Changing up our gallery wall art (for free!)

Well hello and welcome back to our regularly scheduled programming! Time to get into the swing of things again! 

I LOVE our house after all the Christmas decor is taken down -- I'm always sad to see it go but I'm obsessed with how bright and big the house feels. It's just right for this time of year!

I always have this itch to move furniture around in the new year too, but our house is set up in such a way that it's really not possible in most rooms. It's a very open floor plan so most of our furniture only works in certain configurations. 

So instead, I usually look into smaller changes -- and those can make a big impact too! I've had these frames in our living room for years:

And since I hung them I've wanted to fill them with some kind of botanical print. I let them sit empty for a long time and finally just ended up sticking some scrapbook paper inside. It was a good (and cheap!) placeholder but not what I wanted. 

This ended up being a quick project, but it took me a long time (obviously) to find the prints I wanted. It was hard to find enough -- I wanted either at least five (that I could use twice) or ten. And they all had to have a similar feel. I wanted a little bit of color but not a ton. I found some fern printables that I plan to use elsewhere but they were a little too plain for this spot. 

After looking for some time I found these Audubon scans over at Bless'er House: 

And they were perfect! (You'll have to enter an email to download these.)

I talk about free printables a lot during the holidays but they area also such a great, cheap way to add some art around the house. I shared how to use one of the greatest databases for free art here. (I used some for art in our family room.) AND I gathered a list of (pretty much) free art sources and ideas too. 

Saving them to your computer is different for each site, but once you get them downloaded they are easy to print out. I took some screen shots of my computer to show you how I do this. I use Word and open a new file: 

Then go to the upper right (see above) and click "picture from file" -- grab your image: 

Then it will appear in your document:

Make sure to center it using the position option:

And then you can make it as big as you'd like. You need to keep in mind the file size of your art -- if you make it too big it will get blurry. But most are fine for an 8x10 size: 

I use our home printer (I cannot tell you how much I LOVE this HP printer I shared in November -- it is a tiny little printer but prints better than any of the bigger ones we've had!). I print them off on white linen-look card stock from the craft store. You can get the paper at Hobby Lobby for half off so even for ten I think I paid less than $3. 

You can also just use regular printer paper -- I've definitely done that. The paper I like to use is just a slightly nicer look when you get close. I'm sure there's an easier way to print these out but this is how I do it. I have simple printer downloads that I use for photos, but I like that this gives me more control over the size of the image. 

As soon as I finished them up I was thrilled: 

They are so much brighter and prettier in these frames! It was such a little thing but it felt like a big change in here: 

I'm all about making rooms feel more open and lighter this time of year and these do just that. The scrapbook paper worked fine too -- these are just the look I've always wanted in here. 

There were six available so I used five and printed out two of each. These combine the botanical look with the birds...I'm really happy with them:

If you have a large space to fill with a lot of prints you can find Audubon and botanical books online for just this purpose. This one looks like a great option for botanical prints and has great reviews (look in the comments for photos).  And this one has more of the look I have with birds and branches. But if you have a smaller grouping like me you can just do a Google search or look on Pinterest like I did. You'll have access to a TON of free options!

While I was making that small change I went ahead with another one I'd been considering. We've had this rectangle frame in the foyer for a long time: 

I've wanted to change it out to a round mirror to soften up this space. There are a lot of hard angles between this, the console and the large art I have near the stairs next to it. It's always felt to clunky but I've been waiting to find the right piece. 

So I was thinking...I've had two of these large IKEA mirrors for a bathroom redo I'd like to start this year (although I doubt it will happen) but wanted to see how one would look here -- and I loved it: 

I LOVE the wood tone with the color of the console table! And the simple design works beautifully with the busier design on the table too. 

SO. much. better: 

Only thing is, when we tackle the bathroom reno I may have to go get another mirror. ;) Oh well. For now it felt like a free upgrade! It definitely satisfied my urge to change things up and I love how it looks. 

I mentioned in my last post that I'm going through some ideas in my head to address the walls in this room because they go up so high. It's something I hope to get to this year but I have to get my final vision settled first. :) AND that tile is the one I mentioned in that post as well...it's going this year if it's the only thing I do! Ha!

Have you used these free options for art in your home? It takes a few minutes and a decent printer (or you can send them out) and it's so worth it! 

Affiliate links included for your convenience! 

You had me at Hello!

 

 First impressions are everything. At least that's what I tell my children when their manners are left wanting. But the truth is first impressions do count for a lot. When you meet someone for the first time they form an opinion about you based on your appearance, your body language, your demeanor, your mannerisms, and how you are dressed. The same could be said for your home. An entry hall does not have to be big or lavish to make a good impression, but it needs to be welcoming and it needs to have a personality, something that tells your visitor about who lives in the home.

If you have the space, having some sort of table or chest as a surface for display is a good starting point. You could choose a decorative table that doesn't need much adornment....

....or you could decide on  more simple version.











You could opt for a rustic look....

...taken to the extreme by these old workbenches.

Whatever you choose, make sure it expresses something about you.

Deciding what to display on your table is entirely up to you. Plants, glassware and candles are popular choices...

 

 ...as are books, ceramic or pottery pieces.

Lighting in the form of table lamps or wall scones will help set a more ambient mood.

 

 If you have the space, some sort of some seating is a practical idea.

Also pay attention to your wall space. A mirror is always a good choice as it adds light and depth to a space.

Framed photos give your visitors something interesting to look at...

 

...and an eclectic grouping of paintings, sketches also provide great visual interest.

Adding baskets under the table is both decorative and useful for storing those bits and pieces that collect at your front door.

 

 

 If more substantial storage is required, you could consider using a chest of drawers or a low cabinet in your entrance hall. Here are some lovely examples..

 

 So go and take a look at your entry hall and consider the message your are sending your visitors...if it says, dull, boring or just plain messy (which I know you aren't) you might want to spruce it up!

Wishing you all a lovely week ahead from a very rainy Cape Town. (Hopefully the dams will fill up for summer!)

Till next time

Sharon x