The concrete structure pictured above is not simply an art installation, it’s actually a Water Garden! This structure is made up of multi-tiered fountains that were designed to create a unique urban oasis that included trees, a brick walkway, and lush lawns. How nice to walk out of your office building and be greeted by a lush lawn and the sound of flowing water! Sadly, the fountain was shut off due to leaks and a cracked foundation, and the repairs have been on indefinite hold. Despite this, it’s still a place that can be enjoyed daily by the surrounding office buildings. Remember, even places that have lost their luster are still a great inspiration. Whether it’s an old building or unused fountain, these places offer both a respite from the daily grind and a great photo op!
Tag Archives: trees
The Setting Sun Beyond the Trees
As I went for an evening walk, I noticed the sun shining through some nearby trees. As I got closer, I realized it was actually the setting sun. I love how the color of the sky changes as the sun sets! It has elements of gold, white, and blue, and the shades of each color vary depending on where you look. A similar photo would go well in so many spaces! It would look great in a den, living room, dining room, or bedroom. And with the myriad of different colors, it goes with any decorating scheme. So what are you waiting for? Grab a camera, go for an evening walk, and get the perfect sunset picture for your space!
The Towering Tree Stump
This weekend I wanted to get out and enjoy the fresh air, so I decided to go to a park I hadn’t visited before. It had many trails and an abundance of wildlife, but as I meandered down one path I noticed an oddly shaped tree stump to my left. As I walked closer to get a better look, I noticed that this towering tree stump had a large gap in it. It looked like two wooden towers that merged together into one. Awesome! The warm hues of the wood, the green vines encasing the bottom of the trunk, and the pop of blue from the sky make this a great picture to hang on any wall. Despite what you might think, uniquely shaped trees and tree trunks aren’t too hard to find. You can find similar examples in most large parks. So what are you waiting for? With a little work you can snap a gorgeous photo that will brighten your space, and bring a little bit of nature inside!
Rainy Day Video
There’s nothing like looking out the window on a rainy day! What immediately comes to mind is the sight of raindrops dripping down the window, the sound of gusting wind, and the image of trees swaying. But why wait for a rainy day when you can get the same effect by watching my video? My second video, Rainy Day, is now available on my YouTube channel. You can access it via the My Videos page, or by clicking the image below. Enjoy!
The Christmas Table
In order to get prepared for Christmas dinner, the first thing you need to do is decorate the table! As pictured above, I have a combination of nutcrackers, a glittery deer, birds, trees, and a ceramic town scene. While many people would only choose one of these elements as a focal point, I decided to use all of them! It gives the table more interest, and creates multiple conversation pieces via all the different decorations. There are an infinite number of ways to decorate your table. You can have one large centerpiece, decorate part of your table, create an ornate tablescape, or keep it simple by using a single, muted color. No matter what you choose, you’re sure to have a beautiful table that will impress and delight your guests!
A Well Lit Table
When people talk about illuminating their tables, they typically only think of candles. However, there are many different items you can use besides candles to create a well lit scene. On my table, I decided to use a ceramic Christmas café that lights up. The illuminated building is shown below.
To give the piece more interest during the day, I also added a bridge and three pine trees (all ceramic). I created a pond using blue scrapbook paper and arranged the trees around its outer banks. As seen below, the illuminated building provides the perfect amount of light for the other pieces.
Interested in a similar look? You can find plain ceramic pieces at most craft stores. You can either leave them unpainted like I did, or paint them how you’d like. Whether you use candles, illuminated ceramics, or a combination of both, you can create a table that’s both festive and unique.
Switching from Thanksgiving to Christmas
As seen on the right, I decided to update the space above our painting for Christmas! To replace my Thanksgiving decor I decided to used a simple red bow and two glittery trees. I have an identical bow attached to a hutch on the opposite wall, so I wanted to decorate in a way that tied together the two sides of the room. If you don’t have two of the same decorations, you can also use decorations that are the same color. No matter what you decide to do, you can create a decorating scheme that ties together any space!
A Fall-Inspired Chair
As I was trying to figure out what I was going to do with the trees I created for Thanksgiving, I began to remove some of the maple leaves from the wall. I decided to stick the leaves on the chair I was standing on (so I didn’t have to keep climbing up and down the chair). Once I was finished, I got off the chair and noticed what turned out to be a brilliant decorating idea. As pictured on the right, I accidentally created a beautiful fall-inspired chair! Isn’t it amazing what can be discovered by accident? This would be the perfect pop for a dining area. Simply affix small maple leaves, poinsettias, snowflakes, or any other holiday-related item to your dining chair. This is not only an inexpensive way to temporarily update your furniture, but also serves to show off your creative genius!
Thanksgiving Decor: Part 1
Thanksgiving is one of the holidays where I like to decorate the house! In this post I’ll show you how I decorated a wall in my living room. I like to decorate differently every year and was trying to decide what to do with the accent wall in the living room. I had several packages of faux maple leaves, and decided that this year I’d create a tree! As seen below, the accent wall was plain except for a large mirror.
After about $20 worth of supplies (cardboard paper, faux maple leaves, and painter’s tape), I now have two beautiful trees! The final result is shown below. This was an inexpensive project that was completed in one day. Since the entire project is affixed to the wall with painter’s tape (I fold it over so it’s like double-sided tape), it’s easy to remove and won’t damage your walls.
So what are you waiting for? There’s still time to update your holiday decor, so go create an art piece that not only embodies the holiday, but also displays your creative genius!
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!
Inspiration In A Photo 