2, 4, 6, 8, Who Do We Appreciate? Planning!
We appreciate planning because we learn the hard way when we skip it. Case in point: the picture-frame arrangement we recently hung above our sectional.
Here’s what happened. We always planned to fill the big empty space above Karl with a grid of large frames. The idea was basically a larger take on the frame grid we had above the couch in our old den.
Instead of 8 x 10″ frames, we decided to use oversized 20.5 x 20.5″ Ribba frames from IKEA for more visual impact (we already owned four and they’re an affordable option at about $19 each).
After some quick measuring and holding up a couple of our existing Ribbas, we thought a grid of six frames—two rows of three—would nicely fill the central portion of the wall while leaving space on either side for two table lamps that will sit on a future console table behind the sectional. Note: we had temporarily moved the 5 x 8′ Pottery Barn rug to the guest room for an in-law visit, and it’ll eventually live there permanently. We’d brought it back into the living room for now because we don’t have guests and Clara likes having a soft place to play.
We bought six new Ribba frames (they can vary slightly in finish, so we decided not to mix old and new) and headed home to hang them. I suggested taping up paper to decide the height and spacing first—after all, the paper inserts that come with the frames are almost perfectly sized for mock-ups—so we taped up two sheets to start.
This is where things went off track. Sherry wanted to tape up all six paper sheets to see the full arrangement before we drilled. I, impatient and eager to start drilling, convinced her that two were enough and that the rest would be fine. Famous last words.
She reluctantly trusted me, so I started drilling. Measuring, marking, and double-checking took time, and after about an hour I had five of the six frames up.
Then Sherry pointed out that the arrangement looked too small—we actually needed eight frames for the scale we wanted. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, she was right. The five frames floated awkwardly and didn’t deliver the impact we’d imagined.
**I would have shown a photo of Karl sitting awkwardly under those poorly placed frames, but I was too frustrated to take one.**
This was my mistake. If I’d taken the time to tape up all the paper sheets first, we would’ve realized the scale issue before any holes were made. Live and learn.
Next came the tedious part: taking down the five frames, patching our bruised egos, re-measuring, and planning for an eight-frame layout centered over the sectional. I had to remove ten screws we’d already installed (I use two per frame for safety), then mark, drill, and insert sixteen more. Luckily we had two matching old Ribbas to complete the set without another trip to IKEA, and finally we had all eight frames up.
The eight-frame grid looks much more balanced and should be perfect once we add table lamps on either side and the long console table I plan to build.
We’re still deciding what to fill the frames with—family photos, graphic prints, or a mix—but we’re relieved to have the hanging part finished, even if it involved a lesson in patience. The mistake cost us time and energy (and a bit of pride), but not money. There are still some pencil marks and holes to patch from the first attempt, which will get handled soon.
Who’s responsible for patching and touch-ups? That would be Sherry. Good luck, babe.
Have you ever skipped a planning step only to have to redo the work? We’re sure we’re not the only ones. Share your stories—bad planners unite!
P.S. We found a cool frame designed for rotating kid art without removing the back—great for displaying changing favorites.