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October 4, 2009
Posted by: Cathy at 12:02 am
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I’ve been working with a lady who wanted some decorating help and one of her requests was to address a large wall in her open stairway. She and her husband have 4 beautiful girls and lots of family picutres. So, instead of hanging a grouping of family pictures there, I thought I’d make it into a functional family photo wall. The wall was almost square which was a perfect shape for a circular design. So why not turn the design into a clock. Why not?
To keep the design looking crisp, graphic and clean, only black and white photos with white mats, black frames and black clock hands will be used. The frames will all be the same size except for the 12, 3, 6 and 9 which will be the same, only in a larger size. I’m hoping to find some large clock hands ( or have them made) and a clock movement that will turn the photo wall into a functional timepiece for the family as they go about their busy schedules (no excuse being late anymore).
Besides a stairway wall, you could hang this clock idea on a family room wall, den or large kitchen wall. Do a little math before you start hanging pictures. Lay all your pictures on the floor to get the placement and diameter of the circle fiqured out. On the wall, measure top to bottom, then left to right to find the center point of the circle where the lines intersect. Tape a long string onto a pencil and tie the other end around a tack or thin nail pushed into the centerpoint. Fiqure out the circumference you want the circle and draw lightly a perfect circle on the wall. Hang your clock movement and hands ( or paint on, or cut out stationary wood clock hands) in the center. Then, (important) hang the 4 larger opposite pictures first (12, 3,6,and 9). Use a 
straight edge to line them up just right. Then fill in the 8 smaller pictures around the clock. It’s not hard, just take your time to hang them symmetrically. You could paint the wall behind the clock an accent color to draw more attention to it. Or, add a rub-on saying (Families Are Forever, or Make Time For Family) or personalize the clock face with your last name or monogram.
What do you think? What other things could you hang to make a creative clock.? Maybe 12 smaller clocks as numerals, or kitchen gadgets for numerals in the kitchen, or 12 calender prints for numerals…the sky’s the limit.
I hope to post the wall when complete, it may take a little time, but here’s the idea if you’re interested.
Have fun!
(click on photos to enlarge)
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1. What an awesome idea! Several of my clients would love this. I am happy to admit; most people couldn’t do it themselves, so hanging artwork is an add on service for me. It is surprising how excited clients get when you hang their family heirlooms. They just don’t have the confidence.
Would you mind if used these photos to show them in my ezine? I’ll give you credit of course.
Marie
Window Designs Etc.
Jefferson, MA
by Marie Mouradian-Window Designs Etc. — 10/4/09 at 7:45 am #
2. So clever…
Go online for clock parts….
Alot of collectibles could be used as points on the clock….
1.rolling pins / tools / horse stuff / ribbons
2. evening bags
3. old cameras (on small shelves)
4. documents/diplomas
5. records/CDs
6. baby clothes / shoes
7. old kitchen tins
8. quilt blocks
9. etc
by Julie — 10/4/09 at 6:44 pm #
3. That is such a great idea! I have plenty of blank walls that this would work on!
by Rachel — 10/5/09 at 12:29 am #
4. Great ideas for clocks Julie!!
Any collection could be used, hung on the wall or set on a small shelves.
How about vintage alarm clocks used as numerals, vintage record albums, 45s or CDs, maybe vintage tea cups and use old silverware (knife and a spoon) for the hands. Sooo many ideas…
Yes, I’ll look online for the clock parts, I should be able to find some.
Thanks for your always great thoughts and comments.
LYC
by Cathy — 10/5/09 at 12:09 pm #
5. Hey Rachel,
Thanks so much. This would fill a nice large wall up. But, the size of your framed pictures dictates how large the clock will be. You could use smaller pictures for smaller, shorter walls…like basement areas…lol.
(your new basement is beautiful!).
Enjoy and have fun decorating.
LYC
by Cathy — 10/5/09 at 12:18 pm #
6. Such a clever, clever lady you are. LOVE the addition of the family name at the bottom. Suburban homeowners everywhere with big blank walls will be bowing at your feet. I stand in awe! joan
by Joan — 10/6/09 at 9:43 am #
7. Hello Marie (#1)
Thank you, I’m glad you like the idea. You sound very creative yourself with a window design company. How exciting.
Yes, sometimes if you can give people an idea they can usually run with it, unless they just don’t feel like they want to attempt it or are not comfortable, then they call on us…keeps us in business LOL.
Yes, you’re welcome to use the ideas and would love you to link back to us. Thanks so much.
Enjoy the decorating business, you make a lot of people happy.
by Cathy — 10/6/09 at 12:17 pm #
8. You’re too nice Joan,
Yes, the family name and when the family was established is a nice touch to personalize the design even more. You can order rub-on custom sayings or names in any script or size. Kinda fun!
Thank you for all your nice remarks, you’re way over the top, but it’s nice to hear.
Take care friend.
by Cathy — 10/6/09 at 6:09 pm #
9. Hi Cathy,
Long time, no contact! Sorry about that, but this is a wonderful idea! One can always rely on you to come up with something really unique and thought provoking!
Great work!
Betty
by Betty — 10/9/09 at 6:21 pm #
10. Awsome! Does this work like a real clock? If yes, how? Which clock parts should I look for other than 2 hands. Please let me know as I have a large wall that I use for this….great idea. Also, for the clock of this size (shown in pic) what frame size and clock hand size did you use. This will give me some idea. Thanks in advance.
by Swati — 10/10/09 at 12:54 pm #
11. OHH Betty,
Great to hear from you. I hope things are going well. For those who don’t know, Betty used to write for the blog here and wrote some fantastic posts. We miss you and all your great ideas. I’m so glad you stopped by to say hi and check back more often. We always love to hear from you.
All the best to you friend!
by Cathy — 10/13/09 at 12:50 pm #
12. Thanks so much Swati,
This clock concept is still in the planning stage, but yes, I’m hoping to make it functional. You can buy clock movements (for large hands) and the hands, online. I haven’t researched it completely yet, but you can Google “clock hands and movements” or ” large clock parts’. A few sites came up that looked promising. So, do a little looking and you’ll find the parts.
As for sizes. It all depends on your wall size. Fiqure the diameter you want to use on the wall and this will dictate the size of pictures to use. Cut out picture sizes on paper or cardboard to play with and get the right size that will fit around your circle. Set all the play pieces in place on the floor and fiqure out how long you need the clock hands to be. Then look for hands close to that size and buy a movement that will run that size of hands.
Where there’s a will, there a way, lol. Do a little research and it will come together nicely.
Thanks for asking and enjoy your BIG clock.
by Cathy — 10/13/09 at 1:12 pm #