Isn’t it funny how you can start a project — in this case the gallery of frames we wanted to “wallpaper” our hallway with — and then leave the other half of it undone for a month. Not weeks. Literally a month. What happened? It’s not like we weren’t thrilled with the first half of the project (recounted here):
Apparently we ran out of frame energy and moved on to other things: console building, chair painting, closet organizing, ceramic repairs, tree trimming, sectional leg spray-painting and various odd jobs. Why DIYers work in fits and starts is a mystery, but eventually we returned to the frame-hanging bandwagon and finished the hallway. All is right with the world.
After a month of staring at taped-up newspaper templates and a stack of frames on the floor, we finally found the motivation to hang everything, completing the big hallway of frames. Here’s the whole arrangement:
It turned out even better than we imagined and only took a few hours of hammering and arranging sentimental objects (including my birthday prints). We started with about ten frames we already owned — thrifted Ikea and Target finds — and added 14 new Ikea frames thanks to a birthday gift card. The frames aren’t exactly the same shade of white, but that layered mix of creams and crisper whites creates a soft, cohesive look. We embraced variety and picked frames in different styles, some modern and some more decorative, which adds depth to the display.
We documented our template-making process previously, but here’s a quick tip John suggested about finding the nail location. First he measures down from the top of the frame to determine how far below the top the nail will sit.
Then he locates the center of the newspaper template on the wall and measures down the same amount (4″ in this example).
He marks the template with an X and hammers the nail right through the paper.
Once the nail is set, he rips away the paper and hangs the frame on the nail. The frame lands exactly where the template indicated — math, rulers, and a very handy husband make this easy.
A practical layout tip: we started with the large frame in the center to ground the arrangement. Working outward from the center helps prevent the whole composition from shifting left, right, up, or down, and a larger center piece gives the grouping a balanced, intentional feel even if the smaller surrounding frames don’t line up symmetrically.
Here are the frames hung, initially without artwork. You’ll notice the canvas on the left is intentionally hung backwards to reveal the raw wood backing — I once taped a photo of us inside and liked the rustic look. Some black-and-white photos came from our old den and needed reorienting, so a little tweaking remained.
Another angle, because I like photographing it:
And a straight-on view of the hall with the empty frames:
For babyproofing, we plan to add heavy-duty Command velcro to the lower frames once Clara starts toddling. She’s gentle now — she pets our dog Burger carefully — but if any lower frames become hazardous or high-maintenance, we’ll remove them until she’s older.
Now for the after photos: we filled the frames with items we already had, from birthday prints to sentimental keepsakes and some unconventional pieces.
Here’s a closer look at the left-side gallery:
It contains everything from craft paper with two fortune cookies taped to it, to a black-and-white wedding photo and a beautiful artsy shot of a water droplet in front of patterned fabric taken by a friend.
The lower left includes an old craft-store peacock feather (the tan frame backing shows through), an Etsy birthday print from John, and a book cover repurposed as art after removing the dust jacket to reveal the cloth binding.
See the light-pink rectangle embroidered with Clara’s name? A friend found the vintage hankie and snagged it because it was such a rare coincidence. Framing it felt perfect since Clara isn’t ready for tissues yet.
Now the right-side gallery:
That photo made me notice a slight alignment I hadn’t seen in person; I might nudge a few frames a hair to the right. On this side we included a cardstock key that used to hang on the opposite wall (I hope to one day DIY a ceramic-looking key), fabric swatches, a handwritten quote, more black-and-white family photos, and a silhouette of our bald girl.
A close-up of the handwritten quote — its softness invites you to lean in and read, like someone whispering a secret.
The quote is by Tad Carpenter, something I found online. I rewrote it in my own handwriting and arranged it to fit the frame. Yes, that’s Burger’s paw photobombing — he sneaks into pictures regularly and often ends up in the outtakes.
Another repurposed piece is the back of the Love Life book jacket, which bears the Arthur Rubenstein quote: “I have found that if you love life, life will love you right back.” Worth framing.
We also transformed a monthly desk calendar page into a simple, meaningful piece. I drew a thin red border and circled July 7th with a heart to mark our wedding day, turning a forgotten calendar page into a keepsake.
The fabric in the center was originally used as a creative wrapping alternative by a friend who turned a fabric sample into a little pouch. I loved it and framed it as-is.
One of the best parts is that the frame wall is visible from the hallway that leads to Clara’s room, the hall bath, the playroom, and the guest room. It brightens my day every time I pass by, even when I’m carrying laundry or have just stubbed my toe. The frame wall is a small, consistent joy.
So that’s one project finished.
Of course it’s just getting started — we’ll likely swap pieces around a million times — and I can’t wait for Clara to contribute her scribbly artwork someday.
Have you framed anything unusual lately or dug through a box of memories that should be displayed? The process of turning everyday items into art is surprisingly rewarding.