Compared to the last few improvements we’ve done in our living room lately, you’d think this very last one on the list would be a piece of cake. Sure, let’s just lime wash the fireplace during an easy, breezy afternoon and build a window seat like it’s no big deal.
But this one remaining blank wall, of all things, was the super tricky situation.
That wall. It has a secret. There is a big ol’ slab of brick under there.
We always suspected it back when we were figuring out that our living room was actually an addition in the 80s, and this one wall was originally the backside brick exterior of our 1960 colonial.
And then, during the powder room re-do, our flooring contractor confirmed it. Hanging anything remotely hefty on this wall was going to be tricky business.
I’d found this sweet antique-look print of Biltmore Estate on Etsy that I was just dying to hang here. (Biltmore was where Robert and I had our honeymoon and where we visited with our families throughout our childhoods, so it’s always had a special place in our hearts.)
But we didn’t want to start drilling away into the unknown since it’s not your average situation where you can hang a big piece of art from a stud on regular ol’ drywall. We had no clue what sort of framing was going on under there, and we didn’t want to potentially create lots of damage to find out.
Why do the simplest projects always seem to be the most difficult in older houses? What’s up with that?
About when Robert and I were trying to solve the brick wall debacle, I got an email from this company called High & Mighty asking if I’d like to try out some heavy duty wall hangers that eliminate the need for hanging on studs and hook right into your drywall. Total fate, y’all! For real. Not even making this up.
I just found the center of the wall at the height I wanted, used the level on the wall hanger to make sure it was straight…
…and pressed the little hooks into the drywall on each end of the metal bar.
And then I just removed the level.
Done! It took me all of 3 minutes tops and hooked onto the wire on the back of the picture frame perfectly. Mischief managed.
So now we have art! Every time we have some matted large piece of framed art, I suddenly feel like a grown up. (Even though most of my days are spent building with Legos and having princess tea parties with Olivia.)
I guess that makes this wall the official cherry on top because we’re really pretty much finished in the living room!
I mean, we still have a bajillion more blank walls in this house that we haven’t even come close to decorating, so we’ll probably be busting out more High & Mighty hooks on the regular now. But it feels awesome to call this room a wrap.
If you have a tricky wall in your house, or ya know… just don’t feel like lugging out the tool box and hammering big ol’ holes every time you want to hang a picture, you can snag the hooks at DesignedToBeStuckUp.com. (How stinkin’ cute is that name?)
And also how stinkin’ cute are these two kids on their honeymoon?
Every time I look at this wall, I go on a mini-vacation.
Between this Biltmore print and our two childhood home art pieces in the foyer, we have a thing for framed houses around here lately. It’s just where our hearts are right now.
Do you have a picture of your favorite place hanging on a wall too? Or a favorite collection framed all over your house? Or a funky, quirky house with brick hidden behind walls that leaves you guessing all the time?
If you want to save this post for later for when it’ll come in handy, you can pin it here:
This post is sponsored by High & Mighty. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
kristine says
September 8, 2017 at 8:09 amI just looked at their site – did you use that 85 lb bar?? It looks like the 20 lb ones don’t come with that level bar. I’ve used something similar that Home Depot sells, but I don’t recall it being that brand name. And is that picture really in the 85 lb weight??? lol
Regarding the Biltmore mansion, well, we toured it and tried to hide in a closet, hoping no one would ever find us, so we could live there! ha! Stunning place on an awesome piece of land.
Lauren says
September 8, 2017 at 6:11 pmHaha! No, I definitely went overboard with the larger picture hanger, but it still works regardless. And yes, LOVE Biltmore! The gardens and village with their winery are amazing too.
Tiffany says
September 8, 2017 at 8:45 amThis is EXACTLY what I need in my life!! I just checked out their website and there are so many different options! I am in the process of planning a grid gallery wall (3 rows of 3, 9 total) and think these would work perfect for that! Since my frames are 20×20 and a little under 7 pounds, I would just need one of the 20 lb pieces for each frame, right? I’m so excited I want to make sure I’m thinking this through right! LOL
Lauren says
September 8, 2017 at 6:12 pmYay! They definitely make the process a lot easier. I wish they were around whenever I was hanging our gigantic stairway gallery wall in our old house. And yes, you can get away with the small hangers.
