Full Color Family Photos

I've always defaulted to black and white for family photos I put on display. I think maybe it feels a little more formal.


But lately I've been super drawn to family photos in color. It was this gallery wall in Ralph Lauren's home that first caught my eye.


But then this home on APT with LSD fully converted me. I think the trick to pulling off the look is very thin, simple frames.


I know I would be instantly drawn to this wall as a visitor! Wouldn't you? I'm dying to put one of these walls in our next place.

I think the blocks of color here make this arrangement especially artful - a mostly red/orange tinted photo, photos in mostly blues and one that's mostly all green tinted. More neutral photos fill in the gaps. There is beauty up close in the individual shots and then standing back, the arrangement has a lovely abstract flow. As they say, it's a lot of work to look effortless. :)


PS If you don't mind frames that are a little larger, I'd go with this two-pack from Michaels I used in this project (and here's a shot of the frames in their packaging). SUCH a great deal and the frames are perfectly slim and modern.
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21 comments:

  1. Bethany [at] Powell Brower HomeApril 5, 2012 at 8:09 AM

    you know what, youre right, it makes you want to go look at them a little more than b/w does. and - do you remember a few years back (heck prob 10 by now, she's had so many different features) when Rita Koenig's apartment had that fireplace wall with polaroids. I LOVED that! I woulda spent an hour looking at every pic.

    Bethany
    www.PowellBrowerHome.com

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  2. UnknownApril 5, 2012 at 8:43 AM

    I just spent the last your browsing your blog! I love it! I'm getting ready to close on a new house so I've been looking for some design tips and inspiration and I found it with your blog!

    -Katelyn

    www.katelynshelby.me

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  3. amber wallaceApril 5, 2012 at 8:48 AM

    Wow! That's amazing, i love that wall. And thanks to you I've been using those frames for almost 2 years. I go buy them up when there are coupons and stock up. They are the best!

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  4. Erika . . . with a KApril 5, 2012 at 9:29 AM

    I love all versions of photo walls! They are personal to each family and home and I just love them!

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  5. SabrinaApril 5, 2012 at 9:36 AM

    I love those frames! Awhile back I bought a bunch at Micheals and did a photo collage with them. I thought I only wanted black & white photos. But then I looked at all our wedding and baby photos and they were so colorful, I did the whole collage in color!
    I love it!

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  6. FerrenApril 5, 2012 at 9:43 AM

    I love this. I'm trying to do a salon style wall in my home right now but the frames don't match. It's making me nuts! This is the way to go!

    Ferren
    http://boxandhound.blogspot.com
    http://www.easyart.com/trends

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  7. lisaroyApril 5, 2012 at 10:44 AM

    I've always done black and white pics too for family photos but those orange framed colour photos look so chic :)

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  8. Amanda || Eclectic SnapshotsApril 5, 2012 at 11:24 AM

    I love black and white photos ... But even more with the fun colored frames!

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  9. Like Me SomeApril 5, 2012 at 3:21 PM

    It's nice to see color!!!

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  10. LiannaApril 5, 2012 at 3:45 PM

    OOO - I have never seen pic done with the colored frames. I like it. I can't even decide which I like the best. Either way will turn out cute!

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  11. la la LovelyApril 5, 2012 at 5:32 PM

    I totally love colored photos... so lively...especially when they are all clumped together like that!
    xo . trina

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  12. LindsayApril 5, 2012 at 6:00 PM

    Great finds, Jenny. I really like the grouping with the bold red frames- what a statement! I look forward to seeing how you implement a colorful photo wall in your own home!

    onbittersweethill.blogspot.com

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  13. EllenApril 5, 2012 at 6:39 PM

    Hi!I just found your blog and i just love it! greetings from Finland! :)

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  14. Kate BApril 5, 2012 at 9:48 PM

    Get out of my head! I am in the process, this very morning, of taking photos out of their various frames, with the intention of heading to ikea for dozens of black painted white matted photo frames to create a uniform gallery. Will be a mix of black and white and color photos, but I am gambling on it working as long as the frames are uniform. Great to see this visual reinforcement! Thank you, Jenny - love all your practical, clever and achievable (yay!) project ideas.

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  15. Maria M.April 6, 2012 at 1:33 AM

    This is so great! I have been wanting to do a gallery wall in our living room for so long -- I think this gave me just the inspiration I needed. Thanks! ;-)

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  16. Family guy checksApril 6, 2012 at 6:30 AM

    Love this blog, it gives more information.

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  17. Laurie from Laurie Jones HomeApril 6, 2012 at 6:50 AM

    I find that my taste is also changing when it comes to photographs and vignettes for the wall. I really like different frames, sizes shapes and colors with my black and white photos where years ago all my frames had to be exactly the same and I also like color photos but tend to like all those frames to look the same. Great post!

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  18. Designology InteriorsApril 6, 2012 at 7:52 AM

    I just made a collage with DIY glossy orange frames and I smile every time I pass by them.
    http://designologyinteriors.blogspot.com/2012/03/pinterest-challenge.html

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  19. Lisa @ Shine Your LightApril 6, 2012 at 4:13 PM

    While I do love black & white and have a wall of old family photos all in b&w, I also love photos of my redheaded children in color. Also I think a wall of color photos is a great shot of color in a neutral space. Everyone who comes into my house looks at a big wall of them in my kitchen - they are FUN!

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  20. Mrs. HandyvergerApril 6, 2012 at 10:21 PM

    I love your gallery wall. You're right; that's definitely the type of thing I wouldn't be able to resist checking out in a friend's home. :)

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  21. pregnancy bridesmaid dressesApril 12, 2012 at 2:04 AM

    It's a great idea to have family photos on wall.So sweet!

    ReplyDelete

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