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The Design Inspirationalist

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The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: autumn

Inspiration Photo Friday: Autumn Adventures

27 Friday Sep 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday, The Great Outdoors

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Tags

autumn, avonlea, canada, colors, fall, green, honeymoon, hues, leaves, life, nature, orange, prince edward island, red, seasons, soul, sun, trees, trip, vacation

Autumn in officially here and I am seriously loving it. Finally, the cool weather has arrived and small transformations can been seen in nature. Soon, there will be vibrant hues surrounding us as the trees slowly bare their souls and the hints of spring we cherish from fresh blooms hide away for the colder season. So many changes to experience.

Last year, my husband and I were on our honeymoon in Prince Edward Island and at this time a few days away from packing up and heading home. So many memories I will hold close to my heart. The one thing I felt made a huge difference in our visit was the month we chose to go. Autumn is truly an eye opening season and experiencing this magnificent place in such beautiful and crisp weather was awesome.

When I think of fall, I will always have thoughts of our trip to PIE, along with so many others we have taken during this wonderful time of year. The photo below was taken in Avonlea. A beautiful trail surrounded with various shades of green and hints of red and orange. It was truly lovely. I like to think autumn is a reminder of the adventures and hardships life can bring. Stripping down the layers and shedding pieces of yourself can truly be invigorating. When you dig deep and let go of any negative energy you may be carrying, your true colors will shine. And although the sun isn’t glowing as much as it used to, it’s warmth can be felt from those who truly open up to it.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Autumn Adventures - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Inspiration Photo Friday: Falling in Love

06 Friday Sep 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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autumn, cherry trees, earth, fall, falling in love, grass, harvest, heaven, home sweet home, long island, love, mother earth, nature, new york, overgrowth, pear trees, seasons, spring, summer, trees, weather

I have been in love with nature since I can remember. Always wanting to be surrounded by grass and trees and getting inspired by the beautiful varieties and colors of plants and flowers, Mother Nature will forever have my heart.

The spring and summer seasons are nice but fall is my favorite. It’s full of rustic hues and woodsy tones and sets up the stage for the Earth to shed its skin. Baring it all for us to see. How romantic is that? And through the whole process, we can experience the most beautiful weather filled with crisp air, refreshing winds, and just enough warmth from the sun. And although the trees will eventually let go of their leaves and flowers no longer bloom, the idea of harvest sets in. It’s time for a whole new world of color, flavor, and adventure.

I took this photo in our yard yesterday. Every now and then I take a walk to the very back and look around. From the cherry and pear trees to the overgrowth on the fence, there is just so much to love. The funny thing, we didn’t create any of it. All this beauty was here when we got here and has been part of the property for many years and I wouldn’t change a thing. Now we can experience history and the future in this little piece of heaven we call home.

I believe falling in love with people is not healthy because you should be uplifted when love is in your heart. But when it comes to the glorious Mother Nature, I fall in love more and more everyday. There is just something about the Earth that makes you want to fall into it and breathe it in. To climb a tree and be within its branches, to lay in the grass and feel it between your toes, to explore a woodsy trail and feel at peace when the forest consumes you….there is nothing in the world that can bring this much pleasure. And to experience this everyday in my own backyard, is the best gift of all.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Falling in Love

Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

08 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, The Home

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Andrea Beitzel, Anthology on Main, Apple and Pine Cone Wreath, Artificial Boxwood Wreath, autumn, Burlap Christmas Wreath, decor, Dried Flower Wreath, Dried Lavender Wreath, Enchanted Forest Eucalyptus Wreath, entrance, fall, Fall Harvest Wreath, Farmers' Market Herb Wreath, Faux Acorn Wreath, Forsynthia Wreath, front door, Green & White Dried Flower Wreath, Hayneedle, holiday, home, Lavender Patchwork Wreath, Lavender Round Wreath, Lemon Leaf Wreath, Lise Simple Creations, Live Ivy Wreath, Live Willow & Hydrangea Wreath, NaturDesign, New England Wreath, Paper Flower Wreath, Plow and Hearth, Pottery Barn, Red Robyn Lane, Rose Garden Wreath, seasons, Small Book Page Rosette Wreath, spring, summer, terrain, welcome, west elm, White Pinecones Wreath, Wild Ridge Design, Williams Sonoma, winter, Winter Floral Wreath, wreath, Zinnia Bouquet Wreath

