▼

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Family Photos Straightened Up


I noticed that the photo display at our flagship Pottery Barn store yesterday had all the frames lined up, facing straight.

I'm probably the only one who noticed this subtle difference.
Perhaps it's because I noticed photos arranged this way at a designer friend's house recently, and it left an impression. She had a skirted console table that was covered in silver framed black and white photos all arranged facing straight. It was fabulous!

As opposed to this arrangement which angles the frames.
This is how I usually display my family photos.

Across the street from Pottery Barn is another home store.
I noticed they didn't get the memo! Their photos are arranged at an angle.

So, I went home and straightened my photos!
They have always been straight on the piano, but not on my dresser.

My bedroom dresser went from this....

...to this.
Much better!

While I was straightening our family photos, I realized that I don't even notice them anymore.
Probably because they are the same old ones from the last 5 years. It's time to update the gallery!

These days, it's a miracle if a photo actually makes it into a frame. They are forever imprisoned in the digital camera, or the photo storage file on the computer. I'm making it a project to set free some very special photos, frame them and line them up on display!
at

31 comments:

  1. The enchanted homeAugust 18, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    Guess I am a pioneer because all my photos ( and I have TONS) are all straight and not angled. Who knew! Glad I am doing something right:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. TretsweltAugust 18, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    Hallo Delores.Ich liebe Fotos weil mein Vater Fotograf war und mein Mann ist ein Hobby-Fotograf...Wunderschön sind die Foto Rahmen die du uns zeigst..danke.Schönes W.E.Bussi.Luciene.

    ReplyDelete
  3. TretsweltAugust 18, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    Hallo ...die übersetzung ist nicht perfekt,sorry.Bju.Lu.

    ReplyDelete
  4. LindaAugust 18, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    Oh my, this made me smile. I have a rustic sofa table behind my couch in the family room that is overloaded with photos in pewter frames (also too old - same digital camera/iPhoto issue). Every week, after my cleaning lady leaves, I go in and rearrange them back to how they were, at an angle. She always has them straight and center. Have to admit, I like them angled so much better... at least on that table.... elsewhere, I'll have to give it a shot and see.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Bonnie BeeAugust 18, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    it is just AMAZING what a little attention to detail can make.. and Delores, YOU certainly have an eye for details!!!! love this idea.. headed STRAIGHT to my frames...

    ReplyDelete
  6. jninecostumesAugust 18, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    Just today I was rearranging plates and pictures on my shelves. i like the straight look better. I think I will go back and redo. Thanks for the simple subtle update!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Upscale DownhomeAugust 18, 2011 at 11:42 AM

    What a subtle difference! I'm going to start noticing. I've always angled them; I guess I'll start straightening. I need to update just like you--a common problem in the digital era!

    ReplyDelete
  8. NanaDianaAugust 18, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    That is SOOO funny. About 6 months ago, in my entry hall, I put all my pictures in straight lines. Mostly because I had one big long picture that did not look right with the other angled ones. Hoo-I'm a trend setter- who knew? xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  9. Pinky at Designs by PinkyAugust 18, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    Ok, I just turned around to the shelves here in my "office", HA! and noticed that all my pictures are angled too!!!!!! I am going to straighten them NOW!!!! I am wondering what makes us decide on straight versus angled???? XO, Pinky

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousAugust 18, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    it must be photo update and scan time, i've ran into a couple of people talking about updating. i think they look wonderful faced forward, that's have i have them on top of the entertainment center, of course, you'd have to be nine feet tall to see them if you turned them, haha...

    ReplyDelete
  11. sharonavingerAugust 18, 2011 at 1:07 PM

    What a GREAT idea! I'm headed to our entertainment center right now to rearrange the family pictures there. Can't wait! Thanks so much for the suggestion and the lovely photographs!

    ReplyDelete
  12. GerryAugust 18, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    I'm straightening my frames immediately!

    ReplyDelete
  13. VictoriaAugust 18, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    just rearranged the photos of a client on Monday and I too did them all straight I think it really depends on the way they are most often viewed. Of course I love them straight.

