2, 4, 6, 8, Who Do We Appreciate? Planning!
And why do we appreciate it? Because we get burned when we don’t do it. At least we did on the frame arrangement we just hung above our sectional.
Here’s the story. We’ve always planned to take the big empty space above Karl and do a grid of large picture frames. We sort of envisioned it as a larger version of the frame grid that we hung above the couch in our old den…
… but instead of 8 x 10″ frames we’d use oversized 20.5 x 20.5″ Ribba frames from Ikea for more impact (since we already own and love four of them – and they’re just $19 a pop).
After some rough math and holding up a couple of the Ribba frames that we already owned, Sherry and I determined that we wanted to do a grid of six frames (two rows of three) to fill the space in the middle of wall, allowing for some empty space on either side for two table lamps that would sit on the future console table that we’ll eventually build to go behind the sectional. Note: we moved the 5 x 8′ Pottery Barn rug into the guest room for my in-law’s stay, and it will eventually live there permanently, we just brought it back into the living room until we upgrade to a bigger rug, since we’re currently guest-less and Clara appreciates having a soft place to play.
Anyway, back to the frames. We went to Ikea, bought six new Ribba frames (they sometimes vary slightly in color, so we figured it would be safest not to mix and match old frames with new ones, and we have a ton of other spots for the four that we already own) and headed home to begin the whole hang-it-up process. When we got home with our six new Ribba frames from Ikea, I suggested that we tape up some paper to figure out how high we want them to hang and how much space to leave between them. After all, we both know these things are worth planning out. And luckily the paper that comes in the frame is almost perfectly sized to help you figure this out. So we started with two sheets to see how high to hang them.
This is where things veered off course (thanks to me, I’ll admit). Sherry suggested that we tape up the other four sheets of paper to make sure we liked how all six looked together. Maybe I was just an eager beaver and wanted to get to drilling. Or maybe I decided we should blow it off because we had already accidentally thrown away one sheet of paper to complete the all-six arrangement. Whatever it was, I reassured Sherry that it would look just fine and we didn’t need to be all paranoid and hang the remaining three sheets to double-check everything. Famous last words.
She believed me (albeit hesitantly), so I started drilling. Insert happy testosterone filled sound effect here (there’s nothing like a little afternoon drilling). It wasn’t a fast process to measure, mark, and double check everything to make sure it was all lining up, so maybe an hour or so later I had five out of six frames hanging on the wall.
That’s when Sherry broke the news that the arrangement wasn’t big enough. We needed eight frames. As much as I hated to admit it (for more than one reason), she was right – the five frames looked too small on the wall (and adding the sixth wasn’t going to help). They floated awkwardly and just didn’t have the impact we wanted.
**I’d insert a picture here of giant Karl sitting awkwardly below those poorly placed frames but I was too pissed/disgruntled/ashamed to snap one.**
This was all my fault. Had I taken the time to tape up all of the sheets of paper we would’ve realized it before I put a single hole in the wall. I even would have taken a picture of the taped-up configuration to show you what a learning process taping them all up on the wall can be, and how grateful we were to have taken the time to complete that first to save a step. Duh, John. Grumble, grumble, grumble.
The next step was to take down the five already-hung frames with a big ol’ sour face and begin re-measuring everything so that eight frames would be centered above the sectional (and on that middle ceiling beam). Then came the not so fun process of not only removing the ten screws that were already in the wall (I was doing two per frame to be safe) but marking, drilling, and screwing in an additional sixteen. And since we already had two old Ribba frames that happened to match – finally, a lucky break – I was able to hang all eight frames in place without another four-hour-round-trip to Ikea, leaving us with this:
We definitely needed all eight frames. They should be just right when we add table lamps on either side of the arrangement after I build an über long console table.
We’re still debating exactly what to put in them (maybe family photos? maybe something more graphic?) but we’re certainly glad to have the whole frame hanging part over with. Even if it involved a lesson learned the hard way. At least it was a mistake that only took time and energy (and a bit of humility) to fix. You know, as opposed to a big wad of cash. Oh and speaking of time and energy, there are still some holes and pencil marks from the first attempt that need patching. Sigh.
Wait, who am I kidding. That’s Sherry’s department. Have fun with that babe.
