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.
Kim says
Regarding Clara’s video–I feel the same way about Ikea, but Clara looks much cuter (and more appropriate) expressing it in public :)
Becky Haller says
LOVE IT! I have been waiting to see what you are going to do with the vintage maps calendar.
~Becky
Valencia says
Your baby is Soooo Cute! She really likes Ikea..lol
judi says
i’m just curious, not spewing haterade at all (and i haven’t read all the other comments to see if you’ve answered this) but what made you choose that spot on the wall vertically? there seems to be a lot of negative space above the frames, while they’re nearly hitting the top of the couch on the bottom.
YoungHouseLove says
We just like for frames to visually connect to what they’re sitting above (many experts recommend no more than 8″ above the back of a sofa and the bottom of the art) but it’s really a personal preference thing. See the pic with the two squares taped on the wall? That was when we decided what height looked best for us. We noticed that there was the same amount of negative space above the large window and the sliders in the room, so it felt balanced with the same area above the arrangement. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
tracie says
ok.. that baby is ADORABLE!!! don’t ya just hate it when you know better.. but think you can skirt by the issue anyway?! i was cracking up all the way through, as i already knew what you were going to do.. as i’ve been there, done that!! LOL ;) funny post & hopefully ppl won’t be like us, and they’ll actually do what we suggest.. and not as we DO! :P
Vicki K says
Eight frames was definitely the way to go. And the size is perfect.You mentioned that you thought you might use family photo’s etc. Had you decided against the Vintage Maps? I think they would look great.
Nothing I hate worse then to see frames hung way to high in someone’s house. Yours are perfect!
YoungHouseLove says
Those might not be big enough to fit those 12 x 12 openings on each frame. But they’re contenders for sure! Who knows where we’ll end up!
xo,
s
amanda says
Couldn’t agree more that picture hanging is a very stressful tense project in my house! Hate it! There is ALWAYS extra holes somewhere! Does anyone have suggestions for artwork on 30 ft walls? We have a open family room…one wall has our fireplace with wainscotting all the way up in block patterns but i have no idea what to do with the other walls…..they are so very bare! The space is overwhelming for me to even contemplate what to do with. Help!
Tina says
It looks awesome, sorry about the long road getting to that point!! My husband and I recently bought a shelf from IKEA (the EXPEDIT shelf) and put it together thinking we were so clever and it was so easy. Then, after it was all done and it place and DECORATED, we realized that we put one of the sides on wrong and the holes that the wall anchoring plate goes into on one side was facing the room NOT the wall. UGH. We havent fixed it yet, because we don’t know if we are anchoring it to the wall or not (its pretty stable) but man its annoying! Its going to bother me until the day we flip it right. You can see our shelf here:
http://www.teebliterary.blogspot.com/2011/03/welcome-home-shelf.html
Mara Oakvik says
A few months ago I hung the same arrangement of the Verserum frames above my dining room table:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=838651428829&set=a.723859722329.2317480.17804425&theater
I used 3M’s command hooks for hanging frames. They worked sooo well! I used painter’s tape to mark the pattern on the wall, and to evenly space the frames then eye-balled the placement of the frames since my tape was already measured and perfectly placed. The command hooks (they are like velcro- one on the frame, one on the wall) are great, no holes in the walls and the frames can’t move or get crooked! I would definitely recommend trying them out.
Oh and Costco prints 12×12 photos for $2.99 each. When doing an online order they have a button that says “I am a professional photographer and I do not want my photos color-corrected”. I was really happy with my prints, and the colors came out perfect.
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh good tip about Costco 12 x 12 prints for $3! Love it!
xo,
s
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
I’ve made that mistake more times than I care to share. I’m always too eager to get to the finished product!
Clara is gorgeous as always. How could anyone ever be sad when they have her to look at all day?!
