Home Decor

Tips on Creating the Perfect Gallery Wall by Mackenzie Collier

Source: Framebridge/Leslee Mitchell

Source: Framebridge/Leslee Mitchell

Gallery walls are always a hit and is something that can help show more of your personality in your home. They can bring so much life to a boring wall in and transform the space completely. They can be as big or small as you want and can range from any color or style—whichever suits your space and personality. 

Now, we can all agree about how much we like them, but putting one together can seem like a hard task; one that might get you discouraged. Don't back out now, keep reading! We're going to give you a few tips on creating the perfect gallery wall that complements and adds to your ideal space! 

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1. Plan out your purpose

 

 

Maybe you want to fill a boring blank wall. Maybe you have a few pictures you love but you don't know what to do with them. Maybe you just want a gallery wall since they're fun and cute. Whatever the reason is, make sure you plan out your purpose or the story you want your gallery wall to tell. Do you want it have a certain style or color theme? Think it out, brainstorm, get inspired, and most of all have fun with it.

Source: Domino

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2. Choose art that you love

This should go without saying, but it's still something we felt was important to add. If a picture goes with your theme but you kind of hate it, don't add it to your gallery wall! The best thing about a gallery wall is that it can be eclectic and incorporate a bunch of different things you love—just make sure it's something you actually love, not something you think you should love!

Source:Elle (Sweden)

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Figure out your ideal size and space 

First thing's first: pick out the perfect spot in your home for your gallery wall. Try getting creative and use spots you wouldn't normally think of like stairways and corners. Once that's covered, it's all about the ideal size you want for your gallery wall. Sizing all has to do with the space you have to work with, your style, and the number of items you have to contribute. Do you want a bold gallery wall with just a couple of big items or do you want a bigger one that's a little more spread out with numerous pictures and pieces to add? Make sure to make good use of your planned space while considering style and budget.

Source: Inside Out

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4. Plan and measure

Planning out your gallery wall is key for creating the perfect one. Lay out all your frames on the floor and see which color and styles you believe to be complimentary of each other. This gives you an idea of how you want to arrange your pictures based on their individual style. Next step is to get butcher paper to trace the frames and arrange it on the wall to make sure everything is perfect before you start drilling or command stripping. 

 

Source: Momtastic

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5. Work your way out 

Starting in the middle and working your way out is a great way to anchor your collection. A good tip is to start with your boldest, biggest, or favorite piece and then add all the other pictures around it. This makes it easier for planning since you are drawing a lot of your inspiration from your favorite piece or one that sticks out the most. Try to not be symmetrical and use an odd number of frames or items—nothing's perfect and that makes it fun!

 

Source: Mor Til Mernee

 

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6. Don't forget the alternatives

Last but not least, don't forget about all the other items you can use to create your ideal gallery wall. There is so much to choose from: mirrors, clocks, plants, macrame, decorative objects, baskets—you name it. This is an expression of you and what you love so make sure to show that in any way possible. 

 

Source: Love Chic Living

Easy enough, right? Don't forget to have fun with it and comment to let us know what has worked for you! 

 

March Design Favorites Round Up by Mackenzie Collier

Source: Anthropologie

March came and went, which was a good thing here in the MCI office since we were super busy, producing fresh designs left and right! This month, we also introduced a new design service called Room Service—which has been pretty fun and exciting. March was great for design, and we're so excited to move forward and spring into April. 

Of course, like always, we end the month with a roundup of a few of our favorite things, which we featured each Friday on our Instagram

Anthropologie Tulip Chair 

This gold velvet tulip chair was our first Friday Fave for spring, and it couldn't have been a better choice! This chair from Anthro is a biomorphic design piece, which means it draws inspiration from natural patterns and organisms. We also love how it's a vintage inspired piece from the 40s, and you can customize it to whichever color and/or fabric you feel works best for your space. 

Source: Anthropologie

Caressi Colours Kitchen Taps

These fun stainless steel kitchen taps are so fun and a great way to brighten any kitchen without completely conforming to one specific color. These taps come in 12 different colors, which makes it even harder to choose!

Source: Caressi

FLOR Palm Reader Rug

Textiles are a great way to incorporate trends, and we love the use of the currently-trending palm pattern here! FLOR square tiles are perfect for any size room, and each square can be easily replaced or clean when needed. Being 100% recyclable, these are perfect for just about any home—especially those with kids! That's a sustainable design trend that we are over the moon about! 

