Embarking on major home improvement projects often feels like a marathon, not a sprint. Our latest endeavor, the expansive deck build, is certainly no exception. While progress can sometimes feel slow, each step forward brings us closer to realizing our vision for a perfect outdoor living space. This week, we’re taking a momentary pause from the sawdust and power tools to celebrate a significant personal milestone: our fifth wedding anniversary. Join us as we reflect on half a decade of marriage, share a cherished family tradition, and offer a practical guide to creating a beautiful photo gallery wall, all while enjoying the simple beauty of budget-friendly floral arrangements from our own backyard.
The journey to build our dream deck continues, demanding significant time and dedication. We wish we had endless full days to devote to this ambitious project, but like many homeowners, we’re fitting it in amidst life’s other demands. This means you can expect regular updates, much like we shared during our first house’s bathroom renovation and our comprehensive kitchen remodel. Tackling such a large undertaking ourselves is incredibly rewarding, but it certainly tests our patience and DIY skills. There’s an immense satisfaction in seeing the structure take shape, knowing every beam and nail is placed with our own hands.
One of the initial, and perhaps most physically demanding, stages involved digging the foundation post holes. This is where the mighty auger comes into play, a powerful tool essential for creating deep, stable footings. We couldn’t resist capturing this quintessential DIY moment – a snapshot of John and his dad, sleeves rolled up, demonstrating exactly who’s in charge of that impressive machinery. It’s moments like these, working together on challenging tasks, that truly define the spirit of building our home, piece by painstaking piece.
While the deck build feels like it could take a lifetime, the “half a decade” in our title refers to something far more personal and heartwarming: our five-year wedding anniversary! Can you believe it’s almost July 7th already? It feels absolutely surreal that five whole years have flown by since we exchanged vows in our intimate backyard wedding. Time truly does have a peculiar way of accelerating when you’re making memories and building a life together.
Looking back, our wedding day feels both like yesterday and a lifetime ago. We consciously chose July 7th, 2007, as our wedding date because it marked exactly two years since our first date on July 7th, 2005. And yes, for those wondering, we did share our first kiss on that very first date – a moment that still brings a smile to our faces. It’s incredible to think that seven years have passed since that initial spark, leading us to this beautiful five-year marriage milestone. Each year brings new adventures, new challenges, and deeper love, solidifying the foundation we built on that special summer day.
Among the many wonderful memories of our wedding, certain details remain as vivid as if they happened just last month. The joy, the laughter, the intimacy of our backyard celebration – these are moments etched forever in our hearts. To honor this special day and the incredible journey we’ve embarked on since, we’ve established a cherished family tradition: capturing a family photograph every year on July 7th. It’s a simple yet profoundly meaningful ritual that allows us to document our growth, changes, and expanding family.
This tradition, which we’ve fondly shared with our readers before, has become an anticipated event each summer. It’s fascinating to see how much has changed in just a year, especially with little ones growing so quickly. From the earliest photos with just us, to adding our first child, and now with both kids, these pictures are a beautiful testament to our evolving family story. Each image tells a chapter, capturing the unique personalities and adorable antics that fill our home with love and laughter.
Just look at last year’s snapshot, featuring our first energetic, wiggly child. Those early years of parenthood certainly added a new dynamic to our photo sessions!
And now, with both of them, the challenge and joy of capturing a perfectly imperfect family portrait has doubled. These photos aren’t just pictures; they’re precious time capsules, freezing moments of chaos, cuddles, and genuine family love that we can look back on for years to come.
Over the years, we’ve collected an array of small, uniquely shaped capiz frames from various beloved stores like Target, local thrift shops, and Hobby Lobby. These frames have become the perfect vessel for our annual anniversary photos, each one adding a touch of charm to our growing collection. However, our kitchen sink area was starting to become a little too “charming” – in other words, cluttered with four framed photos and a fifth empty one, eagerly awaiting our upcoming anniversary picture. It was high time to transform this beloved collection from countertop clutter into a beautifully curated wall display.
