05-15-12
You Can Do It: Create a Gallery Wall
Creating a gallery wall can be really intimidating. I know it was for me. The first time I made an attempt was a few years ago, and can only be described as comically sad. I tried to do it freeform, without a plan. Just nailing and hanging as I went. The wall I used wasn’t big enough, or a good location. Just all wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong.
A few months ago I was chatting with my friend Natasha, who works with Minted. It just so happened that they were planning on releasing their first ever limited edition and custom print art collection and we decided to collaborate on this little how-to guide. Several of the pieces I used are from Minted, as well as a few from other sponsors, and quite a few I previously owned. I’ll share where everything came from and where you can get it at the end.
A large central wall works best for a gallery wall. You want it to be a focal point, not a side thought. I chose the space over my couch. You’ll want to visually divide your wall into quadrants. Your art can then either be built off of the horizontal line, the vertical line, or both. I went with the last option.
After choosing the artwork from Minted, I went about filling in the spaces. I knew that wanted a variety of sizes and mediums. Illustration, painting, photography, etc. I was so excited to pull out pieces that I’d never found the perfect spot for before! Next I nerded out and hopped on my laptop to lay it all out. You can do the same, or print out thumbnails and play with arranging the pieces that way. Whatever works for you, just remember the goal is to have a plan.
I didn’t want the end result to feel flat, so I chose frames of varying depths. The majority are from Plywerk and are 3/4″ bamboo platform frames that I adhered my art to. One is a printed canvas from Thumbtack Press. Everything else I framed in simple glass frames or adhered to the wall with black and white striped washi tape.
I used contractor’s paper (you can get it at any hardware store) to lay things out on the wall. This step is a little time consuming, but you’ll thank me later. Measure all of the frames you plan on using, then cut out paper accordingly. It also helps to label each piece of paper as you go with the art it’s representing. Then working off of your axis (vertical, horizontal, or both) to begin laying out your gallery wall. Try and keep the margins between pieces the same, I went with an inch. Once your paper is taped up you’re going to go ahead and hammer in your nails. Go back to your frames, measure horizontally and vertically where it hits to hang from the nail. Mark it with a pen or pencil on the paper you’ve hung and hammer away, right through the paper. Fun, right?
You’re so close! Rip off the paper and hang your frames. Fine tune anything that’s acting up, but remember that the point is not for things to be perfect. Things are going to adjust themselves according to how your home sits, etc. And tada, you’re done! Not so difficult, right?
1 painting by Erin Cooper/Pippin & Pearl
2 + 3 Toronto and Cherry Blossoms by Anabela Carneiro/Fieldguided
4 After the Heist by Patrick Leger from Thumbtack Press (Sponsor)
Thumbtack Press is like a nebulous cloud of rapidly changing art matter. Picture trillions of creatively charged particles smashing into each other, exploding, fusing together, spinning – everything moving, moving, moving. TTP exists to foster that nebulous cloud. They help it grow by injecting new particles and catalysts, always dedicated towards the creation of something that’ll push the cloud of art matter forwards. Of course, they’re also an online store where open edition prints by top illustration, lowbrow, and character artists from all over the world are sold.
5 je t’aime from Minted (Sponsor)
6 type study new york from Minted (Sponsor)
7 Silly Kitty from Minted (Sponsor)
8 vintage Pittsburgh map
9 Constellation from Minted (Sponsor)
10 In a Row from Minted (Sponsor)
11 Black Bear by Ryan Berkley from Little Paper Planes
12 Let’s Make Better Mistakes Tomorrow by Mike Monteiro
13 Painted Ferns from Minted (Sponsor) (not yet released, but based on this invitation)
15 Trust Your Instincts by Ashley Goldberg from Little Paper Planes
16 Read More Books book page print by Weather + Noise
17 Vintage Keys from Minted (Sponsor)
18 Gloves by Caitlin Keegan from Little Paper Planes
19 Oh Darling, Let’s Be Adventurers screenprint by fifiduvie
20 Be Nice Or Leave letterpress by Louella Press (no longer sold)
21 Red Elusive by Cori Kindred from Little Paper Planes
Frames for all Minted prints were sponsored by Plywerk, eco-conscious bamboo mountings and maple art panels. Stay tuned later this week for more on their fabulous product and the good they’re doing!
