Creative Introductions

15 Monday Apr 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Art & Design

Tags

art, design, elementary, Game of Thrones, Hannibal, music, opening credits, The Walking Dead, TV, Vikings

I’m not a huge TV fan but I have to admit I’ve been watching a lot more of it lately. You just can’t deny the great shows that have been gracing the screens within the past few years. Most of the time you feel like you’re watching a movie, which I love. And the connection you build with the story and characters as each season passes is something, I feel, TV has been missing for some time.

One aspect of television, as well as film, I always look forward to are the intros. The opening credits is where art & design and creativity come together to showcase the “feel and style” of the show as well as feature the actors who play important roles. Over the years, these have been getting better and better and I wanted to share a few of my current favorites. Some may overlook these few seconds before the show starts but not me. I think they set the tone for the next hour and prepare you for what’s to come.

These next creative introductions are from series I love and watch every week. Not only are they unique and expertly created, they truly are inspiring in many ways. From the design elements to the music its paired with, you can gain a lot of insight by paying attention. Enjoy!

Elementary
This show is smart, different, and mature in its style. The New York feel is graciously featured throughout each scene from the old brownstone the main characters live in to the attitude and personality of the cast. I have always loved Jonny Lee Miller so when I saw he was in this show, I had to watch. He fits the part perfectly. I am drawn to the darker neutrals showcased as well as the sophisticated combination of vintage elements and modern thought. So it is no surprise I thought the intro was awesome. The music flows so nicely with the rolling ball sequence and they did nice job of blending the credits in. All in all, a winner for sure.

Game of Thrones
What can I say about the genius composition and art direction of this series’ opening credits. Simply amazing. The music is dramatic and fits the time period of the show well, and the idea of the 3D maps is smart because there are so many areas and kingdoms involved in the story. I feel the visual aspect of this opening not only gets you pumped for what is next but its also a nice lead in to how beautiful the scenery and landscape is. It’s sort of interesting to think of the show as a game, as it appears in the intro, and then realize that its based off real life.

I love how Game of Thrones is fearless in its writing and acting, nothing is held back. I think in order for the show to truly be successful, it has to be. Although some scenes are a lot to handle, its a major top pick in my book.

Vikings
If you love Game of Thrones, then Vikings is right up your alley. Raw and undeniably smart, the series explores the history of the vikings with an amazing cast and astounding landscape. The show is badass for sure. I specifically love the details and style of the wardrobe and rustic natural setting.

The opening credits are simply beautiful. With music by Fever Ray setting the dark and gloomy tone, the imagery flows with perfection. I like the focus on Earth’s elements, water and fire, which are both extremely important to the viking people. The lighting is superb, the color choices in saturation and shade are striking, and the art direction is genius. It totally goes with the mood of the series and certainly inspires the unleashed in all of us.

Hannibal
I am so happy this show just started. The minute I saw the commercial I knew I would love it and I certainly do. Such a smart rendition of the story, with unique and creative artistic elements. The cast is superb and the scenes are intense, as if you are watching a film. And how can you not appreciate the writing?

The second episode got my attention even more with the opening credits because they weren’t shown during the first one. A simple title was featured after a few scenes had already went by, which was a smart to do. It added a touch of sophistication to the show. But then the awe of the blood filled skull, flowing so elegantly, so quickly. The moody sounds of grandeur playing as the face slowly turns to look at the viewer. Short, sweet and full of perfection. I am looking forward to see how this series unfolds for sure.

The Walking Dead
I’ve always loved the opening credits of The Walking Dead. Now that season 3 is over, it was nice to see the adaption change. The score is one of my favorites, staying true to the emotional sadness and thriller-like setting. It flows through with elements of the show, the characters past, and exudes the gritty rawness of their current world. It puts you in the proper mind set for the show, that’s for sure.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Spring Cleaning

12 Friday Apr 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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dedication, focus, life, love, mental, mentality, nature, old habits, people, positivity, Spring Cleaning, stress, warm glow

I feel we all need a little spring cleaning when the warmer months arrive. And not just during spring, but every few months. So much goes on in our lives and between work or school, family and friends, relationships and marriages, and raising your children, sometimes it seems like its never going to end and time just isn’t on your side. Did you ever think that you are creating too much to do?

