Trash To Treasure Gallery Wall

This summer I worked on remodeling my bathroom by adding a fresh coat of paint, a new mirror, lighting and as a finishing touch, a colorful gallery wall. Can you believe everything I used came from thrift store junk? I choose the pieces that had an interesting shape and the potential for prettiness-because I know what paint can do!

Below is everything I used to create the look above: 
Stainless steel platters, outdated Avon recipe plates, cast iron owl trivets...stuff you might just throw away, or transform like I did!

Here's what I did to create my gallery wall: 

Eclectic Style: Creating my Gallery Wall

Well, folks, I am excited to reveal to you what I have been busy, busy making

and finally hanging with the help of my husband--my gallery wall! 

This past year, all I had hanging on these dining room walls were two 

framed pictures of each of my boys. Traditional and safe. But a little boring. 

I wanted something more modern, funky, and daring. At first, when

I would see photos and art on walls like this,  I thought the space looked 

cluttery and hodge-podge.

But, at last, the idea has grown on me into fascination and a love for this eclectic way to 

show off all your personal favorite photos and pieces of art. I've seen many amazing 

ones in blogland and have often stopped to compliment the makers. 

So, finally, here's a photo stream of my great reveal...

                                  

Some of the things that make up my display are very personal to me, 

                                 including the first crayon and paint artwork of my youngest son, matted 

                                and framed; a few handmade paper ornaments made by a friend; family photos,

         yellow flowers from a favorite park, and what I call my "numbered monogram"

 to symbolize our last name and that there are four of us.

The frames I used in my gallery wall were inexpensive new ones from 

Target and a few old ones I had laying around-- spray painted either

white or gray to give them a fresh look. 

And on one of them I Mod Podged vintage hymnal pages.

I love that the colors in my gallery wall include some of my old favorites

like blue and green and new ones like the combination of gray and yellow. 

I'm so happy with the results--I love looking at all the meaningful parts to my gallery wall. 

There is another side to the wall that I've filled with more handmade fun stuff, 

but I will save that reveal for another day soon... 

Well, that sums up my gallery wall reveal. Thanks for visiting ReMadeSimple!  

P.S If you entered my giveaway contest last week, you'll want to come back tomorrow for my announcement of the winner of the $50 Cutting Edge Stencil Giveaway! 

Linking up with these parties and this party.

DIY Numbered Monogram

I love monograms. And numbers. This is a combination of both
that I made to represent our last name + how many family members
their are. J to the fourth power = fun with math + art to start my
gallery wall in my dining room. And a new love affair with yellow.

Here's what I used in this project:

• vintage linen napkin
• matte Mod Podge
• large wooden letter 
• small wooden number
• acrylic craft paint
• fabric scissors
• paint brush

I love to repurpose, so to go along with this theme, 

I used a pretty lemon yellow vintage linen napkin I found

 at a thrift store a few months ago.

I cut the cloth into little rectangles using fabric scissors.

I applied the matte Mod Podge onto the monogram with a 

brush, laid one piece of fabric down flat over it.

I then brushed more Mod Podge over the top of the fabric piece,

saturating it and smoothing it flat against the wood. 

I repeated steps 2-3, overlapping fabric pieces onto the top 

and sides of the wooden letter until it was covered completely.

To finish, I painted my number using Deco Art 

acrylic paint in a dark gray.

 After everything was dry, I nailed the my numbered monogram

to my gallery wall!

I love how it adds some fresh modern style to

my previously traditional wall. I plan on surrounding the wall

 with photos of my family, nature and some cheerful crayon and paint

works of art done by my boys. I can't wait to until it's done!

Stay tuned for a post in a few weeks showing the finished gallery wall...

Thanks for tuning in!

Linking up with these parties and this party.