Disclaimer: All Minted prints, Plywerk frames, and Thumbtack Press canvas provided in kind.
05-04-12
Happy Weekend
01/ Paper + thread garland that’s perfect for every party!
02/ Loving these vintage knitting needle bracelets.
03/ How to DIY a hanging daybed, the easy way.
04/ Radiators that double as art.
05/ Genius photographic specimens.
06/ Reconfigured sheets of music.
07/ This homemade marshmallow crème has me drooling.
08/ I’d love to make a lap or ten around this rainbow panorama!
09/ Love this gentleman’s journal! (Thanks, Erin!)
10/ Cheeky urban plant tags.
04-06-12
Happy Weekend
01/ Homemade Peeps!
02/ Spicy Roasted Pineapple Lemon/Limeade – YUM!
03/ Mooo is at it again with 12 pages of Easter downloads
04/ I heart Mark Bittman, check out his Everyday, Anytime Egg-Combination Generator!
05/ Bring home the disco with mirrored subway tiles
06/ Looking forward to the release of Mrs. Lilien’s Cocktail Swatchbook May 29th
07/ You need to be following this beautiful Instagram series – Life with SMS – by Ryan Marshall
08/ Love these watercolor Easter eggs
09/ Ever think about cross-stitching your screen door?
04-05-12
Wall Tape
Wall tape? YES! The natural next step after a washi tape obsession. Grab your translator and check out this amazing stuff from Sincol-mt. Create bold patterns or a simple accent wall. Then use it on the dining table for a temporary runner that stays put or maybe create a piece of canvas art with overlapping colors and patterns. The options are sort of endless, don’t you think?
03-23-12
Happy Weekend
01/ DIY concrete candleholders
02/ Time to dress up the feet on your Ikea couch
03/ Now these are some good looking funnels
04/ The best invitation to speak ever
05/ Shelves that look like natural stone
06/ Jaw-dropping floral art
07/ Military-inspired medals featuring animals
08/ Paint-dipped chopsticks
09/ Ginger coffee? I’m intrigued
10/ Such a great take on the ever-popular chevron wall
10-21-11
Happy (New York or Bust) Weekend
PHOTO: anne symons
You all were so gracious and supportive when I lost my job last month, it’s only fair I tell you about my next step that begins tomorrow. I’m heading off to New York for a long-term freelance job that will keep me there through the end of the year! Exciting stuff, for sure. I’m subletting a sweet little studio with a full kitchen in Fort Greene, Brooklyn and I couldn’t be more thrilled. After doing a fast tally, I realized I have many more friends in NYC than OKC and I’m looking forward to catching up with every single one while in town. I’ll keep you posted as everything unfolds, but in the meantime I hope you’ll forgive me if things slow down just the tiniest bit for the next week as I get adjusted to my new digs and schedule. Until then, here are a boatload of good things to keep you going.
01/ the Henry Rollins tattoo whiteboard!
02/ knit a sweater, help a penguin in need
03/ create your own wall art for (almost) free
04/ deconstructed map art of Italy
05/ free printable quote posters
06/ homemade pixie stix
07/ another way to buy some damn art
08/ DIY bungee cord bracelets
09/ a knockoff Pumpkin Pie Blizzard
10-12-11
Gem Mirror
I’d probably hang this beauty of a mirror horizontally above my fireplace. A little girly, a little art deco, a lot coveted.
09-16-11
Happy Weekend
PHOTO: Cameron Charles Lewis
01/ Internet High Five
02/ create your own graphic wallpaper with patterned fabric
03/ an underwater art gallery
04/ simple yet impressive pie dough lattice cookies
05/ money trees!
06/ graphic patterned cutlery
07/ the golden mistake
08/ DIY typographic string art
09/ Manhattan in marble
08-26-11
Precious
I can’t help but say the name of this mirror/jewelry box in a Golom-esque hiss, but Precious is much better than that. The side drawers are perfect for rings, bracelets, and baubles while the pull out hooks on the opposite are made for hanging necklaces. EVerything slides right back into place for a sleek look.
06-23-11
Masterpieces
Masterpieces is a string art kit from MO MAN TAI Design based on the subject matter of famous paintings. And I love it. Genius, no? (via Design Milk)