So, just as I hit “post” on my gallery wall round up I get an marketing email from West Elm touting their gallery frames. They’ve made the whole hanging process seemingly idiot proof which is just what I needed because I have to admit that the measuring-to- get-the-right-amount-of-space-between-each-frame part of the whole gallery wall thing is part of why I haven’t just done one already. They have a easy step by step process that has figured out all of the measuring (if you use their frames, of course). It seems so easy that it feels a little bit like cheating.

Now, of course I sort of feel that this means that gallery walls have been co-opted by the big boxes… but I guess that if you use personal items, it would still be authentic.

Let’s get real for a moment: Framing anything is expensive. I calculated the cost of making the gallery wall above at West Elm as around $300. Seems a little pricey until you consider that I’ve had to pay $300 just to frame one 8×10 painting. So, while $300 is not insubstantial, it’s not much for 10 frames given the going rate at my local frame shop. However, just for giggles I priced out the same size frames as above at IKEA (in unpainted wood, with plastic instead of glass) and it cost a whooping $30 dollars. If you use the IKEA “Ribba” line which is a brown frame with real glass, 10 frames of various sizes costs $118. I guess that leaves us at no matter your budget, you could do a gallery wall. God bless Ikea.

I’m loving this mantel (from photographer Lucas Allen) with all the letters found via Please Sir.

via desire to inspire, via Elle Decoration South Africa

I love whales and this print from Tugboat Printshop stopped me in my browsing tracks. They are part of this month’s Poppytalk Handmade Paper Pops which is full of beautiful items — Jan and Earl have outdone themselves this month.

I’m loving this beach house featured over at Absolutely Beautiful Things. I’m inspired by the framed tea towels and vintage bathing suits. Genius! I scouted some promising tea towels on Ebay below… (they seem to range from $3.50-$10).

Some of my favorites are here (new england map), here (London river) and here (lobster print). You can find all of these by searching on “vintage tea towel.”

I never grow tired of browsing vintage sellers on Etsy — it appeals to my flea market lovin’, design scouting soul — its almost like I get to visit thrift stores and flea markets all over the country and world via the eyes of Etsy sellers everywhere and the prices are (usually) pretty good. This wooden plaque from seller EstateSale is cheap ($5) and would be a great addition to someone’s photo/gallery wall. I love the seagulls in the front (sort of The Birds like). Now, I know that those related to me by blood (Mom) and those that are married to me (Tim) will decry this as totally tacky. And they are probably right. But it has a funky fresh aesthetic that appeals to me, in the right context — like next to photos from Florida (which this somehow reminds me of) or a great vintage paint by numbers. I’d hang this and a gallery full of fun framed finds in a laundry room or entry hall. In fact, I’d love to see an entry hall tiled floor to ceiling with framed photos and paintings.

I’m hard at work on multiple deadlines, but spied this gallery wall in Erin’s Inspiration E-Zine (and she’s send you a glossy copy too) I love where she is going with this project!

I’ve been meaning to do a post on Jon of Happy Mundane’s photowall. I loved the little white shelf for displaying his collections and asked where he purchased it and it turns out it’s from Target and only $19.99. Thanks Jon!

I recently wandered into the Kenneth W Rendell Gallery on Madison Avenue — they specialize in historical letters, manuscripts and documents. The sheer variety of objects they have framed and for sale makes it a bit of a cabient of curiosity. A sweet note from Agatha Christie, below, a letter from Audrey Hepburn discussing her garden in full bloom, a sort of sad Christmas card from the Prince of Wales. I could post hundreds of photos — a document from Chippendale, a letter from Marie Antoinette but I’ll stop here and let you check it out if it interests you. Everything is beyond expensive, but, just looking at these artifacts is enough — it’s tiny bits of insight into these famous people.

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Nancy, my mother-in-law, is always finding cool and unusual items (she’s a design scout!) It’s not surprising given that she runs a fantastic floral design business in Needham, MA which you can check out here! She sent me a link to Ferm Living Wall Stickers and I particularly liked the “waterworld” decal set pictured here. How awesome is the coral? What a fun way to decorate a bathroom, entry way or ceiling.

A friend sent me this post from AT:New York and wondered how she might recreate it for herself. As a lover of multiples, I’m not opposed to this, although I think they might be nicer as a photowall (i’m like dog with a bone). Or, maybe I wouldn’t mind this if they weren’t mirrors? Maybe if they were photos? Or found things (like old polarids or letters or something). I spied these frames on Ebay (currently $9.99 but act quickly, the action ends at 11am Tuesday morning! that sold for a mere $11 dollars!) and thought maybe with a glue fun she should have a go at it. Or, someone else should grab them up for a photowall of their own.

I’m loving this shot via always inspiring Cup of Jo .

Check out this shadow box/curio box I spied on Jessica’s great site The Shiny Squirrel (its not for sale, but the funky decals are….). I actually have some little bottle just like these (complete with the red and white labels).

I just spied this fantastic assemblage on D*S… I love how ordered this collection is. I have a literately endless collection of found bits and pieces (as I’m sure many of you do as well) and I love this idea of “curating” our stashes. It is such a neat, organized, museum-like way to display the chaotic whirl of the universe around us. I maintain that we collect in an attempt to exert control — this seems like a lovely example, right?

PS, this effect comes from the excellent mighty magnets by Three by Three Seatle which you can purchase at Fred Flare. I use these at work (yes, my office has metal walls) and they are indeed mighty!

I just got an email that this lovely mantel scape is on sale for $179 at Room Service Home. Still a lot of money, yes, but, given that you’re getting 13 pieces, its roughly $13 a piece, which isn’t so bad for this type of decoration. Every year I see these in New York… ABC Home always has amazing (and amazingly expensive) versions on display. I’ve yet to actually buy them (the aforementioned storage issues) but can always dream. At a minimum, they are lovely to look at.

Blue Ice Cathedral ($39)

Mint Holiday House ($49)

Ivory Church ($39)