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The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: california

Inspiration Photo Friday: Hauntings

18 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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abandoned places, Alcatraz, asylum, california, darkness, fear, halloween, haunted, haunted places, haunting, jail, nightmarish movies, pennhurst asylum, Pennsylvania, scary stories, spring city, travel, unknown

So this weekend, my husband and I are taking a little trip to Spring City, Pennsylvania for a 2 day getaway. The whole reason we are going is to visit Pennhurst Asylum, an authentic haunted place that been transformed into a public attraction. We are both very excited to go and experience this historic hospital. Our love for abandoned places and haunted areas has brought us to a few good spots in the past so to add this one to our list is pretty awesome.

I am also looking forward to having a day to relax, something I rarely get to do. We are staying in a cottage on a historic farm and the surrounding area is really gorgeous. Exactly what we both need right now. Some peace and quiet and chill time. But of course, to start off the 2 day vaca, Pennhurst it is.

Because Halloween is this month, stuff like this helps keep that creepy vibe throughout the month. This takes me back to when my friend and I were in California and visited Alcatraz. Even though it was during the day, the whole place was dark inside. You were really able to get a feel of the environment and sense the history while you walked around. Of course, I was running around like a mad woman trying to get as many photos as I could, but I did stop here and there to take it all in. Definitely a memory I will never forget.

The photo below was one I took while we exploring the jail. There was something about how the light came in through the window and just lit up the decaying walls so perfectly, as if they were glowing. The worn tiles on the floor truly showed its years of use but had aged to a pretty metallic under the sunlight. The space was hauntingly beautiful.

When it comes to fear, we all wish we weren’t afraid of certain things. However, sometimes its this emotion that can awaken the soul and truly inspire. I have always loved nightmarish movies, scary stories, and haunted places. There is just something about being scared, the thrill of the unknown, that is invigorating. It’s been quite some time but I am truly ready.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Hauntings - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Sound in Color: Moving Units – Dangerous Dreams

15 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Uncategorized

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Anyone, Between Us & Them, blue, california, color palette, dance-punk, Dangerous Dreams, Going for Adds, gray, Moving Units, neon, pink, Scars, sound in color, Turn Away

The California band, Moving Units was formed in 2001 and released their first EP a year later. Having a unique dance-punk sound, they have toured with numerous bands such as Nine Inch Nails, Hot Hot Heat, Blur, and the Pixies to name a few. I was introduced to them by a good friend In Jersey around the time their full length album, Dangerous Dreams, came out. I was a fan instantly.

The album is full of catchy guitar riffs and dance driven bass lines with a perfect side of drum beats. If it doesn’t get you up and moving, than I don’t know what will. The production of the album is great as well. Everything is super clear and in focus, a real nice sound. I must admit Between Us & Them is my favorite track but some others I really dig are Going for Adds, Anyone, Scars, and Turn Away. However, all the songs are really good. Perfect music for a party.

The album artwork and its color palette matches the tone of the album perfectly. Bright colors partnered with gray undertones. The band has such a fresh sound and these neon hues accent it nicely. I also like how the illustration plays on movement, which gives it more interest.

Sound in Color: Moving Units - Dangerous Dreams

Inspiration Photo Friday: The Darkness

16 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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age, Alcatraz, california, darkness, historic, history, island, jail, light, photography, travel, vacation, worn

When my friend Meg and I took a trip to California I set up sites for us to see and things for us to do while we where. One of them was to take a tour of Alcatraz. How could we not! I was very happy we did and must say the tour was really cool. We mostly got to walk around ourselves and take photos which is what I was hoping for. I had two cameras with me and was ready to shoot.

I captured a lot that day. Alcatraz surely has an interesting and haunting vibe. There was so much character to the place, the stories were gleaming off the walls. I particularly loved the rooms inside. Each step down the hallway was intimidating because you didn’t know what you would see next. The age of the furniture left behind and the patina on the walls added such a nice effect to the structure.

The room below seemed like a small storage space. I was drawn to it because of the way the light was gleaming through the window. You could see the cracks on the walls brilliantly among the shadows and the desperation of the empty air was strangely refreshing. I also loved the texture of the tiled floor. I felt this shot expressed what I felt while being in that room. To be in darkness and watch it slowly get swallowed by light was a really cool experience. It reminds you that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

Inspiration Photo Friday: The Darkness - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge

13 Thursday Sep 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Advice & Inspiration, Wedding Decor Ideas, Weddings

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Alma Photography, Annabella Charles, antique, australia, Benjamin and Elise, Braedon Flynn, Brumley and Wells, Calamigos Ranch, california, fabric, floral, flowers, Flowerwild, Haute Horticulture, Jose Villa, Kate Holland, Leaf & Honey, mag rouge, Mindy Rice Floral Design, nature, pastels, Ruby and Willow, rustic, Sutherland Kovach Studio, Tanja Lippert, The Piccadilly Flower Company, vintage, weddings

Festival Favorites

Yesterday I was in awe as I looked through the fourth issue of Mag Rouge. What a beautiful collection of festival goodness, nature inspired weddings and stunning florals. If you are planning a wedding then Mag Rouge is a great resource for inspiration as it never lets you down.

With the collaboration of Kate, Jasmine, Hannah and Judit, this production is a well designed mag with unique inspiration, awesome resources and superb wedding submissions. This team of highly talented women are some of the best in the industry I have seen, and I look at a lot of wedding material and websites. It’s not often I get impressed with events or ideas but every time I open the new issue of Mag Rouge, I get inspired. Here are my favorites from the current edition. I hope you love them as much as I do.

{You can view this issue on the Mag Rouge website}

Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge
Floral Arrangement by Kate of Flowerwild | Photography & Styling by Jose Villa

This next event was held at the Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, the wedding of Jane and Steve. I fell in love with their vast array of pastels and amazing location. It seems they had the most wonderful weather as well. What a stunning event.

Photography by Tanja LippertFestival Favorites from Mag Rouge

Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge

Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge

Festival Favorites from Mag RougePhotography and Styling by Brumley and Wells

Besides a lot of other things I love about this next Australian wedding, the bride and groom showed a sense of endearment for the Earth and made sure this event reflected who they both were.

Photography by Alma Photography
Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge

Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge
Photography by Benjamin and Elise | Florals & Styling by The Piccadilly Flower Company

My favorite thing about this next formal California wedding is how they used the black in their decor. Besides showing a timeless elegance, the pops of the dark hues played off the white and pastel florals nicely creating a dramatic yet not overdone look.

Photography by Braedon Flynn | Florals by Mindy Rice Floral Design
Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge

Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge

I adore this Mag Rouge shoot filled with ideas on how to use fabric in your event. Nice inspiration for colors and styling as well.

Photography by Sutherland Kovach Studio | Styling by Ruby and Willow
Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge

Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge
Bouquet by Leaf & Honey

Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge
Photography & Styling by Kate Holland

Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge
Photography by Annabella Charles | Floral Stylist, Haute Horticulture

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