Welcome to 2020! People often use this time to year to create and (hopefully) accomplish new goals. In other words, we’re likely starting on a new path. While many people use a mood or inspiration board to keep motivated, I think a picture can be a great inspiration for your journey. A picture similar to the one above can be a great reminder to keep moving forward in anticipation of what’s ahead. Try hanging the picture in a place you’ll see daily, like an entryway or bedroom. While my photo was taken at a wildlife refuge, your photo can be a path from anywhere: a garden, beach, sidewalk, or an opening in the clouds. No matter what type of path you choose to use, let it be your inspiration for a new year.
Tag Archives: wood
The Perfectly Imperfect Staircase
As I was walking during a recent vacation, I came across this staircase that’s no longer in use. I liked how, aside from the few broken rungs, this old staircase is still in tact. The staircase, surrounded by overgrown bushes, can also be a great metaphor: no matter what happens, keep going forward. Because of this, a similar photo would look great as a focal point in a bedroom or living room. In additional, since the colors are all earth tones, they would go with any decor. Remember, when you’re having a bad day or things just don’t seem to be going your way, keep going! Just like the staircase, you may have to stumble over a few obstacles to get there, but with hard work and persistence, you’ll eventually reach your goal.
The Bridge Over the Falls
Walking further down from the location where I took the picture in my previous post, I saw a wooden bridge off in the distance. The bridge, almost appearing to be suspended between two trees, is positioned over the largest waterfall in the park. A similar photo would look great in a living or dining room. The unique look, along with the play of light and shadow, would be a great addition to your spring decor. You can easily take a similar photo by going to your local park or finding an area with a railroad bridge. No matter what type of bridge you decide to photograph, you can easily bring this architectural element into your space.
Metal-Clad Monolith
On one of my walks, I discovered a small plaza tucked away between two buildings. Turning a corner, I discovered a large piece of art that was clad in silver. As seen above, it was a series of interconnected blocks in various shapes and sizes. I love the simple, yet unique, look of this piece. Want something similar for your own outdoor space? Start small by buying pieces at your local garden center, installing a uniquely shaped pergola, or creating your own by using stone, wood, or brick. Whether you buy or create your own, you can easily bring beautiful art into your outdoor space!
Abstract Art at Home
The 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!
Decorating with Door Knobs: Part 3
For my third post in this series, I’ll be showcasing a very unique door knob. It’s antique hardware that features an uppercase ‘W’ at either end, along with a portrait of George Washington on the door’s knob. The color of the hardware is a perfect match with the stain of the door’s wood.
As seen in the close-up (above), the knob is actually a replica of the official Washington State seal. Though you’ll likely not find something exactly like this for your home, there are ways to use antique hardware to give your space a special touch. You could keep your door’s basic hardware and only replace the door knob itself with an antique. You can usually find these knobs at antique/vintage shops or second-hand stores. This strategy allows for a great pairing of new and old hardware. I hope you’ve enjoyed my series on door knobs, and were able to find great inspiration for your space!
The Ornate Wooden Library Doors
In my previous post, I showed you a picture of wood covered windows in my local law library. To the right, is a picture of the doors below each window. As you can see, the doors are made of the same intricately carved pattern that adorns the wood embellished glass above it. It adds even more elegance to an otherwise simple library. Just like in my previous post, you can also bring this look into your space. There are DIY kits that you can buy to add embellishments and raised patterns to your furniture and doors. You can use these to create a similar look for your own doors. Remember, no matter how grand a design may seem, there’s always a way to scale it down and make it work for any space.
Wood Embellished Glass
In the law library featured in my previous posts, there are large glass panes separating one side of the library from the main hall. I love the look of these intricately carved, elegant windows! While most of us don’t own the type of home where this look is feasible, there’s still a way to bring the look into your home. After you’ve found a building with a similar architectural look, take a photo and enlarge it to mural size. Apply the photo to a wall and viola-instant elegance! Remember, even the most ornate and expensive-looking features can be applied to any space. With a little imagination, you can give a cottage the grandeur of a castle.
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!
The Beached Tree
I always enjoy walking along the beach and seeing what’s washed up on shore. On this outing, I encountered part of a tree that had washed up on the beach. From the state of the wood it was obvious that the tree had been out to sea for some time. Even so, I thought the tree was in a unique state and decided to take a picture of it. I love the gnarled roots and branches, the stripped bark, and the wood bleached by the sun. It’s amazing how artistic nature can be! You, too, can get a similar shot to adorn your space. You can find beached drift wood not only at the ocean, but at waterways, rivers, and lakes. While the proportions of the wood might vary, what’s important is that you’re able to take a shot that not only adds interest to your space, but also showcases nature’s beauty!
Inspiration In A Photo 