What about you guys? Surely we can’t be the only ones who’ve made the mistake of not planning well. Or maybe we are. But we’d love to hear some of your stories if you’ve got ’em. Bad planners unite!
Psst- Speaking of frames, we found a really cool one for displaying kid art (or any art that you like to rotate out without taking it off the wall and removing the back). Check it out over here on BabyCenter.
Kiran says
I enjoyed Clara’s video. Such a cutie pie :)
Ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com says
I like what Michelle did (in terms of images). Maybe some nice black and whites to complement your color scheme?
http://windhula.blogspot.com/2007/09/living-room-dining-room.html
YoungHouseLove says
We love that blog so much, and totally agree that those big graphic photos are awesome!
xo,
s
Jeremy says
We just did the same thing but it was while I was drilling holes for cabinet hardware. Once the presence of a drill makes it way into my hand, planning seems less important. If you want to read about that cabinet mistake as well as our new lack of planning plumbing nightmare (insert image of shower handle off and water shooting me fully clothed in the chest) see our posts below.
http://www.dreambookdesign.com/2011/02/how-to-install-cabinet-hardwareand-how.html
http://www.dreambookdesign.com/2011/03/diy-plumbing-gone-bad.html
Emily says
Aww, I’m sorry there isn’t one closer to you! I would have thought there would have been one in Richmond – I bet you have better odds of getting one near you than I do. I was on a work road trip in a minivan recently in NJ and coerced everyone into giving me a 1-hour stop at IKEA because all my purchases could fit in stow-and-go (which, let’s face it, is a good enough reason to own a minivan); it was high-speed shopping at it’s finest, and everything I had ever trained for since the IKEA catalogue is my planning bible.
IKEA Planning FTW.
YoungHouseLove says
That is amazing! You have some pretty cool coworkers for sure! I bet they had fun in Ikea too while you shopped though. It was win-win. Haha.
xo,
s
kayla says
LOVE the size and shape of those frames! ikea is sooo worth a 2 hour drive. and that video of baby c is awesome!
ps. i know you guys hate to goof up [who doesn’t] but it’s nice to see that even the experts don’t do it perfect the first time every time. so thanks for that!
Debbie says
one of the many reasons i love my boyfriend is that he is super, anal measuring guy (whereas i try to “eyeball” everything), & hes like a MIT math genius. for the last seven years, everything on my walls has been precise & symmetrical. not that im complaining.
Emily Stearley says
Oh my gosh, I have patched more nail/screw holes than I’m willing to admit. Live and learn right! It’s all worth it when it turns out exactly the way you envisioned. Can’t wait to see what you put in the frames. Eight close-ups of Burger?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, we should totally do a calendar shoot with him. In a rain coat and a christmas sweater and a fireman’s hat. Hilarious.
xo,
s
Kathryn says
I LOOOVE the Ribba and I think it looks GREAT. Perfect for the space.
Speaking of IKEA, I have to share this since I know you would appreciate it….We were in IKEA last month, and I was looking at a lamp (it’s the one you put all of your x-mas balls in), and I said “This is so Young House Love, don’t you think hunny?” He didn’t say anything, but some random girl that I didn’t know said, “I KNOW! I was thinking the same thing!” We had a moment. True story from the IKEA north of Charlotte, NC.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh. Now we’re having a moment. That is insane and amazing.
xo,
s
Allykristine says
Oh my! There is nothing sweeter than a happy laughing baby! I can’t stop watching this video! Clara really should be in film & TV…she’s a natural! :)
xox
Lori at wom-mom.com says
I love the look of the frames and let’s just say that I can relate! My husband likes to throw things up on the wall he rarely uses a level, he rarely plans, and actually often times it works out…but we do have several screw wholes that are covered by wall art!).
GREAT job planning! I love it!
http://www.wom-mom.com
Katie says
Quick Question for you guys — and please don’t take it as me being rude, just curiosity, since it’s just not usually the way I’m accustomed to doing things — how come you decided to put up the actual frames without knowing what’s going to go in them? Usually if I’m going to put up a piece of artwork, I want to know what’s going to go in the frame before I get out the drill, but maybe that’s just me? Just wondering why you decide on this order of events… would love to hear your thought process when you have a chance. Thanks — love your blog!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s not rude at all, it’s a great question! We already had a few ideas for the frame grid when it came to art, so hanging them didn’t feel risky. Since we already had some options in our minds (from graphic cropped family photos to something geometric and pattern-ish), now that they’re hung we can just play around with stuff and see where we end up as the rest of the room slowly comes together!
xo,
s
Katie says
Got it — thanks for the quick response! Looking forward to seeing what ends up in the frames as I’m sure it will be something fabulous!
