Do you remember these puppies that we picked up at a yard sale last year for $10 a pop? They’re old professionally framed prints of the berries and wildflowers of Alaska, which we thought were sweet since we honeymooned there.
So we spray-painted the frames (and mats!) and hung them on either side of our bed. If that doesn’t jog your memory, perhaps this old pic from that post shall will.
Well, recently they’ve – say it with me now – come together.
Here’s how it all went down. Actually, speaking of going down – it kinda started when a certain ram went down during our book shoots.
Since neither all the king’s horses nor all the king’s men could put Ramsey back together again, the space above our bed has been a devoid of anything for a couple of months. We’ve contemplated tracking down a similar animal head (an idea Sherry practically salivated over) but you know we like to use what we have, so we decided we should just try rehanging the prints we already had there. Before making any unnecessary holes, we took them down and just propped them up like this to try to visualize them there.
We originally thought the chandelier might block too much of them, but it looked promising so we decided to just got for it. But this was no easy task because those heavy suckers need two anchored screws to keep ’em in place. Plus we had to be careful to get them centered within the bed and level with one another, all while not putting too many holes in the wall.
Thus began our not-so-scientific, but no-less-intricate system of rehanging them. It started by connecting my existing holes (which I had meticulously measured the first time) with a piece of sewing thread taped to the wall to create a nice level guide.
Just to be sure, I checked that it was level before basing all of my marks on it. Phew. Level it was!
Now that we had the height marked, we had to figure out where the holes needed to go side-to-side so that the frames were roughly equidistant from each other and the bed posts. So I drew a sketch and unleashed my inner math geek. Yep, I think that what I did qualifies as Algebra. Well, except for the part where I solved “X” to equal “7-ish.” Sorry Mrs. Montgomery.
Knowing how far apart everything should be allowed me to start marking. The hole that the ram hung from was my center guide, so I measured out 13.5″ (half of 7 + half of 20) on either side to mark the center of each frame (#1 in the pic below). And since we hang these guys by two screws (it not only supports the weight more, but keeps it from hanging crooked) I made marks a couple of inches out on either side (#2). Sherry wanted the frames to hang slightly lower than they did before (since we no longer had to clear the table lamps and didn’t want them to be blocked too much by the chandelier) so I also marked down a bit using a taped guide on my level (#3).
Confused yet? Me too. So let’s just skip ahead to the after pictures. Okay? Okay. We ended up tweaking things a bit so the frames were a smidge closer to each other, so the space between them is about 5″ and the space on either side is almost 8″.
We’re digging the change so far. We feel like they fill up the space nicely – much more so than the ram ever did (not to speak ill of the dead or anything).
Although the chandelier does overlap them when you face the bed at normal height (these pics were taken with our tripod, which is only about four feet tall) it’s a nice layered look. Nothing too crazy or cramped looking.
Wish we had thought to snap a pic at our height for ya from head-on. We did get this guy from the side though. And there’s always next time.
But yeah, this room is so not done. Look at it wide. Um… we have a lot to do before it makes any sense. Seriously, I know you guys are staring at this bed in a sea of emptiness and wondering what the heck we’re doing. But in the words of $herdog: we got planz for dayz.
In fact, we have a few other things planned this weekend- and you know we’ll keep you posted! What do you guys have going on this weekend? Any house stuff on the agenda? Have you ever had to do math to hang pictures? Or tried using string to keep a level line on the wall? It actually worked surprisingly well.
Psst- We announced this week’s giveaway winner, click here to see if it’s you.
Crystal @ 29 Rue House says
I love the way these look together and that they represent something. We definitely need something Alaskan in our house since we both grew up and met at college there.
Our big project for the weekend is replacing our very old style half-view storm doorm with a full view one. That way the kids and cats will have a good view of what’s going on outside! That sounds sad…two little kids and cats (I won’t tell you how many cats – most people give me a shocked look) sitting at a door looking longingly at the outdoors. haha. I’m also going to be on a mission to find fabric for living and dining room curtains plus for pillows for the outdoor bench I bought at the Restore last weekend.
