Sea Lions on the Rocky Shoal

Sea lions on shoalAs I walked down the pier, I heard the unmistakable sound of sea lions somewhere in the distance. Glancing between two buildings, I saw something moving on a large, rocky outcropping: sea lions! I grabbed my camera and immediately took a picture. A similar photo would look great in a den or study, since it not only blends well with any decor, but will instantly catch someone’s eyes. You can create the same look with other animals that blend into the background, such as ducks, rabbits, or deer. With a little patience and a keen eye for details, you can update your space with a unique animal photo!

The Driftwood Ship

Driftwood shipWhen you go for a stroll on the beach, one often comes across large pieces of driftwood. On one beach, we came across a large old-growth tree that washed up on shore. Over time, it was cut up to look like a ship washed up on shore. I loved the look, so I decided to snap a photo and share it with you. While most people wouldn’t find something similar on any beach, it can still be a great inspiration! Large pieces of driftwood can be found on most beaches, and if you take a photo from the right angle, you can get an amazing shot. Your unique photo will be the perfect addition to any space, and will also capture a great memory of your fun day at the beach!

The Alien-Landscape Beach: A Close-up

Alien beach_close-upPictured on the right is a close-up of the rocky shores seen in my previous post. It’s amazing to see how the seaweed covered rocks have been formed and shaped after centuries of being hit by waves. Such a unique photo is not only a great focal point, but also a great conversation starter in any space. If you have several photos of the same type of landscape, you can arrange a series of photos on a wall, or split them up between several different rooms. Hope everyone has a safe and Happy 4th of July, and that you’ll find great inspiration to brighten up your space.

The Alien-Landscape Beach

Alien beachAnyone who goes to the same beach year after year will inevitably see the landscape change. Sometimes there are dunes, driftwood, or even the shifting of an entire creek that flows into the ocean. Sometimes, the shift is more dramatic. The picture on the right is one such example. Over the years, the sand has shifted and eroded to reveal an alien-like rocky landscape. The oddly shaped rocks, covered in seaweed, create a striking contrast to the blue and white waves of the ocean and the expansive sky. Whether you’d use your photo as a focal point, or add it to a grouping of similar photos, you can create an otherworldly feel by using the wonders of nature!

Footsteps in the Sand

Footsteps on sandy beachAs the weather here goes between sunny, to rainy, to back again, I decided to share a photo from my previous vacation. The sandy stretch of beach, full of footprints, is just the place you want to spend the weekend! This photo is the perfect combination of sand, sea, and sky. That’s the nice thing about vacation photos-they can remind you of happy times when you were able to relax without a care in the world. If you have vacation photos, frame several of them and cluster them on a table or shelf. Not only will they add a new element to your space, but it’s also a great way to remind you of fun times. Have a great weekend, everybody!

The Mighty Oak of Spring

Mighty oak treeOn one of my lunchtime walks I came across this large, old oak tree and saw the perfect inspiration for my next post. The brown trunk is a natural neutral, and the green leaves add a pop of color that draws the viewers eyes upwards. Simple, everyday photos are often the best kind to use in decorating. Why? They’ll go with nearly everything! No matter if your color scheme is black and white, pastels, monochromatic, metallics, or brights, nature-based photos will always blend in. Can’t find an old-growth tree like the one pictured to the right? Using a photo of a favorite or nearby tree will allow you to achieve this look. Now’s the perfect time to go outside and snap a few photos that will allow you to quickly, and easily, update your space!

Sailing into the Sun

The Adventuress_view aheadDue to the nice weather this weekend, I decided to feature a picture of the same sailing ship from one of my previous posts. It’s on a day like this I can imagine being outside, enjoying the water and the views. The picture on the right perfectly illustrates this. This is the type of photo that would be great in a living or dining room. The neutral colors of the ship go perfectly with any decor, and the scale of the background creates a grandiose feel to the space. No tall sailing ships in your local marina? Any ship, sail or no sail, can still work in your space. As long as you’re able to capture the feel of a summer day on the water, you’ve got the perfect shot.

Spring has Sprung: Part 3

Pink flower close-up_bushThis final post in my series features a close-up of the same type of flower in my previous two posts. The combination of light and shadow, along with a close-up of the flower’s internal workings, makes this a great photo for any space. You can take a similar picture by getting your lens as close to the middle of your favorite flower as possible. Once you’ve taken that perfect shot, I’d suggest enlarging the photo and using it as a focal point on a living or dining room wall. The flower, no matter the shade, will bring a bit of color into any room. In addition, a large photo is one of the easiest and most economical way to add new life to a stale room. I hope you’ve enjoyed this three-series post featuring bright, beautiful flowers, and that I’ve inspired you to brighten up your decor.

Spring has Sprung: Part 2

Yellow flowers_bushOn my second post in this series, I’ll be concentrating on a group of yellow flowers. While the flowers themselves are the same variety as the ones in my previous post, their color variation provides a striking difference. While both colors can be considered warm, the yellow variety are slightly different in appearance. There’s less of a ombre effect, and some segments of the petals have a dotted pattern. Besides the contrast of light and shadow in this picture, the leafy green background makes the flowers pop. This is a great example of how you can find multiple shades in the same color family to use in your decor. Not sure what shades to use? Try using a combination of similar photos grouped together on a wall, or use them throughout several rooms. Stay tuned for more posts in this series, coming soon!

Spring has Sprung: Part 1

Orange flowers_bushIt’s that time of year when it starts to get sunny and the flowers start to bloom: Spring! I’m starting off this series of posts by showcasing a few orange flowers. There aren’t many flowers in nature that are orange, so when I saw these I just had to snap a picture! I love how each flower has a slightly different shade, including the ombre effect that occurs as you go from the middle of the flower to the outer petals. Being able to capture the uniqueness of nature is one of the best parts of this time of year. No matter what color scheme you have, you can find something in nature that will let you welcome Spring into your space!