Testing (a really big gallery wall)

Source: blogs.babble.com via Heather on Pinterest

One of the challenges when it comes to design is the inability to "see it."  Design is filled with leaps of faith: trusting that that little swatch of fabric will look good when applied to that (non-returnable) couch, that a big square of paint will translate to just the right feel you want in that room.  The list is endless!

Of course, there are ways to mock something up.  Wondering about scale?  Build a scale(ish) model out of cardboard to see how it feels in the space.  I once printed out a scale(ish) image of tile backsplash to see what it would look like with the repeat (which was larger than the sample.)

Right now I'm working on a really really big gallery wall.  Really big.  I feel like I can do these walls in my sleep (and love doing them), but when we are talking about over a hundred pieces to hang, you really want to think it through before you get out the hammer.


The wall is in a conference room that is 25 feet long, and to keep it from getting crazy we are filling a band about 4 feet wide that ends at table height.  The pictures are all old family photos, printed in black and white, a mix of candids and portraits.

Do we:

1. Use all the same size frames (anchored by a pair at each end), hung randomly?

2. Use all the same size frames, hung in loose columns

3. Mix in some double and triple mat frames, and hang them randomly

4. A mix of frames hung in loose columns.

I played around with these layouts to visualize my plan (these mockups only represent a 16'  wide wall--I ran out of space ont he page!).  To help the client "see it," I found some reference and pinned it.  Check it out here!

I have been working hard on projects, so stay tuned for some before and after, some how to, and a giveaway!

Thanks for reading,

Heather