For some reason, the act of hanging frames seems to be one of the most frequently asked-about topics among our readers. Perhaps it’s the fear of putting “oops” holes in a pristine wall, or the daunting task of deciding on “the right” arrangement. We completely understand the hesitation! But the good news is, there’s rarely a single “right” way; there are often at least ten arrangements that would look fantastic. Our simple secret? We start by arranging the frames on the floor, playing around with different configurations until we find a grouping that feels balanced, aesthetically pleasing, and just right for our space. This initial “floor test” is a crucial step in visualizing the final outcome without committing to any holes just yet.
Step-by-Step Guide: Hanging Frames Flawlessly
Creating a gallery wall or even hanging a single frame doesn’t have to be intimidating. With a few simple tricks, you can achieve a professional-looking display without the common pitfalls. Here’s our tried-and-true method to hang frames perfectly every time, avoiding those dreaded extra nail holes.
1. Create Paper Templates for Precision
Once you’ve settled on your ideal floor arrangement, the next essential step is to create paper templates for each frame. This genius hack allows you to map out the exact placement on your wall with incredible accuracy, ensuring you only make one hole in the correct spot for each frame, rather than a frustrating series of misaligned attempts. We simply lay each frame on a piece of white printer paper, trace its outline, and carefully cut out the template. Then, we temporarily tape these paper cutouts to the wall, shifting and adjusting them until the arrangement looks perfect. This step empowers you to visualize and refine your layout before making any permanent marks.
2. Mark Your Nail Holes Accurately
Before taping the templates to the wall, take a moment to mark precisely where the nail hole needs to be on each paper cutout. This is easier than it sounds! Hold each template up against the back of its corresponding frame. Identify the exact spot where the hanging hook (or wire) rests. Push a nail gently through the paper template at this precise point, ensuring it aligns with the hook on the back of the frame. This simple maneuver transfers the exact hanging point onto your paper template. Now, when you tape your templates to the wall, they already have these “nail guide holes” clearly marked, completely eliminating any guesswork and guaranteeing perfect alignment.
3. Add Hanging Hardware (If Needed)
Some of our beautiful capiz frames were originally designed for tabletop display, meaning they didn’t come equipped with hooks for wall hanging. But this isn’t a problem! We simply picked up an inexpensive pack of picture hanging hardware from a craft store – often available for less than a dollar for multiple hooks. For these particular frames, we chose small, self-adhesive or glue-on hooks. After applying a strong adhesive (like crazy glue) to the back of the frame, we carefully attached the new hanging hardware. Additionally, to ensure the frames sit flush against the wall, we removed the little flap or stand that’s typically used for tabletop display. This small adjustment makes a big difference in the final presentation, creating a seamless gallery look.
4. Hammer Through the Marked Guides
With your templates securely taped to the wall and your nail guide holes precisely marked, it’s time for the gratifying part! Simply take your hammer and carefully drive a nail directly through the pre-made hole in each paper template. This ensures that every nail is placed exactly where it needs to be to support your frame. The paper acts as your foolproof guide, preventing any miscalculations and protecting your wall from unnecessary damage. Work methodically, one nail at a time, making sure each is sturdy and at the correct depth to hold your frame securely.
The result of this careful process is a perfectly positioned nail, ready to hold your cherished memory. It’s a small detail that makes a world of difference in the overall aesthetic of your gallery wall.
5. Hang Your Frames and Admire Your Work!
Once all the nails are securely in place, gently peel off the paper templates. You’ll be left with a series of perfectly spaced nails, all in the right positions. Then, the magic happens! In less than a minute, you can hang all your frames, transforming an empty wall into a vibrant display of memories. The satisfaction of seeing your perfectly aligned gallery wall come to life is immense. We love how our five anniversary photos now have a dedicated spot, with that blank fifth frame eagerly awaiting our latest family picture in just a few weeks. After all that hard work, I couldn’t resist adding a final touch – a fresh bouquet of flowers to complete the newly refreshed space, because a little touch of nature always brightens things up!
