Gallery Wall = #WatteauWall = #Pinspiration

This is Margaret and my day bed. Oh, and a Gallery Wall.

Okay, so the gallery wall is a big deal right now. But does anyone know where it comes from/why we're doing it, how to do it and how to fade into the next interior design trend?

WARNING: This is a Pinterest adventure, pardon the long-page format. I'm new. 

1) Origins: The name of this game is vertical storage. There is a famous painting by Jean-Antoine Watteau called "the Sign Maker" (rough translation) and it depicts an art store in the 1700's.  It shows hundred of paintings from floor to ceiling, moving in and out of a store. It was mere product placement. Put the painting on the wall, people will buy it. 

In homes, art was just the icing on the cake of a room, and wasn't meant to be stared at like in a gallery. This has changed. We now want to show personality through a collection of pieces. We want to show where we've been, who we've met along the way, and what inspires us. We use the gallery wall as an extension of ourselves. I use it because I need somewhere to store the art I make. (I start to look like a total narcissist, but hey, it's a free show!)  

Photo albums just sit on shelves, why not bring them to life on the wall? I know you remember the staircase collection, (The photo-documentation of your awkward years for everyone to see). That was just the beginning....

2) HOW-TO:There is a continuum of how neat you want to be vs. making wall art out of wall art. 

(These examples are mostly spatial awareness examples, they demonstrate how to arrange. I will mention color and medium along the way.) 

Considerations include: frame size/shape/color. mat color. medium of piece. color palette of piece. color palette of wall. no frame. how are you hanging? are your lines showing? Mixing and Matching is the name of my game. or no matching at all. ;)

For more resources, visit my Pinterest! ("interiors" "art" "walls" "texture collector") 

AND Some of my fave design sites are listed at the bottom of this page. 

 

a) Millitary Ranks: Every frame is exactly the same color/size. They are all lined up in perfect ranks and files. Usually the content is in the same color palette, technique and medium. Great for a photo collection or set of prints from an old book that you don't want laying around on a shelf. Clutter isn't minimalist, now is it?

This is a little less rigid, because the content has a mixed color palette!

b) The Crazy square / Trying to let loose::  The frames are all aligned around the edges, but anything can happen within those boundaries. -or- Either variation of frame size and shape, or using a plumbline or meridian. Maybe you mix photos and paintings. or photos and prints. oooooOOOooo!

Angela R's pin on Pinterest.

c) Anything Goes: This can be a variation of anything from above, or whatever strikes your fancy. This has no rules or regulations, and this arrangement is more of the art than the pieces themselves. This also works for the home office crafter, and supplies. Or the fisherman's supply shack. Times, they are a changin'! Keyword: Vertical Storage! 

d) New School Gallery wall: lean like a.... painting. This is for those of us who don't want to blemish our walls (or have to patch anything when we move out of our short lease- a must for young people). There is a whole lot of variation of media and of framing. We welcome sculpture (vases-ceramics in general, faux animal heads, and plants) and lean everything on something else. Nothing matches because it all came from goodwill. Oh, and Animal heads. Lots of low-profile 3D art here. 

It's a step up from our teenage bedroom wall with trophies, certificates, and those weird graduation leis. Could have a religious/altar-like feel. OR you need the storage space. 

(The young are so fickle)

I Love TAVI, and her BLOG, btw.

e) One night Only: Well, one piece really. This is for the true minimalist or anti-trend. This is most likely the future of art in homes. We've been here once before, but we're different now. We could call this the "I'd-rather-pay-more-for-one-really-nice-thing" sort of approach. We incorporate the color scheme from the painting into accessories in the room. We no longer use the art as the focal piece with matching furniture to hold it up. We mix and match our furniture so the WHOLE ROOM is art.

 

Neat, huh. 

Fave resources:

Design Milk

Apartment Therapy

Japanese Trash (It say's "from a man's point of view" but I love it all.)

Home Adore 

Disregarden (Special shout out to fellow design lovers!)

The Chain Game: How to Play

Hello friends! Let's continue the sparkle parade by addressing CHAIN.

Light and airy, twiggy-liner and a chain.

Which one will be the winner?

I have been feverishly searching Pinterest, Google, and Etsy for dainty chain necklaces.