Ashlee says
Clara is too funny! I swear, you must have the most expressive baby in the entire world. So cute! Isn’t this age so much fun? I have a 10 month old and she is always cracking me up.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes. Best age ever! At least so fun. She gets more and more hilarious every day.
xo,
s
Carmen says
Love the arrangement. I made something, that I would love to send you guys, but I am not sure what colour you would like it in…and would match with your colour scheme. I know the famous colour napkin, but could you please give me an idea of what colour you would like? Thanks.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, you’re too kind Carmen! We actually have a no swag/freebie policy (we just feel odd about special treatment and taking stuff on the house). But thanks so much for the sweet offer!
xo,
s
Vikki says
Oh I am so guilty of this crime! Have you ever seen the “Hang and Level”; they sell them at hardware stores here in Canada, and I have been begging for one in my stocking for many, many Christmases. I feel it would solve much of my picture-hanging woe.
However, I did get the pre-planning thing right ONCE! So wonderful, I documented it on the ol’ Blog: Check it out!
http://buoybird.com/2010/10/24/the-wall-flowers/
The only thing I didn’t bank on was them being within kittens’ reach from the desk… aw well!
ps: la-la-love the frame installment! The white pop is lovely!
YoungHouseLove says
Cute flowers (and kitty)!
xo,
s
Tamara @ Etcetorize says
Ok, first of all, Clara is hilarious. I’ve never seen a kid her age enjoy Ikea so much. Secondly, here’s a helpful hint on the frames. If they aren’t too too heavy you can use 3M Command Strips. Then you aren’t left with loads of holes in the wall if you want to move the frames later on. I even just use them on heavier frames to secure them completely and then I don’t have to use a super huge mega screws to hold things up.
YoungHouseLove says
That would be amazing! We love using them for smaller things but we were afraid these frames were just too heavy (and our old plaster walls don’t help!).
xo,
s
Cara says
I just now made the connection (after the details in the posting and after searching IKEA locations) that you all make the trip up to Woodbridge to go to IKEA each time. That is batty! Batty, but necessary. That is the IKEA I got to, also. It’s only about 30-40 minutes away from me so I consider myself lucky. I cannot believe I just made that connection after a year or so of reading your blog posts each day. You should protest to get one in Southern part of Virginia someplace.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha I know, we’re cuckoo for Ikea. Haha. Oh how we wish they’d come to Richmond!
xo,
s
Jenn says
I hardly ever click on videos, but I LOVE that video of Clara. It is hilarious. You’re so lucky you got that on video! I have looked at it several times now, and I love it! Proof – it’s a couple days ago and I’m just commenting now…because I came back for another dose to start off my day! Thanks. She is a cutie.
BTW, thanks for mentioning Stickie Bellies. My husband and I are using them with my 5-month old and we are loving it. We can’t handle weekly, but the monthly shots are so fun and are going to be great come 12 months (and a photo book will be a great keepsake and great gift for the grandparents!)
Vikki says
my comment got lost :( sad face!
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry! Maybe our spam filter caught it? There are also multiple pages of comments, so if you don’t see it on the front page of comments you can scroll through the others for it! Hope it helps!
xo,
s
kalibrooke says
there are so many responses that i’m not sure if someone has mentioned this already, but the tip that has saved me from screwing up frame hanging forever more is a là Martha S.:
1) cut up a paper bag or newspaper to the size of your frame(s).
2) lightly tape to the wall how you want them.
3) hammer or screw your nails through the paper and tear off.
4) hang the real stuff in place.
seriously, once i adopted this method, hanging happens right the first time! (i’m relieved to stop patching alllll those holes.) it’s a beautiful thing.
kalibrooke says
p.s. they look fab!!
Amy M says
I had already bought my 8 Ribba frames when I saw this post so it’s perfect timing. Perhaps you already answered this question but I can’t find it… The Ribba frames come with wire for hanging. Did you use the wire? My frames are sitting in the hallway waiting to be hung because I just don’t see how I can achieve a strait line with the wire. Am I crazy? Please help!
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, we used the wire on all of them and then just hung two screws and anchors where we thought they’d look straight and just adjusted the wire if they weren’t (shortening or lengthening it) which saved us from having to make any more holes in the wall or move the screws, etc. Hope it helps! It was pretty much just trial and error.
xo,
s
Meredith says
For the frames above the couch, I think you should keep with the color scheme and put sepia family photos in the frames…the yellow in the room will be a great match!
