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.

Under the Sea at Home

There’s nothing like a trip to the aquarium! You get to see all the wonders of the ocean like rocky shores, exotic fish, coral, and sea anemones. But wouldn’t it be nice to take that aquarium home with you? The obvious solution is to take pictures from your trip, enlarge them, and put them on your wall. Not only is it a great memory from a fun day out, but it creates a colorful addition to your space. A picture similar to the one on the right would look great in a living room or dining room. You don’t need to go on an expensive, fancy vacation to get a great shot of sea life. An aquarium ticket and a camera are the perfect combination to easily bring the sea into your home.

A Contrast of Light and Shadow

Hello, and welcome to my first post of 2019 (and thank you for waiting for it)! Today’s post will center on the contrast of light and shadow. An example of this is the classic black and white color scheme. However, there are plenty of other combinations one can use to modernize the look. A perfect example is the picture above. Taken at sunset, it perfectly encapsulates the theme of light and shadow. The shadow of the tree pops perfectly against the glowing sky. A similarly bold picture would be the perfect focal point in a dining room or living room. The dark color draws the eye to the image, while the lighter colors bring a pop of color to the space. No matter if it’s sunrise, sunset, or somewhere in the middle, you can take a photo that will bring a classic color concept into your home.

A Bridge, a Road, and a River

Sometimes the most ordinary things can give us inspiration. While a bridge, road, and river alone aren’t necessarily special, together they can create a unique picture. An example is the photo above that captures just such a scene. The picture includes a curving road beside a river that is capped by a symmetrical metal bridge. The early morning sky, sun filtering in through the trees off-camera, and the green grass and bushes dotting the shoreline create a serene picture that would go with any decor. Enlarging a similar picture and placing it in a den or family room is an easy way to update your decorating theme. Can’t find a place nearby with all three elements? Even having two of the three features (i.e. a bridge and a road, or bridge and a river) would still create a great focal point in a room. No matter which combination you choose, photos are an easy way to bring an architectural look into your home.

The Perfectly Imperfect Staircase

As I was walking during a recent vacation, I came across this staircase that’s no longer in use. I liked how, aside from the few broken rungs, this old staircase is still in tact. The staircase, surrounded by overgrown bushes, can also be a great metaphor: no matter what happens, keep going forward. Because of this, a similar photo would look great as a focal point in a bedroom or living room. In additional, since the colors are all earth tones, they would go with any decor. Remember, when you’re having a bad day or things just don’t seem to be going your way, keep going! Just like the staircase, you may have to stumble over a few obstacles to get there, but with hard work and persistence, you’ll eventually reach your goal.