I don't think I've ever seen the 'hands' done before. Wonderful! When I was a newlywed, the mother of a rather coddled friend told me I should not be wearing out my hands doing household chores. (I should have a maid?) Forty-eight years later, my hands are clearly 'used'.

That second picture is priceless. Love it. What a nice family. We also have four generations. My mom is the oldest at 96 and my grand niece (who is named after my mother) is 5. So we have a set of "bookends" named Audrey.

We have a family photo gallery in a downstairs wide hallway. I'd consider putting a few family photos in smaller table-top frames around the house (when I get around to it). The thing about "family" photos is they age, and then they just look retro. Our gallery wall is mostly our teens 3-4 years ago, and already I think it looks outdated because of their ages. I prefer family photos either reasonably fresh, or awesomely ancient. For example, my friend has her "ancestors" photos on a lovely side table in her living room. It's cool. But when your kids are teens,(for example) to have their black and white baby photos, on the living room wall 20 years later, is not something I'd do. Why? Not because I might "offend someone"! (Who cares about that?-not me, in this instance). But, because I like things to look fresh and little more sophisticated than that. (At least, I'm working toward sophisticated; maybe someday I'll achieve that). In your case, the photos you show, all together as a gallery wall, might not be "big" enough to look awesome on a wall that, at least in your image above, appears to be a big, blank wall. But it's all in how you do it. You might consider larger versions of the photos, or mix in some memorabilia, framed similarly, to achieve the gallery wall. A shelf gallery seems nice, but it would look nice if were related to some larger furniture piece nearby. See how the middle photo below has the few framed items at eye level, above a table and decorative arrow-thing, for balance, and to give the wall its oomph. I'm sure you can accomplish your goal. I'm sorry about your friend. If she is prone to saying hurtful things, and/or you're prone to being sensitive about her comments, then, I hope you are strong enough to either move on, or stop caring about her comments.

The concept of "public vs. private spaces" in a home seems very outmoded to me. A home, now more than ever, is a place to create your very own nest, and if you want to display your lovely family throughout, it's absolutely fine. In fact, it sure beats hanging "art" that matches the sofa or other such nondescript and soulless items. I love your thought to display your photos, and Maureen's shared arrangements look great. Go for it.