The upside of having to work late? Being able to get great shots of city lights! It’s amazing how an area can be transformed once illuminated by bright lights. I love the glow of the antique lights along the street and the twinkling lights of the city in the distance. A similar photo would look great enlarged and hung on a dining room wall. Next time you might be out late, be sure to take your camera along. You could end up getting a shot that transforms your view of everyday surroundings!
Category Archives: interior
Local Art Installation: The Stairwell
When most people think of a parking garage they envision nothing but dull concrete. While that’s usually true, there can also be a few surprises for those walking towards their offices. For me, it’s a chance to look at art every day! At the top of the staircase there’s an art installation featuring blue glass in various hues imbedded in concrete. There are other stairwells that feature similar installations in red, yellow, and green. Though a simple design, it nonetheless creates a bit of whimsy for those who frequent the area. Public art can also inspire you to create a similar look at home. You could affix various types of glass mirrors to a wall to create a pattern or add colorful film to a window for a touch of color. Public art can provide great inspiration, so keep your eye open for great designs and colorful patterns!
The Grand Pendant Light
Near the skylight in my previous post, there were also several pendant lights. As seen on the right, these grand lights feature ornate metal work and etched glass. The light and it’s multitude of motifs complement the ceiling medallions and pops perfectly against the grayish-black marble walls. Pendant lights are a great way to add interest to any space! They come in a large variety of colors, shapes, and sizes that will add sophistication and elegance to your room. While traditionally used in kitchens, these can also be used in dining rooms, bedrooms, or an entryway. By thinking outside the box, you’ll create a beautiful and unique space that provides interest and additional light. No matter where you decide to hang your pendant lights, you’ll end up with a bright and colorful space that’s all you!
The Ornate Skylight
Skylights are a great way to let in some extra sun and brighten up a space. While most are plain glass, some are ornate and full of character. An example of this is the picture above! I saw this skylight at my local state capitol. It was placed away from the main rotunda, so most visitors wouldn’t think to look up. Those who did, however, were rewarded with a gorgeous skylight. Despite the skylights most of us have in our own homes, it is possible to get a similar look. Many home improvement stores sell ornamental window film. They come in various sizes, colors, and patterns that suit all tastes. While marketed for regular windows, you could also apply them to your skylight. You can transform your plain glass into stained glass, a field of flowers, or fine art. No matter how ordinary your skylights, you can create a unique view that is sure to amaze your guests.
Keeping the Home Fires Burning
When people think of glowing fires they usually picture a big fireplace. In my case, I live in a home that has a wood stove. Despite this, I can still get an awesome shot of the fire burning! There are several ways to achieve a shot like this. It can be taken through the glass or, as I did, open the door for a few seconds and snap a quick shot. Just the image of these flames warms me up! This would be a great conversation piece to hang in a den or family room, especially during the winter. The dark, earthy colors in addition to the bright flames creates a cozy, warm feel in any space! So remember, no matter what your source of warmth, you can get a great picture that will give your decor a warm glow!
I’ll be adding a new video soon to my YouTube channel, so be sure to check the My Videos page for updates!
New Year, New Chair
For my first post in 2015 I’m going to show you how to transform your accent chairs! I found this fuchsia chair at my local big box store and thought it would go perfectly with the style in my bedroom. While it’s a great chair on its own, I wanted to think of a way to give it some extra flair. The solution? Fabric! In this instance I decided to use an extra pillowcase that had a tropical pattern, One of the flowers in the pattern was the same color as the chair’s fabric. I centered it on the chair’s back and viola-instant update! Before and after pictures are shown below.
This is a great and simple way to update your furniture! In addition to chairs, you could also use the same technique on larger items such as a sofa or loveseat. Whether you save money by using fabrics you already own or choose to buy fabric at a craft store, you can easily start off 2015 with a brand new look!
Thanks for a Great 2014!
I wanted to give a big thanks to all my readers and followers (from 68 different countries!) that supported my blog in 2014. I appreciate your support and hope you will continue to enjoy my blog, tips, photos, and decorating advice in the coming year!
The Christmas Table
In order to get prepared for Christmas dinner, the first thing you need to do is decorate the table! As pictured above, I have a combination of nutcrackers, a glittery deer, birds, trees, and a ceramic town scene. While many people would only choose one of these elements as a focal point, I decided to use all of them! It gives the table more interest, and creates multiple conversation pieces via all the different decorations. There are an infinite number of ways to decorate your table. You can have one large centerpiece, decorate part of your table, create an ornate tablescape, or keep it simple by using a single, muted color. No matter what you choose, you’re sure to have a beautiful table that will impress and delight your guests!
The Christmas Tree
Each year I choose a different theme when decorating our Christmas tree. This year’s theme? Gold and silver! Every bulb on the tree has either gold or silver on it. In addition to the bulbs, we have other ornaments on display as well. They include new and old favorites, bought both at home and abroad.
Below are close-up pictures of a few ornaments. I also use snowflakes in various colors to fill in any gaps not covered by ornaments or bulbs. The snowflakes can be found at big box and craft stores. I’ve found they’re a great and inexpensive way to add color to a tree. If you’ve already decorated your tree, I suggest loading up at the end of December (they’ll be on clearance) and save them for next year’s tree.
How do you choose your Christmas tree decorations? Whether you have a theme or prefer a more random approach, you’ll have a beautiful tree that reflects the holiday season!
Sparkles in the Darkness
As I walked by the Christmas tree one night, I noticed something shining in the darkness. The lights from the tree were causing the gold decorations above the window to sparkle in the dark! I thought it looked awesome, to I decided to take a photo. I love the colorful sparkles shining in the darkness! Not only is this a great way to add interest to a room, but it also reminds us that there is always light in the darkness (hang in there!). Happy Holidays!
Inspiration In A Photo 