If you did a smaller frame it might not line up with the the header that is next to it. I think it would better if it were slightly lower than the header. Using a narrower frame would shrink the overall size of it in a good way You could also use switchplates painted the wall color so they didnt compete with the picture.

A square frame on a small wall looks best when it has an equal amount of wall space all around it.

To my eye, your frame might be too close to the doorway ceiling opening. It looks cramped in the upper right corner.

JMO, of course. It's a great place for a black framed square.

You could also do four separate square frames...

I love the idea of the B/W pics and the dark frame and that table and bowl are very lovely!! but I do also see the size of the prospective frame as too large, it forces you to focus more on both the switchplates (which if painted the wall color would be better) and what ever it is that is white and at the top right corner of the frame? (if that's paintable, I'd paint it the wall color too to help it disappear some). Have you tried a smaller mock up? if you do, post it for comparison.

I don't know....I think it will look good as you have it mocked up.

Red

I am certainly no decorating expert, but the size looks fine to me. I don't mind it lining up with the header at all (in face I kind of like it -- maybe there's something wrong with me). That lovely bowl helps balance out the space on the bottom. If it doesn't bother you, I'd say go for it.

I would prefer to see it a tad lower by reducing the width of the frame. That way also the entire piece is not equal in size to the bowl beneath it.

Looks good to me --
And I love your trencher!

so you quilt eh? I prefer a thinner black frame- which as Pal said would make it a smidge smaller. And yes to painting the switch plate. The motion detector is fine that color. it will disappear.
I like the cabinet with the dark dough bowl, trencher or thingamabob very much.

Why not take the four pics and place them in small black or dark brown individual frames w/out the overall one. You know, just where you see the colored sections that you have. That way you'd have some more wall showing, which I think would help w/ the proportion and still have your composition of the three individuals and the three sibs--very nice idea, btw. I agree w/ others, either paint the switchplates or just get white ones to match the switches. That's what I would do, after all, you're unlikely to paint the switches (at least I would be).

Here are some mock-ups with frames pulled from Amazon.com

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Jodi-

I LOVE what Jodi has done. I would choose #4 of her mock-ups. The asymmetrical combination takes the eye away from the light switches.

I think you are on the right track with the 4 square-like you mocked up with fabric. I think that plays very well with the furniture accessory and wall corner.

I think the mock-ups show that Palimpsest is right.
I think you should make the arrangement two over two, use a black frame that is thick from the front edge to the wall, but no wider on its face than 1", and make the matting at least 8" wide on the sides and top, 6" in the spaces between the photos, and 9" at the bottom to weight the composition, which would give you a vertical rectangular thing, which is more graceful than a square. And I would have the person who cuts your mat color the bevel black to give you a fine defining line around each photograph. Then the focus is the pictures, each of them has enough room, and the weight is in the furniture and the bowl.
And, yes, paint the switchplates with the wall paint.

Way more than you asked, no??

I love the mockups. #2 and #3 are my fav

YES...pretty!

Wow - thanks so much for all of the replies! A special thanks to Jodi for the photoshopping - very helpful! It seems the general consensus is that what I have is too large - I see that. I'll try to re-do and post a new mock-up when I get a chance. Though I originally said I didn't want to, I may just try to make the whole thing somewhat smaller, with a more narrow frame.

Long story on the light switches, but the short version is they won't be changing color. I've read discussions on here about how switch/outlet plates aren't decor elements - and I get that, but they do look better in person than in the picture. I may end up putting something on that end of the table, though, that is tall enough to somewhat conceal them

The mock-up in the picture I posted is actually made of racecar wrapping paper and construction paper - LOL. I don't have any fabric around, because I don't sew. I wish I did, my mom sewed, but it just isn't a skill I ever acquired. I think when some of the baby boomer generation, with good intentions, tried to avoid over "domesticating" their daughters, those types skills were not passed along. I'll stop rambling now...:-)

Crashbangboom. Happy I could help.

Try using a wide blue painter's tape to create a mock-up on the wall.

Jodi-