Category Archives: interior

Dec 16

A Well Lit Table

When people talk about illuminating their tables, they typically only think of candles. However, there are many different items you can use besides candles to create a well lit scene. On my table, I decided to use a ceramic Christmas café that lights up. The illuminated building is shown below.

Ceramic Christmas cafe

To give the piece more interest during the day, I also added a bridge and three pine trees (all ceramic). I created a pond using blue scrapbook paper and arranged the trees around its outer banks. As seen below, the illuminated building provides the perfect amount of light for the other pieces.

Christmas cafe_bridge_trees

Interested in a similar look? You can find plain ceramic pieces at most craft stores. You can either leave them unpainted like I did, or paint them how you’d like. Whether you use candles, illuminated ceramics, or a combination of both, you can create a table that’s both festive and unique.

Dec 14

Happy 1st Anniversary!

Christmas Tree 2014_anniversary postHello, and Happy Anniversary! It was one year ago today that I published my first post! My first post contained an image of my Christmas tree, so I decided to keep the theme for my 1st anniversary. Pictured to the right is a nighttime shot of this year’s tree. I hope you enjoy it and find inspiration in the photo. A big thanks to all of my followers and those who have liked my posts over the past year, and those who have watched my video. I hope you continue to enjoy my decorating tips and ideas, and that they help you find the inspiration you need to transform your place into a chic space!

Dec 12

Switching from Thanksgiving to Christmas

Above the painting_Christmas decorAs seen on the right, I decided to update the space above our painting for Christmas! To replace my Thanksgiving decor I decided to used a simple red bow and two glittery trees. I have an identical bow attached to a hutch on the opposite wall, so I wanted to decorate in a way that tied together the two sides of the room. If you don’t have two of the same decorations, you can also use decorations that are the same color. No matter what you decide to do, you can create a decorating scheme that ties together any space!

Dec 5

The Aurora Borealis on the Ceiling

Aurora borealis ceilingShortly after Thanksgiving, as is tradition, our Christmas tree was up and on display. When I passed the tree one night I looked up at the ceiling and was amazed at what I saw. As the picture on the right demonstrates, my ceiling looked like the aurora borealis! Not only does this give our ceiling a bit of character, but it also makes a nice picture. You can easily take a similar picture by taking a photo of the ceiling above a lighted tree. Once the picture is taken, you can frame and display it on a shelf along with other winter-related items of a similar hue (bulbs, ornaments, snowflakes, etc.). With all the lights and colors of the season, it’s easy to take inspiration from what’s around you to create a decorating scheme that looks beautiful throughout the entire holiday season!

Dec 3

The Bird in the Backyard

Bird in backyard_unknownYesterday as I was working on my Christmas decorations I was alerted to visitors in the backyard. I looked out and was surprised to see a group of birds having a bite to eat. I’ve never seen this type of bird before (do you know what type it is?), so I decided to take a photo and put it on my blog. I love the different types of wildlife you encounter throughout the year! A photo like this would make a great Christmas gift for anyone that has a passion for birds or nature. Additionally, due to its neutral palette, a picture like this would also look great on a wall in any space. Be sure to stay tuned for great design ideas for the holiday season!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Check out the My Videos page to see my video on my new YouTube channel!

Nov 21

Thanksgiving Decor: Part 1

Thanksgiving is one of the holidays where I like to decorate the house! In this post I’ll show you how I decorated a wall in my living room. I like to decorate differently every year and was trying to decide what to do with the accent wall in the living room. I had several packages of faux maple leaves, and decided that this year I’d create a tree! As seen below, the accent wall was plain except for a large mirror.

Living room wall_before

After about $20 worth of supplies (cardboard paper, faux maple leaves, and painter’s tape), I now have two beautiful trees! The final result is shown below. This was an inexpensive project that was completed in one day. Since the entire project is affixed to the wall with painter’s tape (I fold it over so it’s like double-sided tape), it’s easy to remove and won’t damage your walls.

Living room wall_after

So what are you waiting for? There’s still time to update your holiday decor, so go create an art piece that not only embodies the holiday, but also displays your creative genius!

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!

Sep 15

The Fish Ladders

Fish ladders_riverAs I was walking along the trail I noticed a concrete structure along the river bank. Upon closer inspection, I realized they were fish ladders! While I couldn’t spot any fish in the ladders, I thought it was cool that the park had them built into sections of the river. I appreciate how the ladders almost blend into the landscape, not to mention the positive impact of helping the fish (likely Salmon) make their way up stream to spawn. I like the contrast of the concrete against the trees, boulders, and white-water rapids. Such an awesome shot! Next time you’re at your local park, look around and see if you can find man-made wonders. These wonders not only provide a positive impact to nature, but should also inspire you to bring the outdoors into your space.

Sep 1

The Carnation

Carnation_pink and whiteTo the right is another flower that was part of the bouquet mentioned in my previous post. I love the pink and cream color of this carnation! This flower inspires me to create a pink and white color scheme. Adding these colors can be done several ways depending on how intense you want the look to be. You can add pink and cream accent walls to a room for a bold punch of color, or simply add accessories. A lamp, throw, or ottoman in a pink and cream pattern will give you that pop of color without overwhelming the space. And remember, since it’s back to school time you can find great deals on accessories at your local big box stores. Now’s the perfect time to get great accessories at great prices!

Aug 18

The Tree Roots

Evergreen tree rootsWhen I saw this I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! But the closer I got I was able to see the wonders of nature. As you can see, the roots of this large evergreen are completely visible. Despite this, the tree seemed to be hanging on to the cliff. Upon closer inspection I was able to see various layers of sand and dirt intertwined with the roots. It was awesome to be able to walk closer and see the cavern left by the roots. This simple yet powerful image would be the perfect addition to an office or den. A photo like this not only makes a big impact, but it’s colors will go with anything. Want a similar picture? Go to an area that has cliffs (park, ocean, cove, etc.) and you should find something similar. Once you find that perfect tree, all you need is a camera and a good angle to have your own awesome photo!