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Young House Love » Crafting & Art » Painting & Hanging Big Metal Keys On Our Gallery Wall

| By Sherry Petersik | April 13, 2011 | 314 Comments

Painting & Hanging Big Metal Keys On Our Gallery Wall

Remember when we mentioned snagging these old iron keys for $8 in an antique store in West Virginia while visiting John’s grandma? Well I finally got around to painting them and hanging them in our hallway frame gallery (see how we made that here). Where did we squeeze them in? Well, see that card stock placeholder key? That was, well, just a placeholder.

FrameWall Close Console Rig

I could have easily spray painted them for a quick makeover but since I love to use no-VOC paint whenever I can (especially since I have a huge gallon of white paint around at all times), I opted just to brush on a few coats by hand. It’s the same semi-gloss Olympic Premium No-VOC paint that I always use for trim and doors in off-the-shelf white if you’re wondering.

Keys Mid Painting

Then I decided that the spot on the wall with my card stock placeholder key might not accommodate that big ring of keys as well as three separate keys hung in a row, so I used some lady power and a hack saw to cut the iron ring and free each key to hang on its own.

Keys Saw

After touching up some of the white paint for a pristine finish I waited for them to dry and used twine from our junk drawer to string up each one at varying heights for a balanced but not perfectly symmetrical result.

Keys Hanging

In the words of my imaginary BFF Bethenny Frankel (I know she’s not for everyone, but I love her), thar she blows:

Keys Vertical

I love glancing over at them through the wide doorway in the kitchen…

Keys Hallway

… and gazing at them as I walk from the front of the house to the back (or vice versa)…

Keys Side Shot

So that’s the newest addition to the big hallway frame gallery. If only we could get our act together and start on the other side of the wall. You can see that in it’s planning stage – all covered in newspaper – here. And in this video, still covered with newspaper. Maybe tomorrow…

Wow, is this post really only 354 words? That might be a record for a chatty kathy like me. I kind of feel like a slacker. But what more can I say about the keys? Painted them, sawed them, twined them, hung them, took a bunch of photos, professed my love for said keys. The end. Wait, I know what this post needs. An on-the-subject haiku:

Little iron keys
I painted you white (surprise)
Wait, no one’s surprised.

Ok, now we’re over 400 words and there’s some poetry going on. Sherry out.

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Filed Under: Crafting & Art, Our Second House

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Comments

  1. Avatar for AdrienneAdrienne says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:34 am

    I am imaginary BFF with you Sherry! Well you and Jonathan Adler…

    Reply
  2. Avatar for ElisaElisa says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:35 am

    I LOVE YOUR HAIKU! Made my morning. LoL

    Reply
  3. Avatar for Ana SilvaAna Silva says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:35 am

    Lovely! Such an imagination. Sherry you crack me up btw.

    Reply
  4. Avatar for MonicaMonica says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:39 am

    I love that! It’s funny how seemingly simple things like that will make a huge difference and pull the room together.

    And I agree about Bethenny, she may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I love her! :]

    Reply
  5. Avatar for EdieEdie says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:45 am

    So, I knew that I liked you (not that I actually know you), but your haiku sealed the deal. And your love of Bethenny. I wish I loved the Skinny Girl Margarita, but I’m not a huge fan.

    Reply
  6. Avatar for LindsayLindsay says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:46 am

    I love this hallway – I will probably steal the idea when my husband and I actually own our own house. :)
    The keys were a great find, it makes me want to check out the little antique stores up the road from us (in Chevy Chase, Maryland) and see what they’ve got!
    PS: Bethenny Frankel is totally my imaginary BFF too ;) She’s awesomely crazy! Makes me feel better about being slightly neurotic…

    Reply
  7. Avatar for lizliz says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:46 am

    When we moved into our place, jon’s grandad had left some old skeleton keys. What a great idea. I didn’t have the heart to toss em. Even though they don’t seem to go to anything.

    Reply
  8. Avatar for Abby RAbby R says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:47 am

    Oh my gosh I’m so sorry to tell you this but Bethenny’s BFF seat is already taken — by me! But if you’d like, she’s still looking for a pen pal…

    Reply
  9. Avatar for LeanneLeanne says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:47 am

    Um, you’re adorable! :) I love this post. And I love that wall!!!

