Okay, so I’m back from Halloween dreaming. I know it was too early, but I’m allowed to start planning a little bit, right? Speaking of that, I bought the cutest Halloween tassle today. Just wait, girls!
I’ve been contemplating all kinds of things about my mud room lately (including painting–I’m sure my husband will love that). I don’t think it needs to be super duper decorated, because it’s meant to be for function. There’s a large boot bench with a whiteboard above it that holds all our stuff (ie. calendar, invites, Dr. appt. reminders, etc). What is amazing to me is how things don’t look so boring until you take a picture of them. Oh. my. goodness. THAT is boring. Imagine it with taupe colored walls and a big, chunky, black frame around the whiteboard. Can you see what direction I’m going?
Because of the previous picture, I decided not to show you every inch of the mudroom. I hang my head in shame. However, I am showing you the opposite wall of what was supposed to be the point of this post anyway! This is for my kids’ coats/jackets. It’s 88 degrees right now–no coats/jackets. Just wait until school starts.
ANYwho…I had a blank wall that was just glaring at me every time I opened the back door. I had some 12 x 12 frames begging to be used, so this is what I came up with.
I do love it, but I think it needs something. Do I put our names under them? I was thinking about putting the words “love”, “laugh”, etc. but I couldn’t come up with four within the same theme. I love them, but I figured who better to turn to for that final punch than you guys? What do you think? Does it need something? I like things simple, but I don’t know.
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I’m not a fan of white walls, so I totally understand what you said about painting them. But, I think your handprint frames look great. If you do want to add words or phrases, though – here’s a quote you could use:
“Dance like nobody’s watching; love like you’ve never been hurt. Sing like nobody’s listening; live like it’s heaven on earth.” – Mark Twain
Cute! I’d put numbers on them…to represent who is who in the family…..(mom and dad might have to fight for number one though!) or how about just first initials?
I like the first initial idea especially if all your initials are different. That room needs some color for sure and a black frame on that whiteboard would be really cute. How do you hand everything winter on just those hooks? That wouldn’t even take care of one kid for me! (Listen to me, I don’t even HAVE a mudroom, jealous)
What about a saying…putting one part in each frame. Like “From there to here…and here to there…funny things…are everywhere.”-Dr. Seuss. I don’t know. I will think about it. I need to go have some sugar first.
I’m such a fan of this idea that I’m going to link up to your blog so my blog readers can view it!!
Regarding what to label the pictures, what about something like “talk to the…” so a picture looks like it is saying “talk to the hand,” and “high…” so another picture looks like it is saying “high five”. They would be something similar to a rebus puzzle, where people have to figure out what you are trying to say.
Really cute! I recently had a similar idea but we only have three people in our family so it wouldn’t be quite the same.
Personally, I think they look great the way they are. Nothing else needed.
I like the idea of just putting “mom”, “dad”, and your kiddos names. I’m a pretty simple gal though, maybe I’m not the one to be giving ideas. I’m still trying to finish up my mudroom from a couple months ago!
Hello! I like the name idea . I love visiting your blog cause you write like it is. You always make me giggle.
Jody
I love the hands so much. So cute. I think a name in a color under the hand (in the frame)like red or green would be cute. Or you could do wall quotes above or below. You could even just add a pop of color by adding a small ribbon to hang the picture from. Do you have an big letter of you last name? That could go above the pictures like a distressed k or s or whatever letter you need. I am rammbling….so sorry. Whatever you do with be creative!
How about a vinyl wall quote ~ something about family.
I think having the kidlets write their name and age under the hand print would be cute. Keep it simple. Charro (Kelly-Moore Paint #228) colored walls with black frames and white trim would be beautimous. IMO.
Sweet! What about autographing it? Great idea.
Hmmm…I’d paint first then see how they look. Though I do like the idea to put their names or first initial. I love this idea with the hands and I may have to “borrow” it.
Cute blog and I have no idea from whose blog I found your’s, but it’s great!
Hmm. I think it looks VERY Pottery Barn the way it is. Cute idea!
How about “Keep Hands Off Walls”? ha ha
love the handprint frames, I think I’d leave them and keep em guessing!
I think it would be cute to have them write their own names on the palm part. It would look good written in white…Just my thoughts.. love the hand ideas!
They are adorable!
I really like them the way they are…. or have each family member write their own name (or whatever passes for that… not sure how old your kids are!)
I like the simplicity of what you have already – I wouldn’t add anything. What’s hitting me is that the frames are too big to be in one big block as you have hung them. I think you have a placement issue. Can you start them even with the top of the door frame and send them in a vertical row down the wall? I think that would fill your wall better, accentuate the simplicity of the hands, and organize you all by age/rank. 😉
Color is always good….I don’t care for white walls either. I do like the idea of putting love, laugh on the walls. As for the fourth…you could do Live, Laugh, Love, Learn.
