09 November 2008

Holy Picture Choosing, Batman!

So, in all of my brilliance this weekend, I decided to hang a couple of tiny, decorative shelves in my living room to the left of the couch. This did not prove to be a good idea - between my inability to hang anything like that in a straight line, and the fact that the shelves were tiny and dwarfed by the giant picture that hung next to them, and also was in a frame that didn't match nearly as well as I had hoped, it just didn't end well. So I took the wretched things down, and they are now in a bag in the kitchen. However, in order to hang one, I had to make two giant holes in my wall for the screw brackets. This was not a wise decision. So, internet, I prevail upon thee to aid me in my decision of what to do with the holes in my wall. I will likely be filling them in with spackle and repainting them whenever I get around to repainting that wall; however, at the rate I go with painting, that will be...oh, about a quarter to never. So...


Option 1: Leave them there uncovered. Ew.


Option 2: Cover them with tiny framed pictures that have hanging-type things on the back. This is my current method of hole-covering, as I didn't have to make new holes or buy anything new to make it happen. The wall currently looks like this:



A close-up of the two pictures, chosen mainly for their frame color:
Option 2a: Leave the wall like this. Might be kind of odd, though, as the pictures are kind of tiny next to the bigger print.

Option 2b: Add more pictures. This could be problematic, though - I bought both of these frames over a year ago, and probably couldn't find matching ones to add. I could add some others from around the house, thus making more of a mosaic effect of frames, but that would involve lots more holes.


Option 3: Move this picture from over the DVD shelves across the room, and hang it so that it covers the holes. This might be OK - and the two large prints will create more of a balance that will detract from the fact that the couch isn't centered on the wall. Also, they're both Hood prints, so that would be thematic. However, I'd have to put more holes in the wall, both for this picture and when I move the other one so they're centered. Also, the green with which this print is matted does not match the green of the print that is currently on the wall, nor does it match the slipcover on the couch. Hard to tell from the picture, but if you've been in my living room, you know what I mean.
Option 4: Buy a frame for this poster that coordinates with the frame on the print that is already on the wall. Hang this one so that it covers the holes. This print has colors that match the room very well, and wouldn't need to be matted or custom framed or anything. I should be able to get a frame for 30 or 40 bucks at Michael's. The only problem is that then I have to buy said frame (although I was going to have to do so eventually anyway). And again, I would also have to put more holes in the wall and move the other picture so they're both centered.

Option 5: Buy another French memo board like this one and hang it sideways. This is a viable option, and likely cheaper than a new frame for the White House picture. However, it may well look uneven in size with the picture that is already there. There is also the matter of color - a green one like this would probably be too much green along that wall. I was thinking cream, if I went with this option.
There is also the danger of the thing getting so covered with pictures that you can't tell what's underneath. Case in point - the two red ones around the closet door. The vast majority of you who are reading this blog are represented on this thing - and if you're not, then I clearly need to take more pictures with you! Bonus points if you find yourself (or your spawn or pet) in one of the pictures.
Option 6: Hang my brother's photography. For instance, the cherry blossom pictures from a few seasons ago. This could work, except I'd have to reframe them if I used these three - the frames are far too light and cheap-looking to hang next to the one that's there. An alternative would be for David to take more pictures for me. Get on that, Dave. You can go to Hood this spring and make that happen. Oh, and if I move these, I'll have to get a replacement picture to hang in their place in the second floor hallway.
Option 7: I cover the holes - and the rest of the wall - with pictures of cool people emulating the Dudez-a-Plenti:
and Olive from Little Miss Sunshine. If this choice wins, you all will be recruited to model.



So, thoughts? Discuss amongst yourselves. Gold star for whoever's idea wins!

11 comments:

Ken said...

Oh dear. I vote for filling the holes and painting over them when you are ready to paint that wall later. If they are big, you will want to fill them anyway, even if you cover them with something else. Or maybe a Christmas Story leg lamp on the side table would be a better option?

Sarah said...

You know, it would have taken you less time to actually spackel and paint those holes than it did for you to write about it in your blog AND on Facebook and insert all those pictures. Don't get me wrong, I find it entertaining, but it would have taken less time. Toothpaste works for a quicker fix, but since you own and don't rent, you would probably eventually want to do it up right. Also, if you take my toothpaste suggestion, don't use anything with gel or color in it.

Also, I am partial to a wall filled with humorous pictures with or without matching frames. Maybe the current picture needs to move to make room. Except that this would also take much more time than just spackeling and repainting the wall, not to mention the time and money spent buying frames.

On a side note, I'll be up in Frederick for Christmas, so hopefully we can meet up and do some stuff! Activities include museums and the Baltimore Aquarium. No we will not spackle and paint your wall. ;)

Anonymous said...

buy a bigger shelf and try again :)

Suzanne said...

I vote filling the holes...it's super easy! Let me know if you need help...we just painted our kitchen.

Leah said...

Taryn - if you buy me a leg lamp, that will solve all of my problems!

Sarah - you forget how long it would take me to dig the paint can out from the storage area underneath the steps. Trust me, this was way faster. And more fun :-)

Suzanne - I don't think you've had the pleasure of seeing my storage area, but trust me, finding that paint is not as easy as it sounds!

Janice - I like the way you think. I'll just have to make sure that said shelf is big enough to cover the 80 million holes that I'd end up putting in.

Sarah again - yay Christmas! And I'd sooner spackle and paint the holes in my wall - without whining! - than go to the aquarium. You and your peeps have fun with that ;-). But I am all over the museum activities! How long are you here?

Melissa said...

I already voted for filling and painting, but I get to paint and we drink wine when we paint, so we all win. Alternatively, I'd get a memo board and hang it vertically, not horizontally. For whatever reason, I think it'd look better vertically against the horizontal picture. But, you know how I like to be zen and all.

Melissa said...

Oh, and a leg lamp. Taryn's right. That corner screams leg lamp.

Mary and Larry Smerk said...

I agree with Taryn. Fill in the holes and paint when you are ready to repaint. Taking down pictures that are already hanging is a bad idea.

Leah said...

OK...do we think that the way it is now looks worse than two giant spackle-covered holes will, in the time between now and when I actually do paint? That's kind of what I was going for - I can spackle them no problem, that's easy and the spackle stuff is far more accessible and easy to use than the paint. But will two white spots on my cream walls be more fugly than the two tiny picture frames?

Ken said...

I vote for just filling the holes and taking the framed photos down. Or a leg lamp...

KennieKat said...

I'd fill the holes, then hang a blanket or wall hanging over the entire space- until you want to repaint. Thereby eliminating the need to pain the entire room until you are good and ready- and bringing new life to the wall. Does Hood have one of those afghan things with the buildings on them?

Kenniekat