Some nursery updates have happened. While we’re knee-deep in a kitchen project (more on that tomorrow morning if everything goes to plan), we wanted to share the full gallery-frame update for Clara’s room and explain what’s in each frame. We’ve always liked the idea of growing Clara’s art wall as she gets older, adding a few more frames and swapping others around as the collection evolves. Here’s how the wall looked before our latest round of changes, and what we have now that we’ve added and rearranged a few pieces.
Expanding a nursery gallery wall is one of the simplest ways to add character to the room. A curated mix of family photos, quirky prints, homemade pieces, and sentimental items gives the space personality and creates a focal point that grows with your child. Below is a clear rundown of everything we’ve framed on Clara’s wall so you can see how a varied display comes together.
- John’s baby photo and my baby photo — side-by-side comparisons are a sweet personal touch for a nursery and invite conversation about family resemblances.
- A funny doodle of Burger that a friend drew on my Facebook wall using Graffiti; I printed it out and framed it. It’s playful and uniquely ours.
- A girl-and-dog art print from Etsy that reminds us of Clara and our pup — a charming illustration adds warmth and ties into themes of childhood and pets.
- A personalized canvas that reads Clara Kenley, which brings a custom, nursery-specific element to the display.
- A stylized photo of Burger in a field of flowers that I edited and printed; the bright colors give the gallery a cheerful burst.
- Two faux butterflies mounted in a small shadowbox, backed with patterned paper for texture and a whimsical touch.
- A homemade silhouette of Clara cut out and placed on striped paper for a handcrafted, sentimental keepsake.
- A giraffe print — Clara adores giraffes and dogs, so animal-themed art is a natural fit for her room.
- A Skinny Cow magazine ad featuring a giraffe that I framed; magazine pages you own can be repurposed for personal decor.
- A large letter “P” decoupaged with colorful paper for a playful, three-dimensional accent.
- A typographic print of peas in a pod made entirely from the letter P repeated — a clever nod to our family name and a visually interesting piece.
- A silhouette of Burger that John ordered years ago and that we backed with patterned paper to make it more nursery-appropriate.
- Clara’s hospital bracelet, which I mounted on pink paper and put in a chunky frame without glass; it’s a tiny piece of family history.
- An old Sweet N Low magazine ad with an owl that I framed; like other magazine finds, it can be used for personal decor when you own the issue.
Several of these pieces cost nothing to frame because they were items we already had or prints we made ourselves. Our baby photos, the Burger doodle, the stylized Burger print, the magazine ads, and Clara’s hospital bracelet were free to display since they were sourced from personal materials or created in-house. No-cost wall art is a great way to fill a gallery and keep a nursery warm and personal without a big spend.
Many of the frames on Clara’s current wall originally hung in her first nursery, though in a slightly different arrangement and with a few swapped pieces. Reusing and reshuffling artwork is a smart, sustainable approach—mixing old favorites with new items keeps the gallery fresh while preserving sentimental value.
One favorite part of the wall is our baby pictures. Clara loves pointing at them and saying “Daddy baby!” and “Mommy baby!” We enjoy comparing features and imagining who she resembles more. Both of our baby photos show our mouths open in surprise or delight, which is an endearing connection. Family members often say she looks just like John, but I see little hints of myself in her expressions too. Either way, those photos are meaningful anchors for the gallery and a sweet way to include family history in the nursery decor.
Creating a nursery gallery wall is a mix of practicality and sentiment. It’s visually appealing, keeps little ones entertained during diaper changes, and showcases pieces that matter to your family. Whether you use store-bought prints, handmade keepsakes, or repurposed magazine pages, the key is balance: vary sizes, mix textures, and include personal items to make the arrangement uniquely yours.