Inspiration Photo Friday: Patterns

09 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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art, bigger picture, blindness, design, emotion, equation, evolution, evolve, growth, heart, life, love, math, mind, numbers, patterns, realization, relationships, self portraits, strength

I believe everything is some sort of equation. Numbers are the building blocks of everything even though we don’t see them. Change is inevitable and growth is essential. We live our lives chasing love, working hard, creating memories, and doing our best to stay afloat when things come crumbling down. Among all this we cause patterns.

Some patterns are good but most just hurt you in the end. It’s tricky because you find yourself acting a certain way or reliving the same moments and it wakes you up. Having the ability to see these patterns shows you are intuitive to your well being. Actually doing something about it and changing for the better proves you are strong willed and ready to evolve. When nothing is seen or done, the same pattern repeats. You could go through various jobs, be in a number of relationships, have moved to different locations…but those patterns are still there. They are something you cannot escape until you are ready to truly grow.

I have undergone therapeutic realizations in my life, many times. Most of these were in my twenties and some even younger. I saw the patterns in my life that weren’t healthy and certainly not doing me any good. Some of them had to do with how I saw myself but most were happening in relationships. I think its interesting how you notice so much more of yourself through other people and the relationships you have with them. It’s truly eye opening.

About 7 years ago I had enough of it. I was in my last year of art school and found myself analyzing who I was, inside and out. I explored this a lot through my writing and artwork as well as through numerous series of self portraits. My BFA show even revolved around my life experiences and how I dealt with them. Even though I will always remember time spent with people I was with in the past, I really didn’t gain or learn anything from some of them beyond this eye opening realization. It has has shown me to lead life with my mind and not to get lost in the fantasy of emotion when it has no foundation. Unfortunately, something that seems beautiful and out of this world, can eventually show its dark side.

So, I’ve taken this lesson and applied it to pretty much everything in my life. Considering myself first, above all, helped me work toward my dreams and hold on to the confidence I deserve. Only then could I give a true part of my heart to what I admired. I stopped my patterns in their tracks and moved on to the next phase. Everything is just so much clearer when you see the bigger picture and when you break those ties that bind you, the bigger picture is so much more than you could’ve imagined.

This self portrait was taken during the late summer of 2006 when I still lived in Jersey. I love the look on my face because its just so true to how I was feeling and encompasses everything I was going through within those few years. And just like the mirror states, I was closer than I thought. Slowly going down the path that would eventually show me the light. Soon I wouldn’t feel the need to cover myself with emotional blindness and my mind would crack the code.

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

Inspiration Photo Friday: Timing

15 Friday Feb 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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celebrate, change, engaged, evolution, fate, love, marriage, meaing, numbers, patterns, proposal, valentines day

As we all know, yesterday was Valentine’s Day. I never really cared much for the holiday but ever since Dan asked me to marry him 2 years ago, on this day, it gave a whole new meaning to the word Valentine. Because he chose this day to propose, it was unexpected and very sweet. He knew I wouldn’t think he would ask me on a holiday since we both felt that’s a little lame to do. Unfortunately, his original plan didn’t work out so he went with plan b. And of course I said yes! Such a sweet and personal experience indeed. It all ended with a gorgeous ring and a big kiss.

Then, exactly a year later, Dan and I moved into our first home we bought together. The process was extremely exhausting and while also planning our wedding, it was quite overwhelming. Closing on the house was very gratifying, I must say. We were officially homeowners! We celebrated with glee. Then we got to work on the DIY renovations before we moved in. It just worked out that the 14th was the day we actually moved in and slept in the house. Even though we were catching our beauty sleep on the floor in the living room, we were super happy and felt very lucky to have our dream home.

We have gone through so much in our house already and the memories just keep on adding up. It has been nice to see all the changes it has gone through since we moved in and made it ours. One of my favorite parts of house is the backyard. It’s cool to see how back there has evolved and changed throughout the year as well.

I just feel that most of the time, it all comes down to timing. Coincidences don’t really exist, fate is constantly at work. The 14th is clearly a meaningful number for Dan and I. This year we had such a great day, another memory to add to the list. I have always been infatuated with numbers and patterns and can’t help looking deeper into things when they happen, especially when it involves numbers. Here are my thoughts on this.

The equation: 1+4=5
Dating back to the Pythagoreans, the number 5 represents love and marriage. Hence, Dan and I getting engaged. One by itself is known as the generator of all numbers and 4, stood for justice and order. As a whole, I see that as a message saying we have come together to start something that will bring order and completion to our lives. Because of our love and fate, we will share vows of marriage and honor. Having moved in our first home a year later only proves our course is positive and evolving.

To dive a little deeper we go into the original equation of when we got engaged:
2+1+4+2+0+1+1=11 {1+1}= 2 – You can read more about this number below

To me, its really that simple. When you include the day we first met and the day we got married, just for fun, it gets even more awesome. Our anniversary is the 11th and August of 2008 is when our relationship officially started.
So you have 8+1+1+2+0+0+8=20{0+2}= 2
The number two is the first female number and stands for opinion and division. This number is an important and memorable number in our existence. Just think of all the pairs there are: body parts, yin & yang, sun & moon, etc.. – you simply “can’t have one without the other” idea. This is a great starting point for Dan and I as our relationship would indeed justify the meaning of this number, we were a pair.

