Show off your collection and spice up a room -- in black and white.

In a day, a beginner can complete this project. Cost: $35 each for the picture ledges; $20 to $40 for mat-board cutter; $8 to $15 for black metal frames; $5 each for white mat board

Bring your family photos to the
front room.

• Picture ledges
• Black metal frames
• White mat board
• Mat-board cutter
• Straight edge
• Scrap board
• Curved accessories (such as vases or pottery)

Black-and-white photos displayed in rows make a graphic floor-to-ceiling focal point. Picture ledges (available through home furnishings stores and catalogs) provide the structure. We used 4-foot-wide ledges installed 18 inches apart. To avoid a cluttered look, frame photos in the same fashion. We chose white mats in black metal frames, placing more than one photo within some of the frames. Lean the frames on the ledges, overlapping some frames without obscuring the picture. Positioning bigger pieces low and to the left keeps the display from looking top-heavy. Accent the photos with curved accessories to soften the hard lines of the frames.

Trim your costs with a hand-held
mat cutter.

When using purchased frames, save money by cutting the mats yourself. A handheld mat cutter (pictured) costs $20 to $40. The blade is set at a 45-degree angle to make beveled edges. With a little practice against a straightedge, you can achieve fine straight cuts. Consider buying a cutter with guides etched on it for more precise starting and stopping. Always use scrap board beneath the mat when cutting.