Christina says
Clara is one of the most cutest babies I’ve ever seen! She is just adorable! Now that my ovaries are hurting, Ikea. I heart Ikea. They’re reasonable and you can really tweak their stuff to look super trendy.
Kirsten says
That video of Clara is SOOOOOOOOO cute!!! My kids (now 6, 4.5,3) have all always loved IKEA and shout with joy whenever we say we’re going–works out great, since I like it, too!
Lesley H says
Love these frames – I have-em too! What about putting a fun piece of scrapbook paper in them for now to kick up the grey/yellow theme you’ve got going! Also, LOVE the Clara video. I share her enthusiasm for IKEA, just wish we had one a bit closer.
Kendra Bester says
Quick question, what happen to the Rug you just bought for your den in your old house, I love it. I love the colours and the big print on it, will you use it in your new house?
Kendra
YoungHouseLove says
That’s in the playroom. Love it there for now, but who knows where it’ll end up. Things tend to move around in our house! Haha.
xo,
s
Anna says
This post is timely, as we are trying to figure out what art to put over our couch, and the frame grid is giving me some ideas. Thanks!
On another note, if you are still looking for those green chairs for the dining room, I posted a link on your facebook page to chairs that I thought you might like.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks! Off to check it out!
xo,
s
Ashley says
That video of Clara might have very well overwhelmed me with cuteness! You’re making me want my own little one!!
The frames look great, and your adventures sound exactly like what happens at our house every time we try to start something. :)
Melissa @ A Place to Nest says
I would say my most recent story that mirrors this was hanging my powder room mirror. I measured and measured the spot betweent the hooks. I measured and measured the wall. I broke out the studfinder (not my husband) and the level line. I thought I had that baby level to a T. So I put it up and it is crooked. I could have tossed a hammer into it. I, also, used anchors and screws bc of weight. OMG- the only thing I forgot to check and actually have never had an issue with before, was the location of both pre-done hooks. I am finding that garden ridge does not put them evenly on the back. So while I was dead level- the hooks were not. Nothing is more sad than having to patch up holes in a freshly painted room…. sigh.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, I feel your pain!
xo,
s
Andrea B says
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who put up a gallery wall of frames over my couch before I had an actual gallery!
And Clara made me smile. :)
Caity says
LOVED the Clara video! Looks like someone will be excitedly following in mom & dad’s designing footsteps :)
Samara says
It looks good! I can’t help thinking you could use one more row though because it looks a lot shorter than the length of the sectional.
YoungHouseLove says
We considered another row but it would have hit the light switch while centered. Thanks for the suggestion though!
xo,
s
Ana Silva says
Clara is so cute and funny! And I love what you did with the frames, it looks great.
Jenny says
Did you say at some point that you have plaster walls in there? How do you decide if something is heavy enough to need to be hung from a stud, or if it can just go through the surface plaster…and any tips on finding a stud through plaster, if one is needed? We just moved into an old house and I’ve been struggling with this — especially for hanging curtain rods, since we have a little kiddo too and it seems like a safety issue to not have them come crashing down. Thanks!!
YoungHouseLove says
We’re of the better safe than sorry camp, so we hang almost everything that doesn’t go into a stud with an anchor and a screw. Since we have drywall (and a baby) it just works better (less wall crumbling) and helps us sleep easier.
xo,
s
Sharla says
Hey YHL
LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog. I was wondering if you two have ever hung a mirror or anything extremely heavy (oh lets say 70 pounds) on drywall? We bought a huge mirror but don’t exactly know how we are going to hang it. I am off to Home Depot soon to see if they can help.
YoungHouseLove says
We have never had drywall! Our old house (and first house) has plaster. I’d ask around at HD or Lowe’s though. Good plan.
xo,
s
Melissa @ A Place to Nest says
Anchors and screws are needed! Even on drywall. Unless you screw into a stud then you have to anchor something that heavy. They are really easy to use. Just measure all parts of the project multiple times bc they leave big holes to fill if you mess up
Katrina says
Yes, we’ve been there and done that a few times! From hanging shelves to hanging frames which can be the worst!
