Creating Cherished Displays: Our Asheville Family Photoshoot & DIY Frame Transformation

This past summer brought with it a whirlwind of unforgettable moments, from a thrilling competition to a truly heartwarming family photoshoot. Our journey to Asheville was initially for the exciting Shaw flooring competition, an experience that challenged our creative spirits and allowed us to connect with fellow design enthusiasts. While the competition itself was a fantastic adventure – and a quick reminder, if you haven’t already, please go vote as there are only a few days left to support our entry! Your support means the world, so THANKS in advance! – it also presented the perfect opportunity to capture some truly special family memories.

Amidst the scenic beauty of Asheville, we had the immense pleasure of working with my incredibly talented friend, Destinee Blau. Destinee is not just a photographer; she’s an artist who perfectly encapsulates the essence of a family, freezing those fleeting moments into timeless treasures. It has been incredibly inspiring to watch her business flourish, a testament to her passion and skill. We were absolutely thrilled with the results of our session, and I couldn’t wait to share some of these beautiful images with you, along with a detailed look at how I transformed simple frames into a personalized gallery for our home.

Capturing Memories: A Glimpse into Our Family’s Asheville Adventure

There’s something uniquely magical about professional family photography. It’s an investment in memories, a way to document growth, love, and connection that everyday snapshots often miss. Destinee’s ability to find natural light, elicit genuine smiles, and create a relaxed atmosphere made our session truly enjoyable, even with little ones in tow. These photographs aren’t just pictures; they are snippets of our story, reflections of laughter, quiet moments, and the unbreakable bond that ties us together. Each image tells a tale, and seeing them brings back the warmth and joy of that Asheville summer day.

Below, you’ll find a selection of these beautiful captures. I’ve been so excited to finally display them in our home, bringing a piece of that special time into our daily lives.

From Inspiration to Installation: Crafting a Personalized Photo Display

The journey to showcasing these beautiful family portraits began with a wonderful invitation from Kristen Duke Photography. Kristen reached out, asking me to share unique ways I display my family pictures, and with these stunning new photos from Destinee freshly in hand, it felt like the universe was nudging me to get this project done! It wasn’t quite the dramatic “Seize the day!” moment, but more of a lightbulb flash: “Crap, I’ve got to get this done before the post is due!” – a sentiment I’m sure many fellow bloggers and DIY enthusiasts can relate to. This gentle push turned into a fun and rewarding home decor project.

The Frame Quest: When “Perfect” Means “Personalized”

My initial vision for our entry hall called for three large, impactful images. I scoured store after store, visiting at least five different retailers in search of frames that truly spoke to me, frames that would simply scream “BUY ME!” But alas, the perfect frames remained elusive. I found nothing that captured the exact aesthetic or feeling I envisioned for such a prominent display. This often happens in home decor – you have a clear idea, but the market just isn’t delivering.

Rather than compromising or waiting indefinitely, I decided to pivot. When you can’t find what you love, create it! I opted for a more budget-friendly approach, picking up a few simple, inexpensive frames – what I affectionately refer to as “$5 dollar Wal-world frames.” The thought process was pragmatic: if the DIY project didn’t turn out exactly as planned, the investment was minimal, and I could always reassess. However, I’m genuinely thrilled to report that this decision led to a result I absolutely adore, proving that sometimes, the best solutions are the ones you make yourself.

Finding the Perfect Canvas: Our Hallway Transformation

Choosing the right location for displaying family photographs is crucial; it’s about integrating memories seamlessly into your living space. For this particular project, I selected a cozy, often-traversed “hall” area situated between our master bedroom and the guest half-bath on our main floor. This space holds a special place in our home’s history. It used to be adorned with a collection of family pictures, but life, as it often does, brought changes. Since we embarked on the project to install our elegant wainscoting throughout this area (and had the joyous arrival of our sweet Lydia!), the walls had remained bare. This blank canvas was yearning for a touch of personalization, and I realized it was the ideal spot to infuse new life and showcase our latest family portraits.

The beauty of this hallway is its transitional nature. It’s not a main living area, but it’s a space that everyone in the family, and our guests, navigate daily. Placing these cherished memories here ensures they are seen and appreciated regularly, turning a functional corridor into a gallery of love and connection. It transformed from a simple passageway into a meaningful display that greets us every morning and bids us goodnight.