Hmmmmm…I agree about the placement. I think they look a bit squished in that configuration. What about vertical with Dad at top and so forth? I would have everyone autograph it, especially the children. I think with childrens handprints, it is important to note their age. Someday it will be very very special for you to see those handprints that size. Yes, I would also paint the room on the darker side that will not show shoe scuff marks, mud, etc. I think the big black frame would be perfect. I also like the numbers idea for the hooks. Organizing Junkie is doing the mudroom/entryway organization this month. It might be just the push you need to get a move on…Go check it out…
Uh oh. I actually liked the placement. They’re squished there? Any other thoughts on that?
At this point, I think I’ll do our names underneath–and the kids’ ages.
a friend of mine did this and she made a sign that said “a handfull of love” and hung that above the pics. It looks really cute and she always gets complimented on it!
And girl I am all about color….GO CRAZY!!!
Well, I think a quote about hands would be good. You could do a good will quote like ‘Lend a Helping Hand’ or a happy quote like ‘If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands’ or something cute like that. I personally like them just the way they are but I’d definitely get out the paint brushes. I think they’ll pop out more once there is color behind it.
I vote for color on the walls, and I like the hand prints as they are, but they would also be nice with your names on them. Can’t wait to see what you do.
What about your favorite characteristic of each person who the hand belongs to?
Gracious
Funny
Giving
Daring
Faithful
Loyal
Etc.
I like your idea for the mudroom. It does need some paint. I love the handprints and the placement but I am no decorator. I would add the names and maybe even a date.
Love the taupe and the black frame idea. As for the cute handprint pics….I love the initial idea.
Anything monogrammed gets my vote.
I like em plain and simple. I wouldnt add a thing! Awesome idea!
~Stacy
I think it looks perfect…as is. If you are intent on adding something, though, what about a large capital letter in the first letter of your surname?
I have to tell you, each and every thing you do is beautiful!! Your blog is one of my faves…
Linda
I have to “hand it to you”, that’s a great wall decoration. How about if you glue some cute black and white plaid ribbon all around the edges so it would be like a mat. It would fill in the expanse of white and give the frames a little more bulk.
I agree with the others about adding a big black letter above the grouping.
I’m no designer but I like the placement of the frames. I think it will look better with color, too.
I also like the autograph idea. Get a fat black marker and have each person sign big their name like a celebrity. The kids might have to practice a couple of times on scrap paper to get it big enough. Add ages or birthdates if you wish and an origination date in a corner for reference.
I think the frame layout looks great! I would just put a nice bold ‘Family’ over the top in black or color.
Oh its so nice , lucky you , I just came home from doing a mudroom reno , come by and see, color is the question today .
Maybe you can get some ideas from my work.
Chris
Wow……this is a very cool idea..I love it. Simple…but elegant like silouettes. I vote for the initials..or monograms. cherry
I LOVE them. I like them plain, rather than with names or initials. Very perfect, girl!
I love the idea of putting names underneath. I am picturing a casual yet stylish handwritten name, just kind of scrawled underneath each handprint in black.
By the way, I just recently found your blog and love it!
-Carrie
i so love your blog. I read every single post.
Yep, every single post. Is that pathetic. Well, it is sunday and my husband is out of town and I don’t want to do the dishes. So, I read random peoples blogs.
But, I am hoping that you will not be a stranger now. If it’s alright with you, I will be back. I loved your ideas and I loved your kids rooms and i too have a little bit of a bedding problem as well. My husband just rolls his eyes at me.
I have summer bedding right and I am so ready for it to be fall so I can put the chocolate bedding back on. i am with you with the blue and brown. So love it. I added a little bit of red cause I have these cutest cherry pillow cases that I had to have! Hubby hasn’t seen them yet. Sure that i will get the regular response! Please, stop by and say hello, I love to make friends with new people,espescially if they are as crafty as you!! have a fantastic day!
I’m with the name idea…just each person’s name under the handprint. On your kids’ you could also put their age at the time of the handprint.
If you really wanted to get creative you could find some letter stickers that are big and chunky and put one in each corner of the frame for the family members’ initial. Then in the other corner (diagonally) put a same sized photo of each person. Just a thought! Cute idea 🙂
Such a cute idea!!!! I love this! I would put names under them. What did you decide?
Oh this is a great idea!! Thanks for sharing!
Hello,
I just came over from Bella’s. I have to say this is a great idea. I think putting the names in a bold color would look good.
Cute Blog!
Blanca
I’m using your idea for a grouping over my piano in our study. After seeing this post, I’ve been trying to think of the words to use and have decided on: Live, Love, Laugh and Learn. Thanks for your creativity!
Just found your blog and I have to say “I LOVE IT!” Love the hands on the wall!!