Have fun – can’t wait to see what you do!
Meredith says
Nerd alert–I LOVE algebra. Like, love it. I used to tutor the ACT and when I was proctoring the test I would solve the algebra problems for fun. That’s right, FUN.
I like this look a lot. It looks super cohesive now and just works.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha I love it! I would do anything other than math for fun. It’s the dentist over math for me. Haha. Thankfully John’s friendlier with math since we need someone who is in the house. Haha.
xo,
s
tracy says
clicked link. found answer! :)
YoungHouseLove says
So glad!
xo,
s
Amy @ this DIY life says
Sometimes you just have to access the left brain to make something pretty :) Our house has a ton of doors and windows and consequently small little sections of walls that I feel the need to fill with something while the hubs rolls his eyes. It took me an hour to measure out where the hangers for a frame at the end of our steps should go (http://thisdiylife.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/make-it-pretty/)…fortunately my cousin is a math teacher :) Love the move of your prints. I think it feels cozier.
YoungHouseLove says
Looks great!
xo,
s
Martha says
It looks like you guys changed the bedspread/duvet cover. What is it? It’s really pretty. Is it a matelasse?
Suzy says
Really like the pics side by side over the bed. Good job!
Brings out the colors better.
molly says
i am always so impressed that you’re able to hang pictures with wire hangers so evenly. i have given up and started buying little saw tooth hooks to add to the back of frames instead.
it looks awesome as usual. i think you guys are exceptionally good at furniture placement as well.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, I love those things! These frames are really heavy so we worried they’d pull out of the frame due to weight, but they’re great for lighter things!
xo,
s
Tanja says
I love the change and can’t wait to see what else you guys have up your sleeve for your master bedroom (and any other room in your house).
I’m going to take it outside this weekend and work on digging up a couple of tree stumps. I cut the trees down this past week and now I have to dig up the stumps to plant something new.
Krystle @ Color Transformed Family says
I like the frames better this way! It looks a lot more balanced.
Sarah C. says
I’m a little sad this post didn’t contain any twig or berry innuendos :( But on the plus side, the pictures look great now since I always though the ram/sconces were a bit of an odd choice :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahaha, how about this one: our twig and berries are well hung. Boom, I just went there. Haha.
xo,
s
Karla@{TheClassyWoman} says
I love how such a small change-moving the artwork and adding those striped pillows, really brings everything together. I liked what you had going on previously, but I like what you’ve done recently even better. :)
kristin says
i love it! and, i think that it would be ok if the light overlapped a bit for john, and not so much for sherry- AND it would only occur leaving the loo… so, i think you’re good. (though obvs i’m lazy because you guys are so good at tweaking!!)
Ali Thompson says
oooh, i love these prints. its amazing what spraypaint can do. wonders, i tell ya, wonders! these prints remind me of those flowery month prints that are common at thrift stores. yours are obvi much cuter :)
xoxo
ali
Christina @ Little Victorian says
Ha! The comment from Bob (mostly your response to it) cracked me up. I work to make time to read your blog because I learn from it and you guys have awesome taste. He must have unlimited free time to continually read and comment on something he doesn’t even agree with. Wow. Kind of sad, really.
Anyway! Love the pics there, it looks fantastic. I’m one to just throw pictures up and see if they are even, but the hubs breaks out the paper and tape measures and calculator every time.
Nora Rose says
Haha my thoughts exactly!
