Today we’re sharing how to strike the right balance when deciding whether to hang artwork or family photos on different walls. We’ll reveal where we’ve subconsciously placed personal photos in our own home and why those spots feel right. You’ll also find ideas for personalizing walls beyond the usual posed snapshot, plus an update on our unexpectedly shed-obsessed spring at the beach house—there’s a silver lining after a yearlong delay that’s saving us money and making us excited for summer. And, full disclosure: I finally hopped on the crystal train. Yes, that’s me, unexpectedly into prisms and rainbows.
What’s New
- Work is underway on the patio and the new shed at the beach house. The duplex is a little further behind—the sheds are framed, but not finished—yet everything is shaping up toward a busy, productive spring full of outdoor updates.
- If you want context on how the yard and shed plans evolved, we’ve discussed this project in previous episodes and posts where you can see planning photos and the original metal shed that came with the house.
- Plans changed several times—between initial sketches, layout updates, and the actual installation—but we’re finally seeing those ideas take shape on site.
- We also shared updated layouts when our hot tub arrived last summer; the design evolved a few more times since then. For inspiration, you can look back at posts we’ve done about sheds and outdoor storage to see how those ideas translated into our own spaces.
Listener Question
- The photo above shows an older version of our bedroom, before we simplified the large family photo gallery above the bed. That simplification is part of what we call “quieting the room,” an approach we’ve discussed when talking about cozy minimalism and editing visual clutter from bedrooms.
- Some photos that used to live there now hang in our guest room above Sherry’s sewing and craft desk, which is a great example of redistributing artwork to maintain balance and interest throughout the house.
- We also love candid family images—like a shot of the kids playing on rocks at the beach. Those unposed moments, with natural light and imperfect expressions, often feel more meaningful than staged portraits because they capture memory and atmosphere.
- In the kitchen we enjoy a rotating family photo every day with our page-a-day calendar. We tape the daily images inside the mini mudroom cabinets to personalize each person’s cubby—a simple, joyful way to see new family photos each day without committing them permanently to a wall.
- Beyond photos, consider artwork made specifically to represent your family. Options include shadowboxes with painted wooden pegs, embroidered portraits, or custom paintings and sketches that capture the personalities and likenesses of your loved ones. We have a custom portrait of our kids in the foyer that brings warmth every time we pass it.
- We also enlarged a piece of kid artwork and hung it as a bold, large-scale display in our bonus room. Personal artwork doesn’t have to be subtle—oversized pieces can create a dramatic, playful focal point that still feels deeply personal.
- If you’re hunting for unique family art ideas, consider custom pieces from independent artists or artisan marketplaces. There are countless creative directions—illustrated family portraits, stylized character art, or handcrafted objects that represent each family member’s personality.
We’re Digging
- I’m enjoying hanging small crystal prisms in sunny windows—okay, call them glass window prisms. Two sets in our kitchen produce rainbows that sweep across cabinets and walls each morning, and they’ve been an unexpectedly cheerful addition to busy routines.
- We’re experimenting with placement for the best light and reflection, but so far the kitchen window has been the favorite because the dispersed colors brighten the whole space during morning routines.
- The idea came after reading about joyful small habits that add everyday delight. These little visual moments make a big difference in how a room feels.
If you’re trying to remember where we mentioned a particular recommendation from a past episode, we’ve compiled master lists of things we’ve been digging and the books we’ve recommended on our book club page. These resources make it easy to revisit favorite ideas and inspirations.
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Thanks for listening, and for following along as we balance art, family photos, and personal touches throughout our home.
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