    ReplyDelete
  14. under spanish mossAugust 18, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    We prefer the facing straight look. Who knew such a minor detail could make such an impact.
    Angela and Renee

    ReplyDelete
  15. niartistAugust 18, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    Gorgeous! Oh Delores, I need to frame so many pictures!

    Got some pictures of my dining room up on the blog - hope you can stop by and check them out! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Atelier de CampagneAugust 18, 2011 at 11:15 PM

    Hello ne friend! It was kind of you to befriend us and also to visit ur page and comment on our blog. I enjoy yours and will now become a follower. Say hello when you're on FB.

    Trino

    ReplyDelete
  17. MarlisAugust 19, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    OOh now i don't like mine angled anymore.. Must fix that this weekend. I know what you mean about photos "fading away" after they've been in the same spot for a while..
    xo marlis

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousAugust 19, 2011 at 6:13 AM

    I guess you will want to put a twitter icon to your blog. Just marked down the url, but I had to complete it by hand. Just my suggestion.

    My blog:
    dsl vergleichen und dsl vergleich anbieter

    ReplyDelete
  19. RettabugAugust 19, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    What a great suggestion, Delores! Your family photos are wonderful...such a happy group.

    I have a million pictures of our 13 grandchildren & 2 great-grands, not to mention our 7 kids & their spouses. Must get to work on straightening them all!

    fondly,
    Rett

    ReplyDelete
  20. quintessenceAugust 19, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    Great idea - I'm the same - now that everything is digital, it tends to all stay in iPhoto!! I have my photos arranged mostly straight - I love that look!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. JohnAugust 19, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    When I started working in the display department of an upscale department store, (eight years ago --yikes)! I was told then NEVER to arrange merchandise at an angle. Today, the fast rule is relaxed somewhat; I predict in a couple years, items lined up in straight lines will begin to look too regimented to the 'modern' eye, and we'll go back to angles once again...

    ReplyDelete
  22. Shannon@Cozy Home ScenesAugust 19, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    I just assumed it was a personal preference but the ones you showed do look neater so I will straighten mine. I love displaying family photos. They make a home look cozy.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Tanya AnuragAugust 19, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    I like the new straightened look.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Julio MuaoAugust 19, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    I love that you are so observant...on my way to create an angle free home.

    ReplyDelete
  25. LizabethAugust 19, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    I agree- putting them straight gives them a great presence. I love them on your piano with the throw on there...very classy! That mirror over your dresser is awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  26. VictoriaAugust 19, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    Hi, Delores,
    I always display my photos straight. In my opinion, nothing looks effortless on an angle. And, to me, the straight look makes the frames look less cluttered. i do like to break up the straight line, however, with some objets for visual interest. Have a great weekend.
    Victoria

    ReplyDelete
  27. KathyAugust 19, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    You are so right (mine in the computer never get into a frame)....I need to work on that...and loved the straight look..but what I really took away from this post is that scarff on the piano. I have a black grand piano also and need a scarff..perfect..thanks for that!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Room Service ~ Decorating 101August 20, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    I did not get the memo either and I loved it. I change out my photos all the time, so that I continue to enjoy them, once they leave the frames they go into my scrape books. I am the scrape book queen... did you know that? lol

    ReplyDelete
  29. Katy NoelleAugust 21, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    Yup! That's why I love Pottery Barn. They always have a fresh take on things and are so incredibly darn creative. But, I'm being redundant.

    I just have to say that getting the catalog is like getting a favorite magazine, no?

    ReplyDelete
  30. xinexAugust 26, 2011 at 7:43 PM

    You are right, Delores. It looks so mych neater. Thanks for the tip..Christine

    ReplyDelete
  31. FABBY'S LIVINGAugust 29, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    Very beautiful and neat Delores! I love all these vignettes. I always loved to decorate with family pictures, I always had a dresser with silver and silver plated frames, I still have it, but added Foo-dogs...I have a post. I love the way Marlis's is now. Thanks for sharing, pretty lady. FABBY

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate your comments! If you have any questions, I will answer them here, so be sure to check back!