After quick-cleaning my half-bath this week, I stood back to admire the sparkle and take in the clean smell of Windex. Instead I noticed the big, empty wall. (Yes, it’s been that way for about eight years–ever since the swirly green wallpaper went up.) I could never really figure out what to hang there, but OBVIOUSLY, something was lacking. And though folks don’t usually discuss what we do in this little room (unless you are in my family), we do need something to look at while we are in there.

I love to see “my people”, as we called them where I grew up–some who were dead before I was born. I love the rich family history that these photos tell and hold secret. Through the years, I had used my most pitiful look on my mother a few times and came away with some wonderful family photos. (score!) My husband took a bolder approach and simply claimed his family’s history–when his mother wasn’t looking. (She’s as sweet as can be, but she could still clean his clock if she wanted.)

I had put these photos in inexpensive ($5 or less) frames, purchased at different times. They are black and dark brown, but I think they work well together. I had put the framed photos in a box until I could decide where to hang them. Then, I remembered visiting a friend, Debbie G., who had a simple wall grouping of black and white family photos in her powder room. I loved the idea, and having a memory like a steel trap (grin), that image from a couple of years ago came back to me.

I spent a few minutes laying them out on the floor, tweaking until I liked what I saw. Some people cut paper templates the sizes of their pictures and tape on the wall, but for me, the old floor works just fine. Plus, it’s faster. I tend to group, keeping balance in mind, and I wanted this sort of collage-look. You can also hang photos in a diamond shape, or begin with the bottom edges of photos even horizontally, then go from there. Trust your eye, though. If something doesn’t look right, move it before you put that nail in the wall. Also, bring in something different. I had this sconce and postcard holder. 3D is good.

I thought this project would take 20 minutes, but honestly, it took about an hour. And remember that my photos were already in frames. But the finished product is just what I wanted. I think my people in this house will like it. (At least, they’ll have something to look at when they’re in there.)

TaDa!