Janna says
Alternate title:
We go together like
Rama lama lama
ke ding a de dinga a dong
YoungHouseLove says
Bwhahaha. Agreed.
xo,
s
Monika says
The 7ish answer for “x” in the math equation was priceless. Haha… Hey, it looks like you changed the lamp shades as well, or are my eyes failing me? Have a good weekend tweaking something in the bedroom. Can’t wait to find out what!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, I think we switched those back during this round of tweak-age! Haha.
xo,
s
lisamarie says
The pictures look great over your bed! But when you said the frames were heavy, it made me cringe…. living in Southern California has instilled in me a great fear of sleeping with anything over my bed. I do wish I lived in an earthquake-free zone. I would hand heavy things above me all day long! Your room looks so gorgeous.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks LisaMarie! We definitely can see how living in Cali would do that to ya! We know someone in San Fran and her space is so cool and stylish but she points out so many earthquake safe decisions! It’s really interesting to learn about that stuff since we never really think about it here!
xo,
s
Tori says
Suuuuure that’s how the ram that was above your marriage bed fell. ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, it was hanging in the kitchen at his time of death (for book shoots), I swear! We have witnesses! Haha.
xo,
s
Andrea H Ross says
Love when small things seem to make all the difference in the world!
I am finishing up painting a barrister bookcase I acquired on CL… oh and I am using the paint you recommended… BM Advance… I really like it so far!
Emily says
Is that a new duvet? I thought you just took the cover off the old one, but this one looks thinner and textured. What’s up?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, it’s from Ikea. We mentioned it in this post: https://www.younghouselove.com/2011/09/side-tables-and-other-bedroom-tweakage/
xo,
s
Crystal says
tres jolie!
Kari says
Fits the space perfectly! It’d be great if you guys did a post on hanging pictures/ other wall decor in accordance with the scale of the room and in a way that does not look crowded. You guys seem to just have a knack for it, but am not sure if you could break it down into some sort of science?
I’m very poor at eyeing things like this and end up never purchasing wall hangings for fear of being out of scale and making my bare walls look worse!
YoungHouseLove says
Our best advice if you’re unsure is to make paper templates (maybe out of paper shopping bags from the grocery store) and tape them up in different arrangements until you find what you love best!
xo,
s
S'Mo (aka Sarah) says
Your mention of Ramsey (may he rest) in today’s post reminded me:
After following you guys for a while now, I have started to name pieces of furniture in my house. (I was also inspired by the episode of Friends called “The One Where Rosita Dies”–when Joey’s recliner breaks and Rachel replaces it. Anyone else remember that post? No? Just me? Oh, well…) For instance, I sold my red loveseat, aka “Little Red,” to a friend today so that my new sofa, aka “Sofia,” can begin her reign in my living room.
I wonder if Sofia would want to meet Karl someday…?
YoungHouseLove says
I remember that episode, but didn’t realize that was the name. Too funny. Glad to inspire you to be weird like us. :)
-John
Anika says
Love the math skills John!
I admire that you guys are able to live with the room being half-done for so long – I really struggle with that and tend to start tweaking a space as soon as I move in. Maybe because you have a house you’re able to jump around and focus on multiple spaces so that keeps you busy and helps you wait? I have to admit I like some of the breathing space you have going on in the room; it really shows off the pretty color on the walls, which I often don’t focus on when you show pictures of areas with more “stuff” in it.
And I’m with the rest of the masses, I like the pictures together so much more than I did with them on each side – glad something great came out of poor Ramsey being gone.
YoungHouseLove says
I think it’s something we have learned over time- to sort of let things percolate and give them time before doing anything rash or noodling things too much. of course it’s a fine line because sometimes we like to noodle a bit longer and sometimes we’re happy to jump off and do something else- it changes all the time!
xo,
s
Jessica D. says
Love the look! It gives more weight to your lofty bed frame and really grounds it. Kudos!
ani says
I like this look better than the old one… sad for the Ram but loving the new look!! :)
mariela says
Wow! This is perfect. I love the change!!
Teri says
They look great over the bed! My (ex)husband and I were stationed at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage for 12 years and I had those same posters. I got rid of them at a yard sale a few years ago, and now that I see them on your wall, I’m kinda wishing I had held on to them :(
Ashleigh says
They look great! I’m hoping to get my ceiling in the entryway painted blue. Cross your fingers for me!
