Category Archives: design

Oct 22

The Perfect Shell

Perfect shell_park beachAnyone 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!

Oct 20

The Weathered Wood

Weathered drift wood_close upIt’s amazing how your perspective of an object can change depending on where you are in proximity to it. Case in point? The close-up photo I took of a section of driftwood. It looks both intricate and unique, and most people probably couldn’t tell what object was originally photographed. A photo like this would be great to add interest to a den or office. Want the same look? Try using a common object to inspire you to look at something differently. Have a favorite flower, building, machine, or other object? Try photographing it at different distances and angles. You’ll be surprised how unique your photos turn out to be! Remember, no matter if it’s an object or a person, you can always find a new perspective on something familiar.

Oct 17

The Spider’s Web

The spider's webAs 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!

Oct 10

The Cloudy Beach

Cloudy rock beachWhen 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!

Oct 8

Through the Woods

Staircase in the woodsAs 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!

Oct 6

The Moss Covered Forest

Moss-covered treesNot 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!

Oct 3

Clouds in the Lake

Clouds reflected in lakeWhile 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!

Oct 1

The Watery Jail

Watery jailAs I made my way around the river’s edge, I looked across the water and saw this strange structure. As soon as I saw it I thought, “that looks just like a jail!” I thought it would be an interesting photo to put on my blog, so I took a picture. I kept wondering what this structure was or used to be. After some digging I found out what the structure used to be: it’s the remnant of my county’s first hydroelectric power plant. The original structure was built in the late 1800’s. I thought it made a very interesting picture, and captures a piece of history. Ever pass by a dilapidated structure and wonder what it might have been? Try looking for nearby plaques or historical markers, or searching for information online. No matter where you live, you’ll be surprised how much history is around you!

Sep 26

Under the Overpass

Under the overpassOne day my friend and I decided to take a different path that bordered my local lake. After a long walk we eventually came to a large dock that went out onto the lake. We walked onto the dock and were able to see views we couldn’t see from previous vantage points. One of the most surprising things was that the dock was right next to the interstate. You can’t see the dock from the freeway, so it’s no wonder we never knew it was there! I decided to take a picture under the overpass, which features the river that feeds into the lake flowing underneath it. A photo like this brings to mind so many different design ideas! You can take inspiration from the soft colors of nature, or use the concrete of the overpass to go for a modern, clean look. Either of these looks could be accomplished by new furnishings, accessories, or just a fresh coat of paint. Remember, when you look at something for inspiration there are usually multiple elements you can draw from; so keep your eyes open and start decorating!

Sep 22

Purple Flowers by the Lake

Purple flowers_lakeIt’s amazing how you can see different types of foliage at different times of the year. An example is the purple flower pictured on the right. I have no idea what species it is, but I thought it was a very pretty and unusual flower. I love the crispness of the flowers in the foreground and the soft, blurry background of this photo! It reminds me of one of my favorite color combinations: purple and green. This could be the basis of a new color scheme for your space, or you could frame a similar picture and display it as a pop of color. Remember, pops of color can easily be found in nature. All you need to do is capture them on camera to bring nature’s pops of colors into any space!