Oh sweet victory — the long-debated office art project is finally finished, and I’m ready to share how it all came together. We transformed a big, intimidating blank wall into a rotating gallery of postcards and small artworks, and the process was easier and more satisfying than we expected.
We based our design on a gallery of postcard ledges we saw in a local magazine and used painter’s tape to mock up the spacing on the wall until we landed on a layout we liked. The plan was simple: four rails above the desk, each 64 inches long, evenly spaced to create a cohesive, architectural look.
The build was economical. We bought four 1 x 2 pine boards, screws, and anchors — the whole project totaled under $25. Because the shelves are lightweight and intended to hold postcards and other small flat pieces, we didn’t need heavy-duty hardware or complex construction. The simplicity is part of the charm: narrow painted rails that let the postcards be the focal point.
Rather than constructing narrow shelves with raised ledges, we used a Dremel Trio to route a small straight groove along each pine board, creating a slot for postcards to rest in. The Dremel was a Father’s Day gift, and it turned out to be perfect for creating clean, shallow grooves. Before starting, we cut the boards to length with a miter saw — a task most home improvement stores can do for you if you don’t own one.
Before routing the actual shelves, we practiced on scrap wood and read the tool instructions. That saved us from mistakes: the Dremel tends to pull to one side, so using the included metal guide made it possible to make straight grooves. Because the 1 x 2s were narrower than the tool guide, we clamped two boards together to stabilize them and ran the guide about half an inch from the outer edge at a depth of roughly one-third of an inch. Once we worked out a system for moving clamps as we went, the routing was quick and enjoyable — three boards took about ten minutes.
After routing, we sanded the edges by hand, primed, and applied one coat of semi-gloss white paint. We considered staining or using color, but white felt right because it reads like trim and lets the postcards pop visually. The subtle finish keeps the shelves architectural and understated so the art remains the star.
For installation we chose a straightforward approach: screw through the front of each board into drywall anchors. Since the rails are light and shallow, that method provides ample support for postcards and small paper items. We used 2.5-inch screws and matched anchors so about half an inch of the screw tip would protrude into the wall. Anchors allowed us to position the semi-visible screwheads evenly across the front of each rail for a consistent look.
To ensure consistent placement we measured carefully. The shelves are spaced nine inches apart vertically, which leaves enough room for a vertically oriented 5 x 7-inch piece. After marking a level line for the bottom shelf, we measured nine-inch increments using a vertically leveled yardstick and blue painter’s tape to hold it while marking the wall. With pilot holes drilled and anchors set, I used a one-person trick to make alignment easier: I threaded the screws through the rail on the ground so their tips poked out the back. Holding the rail up, the screw tips naturally slid into the anchors, helping keep the shelf in place while I tightened the screws one-handed. This method kept everything straight and prevented slipping while securing the boards.
Hanging all four rails took about 45 minutes because we double- and triple-checked measurements, but the result was worth the care: perfectly level, secure rails that feel solid and intentional. The rails quietly anchor the display while allowing for easy rotation of cards and small artwork.
Filling the gallery was a joy. Many readers kindly sent postcards from around the world, and we mixed those with photos, greeting cards, and lightweight ephemera like flattened foil wrappers and magazine-cut art backed with cardstock to match the weight and presence of a postcard. The result is an eclectic, ever-changing wall of small treasures that’s fun to update and rearrange.
We haven’t yet settled on a permanent solution for preventing pieces from blowing off in a breeze — we’ll likely wait until we actually encounter the problem. Possible non-permanent options include backing items with sturdy mat board, using removable adhesive tack, or experimenting with magnets or Velcro. We want to preserve the flexibility of the display, so we prefer reversible solutions.
Thank you to everyone who contributed postcards and little artworks — we keep a stash for rotating the display, so even if a card doesn’t appear in the first photos it will still be enjoyed. If you’d like to send something, our address is PO Box 36665, Richmond, VA 23235.
Finally, we’d love to hear about other creative ways you’ve displayed collections, whether flat items like postcards or three-dimensional finds such as small sculptures or repetitive objects. Gallery-inspired walls, themed shelves, and clever groupings make for great inspiration — spill your ideas and experiences!