Add Warmth to Your Welcome

Now that I am a homeowner, I do my best to make people feel welcome when they visit. I feel first impressions are important and that’s why the entrance to your home is a good place to start adding a little warmth. Besides keeping a clean porch and adding some accessories or flowers, placing a wreath on your door is an easy way to say welcome. I have one for every season and enjoy switching them out as the weather changes.

There are all types of wreaths you can buy. Some can be really expensive so you want to think about how long you will have it. If its something you will use for years, then go ahead and spend the money, its worth it. But if its just for a holiday, then you might want to think twice. I recommend purchasing preserved wreathes because they last a long time, if taken care of, and are essentially real. There is nothing worse than having something hang on your door that looks like a plastic toy. I think that just says you really didn’t want to try.

Well, here are some beautiful wreaths to consider. They will be sure to send some inspiration your way on how to jazz up your entrance and welcome your guests in style. Enjoy!

Spring/Summer

Rose Garden Wreath: Terrain
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Zinnia Bouquet Wreath: Terrain
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Paper Flower Wreath: West Elm
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Dried Lavender Wreath: Pottery Barn
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Green & White Dried Flower Wreath: NaturDesign
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Dried Flower Wreath: NaturDesign
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Small Book Page Rosette Wreath: Anthology on Main
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Farmers’ Market Herb Wreath: Williams Sonoma
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Forsynthia Wreath: Williams Sonoma
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Lavender Patchwork Wreath: Plow and Hearth
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Fall/Holiday

Live Willow & Hydrangea Wreath: Pottery Barn
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Live Ivy Wreath: Pottery Barn
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Artificial Boxwood Wreath: Wild Ridge Design
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Lavender Round Wreath: Williams Sonoma
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Faux Acorn Wreath: Plow and Hearth
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Apple and Pine Cone Wreath: Plow and Hearth
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Fall Harvest Wreath: Plow and Hearth
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Winter/Holiday

Enchanted Forest Eucalyptus Wreath: Hayneedle
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

White Pinecones Wreath: Lise Simple Creations
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Winter Floral Wreath: New England Wreath
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Burlap Christmas Wreath: Red Robyn Lane
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Lemon Leaf Wreath: Andrea Beitzel
Add Warmth to Your Welcome with a Wreath

Inspiration Photo Friday: True Love

15 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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Tags

animals, autumn, evolution, fall, farm, farm animals, farming, gardens, nature, new york, october, plants, queens, queens farm museum, seasons, trees, vegetables, vintage farm, vintage farm wedding, wedding

Since I have been researching places for Dan and I to visit for our wedding anniversary, our wedding day has been on my mind. And since spring is right around the corner, I can’t help but think of the farm where we shared our vows.

The Queens County Farm will always have a place in our hearts. I fell in love when I saw photos, so you can imagine how much I adored this little piece of heaven when we visited it for the first time. I may have gotten distracted with other venues but in the end, both Dan and I followed our hearts and chose the farm for our special day. We visited the venue 3 times before the wedding, each different seasons, and still felt connected to the grounds and the animals. This is how you should feel about where you get married.

So, for Inspiration Photo Friday I wanted to share a photo I took upon one of our visits during the fall. It was so lush and beautiful, autumn colors everywhere. The animals were lively and the birds were singing. It was such a lovely day at the farm. I love that we can always go back, whenever we want, and have new experiences there. As the years go by, we can watch the farm get older and evolve.

It is such an amazing feeling to be connected to a place like this one. We have a lot of love for the Queens Farm and the animals that call it home. I am so happy we went with our hearts and chose this beautiful place to be a part of us forever. The Earth and its animals will always have my love…the truest love of all.

Inspiration Photo Friday: True Love - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

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