Sunset Over the City

Sunset over city_pink skyThere’s nothing like looking out the window and seeing a beautiful sunset! As seen above, I was able to get a gorgeous shot of the sky as the sun was setting. I love how it was lit up in various shades of pink, the clouds looking like waves. The columned building, along with maple and pine trees gives added depth to this shot. The best part? If you look towards the bottom of the picture, you’ll notice the twinkling of city lights! This is a great time of year to take photos of beautiful sunsets. You can prominently display one on a wall, or create a collection of photos to decorate several areas in your space. No matter what you choose, you can bring a beautiful Spring sky into your home!

Picture a Pattern: Part 3

Paisley patterned dressIn my third post I’ll be highlighting another source of inspiration for your home decor: clothing! The picture above is a photo of one of my favorite dresses. It features various types of patterns in yellow, black, white, grey, and brown. These colors go great with a neutral color palette! The pops of yellow are the perfect addition to a bedroom, den, or hallway wall. The colors blend perfectly together and contain hues that everyone has in their home. Inspiration can come from many sources, so keep your eyes open for great ideas that can be as close as your own closet!

A Bend in the Tracks

Around the bend_railroad tracksOn one of my daily walks, I made my way down a hill and saw these railroad tracks curving around a bend. I like how the tracks are flanked on both sides by a fence, in addition to the trees that seem to lean inwards. Though you may not think so, there are so many possibilities with a photo like this! It would look great displayed in a living room or den, or could be the inspiration for a new decorating theme that incorporates earth tones mixed with metal and wood-based accessories. Taking photos of places near your home or work is a great way to find new ways to inspire yourself and decorate your space. Whether displaying your works of photography, or using them as a base for new decor, there’s a whole world out there waiting to inspire you!

The Glowing Clouds Beyond the Trees

Setting sun beyond treesOne evening, my Mom called me over to the window to view the glowing clouds during a sunset. I love the various shades of orange, red, purple, and blue! The trees appear to frame the photo, creating a unique shot. If you have a favorite time of day when you think the sky looks its best, take a photo and display it prominently in your home. This will not only allow you to show off your photography skills, but you’ll also have a great addition to your wall. Displaying a photo on your wall is a great way to bring new life into an old space. No matter if it’s sunrise, sunset, or high noon, you’ll find the perfect time to photograph the perfect sky!

A Snowy Beginning to 2016

Snowy butterfly bushWelcome to my first post of 2016! Hope you all had a Merry Christmas, and are ready for a new year. We recently got our first snow, which gave me a great inspiration for today’s post. As seen on the right, I was able to snap a picture of our snow-covered Butterfly Bush. The snow on the end of the branches makes it appear that the bush is sprouting white flowers. Photos featuring winter scenery are a great way to bring a cool color palette into your home. Add accessories in silver or gray, and you’ve instantly updated your space! Stay tuned to for more great posts and videos in 2016!

Thanksgiving Decor: The Front Door

Front door_Thanksgiving 2015Every year I like to add some sort of decoration around the front door. Because of its proximity to the wall in my previous post, I decided the best choice would be a design that also used leaves. Instead of using the same type of leaves, I opted for larger ones in a slightly different hue and created a border around the door. It’s a simple design, but also adds a touch of color to an area that would otherwise be plain. Some people feel that you have to create a fancy design to have a cohesive look throughout your home. However, often a simple design is all you need to make a bold statement and create a unique space.

Abstract Art at Home

Abstract art_universityThe photo on the right is an abstract piece of art at my local university. It’s affixed to a pair of gates leading to the campus’ church. While I’m not sure what this piece is supposed to represent (I believe it was an interpretation of a bird), it’s still nice to see the whimsy in such pieces of art. While most of us can’t afford a custom piece of art, you can certainly use a photo of one in your own space. Feeling creative? Try making your own abstract art at home! You can use any medium: clay, paper, paint, wood, or glass. No matter how you go about it, you can easily bring abstract art into your space!

The Creepy Pond by the Road

Pond with tunnelHappy Halloween! I thought I’d celebrate by sharing this photograph I took of a creepy-looking pond. The pond is mostly choked with foliage and algae, and one end flows into a narrow, dark tunnel. While this photo is not what you would typically think of for Halloween, I think of it as a piece of decor that could be used in a more formal, grownup way. Decorating this time of year doesn’t always have to be orange, black, or involve pumpkins. Using photos of scenery close to home is a unique way to create a Halloween feel in your own home. No matter what type of picture you choose, you can create a spooky atmosphere that’s sure to please!

Capping off a Column

Corinthian column capitalWhile many think of columns as purely functional, they can also be quite decorative and unique. An example is the picture above that shows the ornate capital (top portion) of a column. This style capital is a well-known feature of Corinthian columns, which are ornately carved and feature various types of designs.

Corinthian column capital_close-up

While most of us don’t live in homes or buildings with such architectural grandeur, there are ways to bring this look into your space. If you have small decorative columns in your home, there are DIY kits available at home improvement stores that will allow you to add a capital to an already existing column. These kits are made from various types of materials, and can be purchased finished (painted) or unfinished. If you’re like me and don’t have columns in your home, you can take a similar photo, enlarge it, and hang it prominently on a wall. Either way you choose, you can bring classic architecture into any space!

The Christmas Tree

Each year I choose a different theme when decorating our Christmas tree. This year’s theme? Gold and silver! Every bulb on the tree has either gold or silver on it. In addition to the bulbs, we have other ornaments on display as well. They include new and old favorites, bought both at home and abroad.

Christmas tree 2014_ornaments

Below are close-up pictures of a few ornaments. I also use snowflakes in various colors to fill in any gaps not covered by ornaments or bulbs. The snowflakes can be found at big box and craft stores. I’ve found they’re a great and inexpensive way to add color to a tree. If you’ve already decorated your tree, I suggest loading up at the end of December (they’ll be on clearance) and save them for next year’s tree.

Ornament close up 1_2014

Ornament close up 2_2014

How do you choose your Christmas tree decorations? Whether you have a theme or prefer a more random approach, you’ll have a beautiful tree that reflects the holiday season!