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Casual Friday: Disguising Wall Pimples, Tapestries, Chris Loves Julia Security is back + More!!

May 15, 2020

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This week was monumental for me. Something shifted. I started feeling so much better and and after a long drought of feeling unmotivated and uncreative, I hung art and moved furniture and made plans. I’m starting to feel so much more like me which has been refreshing and rejuvenating.

One of the places I hung art was on this wall right between the pantry and kitchen. I originally hung these pieces in the office but since replaced them with this motivating flag hung behind my desk. This wall has always bothered me  because it’s at the end of a long main hallway and there were wall pimples all over it. You know–wall pimples. Those necessary small outlets, switches, thermostats, alarm systems, etc. that can sometimes feel like visual clutter on your wall. This particular wall was prominent but felt visually cluttered by our ADT alarm system and switches. When we renovate the kitchen, likely next year now, the plan is to move this entire wall to the left so you walk right into the kitchen at the end of the hall, but in the meantime, I knew a simple asymmetrical gallery wall would take the attention away from the wall pimples–And it worked like a charm!

Look at how they demanded so much attention before:

I’ve seen people add frames to wall pimples (which I think can kind of draw more attention to them) or even add art over things like thermostats but we use our alarm system multiple times a day so simply adding art really shifted the focus. I would love to add one more to the top right when I find the right piece. But for now–it’s these little things that keep me so motivated and happy at home.

Art from top to bottom: Rocky Shore, Old Apple Tree, The Moment is Now, Summer Tree, Runner (from this seller on eBay)Kitchen Art (vintage), Cutting Board, Hallway Art, Hallway Light, Wall Paint Color: Alabaster by Sherwin Williams, Trim: Accessible Beige by Sherwin Williams, Kitchen Cabinets: Thunderous by Sherwin Williams

More fun things this week!

• Speaking of alarm systems we’re excited to bring back the Chris Loves Julia x ADT security program! Safety and security is at the forefront of a lot of people’s minds right now and we’ve had several of you reach out asking about our ADT system. We couldn’t be happier with the system, the service or the equipment–we just added all of our light switches to our system! It’s the best! And has put us completely at peace (you can read more about our experience of getting back a feeling of security after tragedy here). For a limited time, when you sign up at chrislovesjuliasecurity.com, you can receive a free basic security system, ($499 value), free doorbell cam(normally $199),  free touch screen keypad, and 1 free fire/carbon detector ($99), plus free install ($99)! You’ll only be paying your monthly fee (which starts at just $30!).

• So excited to watch @Studiolaloc’s bathroom unfold. This mood board is incredible!

• The only case you need for mixed planters. Swoon!

The goal is not to be successful…

My every day trainers are 40% off. I couldn’t recommend them more. I wear them with everything from jeans to dresses. They are so flattering! I have the black, but love the off-white, too!

• I ordered this beautiful tapestry for the dining room! I hope it looks how I imagine it will look.

9 Essential Ingredients of a true apology

This pillow shop on Etsy is pretty incredible!!! 

Hope you all have a great weekend! We’re setting up some furniture around our new fire pit and there will absolutely be s’mores involved.

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What do you think?

  1. Linda says:

    Have you tried Oliver and Rust for pillows? She has an amazing selection.

  2. Ivee says:

    Your “wall pimple” comment made me chuckle. I hide mine behind frames on a hinge. (i.e. glassless frame + hinge+ a framed piece of art on top) That way I can still access our security system/hvac console easily. I also figure that if we ever have a break-in, it will delay the intruders from finding the source of the alarm. Love your blog and your style. Thanks for all your hard work and the inspiration(s) you have given me.

  3. Rebecca Parker says:

    Would you mind sharing where your light fixture is from?

  4. Courtney says:

    Do you typically purchase your art with the frame or buy your own frame? If you buy separately, where do you usually find them? I love the ones you used here!

  5. Cherish says:

    I ordered that tapestry after seeing Lauren Liess use it in her recent condo flip, and you will not be disappointed! It’s GORGEOUS in person!

  6. Veronica says:

    Love this gallery wall. I have a few walls with wall pimples that are such eye sores! I’d love to try this trick at home. Do you mind sharing the sources for the frames you used too? :)

  7. KAH says:

    I’ve been eying that tapestry for my guest room for a few months now but haven’t pulled the trigger! I love it.

    And your wall pimple solution looks great.

  8. Melissa Deakin says:

    Gorgeous! Can you share the source of the frames too? Also, can you share the source of the overhead light?

  9. Jenna says:

    So glad you are feeling better!! That mold, and probably construction dust, must have been really messing with you! A side effect of renovating that is never/rarely talked about!

  10. I hate wall pimples! The art did the trick ????

  11. Lori says:

    Your hallway looks great with its new mini-gallery. The Alabaster is such a nice backdrop. We’ve lived with it as a whole house color for almost 4 years, and are considering using it again as we prepare to move to a house we are remodeling.

  12. Ashley says:

    Try your Smores with Ritz crackers, or a similar gluten free variety. The combo of salty and sweet is incredible! Sometimes we use nutella instead of chocolate bars, too.

  13. Rebecca says:

    Love the look of the wall. So…what do you do with a “large” wall pimple? A 20×20 HVAC Return.

  14. Karen says:

    For me, after we renovated our home for 5 months, I was in a FUNK. Mentally paralyzed after having made SO. MANY. DECISIONS. Renovations, as incredible and amazing as they are, are definitely a beast – they hit you financially, emotionally, and impact your “home base”. It doesn’t get more disruptive than that!

    And for us, when the contractor packed up and left, my husband expected the newly renovated house, which we had only recently moved into before renovating, to be furnished and decorated “like that”. But I couldn’t….I was so fried! Plus I told him the minute I’m done decorating the house is the day the “for sale” sign is up…..I enjoy the process of decorating and designing….and hopefully re-decorating and re-designing, lol. It’s taken me about three years and I’m almost finished with our main living spaces – I have a few more little areas to work on, and I’m always thinking-thinking-thinking……

  15. Patricia says:

    S’mores? Do they taste as good as I remember? I’d love to try them with peanut butter cups or thin mints. And how about chocolate graham crackers?
    Can you tell I need a marshmallow on a stick ASAP?

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