The First Flower of Spring

Peace lily in garden.

Since I’ve been working from home, I have a front row seat to the goings-on in our garden. Last week we had our first flower of the season: a peace lily! It reminded me that no matter what happens in life, nature goes on (and quite beautifully I might add). The white, yellow, and green color combo is not only classic, but is perfect for Spring. The colors could be combined into a patterned throw, or you could use solid-colored pillows to dress up a couch, chair, or bed. Additionally, you could display a photo featuring a similar flower to tie the whole room together. Being at home gives you the perfect excuse to update your space for the season. Whether it’s repurposing what you have or adding a few new pieces, you can create the perfect space to reflect the season’s colors.

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.

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!

The Artistic Algae

Swirling AlgaeNature has an amazing way of being artistic without even trying. Case in point? The picture on the right shows an algae bloom that, due to the tide and current, formed into a beautiful swirl pattern. I love it when nature does the work for me! Want to capture a similar picture? Look for areas where the current is slow or gets trapped by debris. These are the best places to find something that is likely to form a pattern. So what are you waiting for? The weekend is the perfect time to get outside and take a great photo. With an eye out for the unusual, you’ll be able to easily get the perfect shot!

Spring has Sprung: Part 3

Pink flower close-up_bushThis final post in my series features a close-up of the same type of flower in my previous two posts. The combination of light and shadow, along with a close-up of the flower’s internal workings, makes this a great photo for any space. You can take a similar picture by getting your lens as close to the middle of your favorite flower as possible. Once you’ve taken that perfect shot, I’d suggest enlarging the photo and using it as a focal point on a living or dining room wall. The flower, no matter the shade, will bring a bit of color into any room. In addition, a large photo is one of the easiest and most economical way to add new life to a stale room. I hope you’ve enjoyed this three-series post featuring bright, beautiful flowers, and that I’ve inspired you to brighten up your decor.

Spring has Sprung: Part 2

Yellow flowers_bushOn my second post in this series, I’ll be concentrating on a group of yellow flowers. While the flowers themselves are the same variety as the ones in my previous post, their color variation provides a striking difference. While both colors can be considered warm, the yellow variety are slightly different in appearance. There’s less of a ombre effect, and some segments of the petals have a dotted pattern. Besides the contrast of light and shadow in this picture, the leafy green background makes the flowers pop. This is a great example of how you can find multiple shades in the same color family to use in your decor. Not sure what shades to use? Try using a combination of similar photos grouped together on a wall, or use them throughout several rooms. Stay tuned for more posts in this series, coming soon!

Spring has Sprung: Part 1

Orange flowers_bushIt’s that time of year when it starts to get sunny and the flowers start to bloom: Spring! I’m starting off this series of posts by showcasing a few orange flowers. There aren’t many flowers in nature that are orange, so when I saw these I just had to snap a picture! I love how each flower has a slightly different shade, including the ombre effect that occurs as you go from the middle of the flower to the outer petals. Being able to capture the uniqueness of nature is one of the best parts of this time of year. No matter what color scheme you have, you can find something in nature that will let you welcome Spring into your space!

Flowers Blooming in Fall

Fall flowers_rosesThis time of year we typically see our lovely gardens go dormant. However, there are some flowers that seem to continue to bloom throughout the Fall. I found a group of small multi-colored roses (right) on one of my walks. It was so nice to see this pop of color on a rainy day! There were pink, yellow, orange, red, and white roses mixed together in this one spot. Using flowers in your garden that bloom into Fall is a great way to keep your outdoor spaces looking bright and colorful. Not sure what to buy? Check out your local garden shop or big box store for ideas. With a bit of planning and an eye for design, you can create a colorful Fall garden for all to enjoy!

Evergreen Magnolias in Bloom

Evergreen Magnolia_pinkAlthough the plant pictured to the right looks like a Rhododendron, it’s actually an Evergreen Magnolia. There are several of these plants bordering a nearby building, and I’ve always liked the large, colorful flowers that bloom every year. These are the perfect type of blooms to put in a vase to adorn a bedroom, living room, or as a centerpiece on a dining table. This time of year provides lots of inspiration for decorating your space! Whether you’re using flowers to decorate your space, or drawing inspiration from the colors of nature, it’s the perfect time to create a space that’s all about Spring!

Pink Kwanzans

Pink magnolia treeWhile I enjoy cherry blossoms, they only bloom for about two weeks and then they’re gone. Kwanzan cherry trees, however, keep blooming long after other cherry blossoms have fallen. Pictured above is a shot of the blooming cherry trees where I work. It’s wonderful to still be able to see pretty pink blossoms swaying in the wind! Additionally, it demonstrates the great combination of pink and green. You could use a similar photo as a focal point on a wall, or decorate your space with pink and green accessories. No matter what you choose, always remember that nature can provided the greatest inspiration for any space!

Note: I previously misclassified these trees as Magnolias; they are in fact Kwanzan cherry trees. The title of this post has been changed from Pink Magnolias to Pink Kwanzans.