Wrenaria says
Mmmmm art. I need a nice big piece of art for over our bed, but I haven’t found the right one yet. Am constantly on the look out though!
I did pick up a few smaller pieces for other walls but avoided the whole math thing or outlined-on-paper-first thing and went for the lazy guess-and-check method. Took a few tries on various walls to find what I liked best, but nothing a few little dabs of spackle couldn’t hide. ;)
I did take the time to properly map out the art for my dining room room wall using measured-and-cut-out pieces of newsprint before hanging them last week though, since it was a collection of 10-ish pieces. That’d potentially be an absurd amount of holes to fill using the guess and check method.
Kristi says
Pardon the OT, what beach do you recommend for families at OBX? I know you’ve visited there quite a few times. We have never been, but we are planning for this summer!
YoungHouseLove says
We were in Duck last summer and it was great. We had vacationed as a couple in Kill Devil Hills about 6 years ago and it was nice, but it was more hotels and motels (fewer beach houses) so it attracted a younger crowd.
-John
Kristen says
As a big fan of Rams (any good UNC grad should be), I have to say, I LOVE the new look. They fill the space so well and are much more in the spotlight now. Sorry for the loss of the Ram, but it looks like the runner up is working out great!
Allison says
I love that your math calculations end in “-ish” LOL
Melissa @ Loving this {crazy} life! says
I love those prints! I’m partial to them as well since I lived in Juneau for two years with my parents when I was in High School and my brother is currently a student at the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau as well. Alaska has a special place in my heart {just as it does for you guys} and I would love to have a scored something as awesome as those! What a great home for them!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so cool! Love the other AK connections!
xo,
s
Anne says
Hi guys, looks lovely. I want to change a frame which is in the wrong place (and wrong height) but I’m worried about patching the hole. Any word of advice? My walls are painted white with lining paper underneath. Thanks a million!
YoungHouseLove says
I would use paper (like from a paper shopping bag) cut to the size of your frame as a template. Just tape that up and see if you like the placement before making a hole to be sure!
xo,
s
Jeff Patterson says
The picture frames look so much better painted black and the chandelier is really cool. It adds a light airy feel to the room. You guys must have a busy weekend ahead.
We’re powerwashing the patio and I’m stripping paint from a rental house porch floor. Have you ever used Restore from Home Depot? I might give it a shot!
Gilli says
It looks bee-u-tiful! Love the stripedy pillows too. However, as a math teacher i have to tell ya, 3x=20 is 6ish :) I do like that there is a little more space on the outside of the piccies, with a little space in the middle, shows that they are snugglers ;)
The bedroom is so fresh and bright, can’t wait to see your planz!
YoungHouseLove says
Ha! But do I get bonus points for showing my work?
-John
Jo @ Let's Face the Music says
The proportion (for me) of these 2 prints over the bed is superior to the ram head. I like 3-D things tucked into wallspace where you can get up-close and personal like just over your shoulder behind a reading chair. My mother was great at those little surprise vignettes. Jo @ Let’s Face the Music
Nora Rose says
Bahaha I love Larissa’s comment on Bob’s rampage. I’ll admit that I like this so much better because the proportions weren’t doing it for me before. I wasn’t sure what it was, but seeing the before and after, I definitely like the big room, bigger center pictures idea.
However, I am also a super fan of how nice Sherry is even when people are mean! Keep being awesome and nice! :) Kindness is the best medicine!!
Kahley @ Ambiance says
LOVE this change! I actually prefer it to what was there!! Good change up guys:)
Long weekend in Canada so we’ve got a bon fire, engagement party, coffee date & BBQ with friends! Perfect long weekend!
Have a good one!
Jillian says
I love it! I used to work in an art gallery and later an art museum – and yes, math formulas are required! It’s been years since I’ve changed fields, but still to this day, all the art in my house is in a single line (not stacked like your hallway frame collage), all the middles are on the same horizontal line, and they’re evenly spaced apart. I’m trying to break out of it now – I have plans to make my own frame collage! Aaaah!
