Picture Gallery Wall

For a while now I've been wanting to get family photos up on the walls. It also gives me an opportunity to create a picture gallery which I've been craving for as well. I've chosen the family room for my picture gallery since it gets daily use and the kids may appreciate seeing their pictures up, as would the rest of us!

I wanted the picture gallery to balance with existing artwork I have in the room - see below - so I traced the entire frame onto plain paper to use as my guideline.

Here are three layout options I'm considering. I would like the frames to be both horizontal and vertical to allow for versatility in the photos. Which layout do you like best?

Here's where it would be placed on the wall -

Today I'm keeping the storage boxes below the gallery however, one day they will be replaced with a small desk or console, something like these options...

1) ikea @ 129.99 2) west elm @ $199. 3) pottery barn @ $499. 4) potterybarn $299.

I'm still considering pulling together an art gallery wall, somewhere in my home, where the frames and artwork are strategically arranged to look as though they weren't, but I'm concerned that the look will frustrate me over time. That said, I've come across some beautiful art walls like this one and this one, that are just lovely. Here are 2 examples from potterybarn...

I love the layout and mix match frames in the picture above but the picture below is more me. Perhaps I'll venture outside the box and give something like the above a try one day! Oh, I also love the deep blue with tan combination in these photo... would be perfect for a den or boys room.

Which layout do you favour? Let me know, I'm interseted in hearing from you!