Why would a dining room be the wrong place for it? Isn't a dining room where families gather, where people share a meal together, share stories together, build memories together? (Well, if the wine keeps flowing, that is!) Because I live in a townhouse, I have limited wall space. But I love displaying pictures of the people I love, and I've never been one to go along with that "public spaces" rule of keeping some spaces neutral. So my photos are everywhere! (Well, not the bathrooms--I know there are some people who put vintage photos in there, but that might be the place that might freak me out!)

After seeing Lindybarts photo ledges I've been planning on doing this in my hall for over a year now. My hall isn't as wide as hers and my ceilings are only 8' so I'm actually making ledges so they don't stick out far. Lindybart's hallway. If I could redo I would've just bought the ledges from Crate and Barrel for $14 but I already have the wood. I suggest taking posterboard (tape together if you have to) and cut out mock ups of where I wanted them on the wall. I've seen photos in blogs where the shelves are real low. I wouldn't worry about not having anything below them. I think the display should read as a whole item so I'd probably aim to keep the middle about eye level. Start at 60" from the floor and adjust from there. I think this is a great idea not only because I never see it done around here but it will keep me from getting too wild/cluttered with photos in my hall.

Majority are in photo albums. Or sitting in a pile waiting for someone to put them in albums. I have a "gallery" of photos on the stairway wall going from 1st to 2nd floor. I have several small framed photos on bookshelves throughout the house. I also have some larger (8x10) family travel pics in our basement family room. We have so many great pics from vacations but I just don't have space to display them all. I should drag out the digital photo frame that someone gave us but I didn't have the patience to figure out...

Lauren, You are a woman after my heart, lol. You did all those changes today, awesome. It looks good. One thing I have learned it that the rooms look different in person, so that said, I would consider all frames black around the room. I love gold, yet against white and thin frames they tend to wash out in photographs. You will know if that's a good idea for YOU. The photo display looks right. See how many different ways the motif can be displayed? I read someone posted to paint the rails, I like that suggestion too. You could add a down spot accent light on each side of shelves. The light will reflect off the glass. Dimmers are great. Shelf diplay is an art, I always tell people what we all learned on "Sesame Street"; group like thing together. It looks balanced now with the extra shelf. I love the mock up of the paint too. Someone mentioned pillows. This is where you can have fun and add your personality. I'd like to see texture there. I love big pillows to curl up with on the sofa. The gray pillows look matchie matchie from the sofa company. Again may look different in person. You get to plan and choose finishes for you, and your "Likes", Enjoy. Thanks for flattering my ideas and implementing them, that's the best compliment!.