Jenae says
Just a quick question. And I know I’m like a week or two late on this, but did you guys position the hanging wire system in the center of the frame or flush to the top? And does it make a difference for sturdiness? Just wondering as we have 6 we’re about to put above our bed. My sister photoshopped the crate & barrel classical symmetry pictures and I’m getting antsy to hang them. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
We hang the wire around 2/3rd up the frame. Seems to work pretty well because the wire arches up so it’s about 3″ before the top of the frame. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jennifer says
What is the cushion-thingy behind Clara in the shopping cart? Is this a cart pad??
YoungHouseLove says
Just a blanket. She’s such a long skinny girl that we have to beef her up by shoving that back there. Haha.
xo,
s
Jennifer says
I can only hope that our little girl (Marin) is as psyched about IKEA as Clara one day. She’s only 3 weeks old, so she has some time. Whenever I have a tough time with BF or lack of sleep, I can always jump over here to see Clara rocking out. Total turn-around for the mood. (:
Allison says
Whenever you get photos printed, do you find that you need to wait for a certain amount of time before framing the photo or it will seem to stick to the glass? Is there somewhere you can get 8x10s and larger made that you can immediately frame?
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, I have never had that issue. We usually frame ours right after we getting them printed at CVS. Anyone else have advice or suggestions? Maybe gently rub a fabric softener pad over the front of the photo (I have heard that can remove static)?
xo,
s
Lila says
Thank you for ALL your tips.. I just bought the IKEA frames. I wanted to know how many inches apart are the frames? I know in the video you say 1 foot from the soda… I just want to know how many inches apart. Thank you again.
Lila says
Sorry I just read all your comments… I found it 2 inches… Thank you again for inspiration…
Lissa says
Hi guys
May I ask what kind of screws did you use to hang the Ribba?
YoungHouseLove says
Just the 1.5″ kind that come with anchors from Home Depot.
xo,
s
Andrea says
I have a question about the Karlstad. I’m thinking of purchasing it myself & wanted to know if it’s still as comfy & pretty as the day you got it?…I’m very indecisive.
P.S.- I <3 your site. It gives me motivation :)
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! Very happy with it over a year later! Still looks as good as new, is easy to wash, and is very comfy.
xo,
s
Laura says
First of all, thank you for being so inspirational! I tend to come up with design concepts in my head … and then I get on Google and I try to find someone else who has already done it. When I found that you had done what was in my head, I was more than elated. We have the Karlstad sofa and I was going to do the same eight frames. Once I got to IKEA in Woodbridge, I wasn’t sure whether 8 would be too much. So my husband talked me into buying two layers of three. My question to you is this. You have a Karlstad, but it looks wider than the normal Karlstad sofa. Would you still have done that many frames if you had the normal Karlstad sofa … or did it just make sense to do that many considering you have the sectional? How wide is that sectional? Do you know?
YoungHouseLove says
I think since we added the add on chaise to the corner sofa, we needed eight frames, but a normal Karl sofa would probably only need six! Hope it helps.
xo,
s
Joyce says
What was the spacing of your frames that you ended up with as far as inches between frames and above the sofa? And do you have any issues with Clara grabbing at the frames or is it high enough? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
There are about 2″ apart and 10″ above the console/back of the sofa. Thankfully since there’s a console back there Clara doesn’t touch them or hit them since the sofa is about a foot away from the wall.
xo,
s
Kirsten says
Ohman! I was still cracking up from the funny clara video, when I scrolled down through the post and had to do a double take on “Maybe family photos, maybe something more graphic?”
At first I thought you meant the other meaning of “more graphic” and a couple of sentences later I stopped, skipped back up and read it again: ‘Wait…what? … OH! They mean DESIGN’. Ha ha! Funnily, it didn’t faze me the first time I read it!! I guess I just thought you were going for a more provocative look. LOL! Still laughing.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! That’s hilarious! How did we miss that?!
xo
s
Kirsten says
Ohman! I was still cracking up from the funny clara video,
when I scrolled down through the post and had to do a
double take on “Maybe family photos, maybe something
more graphic?”
At first I thought you meant the other meaning of “more
graphic” and a couple of sentences later I stopped, skipped
back up and read it again: ‘Wait…what? … OH! They mean graphic, like DESIGN’. Ha ha! Funnily, it didn’t faze me the first time I read it!! I guess I just thought you were going for a more provocative look. LOL! Still laughing.