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.

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.

Updating A Nightstand

Several years ago I bought two nightstands to flank each side of my bed. While I still liked the overall look of them, I felt something needed to be updated: the knobs. I wanted something that was a bit more unique than the plain silver pulls that came with the nightstands.

I went to several of my local craft stores and finally found what I wanted. They featured an abstract blue and white pattern that reminded me of the ocean, a brass-colored edge, and was more than double the size of my previous knobs. Originally not sure if these would go with my decor, as soon as I installed them I knew they were perfect for my space! The white in the knobs matched both my nightstands and the other furniture in my room, while the shades of blue and the brass edge matched various accessories throughout my bedroom. Perfecto!

It’s amazing how something as simple as changing out a few knobs can make such a difference. If you’re short on funds but want to update a piece of furniture, doing something similar in your own space is not only a way to save money while updating the look of a piece of furniture, but also a fun way to get creative. Whether you choose something plain and simple or completely over the top, you can easily update the look of your furniture with a simple replacement of knobs.

The Secret Cove

A few minutes up the river from where I took the picture in my previous post, I came upon a small cove tucked away behind what looked like a solid row of hedges. However, on closer inspection, I found this beach-like area located off the main river. Even though this is part of the river, a photo like this creates a coastal vibe. The sun glistening off the water, small beach, and a peak of blue sky between the branches, reminds me of an estuary near the ocean. However, a river photo is a great way to get a beach vibe when going to the ocean isn’t an option. So, if you want to update your space with a coastal vibe this summer, rivers are the perfect solution!

Rocky Shores on Sunny Days

Sunny beach_volcanic rocksWhat comes to mind when you think of the beach? Probably sun, sand, and surf. However, depending on where you are, there can be less sand and more rocks. Living in the Ring of Fire, one sometimes comes across beaches made entirely of black volcanic rock. Though not your typical beach, I find them beautiful nonetheless. Why would you want to display photo of a rocky beach in your house? One word: unique! Anyone can display a picture of a sandy beach, but one with black volcanic rocks is an attention-grabber and conversation piece. You can capture a similar image by photographing any nearby rocky shore. Whether you choose an ocean, lake, or river, you can easily create a unique focal point for any room!

Cliffs at the Water’s Edge

Cliffs overlooking the seaI wanted to share this gorgeous shot of the ocean from high above the cliffs. The expansive ocean and endless blue sky give this photo a grandiose feel. Using photos that show something on such a large scale can make even the smallest of spaces seem bigger. You can find similar pictures at big box stores, or create your own by photographing a body of water or other natural landscape from an elevated position. By using large-sized prints, you can create the perfect scale in any room. No matter what type of photograph you use, you’re sure to create the perfect look to compliment your space!

Life within the Rock

Life within the rockWhile taking a walk along the shore, we often ignore the rocks and boulders we encounter on the sand. However, one day I decided to stop at a large boulder that was partially submerged in water. What did I find? A myriad of sea creates! From barnacles to clams, and even fossils, I was able to get a glimpse of an underwater kingdom. Want to display a similar type of photo in your space? A coastline or tide pool is a great place to take a photo that exposes part of the underwater world. Depending on your location, you can photograph starfish, sea anemones, fossils, barnacles, and other sea life. No matter what you photograph, you’ll be showcasing the wonders of the ocean while adding cool summer decor to your space!

Sea Lions on the Rocky Shoal

Sea lions on shoalAs I walked down the pier, I heard the unmistakable sound of sea lions somewhere in the distance. Glancing between two buildings, I saw something moving on a large, rocky outcropping: sea lions! I grabbed my camera and immediately took a picture. A similar photo would look great in a den or study, since it not only blends well with any decor, but will instantly catch someone’s eyes. You can create the same look with other animals that blend into the background, such as ducks, rabbits, or deer. With a little patience and a keen eye for details, you can update your space with a unique animal photo!

The Driftwood Ship

Driftwood shipWhen you go for a stroll on the beach, one often comes across large pieces of driftwood. On one beach, we came across a large old-growth tree that washed up on shore. Over time, it was cut up to look like a ship washed up on shore. I loved the look, so I decided to snap a photo and share it with you. While most people wouldn’t find something similar on any beach, it can still be a great inspiration! Large pieces of driftwood can be found on most beaches, and if you take a photo from the right angle, you can get an amazing shot. Your unique photo will be the perfect addition to any space, and will also capture a great memory of your fun day at the beach!

The Alien-Landscape Beach: A Close-up

Alien beach_close-upPictured on the right is a close-up of the rocky shores seen in my previous post. It’s amazing to see how the seaweed covered rocks have been formed and shaped after centuries of being hit by waves. Such a unique photo is not only a great focal point, but also a great conversation starter in any space. If you have several photos of the same type of landscape, you can arrange a series of photos on a wall, or split them up between several different rooms. Hope everyone has a safe and Happy 4th of July, and that you’ll find great inspiration to brighten up your space.