Hello!

This “Stay and Shelter” order had me looking at my walls a little too much. Enough so, that I noticed all the dings, dents and dirt that has graced them. My family went to work. I looked up on Pinterest on how to clean walls and away we went. I used this tactic of a double bucket with half clean water and half water plus ¼ cup of vinegar. First we used the Swiffer and swept each wall. Then we cleaned with the vinegar solution followed up with the clean water and then dried it with a clean cloth. My husband followed behind with a paint brush and cleaned up all the dings. My house looks amazing! In the process, we had to order online and pick up from the back of Sherwin Williams because we did not have all the paint needed. When I arrived the lady said, “You are not the only one doing this. We did $8k in business yesterday!”

This “Stay and Shelter” has given us an opportunity to slow down, take stock and create action. It reminded me of a post I did last year about creating a gallery wall for your images. Now that you have been forced to slow down and look at your walls, this is the time to update or create a wall gallery of all your favorite loved ones.

Everyone smiles a bit bigger or laughs when the time hop app pops up on their daily feed and reminds them of a great moment from their past. The reason they smile is because it brings them back to a time in their life that they cherished.  It is a moment that they valued so much that they wanted to share it with their world, and now they only reflect on it if the app decides to pop it back into their life.

 You have the ability to create that feeling everyday in your life. Create a wall or two of true moments that capture the timeline of your life. All images have meaning, posed or spontaneous. They capture your life at that very moment; from the anticipation and excitement of the arrival of a newborn to the inquisitiveness of a toddler and then the transformation of your little one into a mini you. A gallery wall will capture the growth and transition of life’s biggest and smallest moments.

On the walls of our home our three girls see themselves. They see their life full of love. Through the images around our home they have found firm ties to family and absolute understanding of where they fit. While so many memories fade with time, many of theirs are solidified and strengthened by these daily reminders of the things they have done, the places they have visited and the people who love them so dear.

They are reminded of the fun we have from season to season. They get excited and begin to talk about our next adventure to the pumpkin patch, the sunflower field, downtown or eating S'mores in the back yard. I love that they are able to recall these memories and I love having conversations with them. They remember so much from the tiniest detail to the corny joke I said. These conversations keep people, places and things alive in our home and smiles about the future.

Do not be afraid to print large. Choose your favorite and go big. This is the one photograph that will bring a smile everyday to your life. It will remind you of how blessed you are and why you make the decisions you do daily. Go big and then create a gallery surrounded with other images that tell the story of your family’s life. Add trinkets, letters, or signs that have meaning to you and before you know it you will have a gallery that upholds the most basic necessity of a family, love.

Creating a gallery in your home is an investment, but I truly believe it is one of the best investments I have made. The galleries in my house have transformed it into a home. I have smiles, emotions, experiences and great memories that surround my family and I.

Here are a few resources to get you started visually: Gallery Arrangement Option 1    Gallery Arrangement Option 2

If you are unsure or overwhelmed of where to begin, just ask! I love creating galleries and assisting my clients create the perfect wall of memories in their home. It starts with an awesome photo shoot and then an online trip to Hobby Lobby or Michael’s, with coupons in hand!

Cheers,

Jamielynn and Nick

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 847-401-7301