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!

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.

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 Snow-Covered Flower

Shortly after the Rhododendrons I pass on my daily walks began to bloom, we had an unexpected spate of cold weather. While we had to deal with cold winds, icy roads, and snow, it also created a myriad of photo opportunities. One such example is the photo above of a snow-covered flower. The pink flower and green leaves are not only the perfect contrast to the white snow, but also show the beauty of nature’s seasons colliding in a single shot. A similar photo on a table, in conjunction with a clear photo frame and pastel-colored accessories, is the perfect update to any space. No matter what time of year, you can create a bright and inviting space that will bring nature’s colors indoors.

A Minimal, Yet Grand, Tablescape

This year I decided to pare down my normally ornate tablescape. Instead, I decided to use a handful of elegant pieces to decorate my table for Thanksgiving. They include a crystal bowl and vase, along with two glass pumpkins. The vase is filled with a collection of multi-colored flowers and foliage. The bowl is filled to the brim with faux leaves, and is topped with several small pumpkins. The look is finished off with two pumpkins in different shapes, patterns, and stem colors. As in previous years, these decorations consist of items I already own. Trying out a minimalist look is not only an easy way to try something new, but also allows your favorite pieces to stand out instead of blending in with your decor. No matter how you decorate for the holidays, you can easily transform your tablescape into a minimalist beauty!

Updating A Nightstand

Several years ago I bought two nightstands to flank each side of my bed. While I still liked the overall look of them, I felt something needed to be updated: the knobs. I wanted something that was a bit more unique than the plain silver pulls that came with the nightstands.

I went to several of my local craft stores and finally found what I wanted. They featured an abstract blue and white pattern that reminded me of the ocean, a brass-colored edge, and was more than double the size of my previous knobs. Originally not sure if these would go with my decor, as soon as I installed them I knew they were perfect for my space! The white in the knobs matched both my nightstands and the other furniture in my room, while the shades of blue and the brass edge matched various accessories throughout my bedroom. Perfecto!

It’s amazing how something as simple as changing out a few knobs can make such a difference. If you’re short on funds but want to update a piece of furniture, doing something similar in your own space is not only a way to save money while updating the look of a piece of furniture, but also a fun way to get creative. Whether you choose something plain and simple or completely over the top, you can easily update the look of your furniture with a simple replacement of knobs.

The River’s Island

Looking down the river I spotted a small island within the rolling waves. The grass, tall trees, and fallen logs make it look like an island escape in the city. Want to create your own island escape? Adding a similar photo to a wall would be a great base for an updated summer look. Mix it with tropical prints, wicker accents, and nautical items to create your own personal getaway. Short on funds? Repurposing items you already own is a great way to stretch your budget and bring out your creative streak. With a great photo and stylish accessories, you can easily update your space for the summer season.

Various Phases of Cherry Blossom Buds

Although most of the flowers from the cherry tree in my previous post have fallen, there are other trees that are just starting to bloom. Once such example is the Yoshino Cherry blossoms pictured above. I was able to capture a branch that slowed the cycle from bud to flower in full bloom. The white blossoms, pink buds, green leaves, and blue sky background could be the perfect color palette to update your space for spring. The nature-inspired colors blend well together, and also allow for a pop of color via an accessory or large photo used as a focal point on your wall. The best part? You can easily customize this by going out and photographing your favorite flowering tree, then using that as a base for your decor. Remember, the only thing between you and a new spring look is the scope of your imagination!