When I walk around my local lake there’s usually a large group of geese that tend to congregate towards the far end of the lake. As I kept walking and got closer to the dock, I was surprised to see a visitor in their group: a duck! I thought it was a cute sight and decided to snap a picture. I love how the duck joined the geese as if it was one of their own. The geese didn’t bother the duck, so I guess it was welcome to hang out on the dock. It’s always interesting to see different types of animals enjoying each other’s company. I think this is nature’s way of showing that we often have more in common with each other than we want to admit. Want to capture a similar sight? You, too, can snap a similar picture to decorate your space! Find a spot that has a variety of animals (usually near a body of water) and then just keep your eyes open. It may take awhile to get the perfect shot, but eventually you’ll capture a photo of animal friends having fun in the great outdoors!
Category Archives: decorating
The Water Through the Trees
Once you’ve gone through the forest and come towards the end of the path, you see a peek of water beautifully framed between two trees. What a sight! It makes the creepy trees and mud worth the trek. I love how the brightness of the sun on the water contrasts with the shaded section of forest I took the photo in. This is the type of photo I’d frame and put on a table or desk, or hang on a wall within a grouping of similar nature photos. Want a similar look for your space? Try taking a photo at your favorite locale from a shaded area on a bright day. Not only will you get to enjoy the great outdoors, but you’ll also have a unique photo to showcase your talents!
The Perfect Shell
Anyone that enjoys beach combing knows that one of the challenges is finding a perfect shell for your collection. Often you’ll find half a shell, or one that’s been damaged from its voyage. But, as I was walking on the beach, it appeared: a beautiful shell! It was just sitting there waiting to be picked up. After making sure the shell was vacant (shells with creatures in or on them should be put back into the water), it was picked up and taken with us on the rest of our walk. This shell presents so many opportunities to decorate! You could frame the picture and use it to accentuate a nautical theme, add the shell to your collection, display it as a stand-alone piece, or nestle it among a group of candles for an elegant look. What was the last thing you collected while out enjoying nature? No matter what it was, there are a myriad of ways for you to stylishly add it to your space!
By the way, did anyone notice the rock behind the shell that has “eyes” on it? An even more unique picture!
The Spider’s Web
As I was walking through one of my local parks, something caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. I turned and saw a huge spider web strung between a tree. Though I’m not a fan of spiders, I enjoy looking at their webs. They’re simple, yet elegant, and can be created in a matter of hours. While most might immediately think of Halloween with this post, I think of something completely different. The image of this web makes me think of simple, elegant decor! This look can be accomplished using any color scheme or holiday-themed decor. The key? Making sure everything blends together. Try picking a combination of three or four colors and use those throughout your space. By doing this, the colors in your space will meld together seamlessly and effortlessly. And what better to tie the whole thing together than an elegant, simple picture? Nature is full is simple elegance, so why not use it to inspire you? Whether your inspiration comes from flora or fauna, you can find something that inspires elegance in your space!
On the Edge of the Cliff
While I was exploring my local beach I turned to view the cliffs that border the park. As I walked further down I noticed something extraordinary: a group of trees dangling precariously off the cliff! It was obvious that at some point the park’s owners had determined that the large group of trees was a danger to visitors. As seen from the picture on the right, they eventually cut the trees near the base and left gravity to do the rest. I thought it was a very interesting image, and also a great conversation piece. It’s amazing to think how long those trees had been there (I’m guessing a long time based on the thickness of the trunks) and how they might have looked before they were cut. Since this picture features earth tones, it’s the type of photo that could be used to add interest to a space without having it clashing with your current design scheme. Remember, photos with a muted color scheme can not only add interest to your space, but also provide another point of interest for you and your guests to enjoy!
Jellyfish at the Beach
As I strolled the beach in my previous post I decided to walk closer to the water. I found a few shells and thought I’d wash them out in the water. You can imagine my surprise when I looked into the water and saw that it was full of jellyfish! I decided not to stick my hand into the water, and instead opted to take a photo of the jellyfish. It’s amazing how well these creatures blend in to their environment. Photos like these are always a good conversation piece. It’s always fun to see who can find the creature or other hidden element. This is a great photo to use at a party or some other get-together. Whether it’s a photo you take yourself or buy at a store, you, too, can have a great conversation piece!
The Cloudy Beach
When most people think of beaches they imagine sunny skies and miles of sand. However, as the photo on the right demonstrates, you don’t need those things to take a great beach photo. I discovered this beach after my journey through the woods mentioned in my previous posts. The beach was rocky and the sky was full of clouds. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the beach and its accompanying view. A similar photo would be a great addition to your space now that the seasons are changing. The muted colors go well with a fall/winter decorating scheme, and a beach is always a lovely picture. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and capture your own fall photos to update your space for the season!
Through the Woods
As I made my way past the creepy trees pictured in my previous post, I kept walking down the long dirt trail. After a few minutes meandering down the path and looking at the dense forest around me, I noticed a small valley to my right. As I kept walking, I was surprised to find that the dirt path became a staircase. It looks like the park’s designers literally cut a path through the woods to create this path down a steep embankment. There’s even a section (not pictured) where the stairs go through a large, fallen tree trunk. I thought the stairs were both cool and unexpected in such a dense environment, and decided to snap a photo! They blend in well with the environment, and this can be an inspiration for your own space. Adding accents and accessories in the same color family is a great way to bring a space together. Colors come in many shades, so no matter what color you choose, you’ll have a large variety to draw inspiration from and decorate your space!
The Moss Covered Forest
Not too long ago I decided to explore another one of my local parks. After we found where to park, we looked for a sign that would point us in the direction of the beach. Once the sign was spotted, we were off! After a few minutes the trail goes from bark to dirt-at which point the forest becomes dense with moss-covered trees. You can image starting out in bright, open spaces and then going into a forest that looks like it’s something out of a Grimm fairy tale or scary movie. Despite this, I just had to get a photo of these trees! They’re creepy, but cool-looking. I’m sure you’re thinking, “where can I use a photo like this?” Being October, this is the type of image you could use on the front of hand-made cards. I’d suggest invites to a Halloween or scary movie party. Don’t live near trees with a similar look? Try going to the craft store and buying faux spider webs or moss. Drape them over a tree and photograph to your heart’s content. Some natural elements can be re-created, so if you can’t find something in nature, try creating it yourself!
Clouds in the Lake
While gazing out over the lake on the dock mentioned in a previous post, I noticed the sky reflected on the lake’s surface. What a great shot! I love how the bright blue sky and fluffy clouds seem to be part of the water itself. I’ve always liked photos that feature bodies of water reflecting the sights around it. These types of pictures are very versatile and can go with any room’s decor. You can find similar photos at craft or big box stores, or try capturing one yourself. If you’re going to snap your own photo, there are a few things to remember. If you take the photo in the daytime, it’s best to take the picture on a bright, sunny day at a place where the water is relatively calm. A similar shot can also be taken at night using lights reflecting off a calm surface. Photos like these are both an easy way to add interest to your space, and showcase your photography skills. Happy photographing!
Inspiration In A Photo 