Decorating with Photography

Using photos in the decor of your home makes for a homey, warm, inviting, feel and adds a great personal touch. With photography being so popular there are great new options for printing your photos. What's new in photo printing, you ask? These are some of my favorite products and current best sellers:
Metallic Prints
Metallic prints have a glossy finish, with a metallic look. It creates images with exceptional visual interest and depth that will appeal to both photographers and display designers seeking a unique look. And it delivers rich, vibrant colors and flattering flesh tones for consumers.
Gallery Wraps
Gallery wraps are images printed larger than the final print size so that it can be wrapped around the wooden frame. A photo printed on real canvas has an artistic texture giving it an impressive, rich quality you simply cannot get on paper.
Float Wraps
Float Wraps are a new, unique option to display images. Float Wraps are similar to Gallery Wraps or Standout mounted prints in that they add dimension by extending out from the wall. Float wraps are unique in that they appear to be "floating" on the wall, with the main focus on the image! Create a modern display with a Float Wrap wall collage that comes ready to hang.
*These are all found through professional photographers only. Like me:)
Here are a few other fun ways to display those personal memories:
Memory Walls

Memory walls are such a popular trend right now in home decor. Weather you choose to create a unified look or an eclectic look, creating a memory wall in your home gives it an instant gallery quality look and makes a great classy statement in any space. Here are some key points to keep in mind when creating your memory wall.

Gaita interiots

• Always hang pictures at eye level. More

 often than not people are hanging too high and far apart.
• Give a space of about 1.5 to  3 inches in between photos
• Hanging 2 or 3 larger photo elements will balance out the smaller photos
• When pictures are hung in a horizontal line, it tends to make the wall look larger. This pattern works best in smaller areas and family rooms.

Pottery Barn

• For a formal look, hang the pictures in a vertical line. This will create the illusion of height.
• Mixing wood-framed pictures with metal-framed pictures works best in an eclectic home. For a more formal look, try to keep the same color for all the frames or mats
• Artwork should not be wider than the piece of furniture below it
• Pay attention to the "balance" in your entire room. Be careful not to put everything in one part of a room. Leaving the other walls bare will throw the balance of the entire room off.
• You don't always need to go for the formal unified memory wall. Create interest by hanging photos in unique shapes or make a collage with all frames touching.

(Liz Kartchner)

• Before you hang the photos, cut out paper to the same size of each photo. Then tape the paper to the wall. This gives you freedom to create your memory just how you like it without creating holes all over the wall. Make sure to use painters tape so you don't peal the paint off when you remove the tape. Nail the hooks into place according to your markings on the paper. Finally remove the paper and hang your pictures.

It's so important to get those photos off your computer and into your home to show off those cute family members. Here are some fun photo craft projects to show off those pictures:
Photo Wreath
Growing up, my mom always had a new photo wreath out for every holiday and season. It was so fun for us and our guests to look back on all our great memories. Simply print your favorite photos from that particular season and tie them with fun ribbon all over your wreath.
Place Mats
Print a large favorite photo of each family member (I chose ones that included eating) and laminate. This creates a happy environment at the dinner table and makes each kid feel special.
Decorative Tray
Buy a large photo frame and fill with any collage of photos/letters you choose. Screw in handles on each side to create a great serving tray.

(http://studio5.ksl.com)