I know we are all busy. I, myself have tried to fight the clock to get tons of stuff done and most of the time its work because it seems like I never have time for myself. It’s just not a healthy way to live. Week after week, the same old story. And what is it all for? I certainly don’t have to be as busy as I am. I can spread projects out and just make clients wait for them to get done instead of working by butt off and stressing myself out. This is the one thing I will be “scrubbing away” for my spring cleaning. It may be a good quality in some aspects but in the end, its just hurting me and it has to stop.

It’s funny because most of what hurts us, we create. It’s part of who we are. This is why its essential to pay attention to ourselves and our behavior, to see what needs to be tweaked or changed, and in some cases “scrubbed clean.” Just rid yourself of those layers that simply aren’t helping you. You want to evolve and move forward in life, not be held back by mental messes.

Today in New York, the weather is a little rainy and cool, and the windy air has been busy pushing nature around all morning. I can’t help but find it totally appropriate for my last day of working with clients. My hiatus has finally come. Not only am I sweeping old habits away but Mother Earth herself is cleansing as well. And even though its a little wild outside, the birds are still singing and the day still goes on. With a little dedication and strength, the sun will show her face and shine her warm glow on all of us.

Take some time to redirect your destination and move forward with a smile. Sometimes the path can get a little rocky and we forget who is most important, ourselves. If you can’t be your best self than how you can you be the best for the people you love? Scrub those bad layers off and get to the real you, then focus on what you really want and what you need to do to stay happy. Surround yourself with love and positivity and create a shield so the negative energy can’t affect you. Those bad habits and stresses shall be stripped away for good and a new, reinvented you will be ready to face the day.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Spring Cleaning - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Celebrate the Return of Spring with Appropriate Colors

11 Thursday Apr 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, The Great Outdoors, The Home

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blue, color, colored decorations, exterior home decor, front porch ideas, lavender, nature, pink, plants, purple, spring, spring colors

As the chilly weather and winter snow thaws away, the colorful and vibrant colors of spring approach. Spring is the time in which life begins again for many deciduous plants including pretty hellebores, daffodils, tulips, and crocus. Animals awaken from a long winter’s hibernation and step into the warm, soothing sunlight. For us humans, it is time to once again step outside our humble abodes and enjoy being outdoors again. Gardens are tilled and prepared for the season’s plantings and décor shielded by the harsh air of winter can be brought out and shown off again. The unhappy shades of gray and brown will eventually become beautiful colors once more. But what are “spring” colors anyway?

Celebrate the Return of Spring with Appropriate Colors

While the picture above may appear moderately attractive as a result of the old style windmill, look at the grass, trees, and color within the photo. Brown, gray, and dull – these are the colors apparent in the picture and while perhaps palpable for a few weeks or a month into winter, it truly gets old after too long.

Winter depression is not just a result of the 10 degrees temperature, as you scrape the ice and frost from your vehicle windshield in the morning. It’s also because the colors we see in winter are depressing as well. Colors that brighten our day also brighten our lives, and this is no different when people drive by the house and see brightly colored decorations and flags hanging outside the house.

What colors should you look to decorate with? Well it’s pretty straightforward. First ask yourself: What colors make me happy or which colors brighten my day? The most common colors which fit this description including various shades of pink, including lavender, amaranth, salmon, fuchsia, magenta, and puce. These are all different variations of pink and each represents a different color of spring.

Photo Credit: Best Moms TV

Photo Credit: Coco Cozy

Photo Credit: Front Porch Ideas and More

A more masculine color of spring includes lighter variations of blue. Some of the best of these to decorate the exterior of your home with include baby blue, Columbia blue, dodger blue, sky blue, powder blue, and turquoise. Blues can be great for painting the small shed in the backyard or light blue window shutters.

