Apr 4

Reptile in the City

House lizard 1

House lizard 2No matter where you live there’s always wildlife thriving around you. Case in point, the lizard pictured above! This lizard has been living on/under my front porch for years. The first time I saw it it was very small; now it just keeps growing! I happened to be working in the yard one day and was able to snap a picture while it was sunning itself. If I knew someone who loved reptiles, it would be a great idea to take the picture, frame it, and give it as a gift. Nothing says friendship like sharing a great photo. Remember it’s not only cool to decorate your own space, but to help others decorate theirs, too!

Apr 2

Old Sea Buoys

Buoy 1

Buoy 2Recently I was walking along my local waterfront and what did I see? An old rusted buoy! It was obvious the buoy had been beached for a long time, but I still thought it would make a great photo. It would be the perfect addition to any beach/water theme. Later I saw another rusted buoy (second picture), and decided to take another picture. Taking several pictures around a common theme, like buoys, and displaying the photos in your space is a great idea. The photos would be great on a shelf, art nook, or table. Have something you like to photography? If so, take photos at different locations, group them together, and enjoy!

Mar 31

Marina Views

Marina with clear skiesAside from the ocean, I think marinas make a great photo-op. This photo was taken on a sunny day in an area that featured a lookout tower (which afforded me this great view). This is the type of photo I’d frame and keep on my desk to remind me of a fun getaway (literally if I had a boat!). Have a favorite body of water? If so, go to your favorite coastal spot, marina, lake, or waterway and create your own day-dream in a photo.

Mar 28

Mix and Match, New and Old

Bathroom mixWith a new year comes the urge to update one’s space. The current update? The bathroom! I have these towels displayed in two locations in the bathroom, but this is the only area that had a large, empty wall space above it. Many photos and paintings had been tried, but nothing seemed to match the specific shade of green in the towels. So, I come home one day and wham!, the perfect picture is hanging on the wall! My mom found a picture she bought several years ago and decided to hang it on the wall. The green leaves in the picture were a perfect match to the towels. This proves that you can mix old and new items and have them match. Contemplating adding new decor? Try buying only a few new items and then repurposing when you already have. You’ll be surprised how mixing and matching new and old can create a wonderful and unique look!

Mar 26

Frame a Window

Ornate windowAs I said in a previous post, I work in a cubicle with no window. Besides creating my own window, another solution is to frame the picture of a window. I took this photo of an ornate window on a clear, sunny day. Not only will I have a new piece of art in my cubicle, but I’ll also have the illusion of a real window. Whether the window you use looks out onto the sea, a mountain, the sky, or somewhere else, you, too can create an awesome view!.

Mar 24

Grand Chandeliers

Library chandelierWhen I saw this chandelier in one of my local libraries I thought, “wow!” I love the detail of the ironwork and all of the bright bulbs. This is the type of photo I’d use in a dining room or some other formal setting. If you have several pictures of chandeliers, frame them and create a motif on your wall. Alternatively, you could use the wide shot (pictured), then zoom in on the various details in the ironwork and frame those, too. Remember, there are many ways to dress up your walls-the key is to use your imagination.

Mar 21

Light Up Your Garden

Outdoor lampGardens in themselves are wonderful places: flowers, shrubs, trees, etc. Why not add lighting to the mix? An example is this outdoor lamp I found while out on a stroll. Obviously, most of us can’t afford a lamp this big or ornate in our gardens. The solution? Find a mirrored globe and elevate it on a decorative column. You can also use a lamp-like sculpture or other object (the ‘lamp’ doesn’t need to actually work-it’s the overall visual that counts). Though it’s not quite spring, it’s the perfect time to start planning out your garden!

Mar 19

Water and Mountains

Mountains and marinaThere are lots of places to capture nature’s beauty. I like to find a body of water (or a place that has a view of one) and start snapping away! I was able to get a shot of a marina, clouds, and a mountain range-stunning! It’s a gorgeous view and would make a great work of art. An alternative to just printing the photo is to find a place that will alter your photo to look like a painting. You can find this service at online stores and in certain big box membership stores. Time to go out and find your own piece of nature to turn into art!

Mar 13

Doors as Art: Sea

Decorative door: seaMany decorative doors have themes. This one features an old-fashioned sailing ship cruising through the water. A photo of this door would be a great addition to a den or office. Love the nautical look? Use a similar photo in your decorating theme. If the color isn’t right for your decor, try taking the picture or printing it in black and white. With little tweaks to suit your personal tastes, you can create a look that’s perfect for you and your space!

Mar 11

Doors as Art: Land

Decorative door: landHave you ever gone into an old historic building or church and noticed the artfully decorated doors? Decorative doors are rarely seen today, but are such pieces of art. Like the look but have no place to put such large doors? In order to display one in your home, the best thing to do is take a picture! If it’s a large door (the one pictured is about three stories tall), take pictures of multiple panels. This particular door features a farm scene (each door has a different theme). If you take multiple pictures, you can hang them together in a pattern on your wall. What are you waiting for? Find a decorative door and snap away!