doesn’t shy from the bold or colorful. And while gallery walls tend feel very “one-and-done,” I touched upon the process of continually adding to your collection and making room as I’ve always been a believer that a spectacular gallery wall should feel truly collected, and evolve over time.
I know the process of actually laying out and hanging a great gallery wall can be quite intimidating. So if you’re feeling hesitant in the time it will take, and putting a bunch of holes in the wall, I’m here to tell you that there are several steps to consider even before that hammer is in your hand.
Below, I’ve broken down a few easy steps, tricks and tips to keep in mind as you’re beginning with your wall. Yes, it involves some planning and the right tools (I’d recommend this easy, ready-to-use tool kit), and will take some time to get it just right. But the beauty of an amazing gallery wall, is that it’s ever-changing alongside you. So don’t be afraid to mix-and-match because there really aren’t any rules. That’s the beauty of art; you like what you like, and it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, you’re the one that has to live with it. So here’s to great gallery walls that reflect your personality, and to ones that never take themselves too seriously! Good luck! Truly, MKR
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Always start with a large hero, or anchor piece where your eye will go first. While yes, you want your wall to house all different shaped and sized pieces of art if you have a ton of smaller pieces with no large “wow” piece your wall won’t make the impact you want a gallery wall to always make.
The best way to do this is by laying the pieces on the floor. This way, you’ll be able to visualize different setups, making easy adjustments and tweaks as you decide. You can then reproduce the layout with blue painter’s tape on the wall; it will accurately reflect the sizes of your pieces and how they’ll look placed together. Try not to hang everything too closely together, you want about 2-3 inches at least between pieces. Mix up the levels at which you hang, you don’t want it too look like perfect rows, instead try to hang pieces just above or below the other pieces. And one last tip, once you have everything on the floor the way you’d like take a picture of it with your phone in case you forget exactly what piece went where as you begin to dissect it.
You want the gallery wall to have a personality and feel that it’s been collected over time. By mixing and matching frames, as well as incorporating illustrations, paintings, prints and 3-D objects (like a juju feather hat, skateboard or sconce), you create an eclectic, lived-in feel.
Save yourself some sanity and gather all of the tools you’ll need to see the project from start to finish. That includes: a hammer, nails, level, tape measurer, pencil & eraser, blue painter’s tape, a small notebook (which is helpful for writing down the measurements of the art) and a screwdriver.
Simply Framed is genius and sells a ready-to-use tool kit (only $39), which contains everything you’ll need to do the job right, all in a durable carryall that won’t take up too much room in, if you’re anything like me, is an already overstuffed garage or closet.
Remember that there is no specific formula for laying out a beautiful gallery wall. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Know that your gallery wall can always move, evolve and grow!
Photography, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha | This post is in collaboration with Simply Framed, a brand we love and adore. All opinions are 100% our own.
You may remember my colorful and quirky loft space from a 2015 One Room Challenge; it had a MAJOR mix of playful colors, patterns and textures galore with its centerpiece being my gallery wall of collected art. With a whopping 24 pieces on the wall itself, I feel like I defined a whole new level of “gallery wall.”
When I initially created the gallery, I purposely left some room on the wall for the collection to evolve and grow. It wasn’t until recently, right before Christmas, when I walked into my guest room (rather storage room) and saw over a dozen pieces just leaning against the wall, unframed and collecting dust, did I realize that I better get them on the wall before it becomes too daunting to do so. And if I’m being honest, a dozen plus pieces was already becoming to feel daunting.
I had used a few framers in the past, but with each frame ringing anywhere from $200 to upwards of a $1,000 for my largest piece, the idea of framing everything was even more daunting than getting them hung on the wall. Fortunately, I had recently met the founder of Simply Framed at a conference here in the A. I was beyond inspired by her story and bootstrap mentality of starting her business. I knew next time I needed a framer, Simply Framed would be where I turned.
And man, am I happy I did. I cannot tell you how simple and seamless the entire process was. Simply Framed‘s approach to all of this framing business is beyond refreshing. I went online, picked out my mattes and frames then Simply Framed sent me the shipping tubes and pre-paid labels to send in all of my art safely. Once everything arrived, I worked closely with their customer service team to make sure all of the art was perfectly matched up to it’s corresponding frame because I was nervous with so many pieces and different frames things would get mixed up. In less than two weeks, I received my pieces back at home, along with an easy framing kit that, again, made it ridiculously simple to finish the project.
When it came to actually laying out a gallery wall of this size and caliber, I can honestly say I was a tad on the uneasy side. When buying each piece, I wasn’t thinking “…oh this piece of artwork will look great next to this piece, and that piece”. I simply bought what I loved and had faith it would work itself out. I mean, I have plenty of walls, so if it didn’t incorporate well in the gallery, I knew there would be another wall or shelf where it would work. In the end, I was thrilled to find that even though the majority of the pieces were bold and bright, the overall tone worked well; with a warm, peachy neutral emphasis and clean, modern frames. It’s funny how even though you often don’t intentionally think about a color scheme or pattern, one always seems to naturally work its way out.
This time around that natural theme included a bold, colorful nude by Kate Waddell via Well + Wonder. Collective. Have you heard of Well + Wonder? It’s a beautiful website with a collection of southern-curated artists, and it’s quickly become my go-to when I’ve got the itch for a new addition at a price that doesn’t make me feel buyers remorse. This industry has me fortunate in meeting so many talented creatives and collectives like Well + Wonder, I always enjoy finding new additions; each one carrying a special feeling, memory, or moment.
