Category Archives: decorating

Nov 21

Thanksgiving Decor: Part 1

Thanksgiving is one of the holidays where I like to decorate the house! In this post I’ll show you how I decorated a wall in my living room. I like to decorate differently every year and was trying to decide what to do with the accent wall in the living room. I had several packages of faux maple leaves, and decided that this year I’d create a tree! As seen below, the accent wall was plain except for a large mirror.

Living room wall_before

After about $20 worth of supplies (cardboard paper, faux maple leaves, and painter’s tape), I now have two beautiful trees! The final result is shown below. This was an inexpensive project that was completed in one day. Since the entire project is affixed to the wall with painter’s tape (I fold it over so it’s like double-sided tape), it’s easy to remove and won’t damage your walls.

Living room wall_after

So what are you waiting for? There’s still time to update your holiday decor, so go create an art piece that not only embodies the holiday, but also displays your creative genius!

Nov 19

The River in Fall

River rapids in fallI’ve posted pictures of this river in previous posts, but nature’s scenery tends to change with the season. The river is now swollen, the rapids are larger, leaves have fallen off trees, and the foliage has changed color. This gives me an idea for a project! Have a place you like to explore year round? If so, take a few pictures in the same area during each season. At the end of the year, you can take one photo from each season and hang all four on your wall. We’ve all seen similar photos in galleries, so why not create your own personalized version? This is definitely a long-term project, but it’s also totally worth it. So what are you waiting for? It’s not too late to start your own season-by-season project, so get out there and capture nature’s seasonal beauty!

Nov 17

Frog Friend in the Backyard

Frog in the backyardSince summer we’ve been hearing croaking coming from somewhere in the backyard. Last weekend I was out back raking the leaves when I came across a curious creature. As raked leaves near the back door, I noticed something green that was sitting in a spot previously covered by leaves-a frog! I thought it was cute, so I snapped a photo. It’s amazing what you can find in your own backyard! This is the type of photo that would be great displayed in a kid’s room, used in a nature-based scrapbook, or framed and displayed and given to someone who loves reptiles. Even though winter is coming, you can still find nature right outside your door. Whether you photograph reptiles or other wildlife, you can always find nature’s creatures all around you!

Nov 14

A Moonlit Night through the Clouds

Moonlit night_cloudsAbout a week or so ago I decided to stay up late. Before I went to bed, I decided to check and see if I could view the moon from my window. Luckily, I was able to get a great shot of the moon surrounded by clouds. I love the glow of the moon and how the surrounding clouds are lit by moonlight. It has a cool, calm color palette and is perfect for any space. You can easily take a similar moon photo to display in your own space. While I was able to take this shot from my window, you might have to go outside to get the best picture. Once you find a location and angle that suits the type of photo you want, start taking pictures! Next, all you need is to pick out a frame and display your photo. You’ll not only have a gorgeous photo, but a conversation piece that all who see it will enjoy.

Nov 12

Rain and Sun through the Window

Rain and sun through windowLast week the weather here was kind of sporadic. We dealt with a combination rain, wind, and sun throughout the week. One afternoon I looked up and noticed droplets of rain on my window, along with the bright sun peeking out from behind the clouds. I thought it was a pretty cool shot, so I took a photo! We’ve all seen similar pictures in galleries, so why buy those when you can create your own? You can easily create and display a similar picture in your space. All you really need is a window and the weather of your choice. Whether you chose a scene reminiscent of spring, summer, winter, or fall, you’ll create a gallery-worthy look that’s all your own!

Nov 10

The Bird in the Bush

Bird in the bushI was sitting at my desk one day and kept hearing a bunch of birds outside my window. After awhile I decided to peek out of my window and saw several birds hopping around the garden and front yard. I looked down from my window and saw something moving in one of the bushes. Upon closer inspection I saw that it was a little bird-how cute! It kept jumping from branch to branch, but I was finally able to snap a photo of it. I love how the bird blends in so well with the branches (that’s nature!). This type of photo would be great to display as a centerpiece on a wall or shelf. It features both earth tones and pops of color, and could be a conversation piece due to the presence of wildlife. You can get a similar picture if you keep your ears and eyes open to the wildlife around you. Nature can be found right outside your door, so be sure to have your camera ready to get some awesome nature shots!

Nov 7

The Concrete Cannon at the Beach

Concrete cannon at the beachOn my second trip to one of my local beaches I was pleasantly surprised to see that the tide was out. This allowed me to explore more of the beach than I had on a previous trip. After walking a few minutes and enjoying the sunshine something caught my eye. As I approached this oddly shaped piece of concrete I walked around it to see what it was. While I still don’t know what it was, I realized that from a certain angle it looks like a cannon-so I snapped a picture! I think it’s cool when an object looks completely different from what it actually is. If you like this type of look, you can easily get the same sort of photo. First, pick an object that you think looks interesting. Next, try taking pictures of it from various angles and distances until you get a photo you like. You may have to take several shots and use multiple types of items, but you’ll eventually get a similarly unique shot. Once this is accomplished you’ll not only have an interesting photo to display, but also a great conversation piece for all your guests to enjoy!

Nov 5

The Beached Tree

Beached treeI always enjoy walking along the beach and seeing what’s washed up on shore. On this outing, I encountered part of a tree that had washed up on the beach. From the state of the wood it was obvious that the tree had been out to sea for some time. Even so, I thought the tree was in a unique state and decided to take a picture of it. I love the gnarled roots and branches, the stripped bark, and the wood bleached by the sun. It’s amazing how artistic nature can be! You, too, can get a similar shot to adorn your space. You can find beached drift wood not only at the ocean, but at waterways, rivers, and lakes. While the proportions of the wood might vary, what’s important is that you’re able to take a shot that not only adds interest to your space, but also showcases nature’s beauty!

Nov 3

The Incoming Tide

Tide-water over rocks at beachAs I was walking along the beach I saw the water coming in and flowing over the rocks. I thought it would be an awesome shot if I could capture the tide. It took a few times, but I got it! I love how you can see the clear water with the sun glittering off it, and all the different rocks underneath the surf. Despite their different colors, the rocks go together seamlessly. This is the beauty of earth tones. Plus, you’ll also notice rocks that provide pops of color (red, orange, etc.) that are mixed in. This photo would be a great basis for decorating your space. Try using earth tones as a base for larger pieces then add pops of color using accessories. Additionally, you could buy a clear bowl or vase, fill part of it with rocks (easily found at your local craft or big box store), add shells, water, floating candles, and viola! You’ll instantly have a look that’s both beachy and elegant. Remember, inspiration can be found right outside your door, so be sure to keep an eye open to the world around you!

Oct 31

Creepy Crawly!

Beetle in the forestSince it’s Halloween, I thought this would be the perfect time to share a few pictures I took on a walk in the woods. As I was walking down the path I noticed something running across the ground in front of me. I remember thinking, “this is too big to be a bug…right?” Wrong! I zoomed in with my camera and snapped a shot of this beetle. I don’t know what type of beetle it was, but thankfully it seemed more interested in getting off the path than trying to get near me.

Caterpillar on the forest floorA few steps after encountering the beetle I saw another creature: a caterpillar! Though not nearly as scary, I thought it’s coloring was a perfect match to the holiday. Both of these pictures are the perfect inspiration for a Halloween party. Taking inspiration from creatures found in nature not only gives you a great color scheme, but also ideas for how you can decorate your space. Whether you choose bugs, bats, or another type of creature, remember that nature can often provide the scariest backdrop for your party!