Silver or silver toned? I have a couple of family wedding and other photographs from the 1920s that I have framed in silver and I like them a lot.

I'm doing something similar with a collection of old maps, postcards, and the original deed for our house.

The best inspiration photo I found for my project was this one from PB (linked below). I already had a bunch of frames and some of my frames were similar to those pictured so I chose this as my model.

I liked that it was balanced and somewhat symmetrical but there were a few elements that were not symmetrical, so it was interesting. That would give me the opportunity to incorporate some of the odd shaped things I'd collected. I also liked that it incorporated some artifacts and layered the frames so some were in front of others.

This might be a little more contemporary than you are looking for but I thought this was a helpful example of how to mix different frame styles and make it work. I stuck to the general shape, color, and arrangement of the frames in the picture. But one of my frames is old barn wood, another is leather, and quite a few are in $2 frames from the craft store.

I cut my own mats. If you don't have a mat cutter and anticipate doing a lot of framing, it might be worth it to buy one. (Check eBay.) Framing adds up fast.

One tip, lay it all out with paper taped to the wall first. Or keep the smiling girl inserts from the frames and use those to get the spacing right.

Also there is a good article in last month's Martha Stewart Living on designing and arranging gallery walls.

Here is a link that might be useful: Example of gallery wall

My dad's house is decorated in the traditional style. This is a mix of photos, etchings and paintings, but might give you some ideas...

boopadaboo, those walls are beautifully done. I would love to have the talent to put that together. It is something I aspire to. I have drawings I have done, some photographs, it is just putting it all together. Those stairway walls are so well done. Thanks for posting.

cyn427 - old (or old looking) silver frames is a good idea. Thanks!

latimore - oh your project sounds like great fun! I hope you'll share pictures of it when you it done. Thanks for that inspirational picture. That does give me some ideas. And a good tip on the mat cutter. I think my art teacher said she had one. I'm going to check with her.

oh my goodness, boopadaboo, your father's walls are gorgeous! That's just what I had in mind. And a lot of those are in simple black frames....I hadn't thought it would work but it does. This is the perfect thread now to show my husband who couldn't picture it either. Thank you!

I used to have an Aaron Bros. framing store nearby; no longer, they closed. But see if there are some near you. Their ready-made frame selection was fantastic, and they had incredible sales.

Have you thought about frames that have a cherry finish (like kitchen cabinetry-cherry)? I think they have a lovely classic look.

Check out exposuresonline.com for some really beautiful frames. They can get pretty pricey, but maybe building around a couple of 'stunning' frames would work. (At the least, they'll get your imagination running!)

Here is a link that might be useful: Exposures online

A few years ago, I had one wall of B&W photos in my LR. At that time, I used all pewter or pewter-tone finish frames, different sizes, etc. I really liked the grouping of all family members on both sides in different stages of their lives. Also, the pewter frames were a good choice for the B&W's in our traditional setting.

Unfortunately, that was 2 computers ago, so I don't have access to any of those pics. When I redecorated the LR, DH painted the foyer, LR & DR, SW Blonde. I didn't re-hang the grouping as the pewter frames against the gold walls seemed off to me at the time.

Please post a pic of your wall once you've found what you like for your room setting.

susan - The unifying factor in the staircase wall is the use of black frames. If you look closely they are not precisely aligned, just hung mixing up the vertical and horizontal ones. A few are hung on the same vertical or horizontal line, but very few. It makes hanging them much easier.

To make it happen easier, cut paper outlines of all the frames and tape them to the wall. Start by placing the largest pieces in strategic spots and fill in with the smaller ones.

Of course, mark frames and paper so you know which picture goes in which spot.

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Look at these:
http://ana-white.com/2010/10/ten-dollar-ledges.html

Disparate frames, all painted the same color to unify them, sitting on a ledge made of 1x3 lumber.

If you can find a bunch of vintage gold-toned frames, use them. Use whatever you have that fits your decor.

pammyfay - thanks. There are still a few Aaron Bros around here. I'll check them out. Thanks for that link to Exposures. They have some yummy things.

work_in_progress_08 Your photo wall sounds lovely!

lazygardens - Yes, I understand what unifies them and oh, big thanks for that link to ledges. I know just where I want to put one of those.

It seems I've now run into a problem with hubby who doesn't like the look of wall-to-wall frames at all. He wants them more uniform in size and lots of wall showing. Sigh. Guess I will print these out all in 8 x 10s and go from there.

Thanks again to everyone.

I had to laugh when I read the title of this thread. My first thought was: Black and white photos predate "contemporary" so why worry about the frames? I think just about any frame can work with a B/W photo. Which you choose depends on the look you are going for.

susanwrites - Have you ever watched an episode of Rules Of Engagement? While watching an episode the other night I thought of your photo wall.

In the married couples apartment they have a photo wall in their TV viewing area. Lots of different frames, mat colors and mediums are used. It looks really great!