While in the main foyer leading to the law library, I looked up and noticed several large, metal lanterns hanging from the ceiling. Making my way up to the second floor, I was able to get a great shot of one. I love all the different types of designs featured on the lantern! From Greek key, to scrolls, to foliage, this lantern manages to combine many different patterns into a seamless look. This lamp is an excellent example of how mixing patterns can work in any space. The key is to keep the patterns in the same color family, while also keeping the number of different patterns to a minimum. By doing this you can have that mixed-pattern look without it overwhelming your space. So what are you waiting for? Whether you use accent pillows, a throw, curtains, or bedding, you can master the mixed-pattern look in no time!
Tag Archives: foliage
Thanksgiving Decor: Part 4
In this final Thanksgiving post I’ll be sharing how to dress up your table! Since my family only use three of the six chairs at the dining table, that allows me to decorate the half not in use. Below you’ll see a few pictures from this year’s table. I have our traditional poinsettia tablecloth adorned with various decorations.
I have pumpkins, leaves, a festive flower arrangement, and a turkey. The majority of the decorations on the table were purchased at craft stores. The glass pumpkin in the center of the table was purchased at a glass studio. You can find great pieces at reasonable prices at many glass studios, so keep your eye out for pieces that can be used both year-round and on special occasions.
At the center of the table I have a vase filled with various autumn foliage and a small turkey. The foliage brings together all the elements in the room, and the turkey adds a bit of whimsy to the table.
I hope you enjoyed my Thanksgiving decor and found inspiration for your own space. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving Decor: Part 3
In my previous two posts I concentrated on decor in my living room (accent wall and above the window). In this post, I’ll be showing you how I decorated the dining room. I’ll start by showing you the space above our painting. This space is great for decorating, so I usually put something in this area for major holidays. As seen below, I use Happy Thanksgiving signs, foliage, and autumn food to decorate this area.
Next, we’ll look at the chandelier and window. Like the living room, I used garland to decorate the space above the window. I also used a smaller, shorter garland and wrapped it around the chandelier. When decorating a chandelier, it’s important to use light-weight items and make sure they don’t come in contact with any of the lights.
I hope you enjoyed this post on Thanksgiving decor. Check back for more ideas on decorating your home for Thanksgiving!
The River in Fall
I’ve posted pictures of this river in previous posts, but nature’s scenery tends to change with the season. The river is now swollen, the rapids are larger, leaves have fallen off trees, and the foliage has changed color. This gives me an idea for a project! Have a place you like to explore year round? If so, take a few pictures in the same area during each season. At the end of the year, you can take one photo from each season and hang all four on your wall. We’ve all seen similar photos in galleries, so why not create your own personalized version? This is definitely a long-term project, but it’s also totally worth it. So what are you waiting for? It’s not too late to start your own season-by-season project, so get out there and capture nature’s seasonal beauty!
The Waterfall Park
The picture above features the main waterfall from a park I’ve posted about previously and is adjacent to the mini waterfalls. I love the powerful image of the water flowing over the top and crashing down onto the rocks, creating white spray as it descends. You can see the trees and foliage that have fallen victim to the water over the years. Despite this, I think all the greenery does an excellent job of framing the waterfall. What a gorgeous sight! This type of photo is something I’d display in a den, office, or bedroom. Sometimes in life you have to just go with the flow, and a similar photo could be a reminder. Not only does nature look beautiful, but it can also inspire you as you’re going through tough times.
Two Friends Getting Lunch
On one of my walks I noticed several large groups of geese at the far end of the lake. As I got closer, I noticed that two of the geese had broken off from their group and were bobbing for lunch. I was glad I was able to capture the geese as they were both sticking their heads into the water. Aside from being a great shot, I like how you can see the individual ripples of water around each goose. The geese, foliage, and algae against the blue of the water makes this photo even better. Interested in taking a similar photo? It might take a bit of work, but you, too, can photograph a pair of animal friends! If you’re out in nature, start by looking for groups of animals-they will likely be near a body of water. There are always a few that will drift off from the group, and when this happens it’s your chance to snap a photo. You could also try taking photographs at your local zoo. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and find your own pair of animal friends!
Purple Flowers by the Lake
It’s amazing how you can see different types of foliage at different times of the year. An example is the purple flower pictured on the right. I have no idea what species it is, but I thought it was a very pretty and unusual flower. I love the crispness of the flowers in the foreground and the soft, blurry background of this photo! It reminds me of one of my favorite color combinations: purple and green. This could be the basis of a new color scheme for your space, or you could frame a similar picture and display it as a pop of color. Remember, pops of color can easily be found in nature. All you need to do is capture them on camera to bring nature’s pops of colors into any space!
Shower Curtain Art
Many would argue that one of the hardest places to decorate is a bathroom. Most are small, windowless, and seem to offer little in the way of decorating. However, a great piece of inspiration can be your very own shower curtain! My shower curtain (right) is a great example. It features butterflies in multiple colors along with various types of foliage. To begin your design project, start by taking pictures of each individual element in the curtain, such as each butterfly and sections of the foliage. Once you’re done, frame each photo and hang them on the wall(s). You can display all the photos at once, or swap them out every few months to give the bathroom a fresh look. This same project would also work for those of you with geometric patterned shower curtains. Remember, it’s often what’s around you that can provide the best inspiration for your space!
Nature’s Pop of Color
When I need to stretch my legs a work I try to go for a little walk. One day I was walking by a cluster of foliage and out of the corner of my eye I see a pop of color. A cluster of red berries appears to be floating in a sea of green. Even nature likes a pop of color! Not only does it break up the various shades of green, but also attracts wildlife (another great photo opportunity). Berries are such a summer fruit, and their bright colors would be a great addition to any space. Add accessories in various shades of red to your space. These can be faux foliage, colored glass, pillows, or a piece of art. No matter what accessory you choose, you can bring nature’s pop of color into your very own space!
The Tree Trunks
It was a warm summer day as we walked down the path to find the beach. Off in the distance there appeared to be a trunk with mushrooms growing out of it. Once I zoomed in with my camera, I realized it was actually a shriveled up vine. Either way, this shot makes a great picture. I love how the two trunks frame the photo with the vine in between and green foliage in the background. I love it when nature frames a shot for you! This not only looks cool, but it’s fun to pick out all the little details in the picture. Notice the moss, branch, or details in the vine? You can take a similar picture anywhere there’s lots of greenery (park, beach, your own yard, etc.). No matter if your nature-made frame is tree trunks, flowers, bushes, or even water, you can have a photo that’s both beautiful and full of nature!
Inspiration In A Photo 