I have to laugh when I see gallery walls listed as a “trend” because there are infinite ways to pull them together. They existed long before magazines and bloggers started talking about them, and I don’t see them disappearing any time soon. They serve too much function, from letting us display smaller pieces we love to camouflaging TVs. That said, I would agree you probably don’t want to use the same style gallery in every room of your house.
In our living room, I went VERY symmetrical with our wall of G’s.
Then in the office we combined posters with records to fill the wall around my husband’s computer.
So, when Pier 1 challenged me to create a gallery wall with their art, I wanted to do something different! Stay tuned because they are also providing a $150 gift card for one of you. Enter at the end of the post! It was kind of crazy to take this on the middle of the master bedroom makeover, but you know I can’t turn down a challenge! Especially when we had a sad, naked, stairwell in need of some art. Here’s what it looked like before.
It was SO boring! To spruce it up, I started with a jumbo 30″ x 60″ metal & rattan piece. The key to this layering method is to select a large background item the size of the space you want to fill. I love all the movement in this particular piece, but using a solid piece of wood or metal would also be very cool!
With the background selected, I picked out a mixture of art and wall decor that made me smile. Something about a stairwell makes me think the art should be fun and poppy, but this layering idea would work with all different styles.
When I saw the light up arrow, I knew it was perfect for the stairs! We attached the arrow to the big art using wire. Just make sure that you are wiring to the metal cross braces if you use this exact background. You’ll also want to make sure your art is either in the studs or anchored properly. Safety first!
With the arrow attached, there was just enough room to add four canvases of animals in glasses. Because, why NOT have a gallery of adorable animals in glasses?
Sophisticated Pup / Professor Pig (No Longer Available) / Clever Fox / Pug Life
If you are a cat person, there is a coordinating Super Cat version that ALMOST converted me into a cat lover.
I just love how much more “finished” the house feels when I go up and down the stairs now. Since the wall is so tall, It seems like it would still have felt undone if it was ONLY the metal art or ONLY the smaller pieces hanging directly on the wall. The layering gives the area more presence.
Now it’s your turn. Pier 1 is providing a $150 gift card for one lucky winner. Visit Pier1.com to find something you’d love, and then enter below or by clicking “A Rafflecopter Giveaway” if you are on your phone or tablet.
Carly Williams says
I would pick new wine glasses, I think these are really pretty and perfect for summer: http://www.pier1.com/Coastal-Stemless-Wine-Glass-Set/3035932,default,pd.html
I would also get some new serveware for entertaining. I love this seahorse server: http://www.pier1.com/Seahorse-2-Tier-Server/3033448,default,pd.html
Melissa George says
Oh! That server and those glasses would be so perfect for summer entertaining! I really like the hint of color at the bottom of those glasses.
Dsmith says
Love the marque arrow. So fun!!
Melissa George says
And big Kudo’s to Pier 1 for putting the on/off switch on the side of the arrow so it look good AND can be used. Almost all the light up stuff I’ve seen before has the switch on the back, which is a total pain!
Sara says
You amaze me. Always! I would never think of doing this… Looks FABULOUS!!
Melissa George says
Thanks so much Sara! I should have put this in the post, but that layering idea was actually my husband’s! I picked out all the art online and was trying to decide if I was going to put it in the stairwell, or hang the big piece over the guest bed with two of the fun animals on each side over the nightstands. I left him alone for 2 minutes with all the art and when I came back he said “I had an idea!”. I might have done a little happy dance over his brilliance with this one!
Leah says
Love the prints! Adorable ?
Melissa George says
Thanks Leah, their glasses make me happy every time I see them!
Dawna says
I would pick the Juliette Teardrop Mirror http://www.pier1.com/Juliette-Teardrop-Mirror/2965703,default,pd.html?cgid=mirrors#nav=top&start=1
or the Reflections Mirror http://www.pier1.com/Reflections-Mirror/2620831,default,pd.html?cgid=mirrors
Melissa George says
Oh wow, I hadn’t seen that Juliette mirror before – it’s stunning!
Rhonda Brugger says
I have been looking for inspiration for a gallery wall in my “new to me” home (moving in May) and your idea’s with the Pier 1 products are absolutely perfect for me! My favorite piece is the 30″x60″ jumbo metal and rattan framed piece for a perfect jumping off point to reflect my personality. The size is perfect for the sofa wall that I am imagining and the natural element of bringing the outdoors in is exactly what I want to display. I love Pier 1’s wall art selection as well, whimsical, colorful and unique, just like me! Your idea of layering the gallery wall enables me to use the rattan frame for a very long time as I can change out the art by mood, seasons and holidays.
Melissa George says
That piece would be perfect over a sofa! It’s hard to find things for big spaces like that! Congrats on your new home!
Tricia says
Great execution! Love Pier1. I need to fill my walls.
love this.
http://www.pier1.com/White-Carved-Wall-Decor/2758003,default,pd.html?cgid=mirrors_wall_decor#sz=60&start=1&rd=decor-wall-decor_view-all
It would look great in my dining room with my Pier 1 dining chairs – http://www.pier1.com/Adelle-Dining-Chair—Smoke-Blue/2693348,default,pd.html#internal-search-product&autocplt=adelle
but wish I had a beach theme going…great stuff at Pier1 this season.
Melissa George says
That would look so great with your chairs!!!! And I totally agree on the beach stuff, every time I’ve been in the store this year I wish I had an entire beach house to decorate.
Susan says
Pier1 has some great curtains for my family room! Thanks for the nudge to check them out.
Melissa George says
You are so welcome! I always forget them as a curtain source as well, but they have some great options! I had some of theirs on the short list for our bedroom curtains.
Holly says
We are currently re-painting our bedroom so I’m in the market for a new area rug or additional wall art!
Melissa George says
They have some great rugs!
Stacey Keeling says
Melissa, what you did on your stair wall is wonderful! Layering was such a great idea and the spectacled animals are adorable! I’m wondering where I could put those in my house. Wouldn’t they be fun in a guest room?
Melissa George says
Yes! When I ordered them, the two options I had decided on for placement was the guest room or the stairwell! #greatminds ?
Jaclyn Lorimer says
Ohmygosh those animals in glasses are so stinkin cute! Love the layering idea as well–thanks Melissa!
XO, Jaclyn
Nicole birmingham says
I love the way you put this together! It changed the whole look of the stairwell!
Dee says
Love the marquee wall and the concept of layering. I took a look at the Pier 1 site and fell in love with the ruffled shower curtain. My bathroom is in need of an upgrade.
Melissa George says
Oh, a ruffled shower curtain and some new accessories for the bathroom would be a great use of the gift card!
Kelsey G says
I want one of those swing patio chairs that pier one sells.
Melissa George says
Yes! Those are SO cool!
Megan Ferchen says
What a fun and unique idea! Thanks for sharing.
Garelyn Williams says
Ashworth Nightstand – Chestnut
Jack B says
I like the Tortoise Glass Lamp. It would look nice in a small home office I’m putting together soon.
savannah hadden says
I would get one of their papasan chairs I have been wanting one for a while for our patio!
Kimberly O says
So many things! I would start with the Whitewashed Wall Organizer. Thanks!
Throuthehaze says
I would get some pillows. My favorite is this one: http://www.pier1.com/Boho-Embroidered-Bird-Medallion-Pillow/3031934,default,pd.html?cgid=pillows