There’s nothing like a trip to the aquarium! You get to see all the wonders of the ocean like rocky shores, exotic fish, coral, and sea anemones. But wouldn’t it be nice to take that aquarium home with you? The obvious solution is to take pictures from your trip, enlarge them, and put them on your wall. Not only is it a great memory from a fun day out, but it creates a colorful addition to your space. A picture similar to the one on the right would look great in a living room or dining room. You don’t need to go on an expensive, fancy vacation to get a great shot of sea life. An aquarium ticket and a camera are the perfect combination to easily bring the sea into your home.
A Contrast of Light and Shadow
Hello, and welcome to my first post of 2019 (and thank you for waiting for it)! Today’s post will center on the contrast of light and shadow. An example of this is the classic black and white color scheme. However, there are plenty of other combinations one can use to modernize the look. A perfect example is the picture above. Taken at sunset, it perfectly encapsulates the theme of light and shadow. The shadow of the tree pops perfectly against the glowing sky. A similarly bold picture would be the perfect focal point in a dining room or living room. The dark color draws the eye to the image, while the lighter colors bring a pop of color to the space. No matter if it’s sunrise, sunset, or somewhere in the middle, you can take a photo that will bring a classic color concept into your home.
Warm Wishes this Holiday Season
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 Perfectly Imperfect Staircase
As I was walking during a recent vacation, I came across this staircase that’s no longer in use. I liked how, aside from the few broken rungs, this old staircase is still in tact. The staircase, surrounded by overgrown bushes, can also be a great metaphor: no matter what happens, keep going forward. Because of this, a similar photo would look great as a focal point in a bedroom or living room. In additional, since the colors are all earth tones, they would go with any decor. Remember, when you’re having a bad day or things just don’t seem to be going your way, keep going! Just like the staircase, you may have to stumble over a few obstacles to get there, but with hard work and persistence, you’ll eventually reach your goal.
Decorating with Fashionable Foxglove
With summer in full swing, there are so many different things to draw inspiration from. From florals, to bright hues, ocean beaches, majestic mountains, and lazy rivers, the decorating ideas can be endless. One inspiration often overlooked? The humble garden. Gardens can be full of colorful and unique blooms that will add the perfect pop of color to your space. One flower that ticks all these boxes is Foxglove. The elegant, bell-shaped flowers come in a variety of colors, such as the purple and white Pam’s Choice Foxglove on the right. A similar photo would look great enlarged and hung on a wall as a focal point in a living or dining room. No matter what type of flower you choose, you can easily bring nature’s inspiration into your home.
The Classic Black and White Color Scheme
When updating your decor, there are so many different styles to consider. However, sometimes it’s best to look back at classic themes-specifically the classic black and white. These two colors not only go with everything, but there are a myriad of shades for each to help you customize a look. Add a bit of glamour by adding in black accessories like a vase, lamp, or clock. Brighten up a space with crisp white pillows, flower-filled vase, or rug. Can’t decide between the two? Combine them by displaying a classic monochromatic photograph similar to the one on the right. In addition, you can amp up the wow factor by featuring an image with classic architectural elements such as columns, domed structures, and large stone blocks.
Elegance without the Electrical Work
Most would agree that nothing brings elegance to a room like a crystal chandelier. However, most would also agree that the expense of purchasing and installing such a grand piece of lighting is out of most people’s reach. So, how can you bring this piece of elegance into your space? Use a picture! Hanging a large photo of your favorite (or a famous) chandelier in a dining, living, or bedroom is a great way to upgrade the style of your space. And the best part? There are so many styles to choose from that you can easily find one that fits your decor. Whether you prefer metal, whimsical, industrial, antique, modern, or a contemporary style, you can easily bring the elegance of a chandelier into your home.
Bringing Architectural Elements Indoors
Often times we find ourselves living in a place that doesn’t match our architectural style. While costly renovations are one solution, it’s not one that most of us can afford. The solution? Add a photo! No matter if you prefer Victorian, Mediterranean, Gothic, Midcentury, Neo-Classical, or Tutor style, a picture is a perfect way to bring that look inside. You can take a photo of a building that features designs you like, have it enlarged, and use it as a focal point in your main living area. The picture can be of just the building or, as pictured on the right, a scene that includes the building and it’s surroundings. I’d recommend the former, since by zooming out you can capture additional elements that add style to your space (note the modern architecture of the building and classic brick of the walkway). No matter what style is your favorite, you’ll be sure to impress by bringing unique architecture into your space.
Easing into Spring
It’s the time of year when the sun begins to shine and the flowers begin to bloom! This also provides ample opportunity to photograph nature’s bounty. One such example is the photo above featuring a branch of cherry blossoms. It’s the perfect example of easing into spring. Why? It shows the flowers from bud to full bloom. In addition, the white flowers and brown bark act as a neutral, while the green buds act as a pop of color. A similar picture would look great enlarged and hung in a living or dining room. It’s the perfect update for Spring, while still blending in to your decor. No matter your decorating style, you can always find a way to bring nature’s beauty into your space.