Thinking of redesigning or renovating your home? You’re not alone! There are a number of reasons why people are taking a dramatic interest in home improvement right now. But trust me, you do not have to knock out a wall to lighten and liven up your space!

A well-designed portrait gallery will do wonders for giving your home new life and lasting joy.

Why?

Well for starters, you become what you see (shout out to Deepak Chopra!). So it stands to reason that staring at blank or cluttered walls produce blank or cluttered minds.

A clean and celebratory display of your community however, (or a “shrine to your family” as Gretchen Rubin calls it), can improve your happiness and collective harmony.

I think this is especially important for us Alaskans, as we are spending 80 percent more of our time at home. And that number is only going to increase in the coming months, as the days become colder and nights get longer.

So when you look at the walls of your home, don’t just think of them as shelter from the elements – but as a support system for your wellbeing, that should be designed with care and consideration for what brings out the best in both the space and you.

Last last summer, I took a friend and her family out boating for their portrait session, which was an extraordinary experience that produced the perfect photos for her home!

How do I know? We went on a walkthrough of her house together ahead of time, and the two-story vaulted walls inspired us to dream as big as the trees on the beach. The browns and grays of her home invited in the calming blues and greens of the bay. Everywhere we looked, we saw potential that I then turned into art. Her art.

An at-home gallery of family portraits in Anchorage, Alaska.

I also asked my friend what she thinks:

"Our family photo experience with Wendi was a true life experience. Breathtaking majestic wilderness as the backdrop made this a curated wilderness adventure that embraces the meaning of true artistic photography. We had an amazing day from start to finish. Our dog was in heaven! Wendi is a gifted photographer who not only managed to capture our family’s personality, but the spirit of Alaska in each photo."

So go on, take a walk around your home right now. Stretch those legs! And while you wander about, stop to stare at a wall every once in a while. But don’t just look at what space you have available to fit the frames you have, visualize what you want to see and feel every day.

Unsure of where to start? These questions might give your brain a boost!