Of course there’s more that goes into a gallery than tone and gorgeous art, so stay tuned tomorrow for more tips on nailing a strong gallery wall (pun included). Truly, MKR
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Photography, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha | This post is in collaboration with Simply Framed, a brand we love and adore. All opinions are 100% our own.
I’m sure you saw that we had quite the adventure in Louisiana a few weeks ago. We teamed up with Atlanta Food & Wine Festival and Louisiana Travel on a 3-day road trip to get a taste of the best Louisiana food and drink. Last week, we shared our recap of Baton Rouge and Lafayette and today we’re all hungry again reminiscing over our stop in New Orleans.
We kicked off the 3-day trip with a bang in NOLA, hurricane in-hand the second we stepped off the plane. First stop, NOLA Distillery. Opened just last month, we were lucky enough to get a little behind-the-scenes tour and tasting. We all loved the craft vodka made from only Louisiana-grown sweet potatoes (the state is known to be the home of the best sweet potatoes, FYI). We saw first-hand how NOLA’s vodka is distilled twice and filtered, giving it a hint of sweetness and a touch of earthy flavor. The vodka went perfectly in what the team joked as their “Kale-Gate” cocktail (more on that backstory here) and their take on a Cosmopolitan.
After we sipped a few cocktails and talked plans for the tasting room (opening soon) with the lovely NOLA team, we scooted over to St. James Cheese Company. This local shop would definitely become my go-to for an easy lunch with the girls; think cheeses on cheeses, wines and drool-worthy sandwiches. We were thrilled to have the queen of cheese herself, Liz Thorpe, with us to introduce us to some pretty fantastic pairings with our wine. Liz published The Cheese Chronicles back in 2009, and her immense knowledge about the many variations of cheese was downright inspirational. Her newest book, The Book of Cheese, breaks down cheese into nine “gateways” of flavor, rather than by country, milk type, etc. Her take on enjoying cheese, finding flavors and kinds you love, and understanding the wide varieties in this unique way is refreshing. It’s approachable. And with over 400 pages in The Book of Cheese, there’s something for everyone. Seriously cannot wait to get our hands on this “cheese bible”!
We could have stopped there; bellies and hearts SO full. But alas, we were in New Orleans, and there was more goodness to taste. Next up: Willa Jean. And oh, let me tell you: Willa Jean is an absolute MUST when you’re in NOLA. This contemporary bakery was opened by Chef John Besh, Chef Kelly Fields and Chef Lisa White in the Central Business District, and it celebrates the best of the best Southern comfort food with fresh, local ingredients. We loved chatting with Chef Kelly Fields; she was incredibly welcoming, hilarious and to say that she blew us away with her cornbread, frosé and homemade chocolate chip cookies (a recipe that includes 5 different kinds of chocolate and one she took two years perfecting!) is an understatement. COME HERE with your girlfriends for a boozy brunch on your next trip; you won’t regret it.
Next, (no we’re not done yet), we downed a quick dozen raw oysters with wine at Borgne, another gem by Chef John Besh and Chef Brian Landry. Borgne is known to be one of the best spots for fresh seafood in the area, and it did not disappoint. Its menu is a true celebration of Louisiana coastal fare, with everything from Oysters on the Half Shell to Pan Roasted Lemonfish with brown butter turnips and Shrimp Toast with pork belly and sweet chili sambal. Its ultra cool, modern vibe in the bottom of the Hyatt makes it a hotspot (and easy locale in the Central Business District) for visitors and locals alike.
It was a big day, but we (somehow?!?) left room for dinner at Balise. Balise, manned by 2016 James Beard winner Chef Justin Devillier (also with La Petit Grocery), was named after the first French settlement at the mouth of the Mississippi River. And the place is clearly steeped in its history; located in a 19th century Creole townhouse that’s expertly decorated, and irresistibly intimate in its ambiance. On our prix fixe menu, we enjoyed fare like Fried smoked oysters, chilled Roasted Beets with Lemon, Mint and Brown Butter, Roasted Lamb Shoulder, Pan Roasted Gulf Shrimp and Chicken & Ricotta Dumplings…I mean my mouth is watering just recounting it here now. And to top it all off, Walnut Cake, Apple Crisp and Sticky Toffee Pudding (the table’s favorite).
Lastly, we (somehow) made it to Cane & Table because who could say no to Hurricanes. Located in the heart of The French Quarter, Cane & Table is a gem of a restaurant and bar where Chef & Mixologist Nick Detrich mixes up the best hurricanes I’ve ever had. Truthfully, when I looked at our itinerary and hurricanes where on the menu I wasn’t impressed, but that’s because I was used to the cheesy spring break, overally sugared hurricanes in neon plastic cups. Chef Nick sticks to the original recipe; refreshing, crisp, and goes down like water Hurricane. Cane & Table deservedly tops the list for where to drink in town, being featured on Vogue and The New York Times. The vibe here was second-to-none (string lights out back, drippy candles and palms), and the company was even better. Nick was the warmest guy, welcoming us into his tiki-inspired world and teaching us a bit of history along the way.
After that whirlwind of the day I rolled myself into bed and woke up the next morning still full from one of the best days I’ve had in awhile. A big thank you to all of the chefs for welcoming us into their worlds, and make sure to check out the entire photo gallery below! Truly, MKR
