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.

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.

The Snow-Covered Flower

Shortly after the Rhododendrons I pass on my daily walks began to bloom, we had an unexpected spate of cold weather. While we had to deal with cold winds, icy roads, and snow, it also created a myriad of photo opportunities. One such example is the photo above of a snow-covered flower. The pink flower and green leaves are not only the perfect contrast to the white snow, but also show the beauty of nature’s seasons colliding in a single shot. A similar photo on a table, in conjunction with a clear photo frame and pastel-colored accessories, is the perfect update to any space. No matter what time of year, you can create a bright and inviting space that will bring nature’s colors indoors.

Spring Into Winter

When it comes to tables, this time of year often includes Fall or Winter-themed place settings. However, why limit yourself to these options? My solution? Mix in elements of Spring! As seen above, this place setting includes an orange houndstooth placemat, plate with a flower pattern, two styles of napkins, and the silverware tied together with fabric that matches the placemat. Aside from a unique place setting, this was also inexpensive. The orange houndstooth is fabric left over from a craft project, the plates are paper and were picked out by my Mom, and the napkins were bought on sale at a big box store. Remember, trying a new look for the holidays doesn’t have to be expensive. With a bold flair and a little imagination, you can have a beautiful table!

The Fiery Tulip

As I was walking into work one morning, I spotted a few tulips that had somehow been planted with the daffodils pictured in my previous post. As I got closer, I noticed that the fiery red flowers had streaks of yellow on each petal and the mix of colors at its center. Despite the contrast, all of the colors went together beautifully. A similar color scheme can easily be added to your space in a myriad of different ways. You could easily add a colorful vase or picture frame to a table or shelf, update a lampshade, put a bright slipcover over your furniture, or even paint an accent wall. No matter what colors you choose, you can never go wrong with inspiration from nature.

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!

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!