Gallery Wall

One of the walls in the living room has been calling my name to give it some loving! The rest of the walls in the living room are very simple - one large piece on an open space. I have a lot of favorite photos - so a gallery wall was the perfect solution! For the last month or so this wall has housed a cute Halloween decoration - a Goowill find spider's web. With Halloween over, it was time to tackle the gallery wall!

A few weeks ago, I pulled out all our frames we used for the wedding and laid out my plan on one of the beds upstairs.

Then I carried them downstairs - and changed my plan completely. LOL

After I had it laid out - I measured the total wall space. Next, I measured my laid out plan. I wanted to have the same amount of empty wall space on either side, so I made sure to start a few inches in. I began hanging on the left and worked my way to the right. The hardest decision was what to hang next. I hung the top photos, and then went back to the left and worked to the right again. Between most of the frames, I measured 1.5 inches - that didn't always looks right, so I eye-balled as needed. 

The essentials.

Here are some of my notes. 

These are the moments I think back to HS algebra/geometry and realize that it did have a purpose ;)

Hubby talking a break from the Cub's game to help me straighten.

Of course my finished product is different from the plan. A couple rearranged and one added. I didn't like the empty space in the top right corner - so I added another frame. I had to have Luke hold it up so I could step back and see it. The hardest part about hanging by yourself is not being able to see before hanging. And with our 120 year old plaster walls - pounding nails isn't something to take lightly ;)

Top left - Iowa State University Campanile (taken by me)

Middle left - my beautiful Grandma Cecelia Kersten

Bottom left - a photograph taken by an Iowa Central student. 

Scored it at the ICCC Homecoming silent auction!

"Lucky me" - wedding decor repurposed :)

Middle right - the last 4th of July at the family cabin in Okoboji (taken by me)

Bottom right - the Bean in Chicago (taken by me)

Top left - Luke's junior year prom, circa 2009

Top middle - KC Chiefs stadium, Luke's favorite place (taken by me)

Top right - Nuttybars in Okoboji (taken by me)

Middle left - Kersten Walnut Farms, established by my Grandpa Herb Kersten (taken by me)

Middle - personalized wedding gift from good friends

Bottom left - 1920s Becker Florist Model T (taken by me)

Bottom middle - Jensen Beach Florida (taken by me)

Bottom right - our 1st photo together - Homecoming 2008

Can't wait to walk down the stairs every day and see some of my favorites!

Hopefully someday I upgrade from my iPhone to a nicer camera - I really do love taking photos!

*Christmas gift?? Hint hint ;)