When you walk through your front door, what do your walls say about you?
For a long time, the interior design world leaned heavily into a sterile, one-size-fits-all aesthetic. We’ve all seen it: mass-produced, generic store decor that looks perfectly pleasant but completely lacks a soul. But a home shouldn't look like a page pulled straight from a corporate catalog. It should look like you, and somewhat reflect the joys of your life.
My personal home decor centers on three core pillars: simple, welcoming, and clutter-free. To achieve that balance without making a space feel cold, you need elements that carry deep personal meaning. You need art that acts as a conversation starter.
For me, that narrative begins with our meaningful gallery wall ideas, specifically rooted in the places that shaped me and my family.
The Inspiration Behind the Art: A Wall of Our Own History
In our home, our art collection is highly curated but deeply sentimental. Alongside a few acrylic pieces I painted myself, we feature watercolor works from one of my favorite artists based out of London, as well as treasured pieces from incredible local creators in Alabama and Georgia.
But the true anchor of our living space is our state wall, largely in part because it tells our family story.
I grew up in Alabama, but my family’s journey didn’t stop at the state line. Our state wall features a collection of prints representing every single place we’ve ever called home.
- Alabama: Where we currently live, where I grew up.
- Ohio: Where Drew was born & lived (he's a huge Ohio State fan!)
- North Carolina: Technically....we haven't lived in the state of NC but I consider it my "home away from home" as most of my family lives there & we visit 2-3 times a year.
- Tennessee: Drew lived in Memphis and I went to school in Tennessee
- Florida: Where Caedon was born! Florida will always hold a very special place in our hearts. We also love Florida beaches and try to go once a year.
- Iowa: Drew lived in Iowa for a few years and loved it.
- Texas: Where Drew went to graduate school.
- Illinois: Drew and his family lived outside of Chicago for a few years.
- Michigan: Drew lived here with his family, very close to the lake!
Every time I look at that wall, I don’t just see shapes, I see our story.
The Craftsmanship: Blending Botanical Precision with Geography
This personal connection is exactly why I started designing my collection of botanical state art prints. I wanted to create a premium, artistic alternative to the generic maps out there—something that feels intentional and full of life. All of the states you see have been created by hand, by me. Not digitally produced in a program and certainly not produced using ai.
One of the questions I get asked most frequently by fellow art lovers and customers is how I choose the florals that fill each state shape.
The foundation is always the official state flower—like the Alabama Camellia or the Mississippi Magnolia. From there, the design process becomes a puzzle. Every secondary wildflower featured is chosen based on two strict criteria:
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It must be found within that specific state.
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It must perfectly fit the organic composition and unique geographic shape of the state.
To be completely honest, it is surprisingly difficult to fill a state silhouette with wildflowers while maintaining artistic balance and vibrancy! But ensuring that the colors "pop" and the botanical details are precisely rendered is what makes these pieces feel like an emotional statement rather than just an illustration.
How to Style a "Life History" Gallery Wall (The Designer's Tip)
If you are currently staring at a blank wall in a guest bedroom, office, or living room, trying to figure out how to arrange multiple state prints to showcase your own cross-state identity, here is my absolute favorite, most popular styling advice.
The Anchor & Frame Method
For a look that remains simple, welcoming, and clutter-free, consistency is your best friend.
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Choose Matching Frames: To keep a multi-print layout from looking chaotic, pick one high-quality frame style (such as a clean, thin oak or a classic matte black) and stick to it for every state print in the series. This unifies the art, making it look like a cohesive museum exhibit rather than a random collection. P.S. If you don't want to frame something on your own, we offer framing!
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Anchor to Furniture: Anchor the entire arrangement by centering it over a specific piece of furniture—like a console table, a entryway bench, or the sofa.
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The Layout: Hang them in a clean, grid-like structure with two inches of space between each frame. This geometric precision perfectly balances the wild, organic lines of the botanical florals inside the prints.
Using this method ensures your hometown pride decor looks sophisticated, intentional, and seamlessly integrated into a modern home aesthetic.
What Does Your Map Look Like?
Our homes should grow and evolve just as we do. Whether you are a transplant trying to bridge the gap between your past and present homes, or you're looking for a highly personalized housewarming gift that actually moves the recipient to tears, telling a story through local art is unmatched.
If your living room walls could talk today, what chapters would they tell? Which states would be hanging on your wall?
Explore our two state collections 50 State Wildflower and 50 State Flower to find your chapters, and let’s start building a space that truly feels like home.
