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The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: nature

Inspiration Photo Friday: Nautical Days

04 Friday Jan 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday, The Great Outdoors

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antique, boat, connecticut, fall, house, mystic, nature, nautical, new england, ocean, sea, shore, spring, stars, tree, white, winter

Boy, do I hate the cold. These past few days have been bitter for sure. Winter is never as fun and inspiring to me as spring and fall but it does have it’s beautiful moments.

Below is a photo I took in Connecticut during the end of the fall season. You can feel the cold air hitting your face and the crisp salty breeze from the ocean. I imagine myself living in this white house by the sea. Watching and waiting as the seasons pass me by. Looking out the window at night and seeing the stars twinkle. I have a sense of peace as the calming water by the shore creates a multitude of serenades, just for me.

Oh, do I miss nautical days. Being by the water always makes me feel at home. There is something about the New England area that calls out to me as I have always been drawn to its historic feel. I hear you loud and clear. Maybe one day I will not only stand on your shores but have a little white house of my own. Until then…

{You can purchase this photo in my Etsy shop for $6 + shipping}

Inspiration Photo Friday: Nautical Days - © Melissa O'Connor. All Rights Reserved

Invite Inspirations

02 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Art & Design, Color Inspiration, Invites & Save the Dates

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anchor me, antique, chalkboard floral, floral, invitations, lively bouquet, nature, nautical, neutrals, peacock plume, sparrows and arrows, vintage, wedding paper divas, weddings

Invite Inspirations

Usually when planning a wedding, you figure out your theme and color palette before sending out invitations, which is the best way to do it. Well, I teamed up with Wedding Paper Divas to create some colorful inspiration from a few of their wedding invitation designs. So working backwards for a moment, take a look into some beautiful invites I’ve chosen to feature and hopefully they can spark many great ideas for your own event.

{You can click on each palette to visit that particular design}

I love the rich blues and greens in this design. They are balanced with vintage neutrals of creams and browns and accented with lighter tones. The design as a whole is soft, feminine and artsy. A great inspiration for a wedding or any event.
Invite Inspirations: Peacock Plume

Here are a few examples of how to use this color palette:
Invite Inspirations
Photo Credit: Leboxboutique

Invite Inspirations
Photo Credit: Martha Stewart Weddings

Invite Inspirations
Photo Credit: Frosted Cake

This color palette is fun and whimsy without being too childlike. The dark gray is a beautiful backdrop for spring’s soft peachy tones and with touches of mustard and white, the design stays fresh and modern.
Invite Inspirations: Chalkboard Floral

Here are a few examples of how to use this color palette:
Invite Inspirations
Photo Credit: Southern Weddings

Invite Inspirations

Invite Inspirations

Invite Inspirations
Photo Credit: Brides

Although this palette is simple, its strong and to the point. You can take these three colors anywhere and it would be successful. The style of the invite is somewhat traditional in its text but the layout of the design is fun and cleverly organized. Mixing hard lines and flowy elements always work nicely if done right, balance is key here. The muted blue, rich brown and faded beige make a perfect trio of color inspiration.
Invite Inspirations: Sparrows and Arrows

Here are a few examples of how to use this color palette:
Invite Inspirations

Invite Inspirations
Photo Credit: Style Me Pretty

Invite Inspirations
Photo Credit: Slice at a Time

Invite Inspirations
Photo Credit: Sweet Designs

I couldn’t resist featuring this design. The colors pop and immediately scream “happy” which is appropriate for a wedding invite, for sure. The soft watercolor illustrations present the bright color palette beautifully. With different tones of pink and yellow layered like a piece of art, they really make an impression. The gray text helps balance out the design and give it weight and focus. This is a brilliant palette for a wedding.
Invite Inspirations: Lively Bouquet

Here are a few examples of how to use this color palette:
Invite Inspirations

Invite Inspirations

Invite Inspirations

Not everyone loves nautical style but I certainly do. With different shades of blue that are reminiscent of the open sea and pops of red and white, this design is truly successful. You can create a beautiful ombre effect with these colors and even bring in some creams that would really make it come alive. So if red isn’t your color of choice, you can pick any other color and it would work.
Invite Inspirations: Anchor Me

Here are a few examples of how to use this color palette:
Invite Inspirations
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Anne Designs

Invite Inspirations
Photo Credit: The Little Canopy

Invite Inspirations
Photo Credit: Martha Stewart

Inspiration Photo Friday: Winter Wonderland

28 Friday Dec 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday, The Great Outdoors

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

caumsett park, cold, long island, nature, new year, new york, path, pathway, photography, seasons, snow, trees, winter, winter wonderland

The holidays may be over but winter is officially here. The cold is making its way into our backyards and snowy days are surely due. It’s time to focus on what the year has taught us and get ourselves ready for what 2013 has to offer.

