This post was most recently updated on September 23rd, 2019
Since Christmas, I’ve been on a bit of a quest to simplify my home / home decor.
Do you ever just look around your home and think, geez Louise, there’s way too much going on here? Well, that’s how I felt when all the Christmas decorations came down. I was like a therapist on Hoarders: “that’s gotta go”, “that’s gotta go” and “that’s gotta go”.
So when the time came to paint our Living Room back in early Spring, I was more than happy to remove the 30 pieces of artwork above the sofa. This was, despite the fact that, just a few months before, it had taken me hours of tinkering to finally get the ‘perfect’ composition and layout of pieces!
So, ‘we’ removed, and we filled, and we painted. (Thanks again, Dad!)
But that wasn’t before having a little fun with the wall – and the boys – first!
And once it was done, everything felt oh-so-calm.
Perhaps it was the soothing shade of blue (Benjamin Moore’s Woodlawn Blue), or the temporary emptiness of the room, but at that very moment I swore, no-way-no-how, was anything ever going back up on those walls! Nobody was happier to hear that than my Dad , our ‘painter’! 😉
For awhile, I was digging the whole bare walls thing. My fireplace became the focal point of the room again.
Until…
Tick tock, tick tock…
I could take the bareness no longer! Gaaaah!
And that’s when these pieces went up!
Not quite a ‘gallery wall’ but all it took was 5 holes, which I thought was a good compromise.
But more and more, I miss the gallery wall. Maybe not enough to pound 30 holes in my nicely painted wall again. But I miss it, nonetheless. Perhaps that’s why I’ve been creating mini collections on other walls in the house like the basement stairway and the front porch. I guess I’m just a sucker for the whole ‘collected room’ look…even though I also crave simplicity…I know folks, I’m complicated ;-). Or, maybe I’m just a chronic wall damager and there’s no hope for me, lol.
I do love how the room has evolved. It now feels ‘quiet’ (ahhhhh). Well, except when Miss G is practicing Let’s Go Fly a Kite (loudly) and the boys are fighting over who gets to play with mini-Mater, but that has nothing to do with the art or lack thereof!
So what do you think? Which look do you prefer?
Have a happy weekend guys.
Until next time,
Kerri, I think all your projects are beautiful! Loved your Easter projects..makes my lille English cottage look dull! x Keep up the good work!! Love it! Zoe x
Zoe, thanks so much for coming by and for leaving such a lovely comment! ~Kerri
I like both but prefer the gallery wall. It’s so interesting and fun to look at! I was inspired by yours and did a simpler one on my wall above the sectional couch too! Have you ever decorated a small (as in tiny) home office? I need some inspiration for mine! Love your blog!
Thanks Stephanie! There is definitely lots of inspiration out there for small offices! In fact, small offices now seem to be all the rage! Just try searching “Office Nook” on Pinterest or on Google Images and you’ll find lots of great photos. ~Kerri
I was just wondering where you purchased those french prints in the “after”, they are stunning! Although the gallery wall was gorgeous as well. It’s amazing how big of an impact changing the wall colour and artwork can make on the whole feel of the room.
Thanks for all your amazing ideas.
Hello Kerri
I want to do some kind of collage like this of my travel pictures, I guess I should use a hallway wall or something…maybe not my living room but do you have any suggestions? Thanks so much
Hey Michelle! Thanks for popping by. I think it would be great in your living room! But if you’d rather not do it there, a hallway would be perfect. Everybody loves travel pictures so you’d want to put it somewhere where everybody can see it/talk about it, etc! If you want so help pulling it together, just let me know! ~KL
I absolutely LOVED your gallery wall! As far as gallery walls go, I thought yours had a unique and interesting layout with beautiful colors.
Ah, so sweet of you! I’m starting to regret my decision to part with it! ~Kerri, A Pop of Pretty
I LOVED your gallery wall. I even pinned it on pinterest for my living room inspiration!
Thanks Heather!! ~Kerri
I don’t care for the new artwork as much as I loved your gallery wall. The size and colors of the gallery as a whole really helped to balance out the space. I say “bring back the gallery wall”!!!!.
I like the 2nd look! If you have a chaotic life, why not have a calming room? Maybe look elsewhere for your gallery wall and put more photos up in it, so it feels more personal!