    Bella – your comment made me think of this: http://www.brooklynlimestone.com/2011/03/shore-files-gallery-wall-unveiled.html She hung them all with Command picture hanging tabs. Amazing!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for Jessica Z.Jessica Z. says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:48 am

    Great keys, great pithy post, great Bethenny reference, great haiku . . . just a great all-around post!

    And I’ve been meaning to get around to saying that I love the photo of you, John and Clara you’ve got front and center. Makes me wish we had taken the time to do something creative when our bug was teeny-tiny. It’s definitely inspiration for a springtime shot while she’s in this cute baby on the verge of a toddler stage.

    Reply
  11. Avatar for SherrySherry says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:52 am

    I love Bethanny too! Can I ask, do you paint all the trim in your house white? Do you have a mix, can you have a mix? I have dark trim but light wood floors.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 13, 2011 at 11:53 am

      We use Olympic Premium’s off-the-shelf white in semi-gloss. We use it everywhere but you can mix and match whites if you want by room (I don’t think anyone would notice).

      xo,
      s

  12. Avatar for CarrieCarrie says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:52 am

    Love it! I actually used your hallway frame collection as inspiration for one of my own projects: http://dreamgreendiy.com/2011/04/07/entryway-exhibition-now-open-to-the-public/

    Thanks for being such great muses!!!

    Oh and LOVE Bethenny – No shame ;-D

    Reply
  13. Avatar for CA ColleenCA Colleen says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:53 am

    Sherry, you are my imaginary BFF!

    Reply
  14. Avatar for CallieCallie says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:53 am

    I just noticed the photo of you guys looking down on a very little swaddled Clara. Awesome photo. I have to ask, was it a professional one? Or do you guys just have awesome family or friends who caught that shot. The perspective is amazing and now I want to shoot a picture of my friends with their baby just like that.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 13, 2011 at 11:50 am

      That was a professional one from an amazingly talented friend of ours! She took it when Clara was just 7 days old. So tiny.

      xo,
      s

  15. Avatar for Julie BallJulie Ball says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:56 am

    Love the keys! Love your wit! And I LOVE Bethenny!!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for Andrea@WhiteInspirations[email protected] says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:58 am

    Very cute idea! :)

    Reply
  17. Avatar for Snickrsnack KatieSnickrsnack Katie says

    April 13, 2011 at 10:59 am

    I love keys!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Ally (oatsandspice)Ally (oatsandspice) says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:04 am

    Love the keys! That add such a perfect touch to your picture wall!

    Reply
  19. Avatar for RachelRachel says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:07 am

    They look great!

    I got a couple of similar keys only they are huge – about a foot long and super heavy – from Goodwill for $1.99 each. I spraypainted them ORB and was just looking for a good way to hang them (since they sorta stick out from the wall). I think I’ll try your method – with some twine or maybe some leather cording since they are so heavy.

    Great work!

    Reply
  20. Avatar for MandaManda says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:09 am

    After a long time reading but not actually trying my hand at projects, the last two days I’ve been working on creating a gallery wall similar to yours in my bedroom. I cut out catalog pages to the shape of the frames as you suggested and it really helped pull the layout together. I’m super happy with the finished product, and I learned one lesson for next time — don’t hammer the other nails in with cheap Ikea frames on the wall! It took two crashing down on my toes to learn that lesson!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 13, 2011 at 12:24 pm

      Oh no! So sorry for the frame crashing, but so happy you’re hard at work on an amazing gallery wall! Good luck!

      xo,
      s

  21. Avatar for Lori @ Richmond, BABY!Lori @ Richmond, BABY! says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:13 am

    Looks great, Sherry!!!

    Reply
  22. Avatar for dawndawn says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:15 am

    Love Bethenny and the keys!

    Reply
  23. Avatar for heatherheather says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:16 am

    This is very cute! I love them separated and hung on twine. Then again, I love anything antique, white and twine – hard for me not to love.

    I have a completely separate question for you guys though – do you use the regular wordpress system to write your posts and clear comments, etc? Or do you use some other jacked up desktop version? With how many comments you get sometimes I imagine the wordpress system is insane to clear them all!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 13, 2011 at 12:08 pm

      Yup, just the regular wordpress.org version (not wordpress.com since we have separate hosting site, yada yada).

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for heatherheather says

      April 13, 2011 at 1:35 pm

      Nice! I understand, I love having the separate host. I tried using the free blog for my website a while back, but given my company is a wordpress.com too I couldn’t get used to it, so sure enough, the blog got moved to a server and I did the wordpress.com too.