After many trials and errors we now use blue painters tape to ‘map out the area’ or use paper!!! lol saves so many headaches and evil stares at each other!! lol
The new arrangement looks so much better — then the 4 big ones you were considering
Amy Button says
I love the way the frames look! I wouldn’t have thought of that but it’s a great idea.
I’m not a planner even though I do about 95% of the home improvement around here. The 5% my husband does is hanging picture frames or anything that has anything to do with electricity (I’ve been banned)because I’m not a planner, I’m a doer :) Which would mean I’d be a re-doer if he didn’t do that for me.
Selina says
I especially love when John says “Have fun with that babe”.
Sounds just like my husband. lol
Ling says
I vote for a series of related graphic prints that share a color scheme. Maybe botanicals? Or maps? Jenny Komenda of Little Green Notebook framed a series of book pages from Up and Down New York (of Manhattan neighborhoods that were meaningful for her family) to hang above her sofa and it looks amazing. And I love my own framed set of shadow puppets hanging above our dining table. Check them out here: http://decorchica.blogspot.com/2011/03/puppets-in-frames-after.html
Rachael says
In our last place, we definitely did the exact same thing in our dining room, but with 8×10 IKEA frames that I painted and filled with old book pages. It took about 2 hours to get those things looking like they were in a grid format, and probably even then were a little ‘off.’ I have since gone away from that look, and more toward the whole organic, throw the frame where it looks good approach, because I am just too impatient! :)
Paula/adhocmom says
Story of my life! I get all excited and just start hammering away. Drives my husband crazy. But the worst thing about it is I never seem to LEARN THE LESSON. Seriously, I never learn.
Joy says
Well, your room thanks you too. Looks great.
Raj says
Thanks for sharing this guys! I’m working on an arrangement of frames for over our much smaller sofa and it’s staggered so I thought I could get away without taping up paper for each frame, I’m rethinking that now!
PS: I can’t get over that video of Clara, too cute!
heather @ at home with h says
I hung a large grid of 10×13 frames earlier this year above my couch in my living room and outlined the steps on my blog (using paper to figure out placement). I love the statement it makes.
Sara says
My advice is about the super long console table: put a flat end on the sides! Instead of legs. This will keep Clara from getting behind/under it and messing with the cords and outlet… I wish someone had told me to plan for a curious little boy.
YoungHouseLove says
We actually have plans to keep cords hidden and add storage to the sides. Should be interesting if we actually pull it off. Haha.
xo,
s
Mandy S. says
3 words: 3M Velcro Strips!!!
I just did this type of grid using a 4×3 pattern to hang 12 8×10 frames above a console table and I love it. I was too afraid of knocking 24 holes in the walls of my brand new home, so I went the3 Velcro route and LOVED it!
Looks awesome though, and I can’t wait to see more action in this room.
connie says
Love the frame format and the video of that cute Clara. Those frames look like plein air frames I use for my paintings. Could you please tell me the size?
YoungHouseLove says
The frames are 21 x 21″ (and display 12″ square art). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jes-ka says
Maybe it’s just the artist in me (or I am just lazy, cuz ya know, lazy people work the hardest!), but I like to just hang stuff up and just go with it.
Sometimes it turns into a neatly spaced arrangement, sometimes it’s a cluster of stuff. One thing I am certain of though is that drill holes can always be filled (i.e. it’s okay to make mistakes).
You guys rock!
Nat says
Hi guys, I was wondering if you could tell me how you like your couch?? I”m thinking of getting the same one (in a different configuration), but I”m worried about how it will stand up to the test of time. Especially the back pillows. My Ikea has them all crumpled up and pretty much ruined. NOT something I wanted to see going in to buy the couch. Your review will be greated appreciated here at Style-ing With Children. Thank you.
YoungHouseLove says
So far we couldn’t be happier! We know of a few bloggers who have had it a few years and still love it (one of them has two dogs, so it’s a nice durability testament). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Kalen says
I always have planning problems and I end up with a few extra holes in the wall. I just hung up a few of the stair-like Ikea Lack shelves yesterday and miscalculated (again) where to put the holes, had to wait until the hubby got home to correct my math. ^.^
As far as photos are concerned, I would personally go with some thing graphic (but then I don’t have enough family photos to fill it out).
samantha owens says
love it! can’t wait to see the console table when ya’ll get around to it! i wonder if i can build one….hmmmmmmm haha
Lori at wom-mom.com says
I have to apologize for not proofing my comment before hitting submit.
