A Nest Inspired Photo Wall

Is it just me, or do you have certain projects in your home that are never ending?  I don’t mean the kind of projects that aren’t completed because of lack of funds or time, but the kind that you keep changing because you can’t quite get the look you want.  My photo wall is that project.

It has evolved and changed an embarrassing amount of times since we moved into this home.  I have swapped out the photos a dozen times, painted and repainted the frames a variety of colors, and adjusted the layout so many times that I’m afraid the wall will collapse due to all the nail holes.

It wasn’t until we refinished our console table that I finally had a clear image come to my mind of what our photo wall was supposed to be.  I broke the news to Dustin (over a a nicely prepared meal to butter him up) that I needed to change the photo collage again.  He was less then excited about the change, but I assured him that I could complete the project without spending any more than a few dollars for new photos, and he finally agreed.

I started to gather all my frames and inspirational objects and sorted through my paints and fabric.  I basically pulled together anything in my house that had the earthy organic feel I was going for.  My inspiration for the wall was a birds nest, and I’ll point out how I achieved my look.

I decided to put a clock I received as a wedding present as the center piece of the photo wall, just for a punch of personality.  The clock was originally black so I had to come up with an idea to change it to better fit my theme.  Since I had recently found some jute rope at a garage sale, I decided to glue it to the frame of the clock a la Pottery Barn.  It also gave it a subtle nesty feel that went well with my theme.

I next arranged the frames, being careful to keep the largest frames spread evenly throughout, filling in the spaces with smaller frame.  I’m not sure you can really notice, but there is a slight egg shape to the collage, another similarity to a nest, and the reason that it is not the typical symmetrical pattern so often seen.

All of my frames were yard sale finds from months prior which I painted various shades of green and blue, leaving some a natural wood tone.  Since this was a project where I couldn’t rely on the purchase of new mats, I decided to glue fabrics, lace, or scrapbook paper to the mats to add a punch of color, pattern, and texture.

My final step was filling in some of the holes with additional items that helped add personality or that would further my theme.  I covered a letter “B” by hot-gluing dried peat moss to it’s surface, and by adding a fake nest with eggs on a shabby chic stand for a bit of a 3-D effect.

I’ve absolutely fallen in love with my new wall – and you can guess why when compared to the pictures from yesterday on what it used to look like.

Now it’s your turn, what home projects stump you? Are there any things in your home that you just love?  Have you found easy and cheap ways to redesign something so that it feels like you?