      :) Thanks for sharing!

    • Avatar for heatherheather says

      April 13, 2011 at 1:36 pm

      WordPress.org. Not wordpress.com.

  24. Avatar for RosemaryRosemary says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:16 am

    mission accomplished:
    wall of memories and smiles
    thanks, little white keys!

    Reply
  25. Avatar for MarenMaren says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:17 am

    Those look great! Oh, and I LOVE Bethenny! She is absolutely hilarious!

    Reply
  26. Avatar for DD says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:19 am

    They look fab! I love me some Bethenny!

    Reply
  27. Avatar for MichMich says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:21 am

    aww i love the keys. Keys have a special place in my heart as well.

    Reply
  28. Avatar for Lisa T.Lisa T. says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:27 am

    Ok Sherry, I have to agree with several others, I can’t get enough of watching Bethenny, Bryn, and Jason. Just like I enjoy my daily updates of you, Clara, and John! Would love for you and Bethenny to be my imaginary BFFs!

    Reply
  29. Avatar for margiemargie says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:33 am

    SHERRY! I needed to take a moment to tell you how much I enjoy your writing. It has been different the last few months and I have been really getting a kick out of it. I hope what ever put you in this carefree, silly, say what you want kind of writing style sticks around! and no offence to john but I enjoy reading your post more than his.:/

    btw I started to notice the change after that video you did with katie bower (I think it was the last one) where at the end you said something like, if you didnt like this video ohwell and katie said you wouldnt put it on the blog.. i was cracking up!

    and yes I feel a little like a stalker now…

    Reply
  30. Avatar for LiannaLianna says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:34 am

    Bethenny is fully my imaginary BFF too, so glad you appreciate her as well!

    Keep up the AMAZING work other imaginary BFF! (Hopefully that doesn’t come across as creepy, but as an extension of the… oh nevermind. Let me go dig this hole a little deeper…)

    Reply
  31. Avatar for JoyJoy says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:42 am

    Textural addition to wall display – love the rough texture of the junk drawer string. Happy ending to key display.
    – Joy

    Reply
  32. Avatar for Catherine MCatherine M says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:42 am

    LOL! Sherry you are hilarious!

    Reply
  33. Avatar for KaylaKayla says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:42 am

    Anyone else thing that the tops of those look like white chocolate covered pretzels?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 13, 2011 at 11:54 am

      Haha, yes! You’re not the first to mention that. Haha. Makes me hungry.

      xo,
      s

  34. Avatar for ShannonShannon says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:45 am

    Sherry I can’t believe you’re a Bethenny fan too!!! … the keys look great by the way, fantastic work!

    Reply
  35. Avatar for JennyJenny says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:46 am

    I love Bethenney too!

    Reply
  36. Avatar for HeatherHeather says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:47 am

    HUbster and I did a wall collage last night (between commercials of GLEE!) We used your idea of putting up a stencil first and slept on it a week(ish) before jumping in. Love the idea of something random in little places. I bought a ton of frames (The BIG One!) from Kohls-10 frames for around 8 bucks! So, with 2 of those, grand total for our photo wall (with some other stuff that was moved into the collage…less than $20! SCORE.

    Hubster dreads every time I read your blog cause I come home and start brainstorming new things to do! Thank YOU for all the great ideas! :o) I love it…hubster just gets scared. :o)

    Reply
  37. Avatar for Christa MChrista M says

    April 13, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    I need to put a call into my dad for at least one of the skeleton keys of the Bungalow that I grew up in in North Jersey! Love this idea!

    For the other gallery wall, will you be hanging the Subway wall art you guys DIYed for the bathroom reno? If not, have any plans for those? I’ve been thinking about some sort of 27th & 7th art for my space down here in Atlanta. It was always my dream to get into FIT, and I finally did (years back), so now I feel the need to showcase that accomplishment somehow in my home decor. Perhaps something along the lines of those signs you made. or some sort of abstract art of the street signs.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 13, 2011 at 12:22 pm

      This might sound odd but I dream of hanging those in our closet with a cool chandelier and maybe even painted walls. For some reason I love them alone in a small room (like they used to be in our bathroom) since they’re such fun little meaningful things.

