on the walls

Last night I put pictures up on the walls. And I like it.

Why? You think I'm moving too fast? I've only lived here (cough) eight years.

I've never been good at putting up the finishing touches on a room. Paint I can do reasonably  well, but the homey touches and whatnots?

Oh so bad.

My first decorating attempts included Tiger Beat and Star! Magazines - I think I papered my entire bedroom with boys,(BOYS!) although I probably still had room somewhere for my unicorn collection and my 'Just Hang On' kitty poster.

Yeah. Thinking about all that breathless-girl-about-to-hit-puberty makes my teeth hurt.

I had a roommate for a long time (actually, several roommates, but whatever) and while it was easy to add throw pillows or an afghan onto whatever ghastly sofa we had at the time, it wasn't really decorating. More like making the trash look not so baderating.

So when I married and set up house? Not so good.

There are rules for decorating, did you know that? Suggestions a-plenty about colors and styles and mixing fabrics with textures and collecting things and even how to display things without using magazines for wallpaper!

I hunkered down to learn about picture-hanging.

Balance is key. There should be a basic symmetry, even if you're hanging up an odd number of things. If there are a group of things, space them evenly. Like does better with like. Mixing frame styles can be problematic if you let it.Three or four photographs, even if wildly dissimilar, can look great if grouped together in matte black frames. Pick a theme.
Include things in your grouping that are fun or interesting. Stand back when you hang your pictures, and choose carefully. Remember your eye level is the one that is going to be looking at things the most in your house.

Oh, and the most important thing? The thing I forgot?

USE A LEVEL.

(the kids and I painted those birdhouses last night - it's our bit of whimsy on the wall of house and tree pictures)

Please ignore the scenic dog leash, 'kay? And the crappy paint job. We spent most of Saturday steaming off an old border, and now I need to go get more paint so we can....paint. (Whimper) I'm thinking a light tangerine, with white underneath.

Oh, and the stick-like thing to the right? Is a walking stick.

Now I need to go find my husband and pester him into giving me the level.

Comments

[apathy lounge]

I need to get more organized myself. A level...yeah...that's just what I was going to suggest.

[Woman in a window]

Nicely done. I'm reluctant to add anything else to our walls. I'm afraid there'd be no paint left to see.

[jAMiE]

I love to hang stuff up...usually without a level but sometimes i break down and use one...life is about imperfection..so what if stuff is a little off (as mine is)...i think your handy-work looks great, well done!

[nomotherearth]

I never use a level, and yet the crookedness drives me nuts. Go figure.