Source: FLOR

Cathy Terepocki Ceramic Stools

These ceramic stools from Anthropologie were a favorite from Aleah, and we totally understand why. They are multipurpose and can be used as alternative seating in just about any space since they are easy to move around and can go just about anywhere. The geometric motifs and metallic accents are an added bonus. 

Source: Anthropologie

Which one of these is your fave? Comment below and let us know!

Room Service by MCI: A New Interior Design Package! by Mackenzie Collier

Guys—it's here. We are so excited to announce the launch of our new, made-to-order design service: Room Service by MCI!
*Cue upbeat dance music*

Great design, made to order.

Room Service is a flat-fee package that delivers a fully developed design plan to your doorstep in under two weeks. We work together to understand your design vision, then give you all the resources needed to achieve your dream space. No matter where you are in the world, we get to know you, your personal journey, and your unique style to curate a design that is exclusive to you and functional for your everyday life. You'll get complete personalization and transparency, without the hidden expenses. 

For more information and a full break down of the Room Service Package, make sure to check out our Room Service Page!

Photo by Joanne Encarnacion 

The first delivery.

We kicked off the service with our dear friend, fitness and lifestyle blogger Joanne Encarnacion (aka GoFitJo), and it was such a delight.

Joanne and her family just moved into a beautiful mid-century double A-frame Eichler home in the San Francisco Bay Area. They've dubbed it the Highwood Haus, and it is an absolute dream! 

We wanted to create a retreat-like atmosphere for Jo and her family that fosters inspiration and creativity and cultivates a sense of wellbeing and harmony, all while honoring the Eichler aesthetic. Most importantly, we wanted to make sure to reflect the vibrant family that inhabits the space!

We had so much fun designing their amazing home and are happy to say they were completely thrilled with the results! We can't wait to see their design come to life.

To stay up to date on the design process, make sure to check out @GoFitJo on Instagram! 

Photo by Joanne Encarnacion 

Mackenzie's Mood Board by Mackenzie Collier

Photo by: The Culture Trip

Hey guys, it's Mackenzie!
I'm changing it up this week from the normal Friday Fav blog post and pulling inspiration from my personal pinterest board. As well as producing really awesome designs, I am planning a trip to Bali and I can't wait to get even more inspired by the beauty of Indonesia. I can't talk about my Pinterest without showing at least one of the beautiful pictures of what I I plan to be immersed in this Summer!

Now that my obsession of going to Bali is out of the way, we can focus our attention back on interior design and various products and ideas I am all about right now!

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Serene kitchen dreams.

The serene green blue cabinets paired with the marble backsplash creates the ultimate calm and peaceful kitchen. Also love the blank cabinets with no ornaments—super calming.

Photo by: My Living

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Giant cactus in the living room, yes.

Live in the desert and still can't get enough of cacti! Placing an oversized potted cactus in the living room is the perfect way to bring a little bit of what we love about the outside, inside. 

Photo by: SF Girl by Bay

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Bring a little bit of Morocco in your home.

This cool, coastal, moroccan style dresser is definitely understated and set perfectly with the white walls and warm wood chair and picture frame. Navy, white and warm wood pairs so perfectly together!

Photo and dresser by: Anthropologie 

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Ditch the kitchen cabinets, it's all about drawers.

Having drawers in your kitchen calls for easy access, organization, efficiency and of course, style. 

Photo by: Apartment Therapy

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Bath and shelves.

Not only does this seem like the most ideal place to take a bath after a long day, but the added shelves on both sides for storage are simple and genius! Towel, bath bombs and essential oils all in arms reach...ahhhh.

Photo by: Home Made in Heaven

Sales are Here: Our Fav Products for Less by Mackenzie Collier

Sales are an excuse to shop and spend some of the money you've been stashing away for your next vacation. President's Day just passed, and a few of our favorite stores are having a sale on some of our favorite items—items that we passed up before and now, we can't. Maybe you need a new chair in the office or a couple of throw pillows to spruce up the living room? Maybe you don't think you need anything at all until you see a gorgeous media console on sale at West Elm. To help you shop a little less, we decided to give you a couple of our favorite items on sale right now.
Warning: If this leads you to the website, with five extra items in your cart; we will not take the blame... 

West Elm

Urban Outfitters

Anthropologie

Although not listed, make sure to check out some of the cool sofas on sale at Article... if you dare!