Ta Da! That’s what I feel like saying! It’s been a major work in progress and the gallery wall is now complete. I am really excited to share it with you as each and every piece was a labor of love. I used the gallery wall shelves from Ikea. Other than that, we spent $0 on the wall. The artwork is either made by Grady, something we had, or a free piece of art I created. And hold onto your hats and glasses. . . there are a million photos! 
At first, I spray painted all of the frames white and played around with the arrangement. After I was happy with how things look, I chose two to paint green. I think it helps to balance out the wall and anchor the artwork. And the blank wall to the left won’t stay that way for long!!! 
The watercolor holds special meaning as it was created on the first day that Grady learned how to use watercolors. His sister taught him how when I was washing my car! 
This is my all time favorite photo of my kiddos. They have always been best friends. I printed out the backdrop from a print I liked. The photo was a little bit lost on the busy background so I cut white strips of paper to frame out the photo. 
“You are my Sunshine” was the song I sang to both my children every night while I was pregnant and every night after they were born. The “I Did My Best” is a special saying we have adopted as our mantra. 
This paisley print is actually a left over napkin from Grady’s third birthday party. The green chevron print and the trellis print I simply searched on the internet. Once I saw one I liked I enlarged it and printed it out. I always use Microsoft Publisher {as most of you know by now} when adding words to my artwork. Cassie from Hi Sugarplum did something similar with her daughter’s darling gallery wall. 
And because I like keeping it real. . . here is a sneak at what goes on behind the scenes during a “photo shoot” at our house! While trying to snap some images, I have these faces doing their best to jump in front of the camera. 
It’s safe to say my family does not shy away from a camera. 
The wall makes us smile. Grady can see it from his bed and he loves that. Stay tuned for the dresser reveal. Thank you all for weighing in on the decision of whether or not to paint the drawers. What about you? Have you put together a gallery wall lately? Any fun tips or idea? Sharing this gallery wall with these great blogs: Tatertots and Jello Remodelaholic Just a Girl My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Home Stories A 2 Z Tip Junkie Blue Cricket Design The Shabby Creek Cottage
Looks great! I love the color combo. Can't wait to see the whole room reveal…it's gonna be good!
love the wall. I really like all the color combination's mixed with the white frames!
This looks spectacular! Great job Courtney.
What a fun gallery! Love the colors and the meaning. Isn't it funny how the family likes to be included? Mine is the same way 🙂
Courtney, it is fantastic!! So creative. I love that it is personalized-art created by you or Grady!! You can tell so much love has gone into his new big boy room. And, I love all the pics of the "peanut gallery" LOL
Girl Stop! I absolutely love everything about it!
I am in love with your gallery wall! It looks perfect!!
Girl–it looks great!! I love the different pieces you used for the wall. And that watercolor?? It is really lovely! He did a great job creating it.
It's FANTASTIC! I love it! I may have to borrow the idea for my son's room. I'm lousy at decorating (with pictures) so this is just lovely. GREAT JOB!!!
Looks wonderful – love the colors you choose – just posted about my recently completed kitchen gallery wall –
http://www.bigdandme.com/2011/09/the-kitchen-art-wall-reveal-finally/
Oooops you did it again! LOVE. And how great that you barely spent a cent! I bet your husband is ecstatic about that 😉
Love it! I think is really cute to hang your kids art. My mom did it too for us and I think still today there are a couple of frames hanging around the house 😉
I love it! So many great ideas! Thanks for sharing. I can't wait to tackle my oldest daughters room… might have to steal a few of your ideas 🙂
looks awesome! i love the colors- so happy, yet very boyish! the sayings are great, and of course his original artwork.
It looks so so fabulous!!!! I love them propped and layered on the shelves, too. Thanks for the shout-out…and yay for free online art! xoxo
And the family is too cute! I get that at my house too…I try to laugh and not get annoyed. 🙂
So great! Love that you painted a few frames green!
Wow! The layering is my favorite, and the original watercolor, and the special momentos, and the colors, and the sayings, and… 🙂
the wall gallery looks amazing!!!!
Pretty much perfect! Love the colors. Simple, refreshing and meaningful. 🙂
Now, if my husband would just hang OUR Ikea shelves…
Sophisticated Steps
Court! This looks AMAAAAAZING!!! So perfect for the room, and the perfect mix of patterns/texture/photos. Love. And I am in love with your children…so presh. xo
Your family is so photogenic! Love the gallery wall and the pops of green. Nothing says home like a wall of memories.
It looks amazing!!! All of the personal artwork really makes it standout, and I love the pop of green on a couple of the frames. Great ideas! Your family is so beautiful. The pics from behind the scenes are wonderful!!
So so cute!! I am in the process of redoing my daughters LONG shelf in her room just like this.
Looks adorable! And the framed napkin idea is brilliant 🙂
The gallery wall looks great! It's so precious and thoughtful that the gallery wall has sentimental meaning!
It looks wonderful, Courtney! The pop of green you added to the two frames is a nice touch along with the green G, and the perfect balance. How sweet that Grady's sister tought him how to do his first watercolor! I love it! Meaningful and sentimental art is the best! Fun family photos! You have a beautiful family.
It looks great! The children's art is my fav!
Gorgeous room! I must ask where you got those adorable drapes? I am in love with fabric.
Love it love it love it! The prints and pictures are so special and really make the room so lively and fun! (:
Love it all! SO cute – I think the watercolor is my favorite part!
I'm so glad you painted a couple of the frames green–you're right, great balance! It looks wonderful.
I love it Courtney! The mix looks great and I love how you painted two frames green. Now I want to see the whole room! Your family is so sweet- love those candid photos. I had James helping me with the fall mantle this weekend and trying to get in the photo too!
What an adorable room. Awesome job. Love it.
Oh I love it!!! The colors are great and I love how there are so many meaningful pieces in the mix.
It looks fantastic! And, I love my Microsoft Publisher as well!
Beautiful wall – it's just perfect! But my favorite are the behind the scenes shots. Hysterical! I would love for you to share this project on my Inspiration Board {link party}. I know my readers would really enjoy it.
http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/2011/09/inspiration-board-link-party-14.html
Hope to see you there.
carolyn | homework
This looks awesome! What a nice way too, to display the kids' artwork like that. Very fresh looking 🙂
Soon I'll make a gallery as well but first all of our furniture must have the right place, we're still very busy.
Awesome! Love the colors and the layout! My favorite piece is the hand print piece. Thanks so much for sharing, I'm going to feature this tomorrow on my blog! I hope you'll stop by to take a look!
Jen
Scissors & Spatulas
I am LOVING this wall! So personal and unique!
Our baby started kindergarten this year too, it goes by so fast! She only goes for a few hours just like preschool, next year I will really be freaking out.
This is so great! Love it!
I love gallery walls – love the layering effect you implemented!
~H
operationorganization-mn.com
Saw your pic on pintrest! Very Cute! and I had to smile cause I have a little Grady too! 🙂
I would love to know where you got the "You are my sunshine" print??!
I have bookmarked and pinned your son's room more times than any other room! I saw you featured on Remodelholic today and it reminded me how much I love this space. Where did you find the cute "G"?
I love this room. I am currently pregnant with our son and want to do navy and green. Your room has given me so much inspiration. Thanks for sharing!