It’s normal to itch to decorate a new house. At least, I’d like to think that it is. I have to admit that I went on a shopping spree last year when we moved to this house — furniture, appliances, blinds, curtains, linen, lamps… You name it, I probably bought it. Then, Speedy said, “Stop it already!” He gets nervous about these things, you know? He’s so OLD in that sense, really. By Christmas time, I stopped, but not after I had the dining area wallpapered and the living area repainted. I also took down the bamboo blinds that were so prone to molds and installed curtains in their place. I guess it’s a woman thing — something men can’t seem to understand.
But, like I said, I stopped a week or so before Christmas. The itch was gone, to be honest. The bare walls on the staircase and in the second floor corridor that I had been dying to fill with interesting things were forgotten. There were other and more important expenses to attend to. A car that was literally falling to pieces (although Speedy would never admit that), and Sam graduating from high school and starting college.
It’s been over five months since Christmas, Speedy had taken care of the car problem and Sam is in college. A few nights ago, Speedy was poring over old photos and, chuckling, pointed out how much thinner we used to be. A day later, I was in the supermarket and I saw this lovely picture frame with visible wood grains — so lovely that I had to touch it. But the moment I did, I was immediately disappointed. Plastic. The wood grains were painted. But that got me thinking. Plain wood picture frames with no finishing are quite inexpensive. And my mind wandered to the bare walls…
I’m going to start buying photo frames a few pieces at a time. And I’m going to fill that wall in the corridor with family photos — of Sam and Alex when we could still carry them, of Sam and Alex in school, of Speedy and me some forty pounds ago, of us taken during vacations, family gatherings, flying kites, swimming, playing with the dogs and cats… How long it will take, I have no idea. But I know I won’t start putting up the framed photos until I have enough to fill the wall. That ought to give the stark bare wall a more personal feel instead of hanging strangers’ paintings on it.
black and white framed photos look really nice. i did that to our hallway.puno ng pics from our wedding upto now.
Ms. Connie, bakit nga ba ganun mga babae, once we start having improvements done, it gets so addictive that you can’t stop. My mama, bless her my sisters and I are the same way.
Re: photos, yes, that is a brilliant idea. And pls. don’t forget to include that photo of you and Speedy in Albay. And also the ones of Alex and Sam na stolen shots?
Caren, yep. Was thinking just that. Thin frames with huge faces. Dramatic effect.
Lemon, I think it’s part of
creativecreating a homey and comfortable ambience in the house. Like, I’m not into ornaments as in knick-knacks but I love playing with colors and textures.When Sam and Alex turned tweens, almost all of their photos are stolen shots LOL Suddenly, camera shy!
Your post made me look over our family room wall filled with
our photos- wedding picture of my daughter,my son’s graduation pic,daughter playing in the snow,our first apo while he’s
sleeping,etc.-all in gold-colored wooden frames.Sometimes I
buy an artwork,discard it and use the frame for our photos.
Oftentimes I buy it at the thrift shop and very inexpensive.
My daughter’s drawings and watercolor when she was younger grace the opposite wall. All were “custom-framed” in matted black.It’s priceless!!
The picture of the Lady of the house and her “Brad Pitt” will
look lovely on the green wall.
Connie,I love the “iron work”.It’s classy,not gaudy.
Oh, now that you mention it — I have a briefcase full of Sam and Alex’s early artwork. And Alex has drawing pads full of her manga drawings. Ooooh, I will include them. Thanks for the idea.
I think the wooden photo frames will look great with this nice lighting. I love the high ceiling.
Ooohh, me too. High ceilings are so good with the tropical climate. Keeps the heat up and away!
Is it true that the pin lights consume so much electricity? The husband and I fought about that hehe but I let him win that time bec. the electrician agreed with him. Come to think of it, baka sinuhulan niya, hehe.
If you’re using halogen bulbs, yes, the wattage is high. Speedy’s allergic to halogen lights LOL
if i may suggest? if you don’t wish to hang the frames on hooks/nails, you may want to try putting them up on really narrow shelves, and make them look like they’re just standing
against the wall? you may need two to three layers/rows though. i wish i had a photograph to send you; i’ve seen them on martha stewart living and metropolitan homes magazines. there’s a photo of this concept on page 341 of the ikea catalog – http://ikeaeu.ecweb.is/09/msag/ – if you’d care to check. i’m suggesting this so it might be easier for you to change the frames/photos – specially when the decorating itch strikes again – what with the volume of photos you surely have!
Oooh, I saw it and it’s lovely. But there will be some construction cost involved. Have to do some math first. But thanks for the suggestion. I’m gonna spend the next hour poring over the magazine haha
I thought of black solid frames right away too when I saw the wall. Can’t wait to see the whole thing once it’s filled
. As always, black goes with everything..hehe.
Hi Connie,
Yes, go ahead and cover that bare wall with your personal and family photographs, even the photos of places and things you’ve taken yourself and probably those taken by your daughter.
My own walls where I live are all covered up with frames, assorted candle holders, mirrored frames, and other prints.
We woould love to see in the future, how you will take care of that wall.
Ciao!
Hi again, Connie! Too many things have kept me from staying in touch with you, and I see now that so much has happened to you and your family! I am happy for you!
I was quite impressed with the parts of your house that you showed here. May I know if you could recommend your building contractor? Is he expensive? Sana naman hindi … =)
Thanks, and more power!
Crisma, we bought this house already completely built. I have no idea who the architect is.