Under the Sea at Home

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.

The Bridge Over the Falls

Walking further down from the location where I took the picture in my previous post, I saw a wooden bridge off in the distance. The bridge, almost appearing to be suspended between two trees, is positioned over the largest waterfall in the park. A similar photo would look great in a living or dining room. The unique look, along with the play of light and shadow, would be a great addition to your spring decor. You can easily take a similar photo by going to your local park or finding an area with a railroad bridge. No matter what type of bridge you decide to photograph, you can easily bring this architectural element into your space.

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.

Framing Windows with Wreaths

Red and green Christmas wreaths_dining roomLast year after Christmas my Mom spotted a pile of wreaths on clearance at a big box store. I wasn’t sure I wanted them, but my mom insisted “You’ll find something to do with them.” And you know what? I did! While last year I used traditional wreaths, this year I opted for the shiny red and green ones my Mom found. I couldn’t decide which ones to use, so I used both (there’s a set on each side of the window)! I then added bows to give them extra dimension. Want to do something similar? Try combining decorations to create something unique and memorable. It’ll give you a chance to show off your great taste and unique style!

Simple Christmas Window Decor

Dining room window Christmas decorWhen it comes to window decorations, there are so many choices! It’s easy to get in over your head with elaborate displays full of colors and unique ornaments. However, this year I decided to go with a ‘less is more’ theme for my dining room window. As seen above, I used a combination of bulbs and bows. The bulbs were ones I didn’t use on the Christmas tree, and then I used bows that typically go on presents and stuck them to the wall. With only two items I managed to bring both color and interest to my window! A little goes a long way, so no matter how few items you have to work with, you can create something fanciful and unique.

A Lighted Path to City Lights

Lit city pathThe 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!

The Grand Pendant Light

Grand pendant lightNear 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 Dining Room Window at Christmas

Dining room window Christmas 2014Hello, and hope you all had a Merry Christmas! For today’s post, I’ll be sharing how I decorated the dining room window. As seen above, I decided to go with a snowflake theme! I used pink, blue, green, and red snowflakes for the window and wall. Additionally, I added two silver flowers and a gold ornament to tie it to the theme I used on the Christmas tree. The items I used can be found at big box and dollar stores-a great and economical way to dress up any window! Though Christmas is over, you can still do something similar for New Year’s. And what’s easier than dressing up a window? No matter what 2015-themed decorations you decide to use, you’ll be sure to ring in the new year in style!

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.