Marg says
September 8, 2017 at 7:11 pmThese are awesome! I cannot tell you how much we hate using anchors!! I fully expected their price to be fairly high, but they’re very reasonable at the retailers.
PS You’re so pretty, just like your lovely home!!
Laura @ The Turquoise Home says
September 8, 2017 at 7:31 pmHanging pictures or curtain rods or anything can be so tricky and frustrating. You’re right – should be so simple. Thanks for sharing this option!! I know I’ll need it at some point!
Gillian says
September 8, 2017 at 8:50 pmthanks so much for this post, Lauren! We are moving into our brand new house in two weeks time and will definitely be trying these out since we’d hate to mark our brand, spanking new walls! Love your house by the way – you have done an amazing job!
Jolene says
September 9, 2017 at 11:29 amThanks for sharing this site. I pinned it to my “Supply Site” board on Pinterest. I visited their site and I’m trying to figure out why or how this so simple device can hold such an amazing amount of weight. It is definitely something I will be checking into. Love your Biltmore print. My husband paints in oils. and we have beautiful paintings he has done of the Cotswold’s Weaver’s Cottages in England hanging in our living room. He also did a painting of Sax Fifth Avenue in New York, with the entire length of building hung with flags from the second floor windows. That one hangs in our family room. We love being surrounded by art that reminds us of “the places we’ve been!”
April N Hoff says
September 9, 2017 at 2:33 pmThis is great! I never really feel like putting holes in the wall! 😉 Also, love the Biltomore! Cute picture of you two. 🙂
Michele says
September 9, 2017 at 4:52 pmLauren – loved this post. First – AWESOME product and we are sooooo ordering some!
Second – yes on having some fav places framed. Hubs and I love to travel. We totally adore The Biltmore – we were there when the roses were in bloom – just heavenly! I *adore* that picture and may have to check for something similar.
You two were darling on your honeymoon. And finally, you look so so cute – actually beautiful – in that picture of you putting up those hooks and the art. Really purdy, lady – you had a super wonderful hair day, too. LOVELY!
Abby at Just a Girl and Her Blog says
September 9, 2017 at 6:46 pmWhat?! I had no idea something like that even existed! That is genius! Thanks so much for the info, Lauren! (And I LOVE the print you chose!!)
~Abby =)
Chelsea Coulston says
September 9, 2017 at 9:38 pmFantastic idea! Thank you so much for sharing this – I have multiple items I’ve been wanting to hang but have no desire to put a million holes in my wall finding studs. I love how simple this looks. And answering your question, we have tons of beach pics in our home because well, as a family, we love the beach! There’s a large print behind my sofa in the living room from a trip to Pensacola that was so special to us. I love that you have so many dear pieces hanging on the walls.
Christy Gaddis says
September 9, 2017 at 10:36 pmYour house is so beautiful! Could you tell me where you found your black wooden chair in your entryway? I would love to find a similar one! Thank you so much!
Jenna says
September 11, 2017 at 2:58 pmHow cool is that?! I had no idea anything like this was available – what a little gem!
Ivory says
September 11, 2017 at 11:37 pmWow, how many times I could have used something like this? Ehhhh many times. I gotta get one of these.
Julie says
September 12, 2017 at 12:57 pmI LOVE those hangers! (Almost as much as I love your living room…!) I use them to hang all my old chippy farmhouse windows 🙂
Nicki says
September 13, 2017 at 11:18 pmThis is genius! Thank you for the post! Also, side note, where is that fan from??? It’s the exact one I’ve been looking for!
Lauren says
September 14, 2017 at 2:22 pmThanks, Nicki! The fan is called Casablanca Caneel Bay. It’s on the pricier side of what we’d normally pay but we needed a large one. There is a fan that looks very similar called Hunter Fan Channelside that is half the price but just a bit smaller. 🙂
zuzu pooh says
January 18, 2018 at 12:38 amIt says tiny holes, you wouldn’t have a picture of how big?
Beautiful blog <3 digital wall art, ty for sharing it
Lauren says
January 18, 2018 at 6:49 amI don’t have a picture, but if you go to their website http://www.designedtobestuckup.com/wall-hangers, you can see the actual hanger up close to give you an idea of the size holes. You need to determine which hanger you need and can then see the number of holes too. I absolutely love these.