My mom says, "Preppy 80's," but all I'm finding is Dynasty style giant baubles and neon (I'm working on clearing up the discrepancy between the 80's-90's right now--it's exhausting, and I'm so over decade related costume parties.... or maybe just terrible Halloween costumes from a bag).

I'm thinking more of a 70's look, but I trust the woman who lived through all of that and admits to being a "trend monster."
The seventies are totally hot right now, mostly long necklaces with big charm/baubles or as another layer. Seeing as I like to wear all my favorites at once, I'm enjoying this trend. I'll have you know I started that layering thing long, long ago. I guess one could say I helped start it, I'm a visionary, OR it's finally coming around and this is my moment to shine. LOL.

Because I can't find what I'm looking for on the internet, I decided to learn about chain and see what I already have. Below you'll find my top fave chains.

Cable chain and variations

1. Cable chain
Remember those paper chain decorations? yeah, same idea.
I enjoy this style for small charms, usually a matching metal. Depending on the weight of the chain, you can play with the size of the charm. I'm constantly mixing and matching.

Some variations include anchor, which are flat/ractangly pieces, and rolo/belcher, that are more open)

Box Chain

2. Box Chain
You see a lot of these in upscale jewelry stores, or old school jewelers who are less edgy. I think all of my Magen David necklaces as a kid have been on this type of chain. Tiffany's has a bracelet (and maybe a necklace) that people love in this design.

The necklace chain is usually a smaller scale than the bracelet style, just because there are a whole lot cooler chunky/edgy chains for that.

It's really simple for any charm, that's why I think we find it so much. Not a lot going on visually, so it's a great backdrop. Once again, consider the weight of the chain before choosing a charm.

Ball Chain, not Ball-Change

3. Ball Chain
Because I don't think any of us got enough in middle school. Once worn with dog tags, then blown up to super size for chokers, and back down to mini ball for looooonnnggg charm necklaces. I'm a fan.

I use ball chain for more casual looks. Although you can see that ranges from religious to fantasy... And back to functional. Yep, that's my dad's dog tag!

L to R: Rope, double cable, double cable.

4. Double Cable Chain
The kind you'd likely find in a new age shop. Sturdy in sterling's what I always say....
Great for large or heavy charms.

5. Rope Chain
The kind your great-grandmother wore. It's not so bad when it's dainty, and if it isn't, go retro with it!
Also great for large or heavy charms, (re purposing those hand-me-down brooches!)
 I think it's just fine with no charm--mostly because it's already so ornate.

Top to Bottom:  Chain, Rope, Rope, Filigree Link. 

Moral of the story, I have what it is that I'm looking for, but I can't find a decent styled picture on the internet.

So I took some.. tadah!

For more information on fantastic resources and actual history:

Design Thrift- Fun Mama blogger from NY who also teaches jewelry DIY's and sells her stuff! I like this write up, because it's applicable to today's trends.

Joden -This has concise descriptions dating back to the Georgian Period.

Antique Jewelry University - This has a really in-depth collection of information dating back to the roman period. (this link is specific to chain though)

Here's a great resource if you still enjoy 80's parties.

Sparkles and Metamorphic Rock

I HAVE AN ETSY!!!

I made this! Amethyst and recycled Bullet!

It took a long time-Lots of self-actualization books, audio clips, and spending money on more craft supplies (I'm a craft supply hoarder--I know it won't keep me alive for an apocalypse, but at least it'll keep me entertained...) but I finally did it! 

Dress by Becca

I styled this: leather, metal, crystal, rock.

I spent a lot of time thinking...

most of my favorite things are sparkly. 

why can't I just be an artist?

what happens if I just do what I love, will I survive?

I spend a lot of time trolling the internet for ...

the perfect ring. 

the night sky.

rocks and crystals.

I styled this:  leather, brass, bakelite, seeds, crystal, stones.

Most things I read lately say, "be what you are, there's no one like you" or "pursue your dreams, you've only got one chance."

 BUT REALLY<<<

 Chances are you're good at what you like to do, or you like it enough to keep doing it and get better at it! 

Long story short, I sell sparkles*. BAM!

You can currently purchase them on ETSY.com or at the Mtn. View General Store on Dana st. 

*sparkles can make us feel energetic, pretty, magical, potent, full of life, inquisitive, lustful, passionate, and most of all encourage us to live an adventure and go on a quest!