I took this photo a few winters back while visiting Caumsett Park here on the island. It was a perfect day to go because the snow added a magnificent bonus to the scenery. As I walked down the main path, I was inspired by the beautiful symmetry and natural line work of the trees. Bare as they were, they brought a nice architectural element to the shot. The path made me feel I was on my way to something great, something spectacular. Having always loved the look of pathways, it was no surprise I was drawn to Caumsett’s.

Everyday should feel like this. Looking forward, surrounded by beauty. In this case, a winter wonderland of nature’s frozen tears. Just because its cold and dreary, doesn’t mean this season has to be a sad and boring one. It’s a time to reflect. As the Earth renews itself for another year, we all should do the same. Take the time to reflect upon your accomplishments, your mistakes and the significant moments 2012 has given you.

I hope you all have a happy new year and create a winter wonderland in your heart this season. Remember, everyday can be as beautiful and inspiring as this photo. Just keep in mind that you are amazing and take the path toward positivity and happiness.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Winter Wonderland - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

How to Make Flower Arrangements

19 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Daisy Hart, Everyday Design, Guest Posts

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

centerpieces, decorating, diy, dried flowers, Flower Arrangements, flowers, nature, ribbon, silk flowers

Decorating your house with flowers is a great way to brighten up the interior and bring some color into your home. Creating beautiful flower arrangements at home is quite easy and almost anybody can learn how to do it. With a little practice you can even make them look quite professional.

How to Make Flower Arrangements

When decorating your home, you can use both fresh and dried flowers. Both can help you achieve great results. Even artificial or paper craft flowers can do the trick. All you need to do is to provide yourself with the proper materials.

How to Make Flower Arrangements

Carefully choose the proper colors. If you would like to accent a certain room in your house or use specific colors, you will have to do some pondering beforehand so that you are sure you will make the right decision. Pick what type of flowers you would like to use for your floral arrangement. If you enjoy being creative and don’t mind making new displays every other week, use fresh flowers. Some types of fresh flowers, like jasmine, for example, will grant your room with a magnificent aroma. However, if you are allergic to pollen, or would like a long-lasting arrangement, choose silk flowers.

How to Make Flower Arrangements

The room decor needs to be complemented by the colors you choose. If you are a beginner in this field, use the help of a color wheel. As complementary are considered the colors beside the one you have chosen. Similarly, contrasting are those that are on the opposite side. For example, if the main color theme of your room is yellow, pick a color that is next to the yellow color on the color wheel.

Before you actually start making the arrangements, make sure you have nice containers for them. You can use ceramic vases, large coffee mugs, wicker baskets, brass containers, sculpted clay or even small cardboard boxes. Don’t forget that you will need a watertight container if you use fresh flowers. According to the size of your container, cut an appropriate piece of floral foam which will fit just right. Glue it to the bottom of the container. If you are to be using fresh flowers, soak the foam once its glue dries. Thorns and lowers leaves are to be trimmed in order not to rot or mold in the water.

How to Make Flower Arrangements

Greenery as well as the tallest of the flowers should be arranged first. If the arrangement is to be a centerpiece, put them in the middle. If not, put them in the back. While arranging the rest of the display’s components, be careful not to create any single color patches. For instance, if you have a bunch of red flowers, do not place them all right next to each other, but rather put a yellow or a pink one with some greenery among them. This will break the patch.

How to Make Flower Arrangements

If your container of choice is a wooden box or a basket, use some trailing greenery which will soften the container’s sharp outline. Adding plain or scented candles is optional. However, if you decide to use such, make sure everything is properly trimmed in order to avoid setting your arrangement on fire.

As a final touch, you can attach a ribbon, preferably a silk one, which is to be changed throughout the year, in order to match the themes of the different holidays – a green on for St. Patrick’s Day, a red one for Valentine’s Day, red-white-blue one for Independence Day, etc. By making floral arrangements you will bring in bright color and mood in your home, which can last all year long.

Written by Daisy Hart

http://www.flowersbypost.org.uk/valentines-flowers/

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