Building Our Family Wall
How a Few Old Photos Turned into a Lifetime of Memories
Robert and I started our family wall when we first got married. We went through old photos at our parents’ houses, copying pictures of our parents, aunts, uncles, and loved ones. We added siblings too, but things really took off when our son Wolfgang was born. I remember finding a baby photo of Robert’s dad, and his hands were exactly like our son’s. Those little details really connect the generations.
When we began, we had very little money, and that influenced our design choices. We stuck with black-and-white photos (pro tip: you can turn any colorful photo into black and white!), and we used simple, inexpensive black frames. Sure, we had a few framed professionally, but most were picked up at random stores. Some had mats, others didn’t. It didn’t matter. We embraced the variety. Sizes were all over the place too, and that’s part of the charm.
The key to starting your own family wall is choosing a space that has a great wall to showcase who you are. Hang the first larger photo near the middle, with a few smaller frames close to it. This lets you add more as you go, and the collection can naturally expand outward. Our family wall grew with each child, and so did our love for it. Since we flip houses, it became too much to pack and unpack all the time, so we planted it in our Berkshire home’s upstairs hallway. We started with one wall by the stairs, and now, 20-plus years later, it’s turned the corner and taken over three more walls!
Friends and family always stop to see who looks like who, and I often find myself walking by, wondering where the time went. Nothing about our wall is perfect. The frames are mismatched, just like us. Nothing’s expensive, and the arrangement is a little wild, but that’s what makes it special. It’s not about perfection; it’s about getting the people you love up on the wall.
I can’t recommend starting your own family wall enough. See where it takes you! My son-in-law has joined, and there are many more who will make their way up there, people I haven’t even met yet. Oh, and speaking of walls, don’t forget about books! Our new book is out today, so add that to your own collection. Happy reading, framing, and showcasing the ones you love!
