Sailing into Sunday

Sailboats on the soundDespite the chilly temperatures, there are still opportunities to get outside. On a recent trip to a local park, I saw a group of boaters taking advantage of the slightly warmer weather. Pictures like these are perfect this time of year because it gives you a sense of the warmer weather to come. Adding a similar photo to your decor gives an unexpected pop of spring to any room. Remember, no matter the time of year or the weather, you can also use a photo of the outdoors to bring any season into your space.

The Mighty Oak of Spring

Mighty oak treeOn one of my lunchtime walks I came across this large, old oak tree and saw the perfect inspiration for my next post. The brown trunk is a natural neutral, and the green leaves add a pop of color that draws the viewers eyes upwards. Simple, everyday photos are often the best kind to use in decorating. Why? They’ll go with nearly everything! No matter if your color scheme is black and white, pastels, monochromatic, metallics, or brights, nature-based photos will always blend in. Can’t find an old-growth tree like the one pictured to the right? Using a photo of a favorite or nearby tree will allow you to achieve this look. Now’s the perfect time to go outside and snap a few photos that will allow you to quickly, and easily, update 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.

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!

The Forest in the Tree

Forest on treeOne sunny day I was walking underneath a large, old tree and noticed something interesting on one of the branches. As seen on the right, it looks like a mini forest! The combination of the bright green fern with sun streaming through its leaves, the mountainous landscape of the branch, and white flowers in the background make this an awesome shot. You can shoot a similar picture by checking out your local old growth trees. They may be hard to find depending on where you live, but if you explore a state park or area that features historic buildings, you’ll have a better chance of finding what you want. Now is the perfect time to snap pictures you can use to update your space. Whether hung on a wall or simply used for inspiration, you can snap a beautiful picture to usher in Spring!

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!

Bell-Shaped Flowers to Ring in Spring

Purple flowers_parking lotThere’s a parking lot near where I work that is partially bordered by these purple, bell-shaped flowers. I love the pop of purple flowers and green grass against the dull concrete. This gives me a great inspiration for updating a space! Often times we realize our space has slowly turned into a dull color palette over time. While it might seem daunting to give it an update, you can do a lot with a little! Just adding a few pops of color to a space can make all the difference. You can start small with accessories like a vase, candles, or throw pillows. Everyone has to start somewhere, so no matter where you start you can update your space with minimal effort!

Evergreen Magnolias in Bloom

Evergreen Magnolia_pinkAlthough the plant pictured to the right looks like a Rhododendron, it’s actually an Evergreen Magnolia. There are several of these plants bordering a nearby building, and I’ve always liked the large, colorful flowers that bloom every year. These are the perfect type of blooms to put in a vase to adorn a bedroom, living room, or as a centerpiece on a dining table. This time of year provides lots of inspiration for decorating your space! Whether you’re using flowers to decorate your space, or drawing inspiration from the colors of nature, it’s the perfect time to create a space that’s all about Spring!

Blooms in Winter

Bloom in winter_pink and whiteEvery year there is a group of large bushes that tend to bloom in winter, even when it’s snowing. They have a variety of colors, but this time I decided to snap a photo of a bush that features pink and white flowers. I love flowers that are made up of more than one color! This gives me the perfect inspiration for a decorating theme. Using pops of pink and white against a neutral base is the perfect addition to your space. You could use accessories such as throw pillows, vases, a similar picture framed on a table, or a rug. Additionally, you could accent the pops of white and pink with other pastel colors that are perfect for welcoming spring. Even in winter, nature can provide pops of color and the perfect inspiration to brighten up your space!