Wall to Wall Family

As a Genealogist, I have been very fortunate over the decades to gather old family photos. Some are originals, some are scans of originals, some I have received from other family researchers, and some I have just taken with my phone camera when I saw them somewhere. For many years they were tucked away in cupboards and drawers. I finally decided not to worry about them fading and put some of them where I could see them. (I have scanned them all already so I have copies.) I really enjoy seeing them every day. Can’t remember where we bought the shelving but you can find it online and in home improvement stores. I wanted the frames to be a mixture of types and sizes but in a brown and gold color scheme. Remember to label the back of the framed photo and also the photo itself first!

Sorry for the glare, there is a large sliding glass door/window at one end of the family room and even with the curtains closed, there is a glare. Discussing the frames anyway, not the photos. These two (my mother and her father) I framed myself with frames from Michaels or Aaron Brothers before they went out of business. I watch for vintage looking frames when I go there. Sometimes I have found great vintage frames at garage sales and estate sales.

I bought this frame (my husband’s parents) on Etsy, it actually came from Eastern Europe and it is carved wood. This one is one of my favorites. Etsy and Ebay are another good source for vintage frames.

I think these (my paternal grandparents) both came from Aaron Brothers. (Now closed but they frame at Michaels now.) The left one is metal and really looks vintage I think. I like the flowers on the right one.

Sometimes I have a photo (my mother, left front, aunt on the right, and grandmother) that has its original frame. I try to keep it intact if I can. This frame has a few nicks and scratches but I love that it is the original.

This one (my maternal grandmother) was also an Aaron Brothers purchase. I like the Mission style with the feet. I think it matches the time period of the photo well.

This one (my husband’s maternal Great-Grandmother) has a leather feel to it. I like the corner designs. I found it at a garage sale.

I put my family on the bottom shelf and my husband’s family on the top. They are all labeled on the back and I have copies of them all. I often stop and look at them and really enjoy having them where I can see them. I think you should put your old photos out where you can enjoy them!