Transforming a house into a home is an ongoing journey, often filled with unexpected discoveries and creative challenges. Sometimes, the most meaningful transformations come from rediscovering cherished items we already own. Today, we’re diving into how a pair of beloved, vintage prints, once relegated to a past decor scheme, found their new, elevated purpose in our bedroom. This isn’t just a story about rehanging pictures; it’s about embracing change, finding beauty in the familiar, and meticulously planning to achieve the perfect aesthetic.
Rediscovering Hidden Gems: The Alaska Prints
Do you remember these charming prints we snagged at a local yard sale last year for a mere $10 each? They aren’t just any ordinary artwork; these are old, professionally framed prints depicting the beautiful berries and wildflowers of Alaska. This detail instantly resonated with us, holding a special place in our hearts because we honeymooned in Alaska, creating a lovely personal connection to these botanical pieces. Their initial charm was undeniable, but we knew with a little creativity, they could truly shine.
Our initial vision involved a simple yet impactful update. We decided to give their frames (and even their mats!) a fresh coat of spray paint, transforming them from dated to decidedly modern. Once refreshed, they found their first home hanging proudly on either side of our bed, adding a touch of personalized elegance to the space. If that initial transformation doesn’t immediately spring to mind, perhaps this throwback picture from that original post will jog your memory and showcase their humble beginnings.
Fast forward to the present, and these beloved prints have, as we like to say – come together in a new and even more harmonious arrangement. It’s a testament to how evolving tastes and home needs can inspire a fresh perspective on existing decor, allowing pieces to truly reach their full potential within a dynamic space.
The Empty Canvas: A New Beginning for Our Bedroom Wall
The journey to this refreshed look actually began with an unexpected event. Speaking of things “going down,” it all started when a certain ram went down during one of our book shoots. Yes, our beloved decorative ram head, affectionately known as Ramsey, met an unfortunate end. Despite our best efforts, “neither all the king’s horses nor all the king’s men could put Ramsey back together again.” This left a rather significant void directly above our bed, a space that had remained conspicuously empty for a couple of months, awaiting its next chapter.
During this period of contemplation, we considered various options. One idea that Sherry particularly favored was tracking down a similar animal head to replace Ramsey. The thought of finding a new, equally charming focal point was certainly exciting. However, true to our DIY spirit and commitment to sustainability, we always try to make use of what we already have. This philosophy led us back to the beautifully refreshed Alaska prints that had once graced either side of the bed. Why search for something new when we had perfect candidates waiting in the wings?
Before committing to new holes in the wall, a crucial step in our redecorating process is always visualization. We carefully took the prints down and simply propped them up against the wall, experimenting with their new potential placement. This allowed us to get a real feel for how they would look and interact with the space without any permanent modifications.
Initially, we harbored a slight concern that our elegant bedroom chandelier might obstruct too much of the artwork, creating a cluttered or imbalanced look. However, upon seeing them propped up, the arrangement looked incredibly promising. The prints seemed to complement the chandelier rather than compete with it, suggesting a harmonious layered aesthetic. With this positive outlook, we decided to commit to the rehang.
Mastering the Art of Hanging: Precision and Patience
Executing this vision, however, was no simple feat. These framed prints are substantial in weight, requiring two securely anchored screws each to ensure they remain perfectly stable and level on the wall. The challenge was amplified by the need for meticulous centering within the bed’s frame, maintaining perfect alignment with each other, and, crucially, avoiding an excessive number of unsightly holes in our freshly painted walls. This combination of factors demanded a level of precision that turned a seemingly straightforward task into a detailed project.
The Precision Process: A DIY Approach to Perfect Alignment
Thus began our rather unconventional, yet surprisingly effective, system for rehanging the prints. While it might not be a method you’d find in a professional textbook, its intricacy and accuracy were undeniable. Our goal was to create a perfectly level guide without resorting to complicated laser levels or expensive tools. We started by leveraging the existing holes from the prints’ previous arrangement, which I had painstakingly measured and marked the first time around. Connecting these points became the foundation of our new setup.
My secret weapon? A simple piece of sewing thread. I carefully taped this thread to the wall, stretching it tautly between the two existing, level holes. This created a perfectly straight, visual guide across the wall – an invaluable asset for ensuring absolute horizontal alignment.
Before proceeding with any further marks, I double-checked the thread’s levelness using a traditional spirit level. This verification step is absolutely critical; basing all subsequent measurements on an even slightly skewed line would result in a crooked display, undoing all our careful work. To our relief and satisfaction, the thread was perfectly level! This simple, low-tech method proved to be incredibly reliable and accurate, a testament to creative problem-solving in home decor.
