Room of Shame, Wall of Fame

Lately, my posts have alternated between the philosophical and the frivolous. Well, we're back to frivolous. Because if you're like me, you love to see pretty pictures of other people's houses.

But first, the unpretty...

I'm currently working on another decorating project. My bedroom. It's abysmal. It's so bad I don't even like to be in the room unless I'm sleeping. Because sleep is bliss. And when I'm sleeping I can forget about how messy, colorless, uninspiring, and unrelaxing my bedroom is. 

But this post is not about my bedroom...because that project is not going well. I'm attempting to use only what fabric, furniture, art, and accessories I already have and be hyper-frugal. Usually that approach works out well for me. This time...not so much. I'm simply stuck.

Nonetheless I will show you a few pictures of it so that you will feel sorry for me. And hopefully the shame of knowing my pictures are out there in blogland for all of you to see and judge will motivate me to finish it. Because if you read my last post, you'll know that I am prone to abandon un-fun projects.

So today, I'm posting about something I finished a long time ago. A lovely wall-scape. 

I am not a "decorator," not even an amateur one. But I have been told I have a knack for arranging things on a wall.

You may think this wall is too "theme-y." It probably is but I still love it. This wall was inspired by my trips abroad. Two trips to Paris and one to Munich. I love to travel. And I love to get all nostalgic about my trips because they were incredibly meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime experiences...well, thrice-in-a-lifetime if I'm being literal.

You can see I have some sketches from Paris...purchased from a street vendor by the Eiffel Tower. 

They are not standard-size prints and I was not about to pay the big bucks to have them custom-framed. So I just did it myself. I spent about $13 per print for all the framing. 

First, buy some frame pieces you can get at Hobby Lobby or Michael's in whatever lengths you need. They come in sets of 2. Then buy some foam board (that you'll just cut to size and mount behind the print.) Then have the frame department cut glass to whatever size you need. Anyone in the framing department can help you find these items. I promise it's really easy.

There are a few artifacts thrown in. A little Eiffel tower from one of my trips. A tea pot that had been my husband's grandmother's. Some framed antique postcards from Paris that I have a huge pile of.

I also framed two tiny watercolors my sister sent me from a visit to Austria, back when she lived in Germany. 

I love blending art, sentimentality, artifacts, and photos in a way that's cohesive. I think having everything in black frames and using black shelves helps bring everything together without it looking too cluttery. 

(Sorry for the bad photography. I do not have a fancy camera yet.)

Oh, I also framed a photo of Blondie when she was about 3. (See above.) My parents went to Germany and brought her back a beautiful wool cape with sterling silver buttons in the shape of edelweiss. I am not kidding. It also has a matching beret, scarf, and mittens. I know, total heirloom. I took a photo of her wearing that precious set and it's framed with the rest of my world travel items. 

Here's another wall that's similar. All black and whites this time. Plus a punch of color with this great vase (that I got at a thrift store even though it currently sells in a catalog for $40.)

The first wall is still my fave. It's probably nothing that special but it's always what I get compliments on. I even had a friend who moved to Florida and took a picture of my wall before she left so she could sort of replicate it in her new home. 

No need to reinvent the wheel, people. Remember, imitation is the finest form of flattery. (And if that is true then Pottery Barn should give me a big ol' shopping spree because I copied all these wall-scape ideas from their catalog.)

I know it's just a wall. But, when it's 5:00 p.m. and my t-shirt is smeared with peanut butter and snot and my face has yet to see a washcloth, I gaze at this pretty wall and recall a glorious moment of sipping a cafe creme and eating pain au chocolat in Paris with my best friend, Lily. Sigh.

Because sometimes a wall is more than just a wall. Sometimes a wall is therapy. And when you're surrounded by walls all day...and surrounded by children all day...it's important that you like your walls. (And your children.) The pictures and artifacts on this wall make me feel nostalgic and inspired and cheery.

Got a wall you love? I'd love to see it.

Got a wall you don't love? Spray paint some old frames you've got sitting around the house. (Or go get some at the thrift store or dollar store.) Spray them all black. Or white. Or even a beautiful red. Pick out a few pictures (you know you have 4,000 just sitting there on your computer.) Then make them black and whites (through the wonder of digital photography). 

Frame, hang, and enjoy.