Laura says
When did you guys change the lampshades? why? where are the new ones from?
YoungHouseLove says
That happened in this post. The new ones are Target ones and the old ones came with those lamps 5 years ago (we got them for our wedding registry from Target, haha).
xo,
s
Wendy says
I LOVE the change. The framed images seem to fill the space a lot better than Mr. Ram (no offense to our horned friend here). Sometimes accidents force you to look at something differently, and turn out to be happy accidents. :-)
Christy Niebaum says
Working on a super un-fun house project this weekend: painting door jambs! We replaced our yucky light oak trim, baseboards and doors with more contemporary and sophisticated white trim, baseboards and six-paneled doors. Didn’t want to replace the door jambs, though, so it’s been a long process (started last fall while I was pregnant) of sanding, priming and painting. Finally finishing the last of them this weekend and it’s going to look glorious!
Erin Jessie says
Sherry & John, hello!! Last night i found myself perusing the internet searching for all things ‘Home Renovation’ related – my fiance & i just learned we are closing on our very first home in less than a month… & oh, we are all kinds of excited about the slew of DIY projects that will come along with what i’ve dubbed ‘the dollhouse’!!
ANYWAY – that led me here, to your BRILLIANT little inspiration filled corner of the WWW.
I almost feel stalkerish for telling you, but i’m pretty sure i wandered around your blog for an hour… i’m amazed & impressed beyond words. What an amazing job you two did on your first home, & your second thus far… I LOVE the kitchen! Its lovely, your wedding (& love story) were beautiful & your daughter is darling…. Worm themed birthday party?? Incredibly uniquely awesome!!
Just wanted to let you both know how much you kick ass & i seriously can’t wait to share your blog with my mista this evening… :) It will be something like “see we can do this – these two got it down!”
XOXOXOXOXOXO from sunny florida
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Erin! You’re so sweet! So glad you found us- and good luck with your new place. You can totally do it! Haha. And have fun along the way!
xo,
s
threadbndr says
I’m firmly in the camp of liking this version of the bedroom better. (So sorry, little ram.) The scale is just better all the way around.
I’ve been waiting to see how you tackle that odd nook opposite the entry door since you showed us the ‘moving in’ pictures.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, that nook is the bane of my existence! I carry the measurement around in my purse in case we find the perfect thing!
xo,
s
Carolyn says
Hoping to organize the office since I got a new job and will be working from home part time! Pretty excited, but I know I’ll function much better with a little re-haul. Anyone done the chalkboard paint for an office calendar?
Your bedroom looks so relaxing, even with all the blank space. Just pretend it’s part of your minimalist style : )
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks Carolyn! Anyone have any chalkboard office calendar advice? Maybe try apartmenttherapy.com since they feature some pretty cool ones!
xo,
s
linda says
Great change. Right now I have most of the art in my house on the floor, trying to come up with a way to use what I have and change things up. Trouble is, I wouldn’t chose alot of what I have if I was picking it out today. Interesting how my taste has changed.
Anne says
I love those pictures!! We live in Anchorage, and I’ve been trying to get more Alaskan wildlife into our home (in picture form, not the real stuff). I think one (or two) of these prints will eventually make it to our walls: http://shop.banquetworkshop.com/category/prints. We have topo maps over our bed in the same configuration, but those wildflowers look fabulous.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man I LOVE those prints!
xo,
s
Stephanie says
I love the frames over the bed! They really fill the space and it makes them much more focal.
I get to move this weekend. Well kinda… I have movers coming Monday to take the big stuff but I’m going to do the set up this weekend and move some small stuff and since my bed got delivered today, probably sleep there Sunday.
Me = Excited. It’s all coming togetherrrrr.
YoungHouseLove says
Yay- that’s so exciting! Good luck Stephanie!
xo,
s
Stephanie says
Thanks, Sherry! I can’t wait to get decorating. I’m already conjuring up possible color schemes.