The Math Behind the Magic: Calculating Perfect Placement
With the vertical height now perfectly established by our trusty thread guide, the next puzzle was to determine the precise horizontal positioning. We needed the frames to be roughly equidistant from each other and from the elegant bed posts, creating a balanced and harmonious display. This is where I truly unleashed my inner math geek. Yes, I believe what I embarked upon truly qualifies as practical algebra – well, perhaps with the slight deviation of solving for “X” to equal a very precise “7-ish.” My apologies to Mrs. Montgomery, my high school math teacher, for that informal approximation, but it worked perfectly in real-world application!
Knowing the precise distances between everything was crucial for marking out the new screw locations. My starting point was the existing hole where the ram previously hung, serving as our central guide. From this central point, I measured out 13.5 inches to either side. This calculation accounted for half the desired space between the frames (approximately 7 inches, as “X” in my sketch) plus half the width of each frame (which was about 20 inches, so 10 inches per half frame), marking the exact center for where each frame would ideally rest (#1 in the diagram below). Because these heavy frames require two screws for proper support and to prevent them from tilting, I then made additional marks a couple of inches outwards on either side of those center points (#2). This dual-screw system is essential for both structural integrity and maintaining a consistently level display over time.
Sherry also had a specific aesthetic preference: she wanted the frames to hang slightly lower than their previous position. This adjustment was practical; without the need to clear table lamps on either side of the bed, and with the desire to minimize any visual obstruction from the chandelier, lowering the frames made perfect sense. To achieve this, I used a clever trick: I taped a small guide onto my spirit level and marked the new, slightly lower hanging point (#3). This ensured that both frames would be lowered by the exact same amount, maintaining their symmetrical balance.
Are you feeling a bit confused yet with all the numbers and measurements? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Even I get a little cross-eyed remembering all the calculations. So, for the sake of clarity and to celebrate the fruits of our labor, let’s fast forward straight to the stunning after pictures. Shall we? Excellent. After a final tweak during installation, we decided to bring the frames a tiny bit closer to each other, resulting in a perfectly balanced space of about 5 inches between them. This left nearly 8 inches of breathing room on either side, creating an ideal visual spread that felt just right for the wall and the bed.
The Refreshed Look: Harmony and Style
We are absolutely delighted with this transformation so far. The new arrangement of the Alaska prints feels incredibly balanced and impactful. They now beautifully fill the space above the bed, creating a focal point that feels both intentional and sophisticated – much more so than the ram ever did, if we’re being honest (and not to speak ill of the decoratively departed!). It’s amazing how repositioning existing pieces can dramatically alter the feel and function of a room, breathing new life into familiar items.
One aspect we particularly appreciate is the layered effect created by the chandelier. While it does overlap a portion of the prints when you view the bed from a normal standing height (these particular photos were taken using our tripod, which stands at about four feet tall, offering a slightly different perspective), this overlap doesn’t detract from the aesthetic. Instead, it adds a lovely depth and richness to the overall composition, creating a visual interest that is anything but cramped or chaotic. It’s a subtle interplay of elements that contributes to a sophisticated and thoughtfully designed space.
We do wish we had remembered to snap a picture from our standing eye-level, head-on perspective for you to truly appreciate the full effect. But rest assured, even from the side angle we captured, you can get a good sense of the improved harmony and balance. And there’s always next time for more comprehensive views as the room continues to evolve!
The Unfolding Vision: More to Come for Our Bedroom
But let’s be real, this room is far from being “done.” Take a wider look at the space. Um… we still have a lot of work to do before it truly makes complete sense as a cohesive, finished bedroom. Seriously, we know you might be looking at this beautifully styled bed currently sitting in a vast sea of emptiness and perhaps wondering what on earth our master plan entails. However, in the wise words of $herdog, “we got planz for dayz!” Our vision for this bedroom is grand and multifaceted, extending far beyond these newly hung prints.
In fact, we have several exciting projects lined up for this very weekend, and you can bet we’ll keep you thoroughly posted on all our progress and insights! We love sharing our DIY adventures and creative processes with you. What about you, our wonderful readers? What projects do you have planned for this weekend? Any exciting house stuff on your agenda? Have you ever found yourself needing to use complex math just to hang pictures perfectly, or perhaps experimented with unconventional methods like using string to ensure a level line on the wall? It really did work surprisingly well for us! We’d love to hear your creative solutions and home decor challenges in the comments below.
Psst – We announced this week’s giveaway winner! Click here to see if it’s you.