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for Christa MChrista M says

      April 13, 2011 at 2:30 pm

      Not odd at all, it sounds like a lovely idea! I love the look of art and chandeliers in a closet, makes it less utilitarian and more of a room..we girls know how to hang out in a closet trying to figure out what to wear! why shouldn’t it have some design elements!?!?

  38. Avatar for Megan @ reFindMegan @ reFind says

    April 13, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    John and Sherry P
    You have the best blog ever!
    Way to be awesome

    (Okay – I thought I was going to be so funny by writing a haiku – but see that I was not the first)

    PS- Love the Keys – I want one :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 13, 2011 at 12:21 pm

      Haha, still love it!

      xo,
      s

  39. Avatar for SarahSarah says

    April 13, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    Serious key love right here!

    Reply
  40. Avatar for KelleyKelley says

    April 13, 2011 at 12:09 pm

    I love Bethenny, too. Have no shame girlfriend!

    Reply
  41. Avatar for NaomiNaomi says

    April 13, 2011 at 12:10 pm

    Hi:) Love the keys white! Very cute. I keep noticing, though, the photo strip of you guys that’s also in the mix. I have one of my husband and I that I LOVE. I’ve been trying to find a frame for it for ages. I noticed yours is unframed as well… Just curious if you’ve looked for a frame for it and if so, have you had any luck anywhere? THANK YOU!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 13, 2011 at 12:20 pm

      We have a plan for that! Project to come! Someday.

      xo,
      s

  42. Avatar for KelKel says

    April 13, 2011 at 12:20 pm

    Clara’s pic this week is priceless! THAT FACE! I don’t have kids but if/when I do, I WILL be stealing this idea!

    Reply
  43. Avatar for KayKay says

    April 13, 2011 at 12:22 pm

    I’m sure it’s just the camera, but the white keys and the white frames do not look like the same white to me. Almost a little yellowed, which is still awesome, it looks like antique curves mixed in with the modern white lines. Lovely.

    Reply
  44. Avatar for JessicaJessica says

    April 13, 2011 at 12:23 pm

    Loved the haiku. You better believe I counted off the syllables on my fingers to make sure you got it right. :)

    Reply
  45. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    April 13, 2011 at 12:24 pm

    I have nothing new to add other than I love the keys and I also love Bethenny.

    Tata!

    Reply
  46. Avatar for Karla @ {TheClassyWoman}Karla @ {TheClassyWoman} says

    April 13, 2011 at 12:28 pm

    Your wall looks amazing, those keys were the perfect final touch, love the twine!! It’s funny how one little grouping of keys can pull the whole photo wall together but it does.

    I am also a huge Bethenny fan! I can relate to her type A personality, love of organization and everything orderly, dreaming big dreams and working hard to get what you want in life. She totally cracks me up but God bless Jason for being patient with all of her craziness!

    Reply
  47. Avatar for JennyJenny says

    April 13, 2011 at 12:31 pm

    Sherry, are all of your picture frames on that wall white, or are some of them off-white as well?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 13, 2011 at 12:40 pm

      They’re various tones of white (some brighter than others).

      xo,
      s

  48. Avatar for JacquelineJacqueline says

    April 13, 2011 at 12:32 pm

    I’m short on time today, so I apologize if this has already been asked. Would you mind sharing a little bit about that beautiful gray print on the wall below the keys?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 13, 2011 at 12:56 pm

      That’s a hand written poem from a handyman we know (yes, he writes calligraphy!). It’s called Desiderata (I think you can google it to read it). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  49. Avatar for Jen OJen O says

    April 13, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    Sherry, you crack me up! I literally laughed out loud when I read your haiku, which I’m pretty sure was a dead giveaway to my coworkers that I wasn’t actually working, since my job is a total snoozefest…

    But who cares! Your blog is my therapy. ;)

    Reply
  50. Avatar for ChristinaChristina says

    April 13, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    I absolutely adore what you’ve done to your wall, and the keys are a great addition. One question, how do you keep your frames so level/straight?? I have tried this in our hallway, but the frames always look crooked. Drives me nuts and I’m constantly fixing them. Any tips?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 13, 2011 at 12:57 pm

      I think the key might be to hammer the nail closer to the wall so they don’t dangle and sway. Ours haven’t been adjusted since we hung them! We just straightened them when we made the wall and they seem to stay put. You can also use things like 3M velcro tabs to keep them perfectly straight! Hope it helps.

      xo,
      s

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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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