Photo Credit: Country Living

Photo Credit: Luxury for the Home

Photo Credit: Paper Bowls and Lemons

Lilacs are some of my personal favorite springtime flowers because the color violet represents imagination and spirituality. Some other beautiful shades of violet can make for a colorful springtime flower bouquet. Hanging baskets of flowers can be hung outside the house to provide color to your home exterior. Hang some of these baskets up outside the front of the house or on mount them on the patio railing. Make sure to keep them watered too to keep them growing strong into summer!

Photo Credit: A Country Farmhouse

Photo Credit: Coastal Living

Photo Credit: nonizamboniblue

Spring is a time of new life. By decorating the exterior of your home as such, you’ll really improve the aesthetic value of your home. Not only that but you’ll also feel much better knowing winter is gone, the wheels of spring are churning, and don’t look now but summer is on the way!

{Jason Smith is a home decorator and blogger. He currently writes for Australian Outdoor Living, a provider of decorativeoutdoor blinds. In his spare time, Jason enjoys hosting barbecues and hunting.}

Decisions, Decisions

09 Tuesday Apr 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Art & Design, Everyday Design, Featured Artists, The Home

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Andrew Wyeth, art, beige, Christina's World, cream, Easterly, Evening on a Marsh, field, fine art, gray, horse, interior design, light house, moon, nature, nautical, neutral, painting, Peter Sculthorpe, sky, Springhouse, white, woman

My husband and I are planning to renovate our kitchen in a few weeks and we are very close to collecting all our new pieces and materials for the space. I am so excited to finally design my dream kitchen! It will be all neutral tones, cream and white, and all the vintage pieces we have found will be painted the same color with an antique finish. The added elements will be soft plaids, grays, and rustic textures. It’s going to look gorgeous.

One of the things I am trying to decide is choosing a fine art piece for the wall across from the sink. It’t basically the only wall with nothing on it or in front of it so I thought it would be nice to feature a large piece of work in the space. Something that will really bring the room together. I know I want a nature inspired piece, preferably an open field or landscape, and one that truly resonates with what Dan and I love. I want to be able to glance at the work and not want to look away. It must be showstopper.

I’ve found a few I really like and wanted to share with my readers. I will look some more but these are very big contenders. If I don’t find anything I like more than these, they are the top choices. I want this piece to be perfect. It has to set the tone for the space and help the room feel peaceful and calm. Just the right work of art to fit with a rustic country kitchen. Decisions, decisions – what is your top pick?

Easterly by Andrew Wyeth
I have always loved Wyeth’s work. I admire the white and gray tones in this piece. Both Dan and I love nautical scenes so this is a true contender. It’s calming and ethereal which totally wins me over.

Christina’s World by Andrew Wyeth
I have this exact piece printed on a postcard on my fridge so it would make sense to own a large print of it. There was something about this piece I have always been drawn to. Maybe it was the distant feeling and vast landscape or detailed strokes in the field. I love how the woman seems determined, yet hesitant to move. Her light pink dress blowing in the wind and her hair, slightly undone and natural. A true winner in my eyes.
Christina's World by Andrew Wyeth

Springhouse by Peter Sculthorpe
The rustic feel of this piece really draws me in. The texture of the grass and the details of the tree, so beautiful. I love the stone structure as well as its placement in the scene. The horse is such a fascinating creature and in this painting, it truly shines in such a natural way. Imagine looking out your back door and seeing this. Amazing.
Springhouse by Peter Sculthorpe

Evening on a Marsh by Peter Sculthorpe
The serenity of this piece is what really attracted me to it. Such silence and so much life. The blues are so beautiful against the green and brown and the gold elements really bring an element of beauty as well. I love art that just goes on forever, like this one.
Evening on a Marsh by Peter Sculthorpe