Creatures of the Tide: Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of my Creatures of the Tide series! For this post I’m featuring a cluster of barnacles and sea snails I found on a nearby rock. I love the color contrast between the snails’ shells, and the neutral color of the barnacles. The shells range from a dark grey to purple. One of the best things about this photo? It holds a secret surprise! If you look closely, you’ll find there’s a snail inside the shell of a barnacle. Photos like this not only showcase the variety of sea life, but also the surprises that are in plain sight. Join me next time for Part 3 of this series!

Creatures of the Tide: Part 1

While taking a walk at a waterfront city park, I decided to explore a small beach that featured lots of drift wood and rocks along the shore. Looking closer, I found several limpets clinging to the rocks and driftwood. The one pictured below was hiding among some barnacles. Nature is all around us, but sometimes we have to slow down to find it. Small creatures like these are a unique way to bring the outdoors into your home. A collection of similar photos gathered together would make a great collage to update your space for the summer. Stay tuned for more pictures featuring creatures of the tide found along the shoreline!

Enjoying the Holidays Outside

Hello readers! It’s been awhile since my last post (2020, right?), but I thank you all for hanging in there with me! Since it’s the holiday season, I decided to showcase an awesome outdoor display. Outdoor displays are a great way to enjoy the holidays in a pubic place while social distancing. A great example is the photo on the left, which was taken at a local city park. The trees were draped in lights, in addition to a stage and other holiday displays. The park has several walking paths, which allow people to enjoy the displays at various points throughout the park. The best part? You can capture this fun adventure with lots of pictures to commemorate your trip. Print them out and display on a shelf to create a sleek look with your night photography. Want something bolder? Pick your favorite photo and blow it up to poster size, then use it as a focal point in a living room. No matter which option you choose, you’ll create a cool vibe that’s perfect for winter.

The First Flower of Spring

Peace lily in garden.

Since I’ve been working from home, I have a front row seat to the goings-on in our garden. Last week we had our first flower of the season: a peace lily! It reminded me that no matter what happens in life, nature goes on (and quite beautifully I might add). The white, yellow, and green color combo is not only classic, but is perfect for Spring. The colors could be combined into a patterned throw, or you could use solid-colored pillows to dress up a couch, chair, or bed. Additionally, you could display a photo featuring a similar flower to tie the whole room together. Being at home gives you the perfect excuse to update your space for the season. Whether it’s repurposing what you have or adding a few new pieces, you can create the perfect space to reflect the season’s colors.

Birds of a Feather

Geese and ducksEveryone’s heard the saying “birds of a feather flock together.” But nature obviously has different ideas. The photo above is the perfect example of birds of all feathers flocking together. While walking along my local estuary, I noticed a small island in the middle of the water. Zooming in with my camera, I saw a combination of geese and ducks enjoying the sunny weather. It reminded me of another post I did, so I just had to take the picture. As Spring is fast approaching, it signals the time to update your decor. Adding several pictures of birds, or other animals in sunny weather is a great way to get started. You could group several framed photos on a desk or shelf, or create a collage on a wall as a focal point. The setting and type of birds are up to your creativity. Whether using images taken at a state park or even your own backyard, you can easily update your space for the season!

A Path to Somewhere

Path to somewhereWelcome to 2020! People often use this time to year to create and (hopefully) accomplish new goals. In other words, we’re likely starting on a new path. While many people use a mood or inspiration board to keep motivated, I think a picture can be a great inspiration for your journey. A picture similar to the one above can be a great reminder to keep moving forward in anticipation of what’s ahead. Try hanging the picture in a place you’ll see daily, like an entryway or bedroom. While my photo was taken at a wildlife refuge, your photo can be a path from anywhere: a garden, beach, sidewalk, or an opening in the clouds. No matter what type of path you choose to use, let it be your inspiration for a new year.

Bringing the Spring into Fall

Looking for a bit of sunshine during this dreary time of year? A floral pop is the perfect solution! This can include a vase with bright flowers, throw pillows with a floral pattern, or a framed picture. The pictures can be small and placed on a table or shelf, or large and used as a focal point on a wall. An example is the photo of the Black-Eyed Susans on the right. This bright yellow pop of color is a great way to bring Spring flowers into Fall and brighten up your space. No matter what type of flower is you favorite, you can keep it on display year-round to add the perfect pop of color to any room.

The Dueling Hydrangeas

Sometimes when I want to update a space, I have a hard time deciding what my main color should be. My solution? Use two complementary colors! Besides using basic accessories to pull off this look, you can also take inspiration from nature. An example are the two Hydrangeas pictured above. The one on the left is purple, while the other is a very faded blue. Despite the fact one of the plant’s color has faded, it still creates a nice contrast. A similar photo can instantly bring a bit of nature to your space, creating a natural pop of color. Not a fan of Hydrangeas? You can use Roses, Daisies, Chrysanthemums, Tulips, or any flower you want. No matter what you color scheme you decide on, you can easily incorporate the colors of nature into your home.