Then you take the date we got married. 5+2+0+2+0+1+2=12 {1+2}= 3
The number three is considered a masculine number and by combining one and two, it represents harmony. I couldn’t think of anything else more perfect to explain our wedding day.

Then to sum it all up you take {2} when our relationship started, {2} when we got engaged and {3} the day we got married and put them all into an equation to equal {7}. The number seven represents the natural world and most cannot exist without it. In religious circles its celebrated for many reasons as well as having importance in geometry, astronomy and science. It is known as the number of the Seeker in astrology and has characteristics that represent both the personalities of Dan and I. Doing all this analyzing is surely interesting!

So, think about the experiences you have had and what part timing has played to make it memorable. I can bet, when you break things down and see its hidden patterns, you will find that everything happens for a reason. And its not about justification, because how your life pans out is certainly supposed to unfold in that way. It’s about delving into deeper realms to understand, on a human level, how to make sense of the things that happen to us. Expand your mind and you will see all the truths and possibilities.

The Cool Winter Blues

09 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color Inspiration, Everyday Design, The Home

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bathroom, bedroom, better homes and gardens, blue, cool colors, Country Living, cream, eclectic, interior design, living room, neutrals, patterns, texture, white

I simply love the color blue. I always have and always will. It’s just one of those colors that can make you happy or make you sad, can brighten or calm a space and really help to bring the feel the nature inside your home. Let’s just say its the color thats filled with surprises.

Always having a special connection with blue, it has been used throughout all my color schemes in my spaces. You will find it everywhere in my home. I’m a big fan of the cool color palette and blue is a rising star in that category. Mix it with grays, creams and other cool neutrals, and you have a space that is peaceful, fresh and brilliant.

Here are some great examples of how to use blue in your home. I hope they inspire you to incorporate this amazing color into the spaces that make you happy.

This bedroom is certainly a place to rest. With pale blue on the walls, it enables to space to feel light and airy, like your surrounded by clouds. The addition of white makes it feel fresh with soft layers and the warm wood tones helps ground the overall design. The small pops of garden inspired colors throughout the room brings more interest and a bit of glamour.

Photo Credit: Country Living

This reading nook is all sorts of fun. Although comfy and relaxed, the various pops of color and patterns allows the space to feel alive and stylish. Blue and yellow are the main characters here and as you follow your eye around from the stool to the plaid curtains there are all sorts of details that help this room have an eclectic feel.

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

The various blues in this living room allow the space to feel fun and classic. You don’t have to stick to one hue. As long as they are close enough in the spectrum as far tone, it should work nicely. Here, the owners a light toned rug, a couch that matches the rug nicely and then included a brighter more saturated blue for pop. Using this color for the bookshelves really make them stand out as apposed to using the pale blue, which would help blend them in. Again, whites, creams and warm wood tones help to balance out the space while a few hints of green add a touch of whimsy.

Photo Credit: Country Living

The same idea as above is being treated in this bedroom. Various blues in all different patterns and textures really bring a unique feel the to space. Although the room has a neutral backdrop, the blue elements keep it lively, fresh and interesting.

Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

Feminine and cottage chic, this vanity area is all dolled up in light blues, pinks and lavender. These soft colors keep the space light, pretty and fit for a queen. The addition of white and ruffle details really add a cottage feel while keeping modern with how its treated.

Photo Credit: Country Living

A nice way to express your love for nautical design is to simply use blue and white in a simple way. This bathroom keeps with the streamline aesthetic with dark blue walls and white furniture accents.

Photo Credit: Country Living

Decorating Tips for Your Home

30 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Art & Design, The Home

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bookshelves, colors, decorating, flowers, home, interior design, patterns, plants, shelves, textures

Everyone has a room in their home that needs a little love. Why not jazz it up and add a sense of style that won’t only look great, but completes the entire room? Here’s some easy tips to create a more comfy space and well-designed atmosphere. With a little guidance, anyone can do this. The main thing to remember is balance. You want to think of the bigger picture, so that the final result looks complete and well put together.

General Decorating
A great tip for placing items is grouping them in threes. Sometimes when you put two things together, it feels like something is missing. Three is the perfect number! Keep this in mind when you’re decorating any space in your home. It’s OK to mix patterns, but make sure they relate to one another. Whether by color or theme, they shouldn’t contrast with each other.

Play with textures! No one wants to be in a flat room. Choose your textures wisely but get creative. Having a high-textured rug in the room brings warmth and depth to any space, especially when your furniture may be a little cold (metals and glass). Add some patterned curtains and fun pillows, and the whole room will feel lifted.

Wall Space
Remember, when hanging photos and framed pieces the middle should always be at eye level. If you’re shorter than most people, just raise it an inch or two. I go nuts when I visit people’s homes and they have pictures hanging almost from the ceiling. Whoa! If you have frames that run along the lines of your doorways, that’s a no no. Who lives with you? The Jolly Green Giant!

Also, try not to make your home look like a gallery or museum. Not everything has to be placed in a row. Sometimes, depending on the piece, you can raise one of them so they’re not so streamlined. You want your house to look lived in, not like a museum.

Bookshelves & Shelving
Organize your books into categories. