I had so much fun working on this project. I hope that it inspires some of you to add more family photos to your decor in unexpected ways. xo. Elsie
I had so much fun working on this project. I hope that it inspires some of you to add more family photos to your decor in unexpected ways. xo. Elsie
132 Comments
Totally inspired here! I’ve been spending more time on your blog as we prepare to move into our new house, can’t wait to start diy decorating!! Really really loving these old pictures, what a great tribute to geneology.
Beautiful project! I love old family photos – I’m planning a project using old family wedding photos for my wedding, but I’ll have to keep in mind the other great uses for family photos! I really love this.
http://whiskeybreakfast.blogspot.com
I love the way the photos are displayed. Black and white with colors makes it really pop. great idea!
Melissa
http://shakeshakee.blogspot.com
It’s very pretty! What a great idea to use family pictures and the black and white photo’s match great with the white bookshelf. I can imagine the lovely memories you have when you see it every time.
This has to be my fave post ever! I love how original and personal everything looks, I must try this now :3
So amazingly cute!
http://illuminatedteapot.blogspot.co.uk
B&W photos are looking amazing..love this project!
http://www.viamojo.blogspot.com
wow, this is amazing.
It’s so beautiful and personal <3
I absolutely love this! What a great way to decorate a bookshelf without having to buy expensive frames. I’m sentimental too, so I think this is perfect.
This is such an amazing idea! I love how personal, creative, and yet still aesthetically pleasing this idea is. Thanks for this!
xo
Amanda
http://advicefromatwentysomething.com
That’s adorable. I love it.
Oh, Elsie! I have HUGE and I mean cavernous built-in bookshelves in my rental home. We move frequently and I tend not to hoard things…so my shelves are empty or collect junk. This is a lovely idea! Far more interesting then just patterned paper or fabric. An empty shelf is welcome with the photos in the background. Now if I could only find a way to get these architect prints in Spain. I don’t even know where to make copies! Thank you so much. Off to do some research and gather photos!
beautiful! I love the chic but familial, cozy look of this. Great post!
http://www.fashionablytactless.com
This is so inspiring and lovely. I can’t wait to do something similar when I get my own home!
xoxo missdottidee.blogspot.com
This is such a fun way to display old family photos. I love the large scale of the photos and it’s a great way to avoid cluttering up shelves, creative as always!
AAMAZING IDEA. looks so great! I will do this now <3
http://birdiewearsatie.blogspot.com/
What a beautiful project! I always worry about built in shelves, and this was a great direction to take them.
❤stephanie
http://stephaniein-nh.blogspot.com
This. Is. So. CUTE. I may have to steal this idea. It is just perfect.
I don’t have anywhere to do this, but its a great idea!
http://www.leslimarie.com
Ok, this is fantastic. I have this thing for old photos … they’re just so cool! I love wondering about the stories behind them. And if it’s family photos, I love imagining what life would have been like for my grandparents (or whoever the pics are of) back then.
SO awesome. Really beautiful project! Pinning it! 🙂
What a GREAT idea!! I have been dying to blow up some old family photos, but havent been able to figure out what to do with them. I’m not sure if this would work on my book shelves but it is really inspiring me to come up with SOMETHING to do! Thanks 🙂
xx Ashleigh
http://www.ashflynn.blogspot.com
It looks great. It is so personal.
http://www.fashiondenis.com/
My grandfather recently gathered old photos for me to use in my home…this is such a great idea! Now, if I only had built ins I would be as happy as a clam. 🙂
I love this idea so much. I can definitely get pictures of my great grandparents and so forth. This will be fantastic–thanks so much for the idea!
Kim
http://www.fashionlovesdetroit.com
This is a super cool project and something that is personal! I love it.
Carlee
http://almostendearing.blogspot.com/
Great idea! My bookshelves are usually packed to all edges, but what a good solution for built ins that have odd sizes.
Strive to Thrive,
Nic
http://www.Thriving-Wives.com
Such a beautiful idea!
xo Jennifer
http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com
I’m moving soon so I’m super inspired here! This is a very cute and personal way to decorate.
love love love this project! so gonna copy you. and give you credit of course…ha!;)
It looks so great! You have such great decoration ideas!
This is awesome! LOVE IT Elsie!
Wow I really like those shelves with the family photos!! What a cool idea!! It looks great!!
http://chloemoonergo.blogspot.com
This is an amazing idea! I think I’d have to choose photos with A LOT of negative space (I have tons of books), but I love the way you styled the physical elements with the photos. It could easily look cluttered, but your styling is amazing!
very creative!
elsie, you are a genius! i totally love this and really want to do it! you amaze me with the things you think of sometimes!
So beautiful! Love it
X
http://kendra-genevieve-rose.blogspot.com
This is awesome!! Can’t wait to try this.
Such a good idea! And I also noticed that you have a copy of Homemade on your shelf…such a good book! I can’t wait to get my hands on Volume II…it’s on my xmas wishlist 🙂
I have to tell you two ladies that I absolutely love your blog. You always have the most spectacular tutorials and crafty projects. This is so much fun and the black and white is so lovely. It really helps all of the other colors stand out against it.
xx. Lou
It’s a very nice idea. Loving also old family photo I did another project, you are welcome to have a look if you like and tell me what you think
http://its-nice-here.blogspot.it/2012/01/family-tree.html
+++ really enjoy your blog
This is a wonderful and creative idea! I’m moving soon so I think that’s the perfect excuse to try this! Thanks for this post!
I love this so much 🙂
such a great idea! def gona try smth similar
http://athousandhappythoughts.blogspot.com
Wow! You ladies are sooo very creative, I’m so happy I found your blog!!
http://www.dailybuzzbuzz.blogspot.com
You guys come up with the best ideas! I have a fab plack and white photo of my mum and dad smooching in a photo booth in the 60s that would be great for this.Rx
http://sandersonsmithstory.blogspot.co.uk/
Just found this via Pinterest – this is such a cool project!
This is a really great idea. I actually have a ton of family photos and have been thinking, “Man, I should do something with these.”
This is so cool! It’s a great way to do something with all the old pictures that are lying around somewhere in the back of a closet.
xoxo, Femke
http://buttonsbybutton.blogspot.com
This is really awesome! Now I want a bookshelf so I could try this out.
I’ve been waiting to see what you were going to do with the blue prints. Looks amazing!!
Wow, this is amazing! What a great look. I love it.
This is such an awesome idea! I should think of a place in my home where this could be executed. 🙂
This is soooo cute! Lovely DIY idea!
Such a cute layout of your family photos!
http://www.starsandstrutz.blogspot.com
xx
J
obsessing over this idea!!!
xo. c & v
cake & valley
stunning! I can’t wait to have my own home someday to do big projects like this! wonderful.
Wow! It is just too perfect. You did such an awesome job!
I love it 🙂
Very nice project!
What a completely wonderful DIY! Love this and hope to do something similar soon! (: Thanks guys.
I love this so much! It’s such a good idea and it looks so beautiful. I may have to try it out on my desk shelves <3
This is lovely
Valentina
http://valentinaduracinsky.blogspot.com/
This is such a wonderful idea! A great way to commemorate the past. I have this weird “thing” about too many pictures of my boyfriend and I in our own apartment. Our space is small enough so it seems a little tacky to cover our place with photos of us. This is an excellent way to eliminate chunky frames and wall hangings, but still enjoy sentimental memories with friends and family. We will be stealing this idea!
xx – Carly
talesofelenore.blogspot.com
FAVORITE PROJECT EVER on here. Love, love this!
grace
http://herumbrella.com
This is so genius and makes me want to do this as soon as we get a new bookshelf. Thanks for the share!
Cathy Trails
Loved this idea! It makes the bookshelf so personal and unique xx
This is incredible! SUCH a cooler idea than just painting the back shelves. I’ve got a couple of built-ins but this would be great in this cabinet I’ve been wanting to restore. Thank you!
This is such an original way to put up family pictures! I absolutely love it. I can’t wait to start working on our office, maybe well have room for a bookshelf that I could do this to!
love love love this!!!
What a great idea! I’ve put fabric or wallpaper behind bookshelves before, but this is such a cool idea. Thanks for sharing!
-Kristen
http://www.etsy.com/shop/shopsimplylovely
oh! that’s cool idea.. 🙂
love this! black and white pictures are so fun to decorate with.
This is super inspirational. What a great idea. I love looking at pictures of my parents’ childhood and also pictures when they were dating. 😉
This is so beautiful and such a thoughtful idea Elsie!
I wish that I had a built in bookcase in my place because this is a super cute idea.
omg this was too awesome not to comment (2nd time for me in over a year- thats how awesome this is!). soooo inspiring! loveit loveit loveit !!!
What a great idea! Love this! Definitely adds something to your shelves!
Theresa
http://bomamma.blogspot.com
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this. What a wonderful way to incorporate family photos into your decor! So lovely, Elsie!
xo
http://edenmarie44.blogspot.com
cool idea elsie.. love it. 😉
http://lovesimplegreen.blogspot.com/
Oh my goodness, I LOVE this idea! Great way to bring memories to life again!
It’s a beautiful project. Not only does it looks nice (espacially the fact that it is vintage and black and white, love the mix with pop colors on the shelf) but it is a so beautiful thing with a lot of meanings. Love that salute to family and history!
Olive xox
SO WONDERFUL.
Built in shelves are awesome! Your DIY is awesome! Family photos are awesome! Everything is awesome!
Maria xx
http://www.cheekypinktulip.blogspot.com
Love that! It’s a very beautiful project to show photos that have probably been hidden in a drawer for so many years!
I love this idea! Hope to test it out. Would look good in my nearly empty Billy IKEA book shelf 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration and the beautiful blog posts!
This is such a beautiful project! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Soooo cute!!! 🙂 🙂 The two girls kissing, who are they? The right one looks exactly like you 😀
Best wishes,
Yoojin
I wish had some cool family pictures around somewhere so I could this too, it’s a really nice idea.
xo
Kelly
http://www.theluxurycloset.com
What a great idea! Have done this in a small scale but this is way more cool! xx
http://www.creativityandchocolate.blogspot.com
Super cute, I would like to have the right bookshelf in my apt to do this!
Oh!!! Es MUY BONITO
all photos are amazing <3
I was drawn to this post, I love this!
thats so pretty! I always LOVE old family pictures!
Lovely pictures! perfect decoration!
Such an awesome idea!!! I’ve done the same with my bookcase only I did it with vintage wallpaper http://www.fluffandpebbles.com/2011/09/30/project-restyle-my-billy/
but having blown up old picture prints is such a cool twist to it! They look beautiful! Well done!
I love it!! At my house, I have one of the parts of my bookshelf decorated with b&w pictures of my husband and I.
Super gorgeous 🙂
love this project!
Love this idea, will have to try it! x
Such an inspiring idea. Love those old pictures and finally a beautiful way to present them, not just in a little wooden frame.
This is absolutely amazing! Refer a friend and Win http://bit.ly/RhOnjl
Shop Dresses Online at CopperEtiquette and Refer A Friend And Win
what a great idea !!
I love it 🙂
thanks for sharing
What an amazing idea! I cannot wait to do something similar!! Thank you for the inspiration! xoxo
Oh my gosh! I love that so much! How precious! I am such a fan of old pictures, and I think your bookshelf is perfect! I must do this someday! (when I have a good bookshelf!
Love this idea! I am not one for scrapbooking or albums but I do love old photos. One question, did you (or do you recommend) adding a protective coating of Modpodge or similar? I don’t know how durable this type of print is and wonder if, with putting books on the shelf and taking them off and all that, it would be a good idea to coat the prints in some way?
this is so lovely!what a great idea!i have an old boring IKEA Billy bookcase that i think im going to try this on!all my loved one live far away so this is such a great way to feel like i have them with me every day…xxxxxx
Wow! What an amazing idea! Love this!
Very interesting.. I love pictures chosen and they way they are arranged
I love this idea! I may have to do this. Since I’ve started grad school I’ve already grown out of 2 bookcases… This is a sweet way to showcase the books I’m reading. Xo Inna
**BAKING IN COUTURE**
http://www.bakingincouture.com
So inspring! I would love to do this in my own home someday.
What a fabulous idea!!!
What an awesome idea! This is SO great. I’m doing this as soon as possible in our house. It would go perfectly with our vintage style. Thanks!
http://tribeoftwo.blogspot.com/
Great project! I looove it! 🙂
xo,
Pili.
http://inavintageworld.blogspot.com.es/2012/11/english-grey-patterned-dress.html
I Love this idea… I am always looking for great projects suggestions for my clients to do to keep them busy and also bring them joy… I will be pointing them in your direction for this one.
Jxo
Ohhh i’ve been waiting to see what you had planned for these photographs! It looks so lovely 🙂 and space saving too! You get all the great pictures without the space of the frame on a shelf 🙂 xx
http://www.little-beast.blogspot.co.uk
Love your blog (and this idea!), Elsie and Emma! Thanks for always greeting me with a smile, inspirational ideas and the creativity to create a beautiful life. Wish you the best! xo Anne
I’m not too much into DIY, but this is something I’m mod def gonna try. Thanks for posting
http://katoriskitchen.com
cool post! love b & w photo!
Lenusik ♥ ♥ ♥ With love ♥ ♥ ♥
On the subject of family photos, I saw a little photo of you & Mr. Larson in this month’s InStyle magazine! So cool!
I absolutely love this!! I totally am inspired to try to do this!
Check out my blog: http://thechicstreetblog.blogspot.com/
What a beautiful idea! It’s so gorgeous, simple, and sweet.
That is a great idea!
http://owleyevintage.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/OwlEyeVintage
I don’t think there is a project of yours that I don’t love. Now if only I had the patience to try them all. Hopefully I’ll work on one soon for my new place.
This one is really creative and original, I absolutely love it!
Anne xo
this is so beautiful!
Xx
Okay, love love love this! For the past couple years I’ve been writing a series of letters back and forth with my grandparents asking them all sorts of questions about when they were growing up, working, falling in love, etc. I hope to display them with pictures in some way like this! Also, was super intrigued by your “personal stories” binder! I’ve had journals, dream books, etc. but never just a book full of written out, personal stories…definitely adding it to the “start the habit” list. Such a great way to share your life with those who are close to you and those in the future.
inspired !
Absolutely beautiful. Love this.
This is awesome! I wanna do this project. If only I’m as creative as you guys 😛
absolutely love this idea!
Now this is the kind of project I could dive into! It’s absolutely awesome!
Hi Elsie! I LOVE this project. It is just so darling, and I have a ton of great photos of my husband’s and my family… thank you for sharing!
I had a different but kind of related question, too. I finally came up with my four simple goals before 2013 (it took me forever!), and wasn’t sure where to share them. If that’s still open, I’d love to be a part of it. Thanks so much!
LOVE what you did with the prints! I saw your instagram post, and printed some of my family wedding photos this way, and they turned out amazing! I’m getting married in May, and the reception venue has a giant mural that I want to cover up, so we are printing out family and friends wedding photos and plastering them up poster style over the mural. I’m so excited to see how surprised everyone is to see themselves in a 4 ft photo when they get there.