Entry Redo – Stairway Decor

So what do you do with that huge massive wall that extends from the first floor through to the second floor? I asked myself that question for two years. When we first moved in I did the prerequisite family pictures over the stairs. With Pinterest’s help I came up with all kinds of ideas that might be perfect stairway decor. I bought a variety of clocks with this idea of putting the time of each of our births on them and a quote or verse in vinyl. Another time I bought an awesome tapestry to put over the stairs. Still not sure what I’m going to do with the clocks or the tapestry!

After I painted the entry and stairway, I had to finally make a decision and get it done. I knew I wanted it to be elegant and dramatic. I also know my husband prefers simple. I kept going back to this one idea I saw on Pinterest when I wrote about minimalism. It’s very basic with large frames painted the same color as the walls. The one I saw on Pinterest was all white on white. I hoped it would work with the color I had chosen. You can see that pin HERE.

The frames I bought for the project are big chunky ornate frames, which meets my need for pretty & feminine. Painting them the same color as the walls is surprisingly dramatic, yet simple. My husband prefers things simple and uncluttered. Even though at first he kept asking what I was going to put in the frames. I think he finally understands and maybe even likes it.

Wall of Frames, DancingDishAndDecor — Pin to your favorite Pinterest board.

How I did it

1. I found my frames at yard sales and a local virtual yard sale site.
2. Before painting them I removed the glass and artwork and then scrubbed them clean using a brush to get in all the nooks and crannies
3. Painted them with 2-3 coats of paint
4. I cut templates from paper the size and shape of each frame and placed the templates on the wall to determine placement. I actually left them there several days before hanging the frames. I wanted to “live” with them a while to make sure I liked the placement from every angle.
5. Used command strips to hang them

I had a bit of trouble holding the frames in place and making sure they were level. On the largest one I actually taped the level to it when I positioned the command strips. I could not have hung them without my ever patient husband helping out! He held the ladder steady to keep me safe.

With command strips you apply one side to the clean wall, let it sit for a while. In the mean time you attach the other side of the velcro tape to the frame (or whatever your are hanging) and let that set. After the allotted time, connect the side that is attached to the wall to the side attached to the frame. Perfect!

I used them to hang this chalkboard in the dining room and some plates, too.