It truly is heartwarming to see four years of our anniversary photos displayed together, with the fifth frame standing empty as a hopeful anticipation for our upcoming family portrait. This grouping not only celebrates our journey but also serves as a beautiful focal point in our home.
As for our two lively companions, Clara and Burger, will they cooperate for this year’s photo? My instincts say probably not, but honestly, that’s half the fun of capturing these genuine family moments. The candid, unposed shots often become the most cherished!
Speaking of those fresh flowers, we realized this project also doubles as a fantastic opportunity for a “budget blooms” post – something we’ve been meaning to share for ages! You might be wondering where these vibrant, beautiful flowers came from. The answer is simple: our own backyard! Yes, every single stem in that gorgeous arrangement was gathered free of charge, right outside our door. This DIY approach to floral decor is not only incredibly cost-effective but also adds a deeply personal and organic touch to our home.
The star elements of this arrangement are generous clippings from the lush hydrangea bushes that thrive near our patio, complemented by sprigs from a giant, magnificent butterfly bush in our backyard. While I jokingly call it “man-eating” due to its impressive size, it’s actually a haven for pollinators and provides an abundance of beautiful blooms perfect for cutting. The beauty of using garden clippings is that the flowers are always fresh, in season, and perfectly match the natural aesthetic of our outdoor spaces, effortlessly extending that beauty indoors.
Arranging these garden treasures was surprisingly simple. I took a small glass vase, filled it with water, and placed it inside a larger ceramic planter (a HomeGoods find from some time ago). To give the inner vase some height and allow the stems of the various clippings to be shorter and easier to arrange, I simply propped it up on an inverted cardboard box. This clever trick ensures that the flowers sit at the desired level within the larger planter, creating a full and impactful display without needing impossibly long stems. It’s a great way to use everyday items to elevate your floral arrangements.
I particularly adore the contrast created by mixing the delicate, pointy florets of the butterfly bush with the voluminous, lace-like balls of the hydrangeas. The combination creates a wonderfully dynamic and textural arrangement that feels both sophisticated and utterly natural. It’s a reminder of the effortless beauty our garden provides, and I often find myself wondering if these lovely blooms will last long enough to witness us placing our next anniversary picture in that waiting five-year frame.
While their lifespan indoors might be fleeting, their beauty for now is undeniable. These simple cuttings bring so much life and color into our home, proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy stunning floral decor. Plus, the joy of harvesting them yourself adds an extra layer of satisfaction.
One of the most satisfying outcomes of our frame-hanging project is the ability to truly appreciate the unique beauty of each individual capiz frame. When they were all jumbled together on the counter, their distinct shapes and intricate details tended to blend. Now, beautifully spaced and organized on the wall, each frame stands out, contributing to a harmonious yet diverse display. It highlights how thoughtful display can transform everyday objects into art.
And serendipitously, these hydrangeas feel particularly fitting to sit beneath our newly hung photos. They hold a special place in our hearts, as they were a key element in my small, homemade wedding bouquet. It’s a wonderful full-circle moment, connecting our home’s current beauty with cherished memories of our past. It’s these little personal touches that make a house truly feel like a home.
Has it truly been five years since that magical day? I’m still in joyful denial! Haha. It’s incredible how quickly time passes, yet how vivid these memories remain. We’d love to hear from you: Do you have any special anniversary traditions you celebrate? What are your favorite methods for creating beautiful frame groupings or gallery walls? Do you swear by paper templates like we do, or have you discovered another ingenious, easy hanging method? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below – we’re always eager to learn from our wonderful community!
P.S. Stay tuned for exciting future updates and perhaps even some more DIY project giveaways!