DIY Frame Makeover: A Splash of Color and Personality

With the frames purchased and the location decided, it was time for the fun part: the DIY makeover! My goal was to take these basic black frames and infuse them with a fresh, vibrant personality that complemented our home’s aesthetic. I opted for a quick yet impactful transformation using spray paint.

Step-by-Step Spray Painting for a Custom Look

Preparation is Key: First, I made sure the frames were clean and free of dust or grease. A quick wipe-down ensures the paint adheres properly.
Choosing the Right Paint: For this project, I selected Rustoleum’s Lagoon in a beautiful Satin finish. This color is simply divine – I actually painted a table this very shade months ago and have been meaning to show it off (you know, for a blogger, I am REALLY bad at blogging sometimes!). The satin finish offers a subtle sheen that looks sophisticated without being overly glossy, perfect for a modern yet cozy feel.
Ventilation and Protection: Always spray paint in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors. Lay down a drop cloth or old newspapers to protect your surfaces from overspray.
Even Coats: Apply the spray paint in light, even coats, holding the can about 6-8 inches away from the frame. It’s better to do several thin coats than one thick coat, which can lead to drips and unevenness. Allow each coat to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions before applying the next.
Patience for Drying: While spray paint dries quickly to the touch, allow ample time for it to fully cure before handling or hanging. This prevents fingerprints and damage to your freshly painted finish.

The transformation was remarkable. The once generic black frames now sported a custom, elegant hue, perfectly setting the stage for the precious photographs they would hold. This simple DIY step saved money and allowed for a truly personalized touch that off-the-shelf options simply couldn’t provide.

Hanging with Intention: Integrating Photos with Wainscoting

One of the design decisions I made for this display was to intentionally “ignore” the height of the wainscoting when hanging the frames. While wainscoting adds elegant architectural detail, it can sometimes dictate where art is placed. For this particular arrangement, I wanted the photos to command attention and create a more dynamic visual impact, allowing them to overlap the wainscoting’s upper edge. This approach creates a sense of height and draws the eye upwards, making the hallway feel more expansive and personalized.

A small challenge arose with the middle picture, which needed to hang perfectly flat against the wall despite the wainscoting’s projection. My simple solution? A clever use of a 2×4 block behind the frame! This allowed the picture to sit flush and aligned with its counterparts, achieving a seamless look. It’s these little DIY tricks that often make all the difference in achieving a polished finish. I really need to take some detailed pictures of this setup so you can see exactly what I mean – sometimes, showing is better than telling!

Embracing Real Life: The Beauty of Imperfection

As much as we strive for perfectly styled homes and curated photographs, real life often intervenes – and sometimes, those candid, unscripted moments are the most cherished. This next image perfectly encapsulates that reality. You might spot a little pink “specter” gracefully walking through the frame – that’s our delightful little one, adding her own unique brand of chaos and charm to the photography process! It’s what always happens when you’re trying to capture pristine shots with children around. And let me tell you, you should have seen the mountain of sheets and pillowcases she managed to pull out of the cabinet while I was diligently working on this project. The hilarious part? Technically, they’re still there, two days later! Whoops! It’s a gentle reminder that our homes are lived-in spaces, full of joy, messes, and the beautiful imperfections that make family life so rich and wonderful. These are the moments we’ll look back on and laugh about.

The Enduring Value of Displayed Memories

Completing this project brought immense satisfaction. More than just decorating a wall, it was about creating a dedicated space for the cherished memories we made in Asheville. Displayed family photos do more than just fill a blank spot; they inject personality, warmth, and a constant reminder of the love that binds us. They tell our story to anyone who walks through our home, making it feel truly personal and inviting.

If you’re looking for more inspiration on how to beautifully incorporate family portraits into your home decor, I highly recommend checking out Kristen Duke Photography’s fantastic blog line-up. She curates incredible ideas that will surely spark your creativity:

Her great blog line-up

What do you think of our new hallway gallery? Have you tackled any DIY framing projects recently, or found creative ways to display your own family memories? I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas in the comments below!

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