1. What is your approach to designing a photo gallery wall?
First I begin by deciding on the style or look I’m trying to achieve. Am I trying to achieve a modern streamlined look or something more eclectic? Once general ideas of style are achieved, I look for pictures to pull inspiration from. Next start collecting pieces based on your inspiration and style. Play around with the pieces you love and remember you can build on your wall as you find things you love. Start with the center and build out.
2. Are there “guidelines” to designing a photo wall, for example how high should you place a piece?
There are so many different styles of gallery walls, and it depends on which direction you choose to take. For most gallery walls I would choose one larger piece in the middle to be your focal point and then build around it. The focal piece should hang around eye level and you can choose to go above or below that with the other pieces.
Source: Pottery Barn
The Eiffel Tower piece draws your eye because it is hung at around eye level and is one of the larger pieces and then they built above and below it.
3. How do you measure a wall to get the correct size for your piece?
This is a hard question to answer when referring to a gallery wall. You can go as big as you want with a gallery. You can fill an entire wall or have a smaller collection.
Source:nicoledavisinteriors
This is an example of a photo gallery that takes up a majority of wall space to create an intimate niche. They have made all the photos black and white to balance the look so your eye isn’t overwhelmed.
4. For the traditionalist, how would you go about adding some design to a wall while staying within their comfort zone?
If you are afraid of looking too eclectic, you could make all the pictures black and white or monochromatic for more of a clean look. Another option would be to choose a traditional matting and frame for each picture to help mix a traditional sense of style with the more eclectic and gathered look of a gallery wall.
Source: House Even Design
This picture shows a more tradition look that is clean lined and monochromatic.
Source:unknown
This is also a more traditional look because the symmetry of the layout it looks clean and refined. The sconces above the wall add a special touch that highlights the beauty of the collection.
5. It seems like right now, all the rage is the eclectic mix of photos and design elements, how do you even go about even starting to design a wall like that?
If you really want to build that sense of gathered pieces I would start with collecting pieces of art that catch your eye. Go to an antique store and look for pieces you like, collect items from various sources. Lay out your gathered collection on the floor and start playing around with the arrangement. Once you like the look take a piece of butcher paper and cut each frame to size then tape it on the wall to make sure you like the look and finally make your nail holes.
6. How do you balance a space with family portraits and artwork?
First decide what you want your focal point to be. If I want my family portraits to shine then those are my larger pieces and I would layer smaller pieces of artwork with the photos.
7. How do you go about designing a photo ledge, incorporating photos and display elements?
A photo ledge is one of my favorite ways to display family photography. It allows you to easily change out photos from year to year. To mix portraits with other display elements choose a color theme for the photos and draw from that.
Source:Mstarrevdesign
The photo ledge has a variety of pictures and artwork that pull from the same color theme. They have mixed sizes and layered items to create the perfect look.