Bernadet's Craft Blog: I Love Decorating with Photographs!

Years ago I belonged to a book club dedicated to home decor, crafts, and improvements. One of the books in that collection was called "Decorating with Family Photographs." This was back in the infancy of digital photography, and I didn't even own a real camera, only the disposable kind. I liked the idea of a whole wall or staircase filled with pictures, especially vintage ones. I just felt it "made" a home and was plain old interesting. (Check out other ideas on my Pinterst board pinterest.com/bernadet/for-the-home/ )

You know what? As the single gal I just admired the concept, but never acted on the thought. What was I going to have, a dozen pictures of my baby girl pug on the wall? (Come to think of it that wouldn't have been all that bad!) Well I finally got married at 38 and was so fortunate that my husband came with kids (voila, photo ops galore!), and a super-awesome family with a rich history of photos. His mom was generous to loan me entire albums of their family to scan, even Jim's father's baby book from the 1930s, and "glamour" shots of both sets of grandparents back in the early days of the depression. Wow, what a gift!

I already have several walls (that staircase wall is coming along) and multiple bookshelves with family photos on them. While at HomeGoods recently (http://www.homegoods.com/ - great items at great prices found here) I picked up some items to decorate the top of a naked bureau in our entry. I did buy candles for the candlesticks from another store, but I need something different, so I know there's still an element missing.

As I was arranging this new vignette, I had input from all the family members... what photos to go in the frames, how to arrange them, color schemes, ect. (This photo makes them look a variety of colors from green to orange, but they really are mostly sepia toned.) At one point, while getting the nod of approval from Jim, I hugged him and said, "I am so happy to have a wealth of family photos to decorate with, its something I've always wanted. It makes me really feel a sense of family, and makes our house feel like a home - with interest and history!" I love him for adding that texture to our lives!

Entry bureau. Holds leashes and dog walking accessories; and homemade afghans and quilts for getting cuddly (with dogs) in front of the TV.

I did have my grandparent's 1940 wedding photo on the bureau too, but decided it fit better here. I figured I could periodically swap it with the other 8x10 on the bureau.

Etagere in the entry of our bedroom. Opposite this is a bookcase jam packed with books and what else...? More photos of course.

I'm not much of a scrapbooker, but as my brother-in-law recently sent me a CD of family photos of their lives in Germany, I couldn't resist creating a layout featuring my nephew on horseback. I pulled out an old LO of one of my favorite pix of Jim, framed them, and added a little wall vinyl courtesy of my "Word Collage" cart. Instantly more photo decor in my office.