Sharon Castillo Over here in Italy they're very much in vogue, the pictures are plastificated so they don't get ruined by dust & are mounted on canvas frames.
Michelle says, "I am very budget-conscious, so most of my style comes from drooling over interior design magazines, then setting out to re-create a similar look." The ottoman in the living room is a Michelle original. It's covered in white vinyl, making it much easier to clean than leather, but with a similar look. Check out her tutorial to see how she did it.
Your family photos are worth enlarging, and between your computer, all of the inexpensive online resources like Snapfish and Shutterfly, or good old Kinko's, it's easy and cheap to do. Pick a few favorites and make your family the stars of your living room.
Another gray wall, this time in the living room, is a sophisticated backdrop for enlarged black-and-white family photos. The white sofa with white curtains keep the space casual and on the lighter side.
It's not necessary to only purchase dark upholstery items while raising kids. You can have white furniture if that's what you desire. Just think slipcovers for the sofa and easily washable fabrics like vinyl for heavily used items like ottomans.