We have several screw “holes” in our walls due to not-planning!
http://www.wom-mom.com
Jaime from Design Milk says
Frames look great. On another note your baby is hilarious.
KOS! (Keep On S'myelin!) says
Love all eight frames above the sofa! We have frames gallery style above our sofas and up the stairs as well.
A little tip when hanging those types of frames (though you’ve probably heard of them before), 3M Command Picture Hanging Strips. LOVE them! Best of all, NO HOLES! (sorry, John, no drilling noises to get you all fired up…hehe)
Here are some pics I took of our picture walls using the 3M Command Strips to put up the pictures (only used on the pictures, not the mirrors)….
http://keeponsmyelin.blogspot.com/2010/10/wall-bling.html
http://keeponsmyelin.blogspot.com/2010/10/picture-wall.html
YoungHouseLove says
We wish those would work with our heavy frames and plaster walls! We use them for smaller frames and you’re right- it’s a dream!
xo,
s
Thelma musser says
You prly mentioned this on another post, but WHERE did those lovely yellow pillows on Karl come from??? Target? I LOVE them! I’m re-doing our Master and think I might plan a color scheme around them:-)
YoungHouseLove says
Target! We saw then recently so they probably still have them!
xo,
s
hdstoker says
My husband hung a grid of 4 square frames (Pottery Barn) in our family room, and although I love it, I sometimes want to change it up. He ALWAYS reminds me how long it took him to get those darn things level and he’s NOT taking them down!! haha
We have 3 of those big Ribba frames in our playroom (with plenty of trial and error holes hidden behind), and I framed my 2 1/2-year-old’s scribbly art in them. I’ve been thinking of doing b&w cropped photos, but 12″ squares are challenging to crop!
Heather : )
(p.s. Clara NEEDS to be in drama club someday. What a crack-up.)
Brenda says
I recently bought the same frames but as I laid them on the floor to decide on a layout for the wall my kids came running by,jumped on the frames and broke the glass on almost all of them. Do you know if Ikea can replace just the glass or know where I can get the glass replaced?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man that stinks! I don’t think Ikea replaces glass (they just sell frames as a whole) but maybe a local framing or glass place can give you some easy insert glass for them. Good luck!
xo,
s
Peg says
They look great……8 was the right number!
Donita says
That Clara is such a doll. What a little character!!! Does she have your personality Sherry?? LOVE the thumb in mouth at the end. HEE HEE
You did a great job John. I have made TOO MANY mistakes to even count, while hanging pictures. Can’t wait to see what you put in them, I’m sure it will be awesome.
I have a couple of questions for you. Where did you get the floor lamp at the end of Karl? LOVE IT!!! Have been looking for one to put beside my husbands chair.
Also, are you going to keep the flooring in the living room, or go with something else. If something else, what would you use?
I love your home, it has taken on your look so quickly. ;-) Great job!!!
YoungHouseLove says
That lamp is actually from Home Depot a while back- hope they still have them! It was only like $45 or something, which seems awesome for a floor lamp. As for the flooring, it’s hardwood parquet, and we love all things hardwood, so we just plan to refinish it and stain it a deep rich color to cut down on the checkerboard look and unify the rest of the house’s hardwoods (we have wide plank in the bedroom, skinny plank in the dining room, etc). Someday…
xo,
s
Donita says
That will look awesome, the flooring that is. ;-) Thanks for the tip on the floor lamp. I purchased my dining room light from them, it was $159.00 regularly, marked down to $79.00. When I asked to have the light taken down, they said it was $38.00 because it was the floor model. I WAS SO HAPPY AND IN LOVE. ;-) Thanks for the tip.
YoungHouseLove says
Sweet! Congrats on such an amazing deal!
xo,
s
Threadbndr says
I like the idea of a big bold graphic or a map cut into pieces. I’ve seen a flag and map both done that way recently and it’s a very interesting and eye catching installation.
Diane H says
The frames look great! My husband hung curtain rods right on top of the sliding glass doorframe, THEN sent me a photo to ask if what I thought of the placement. We have a few sets of holes in the wall now.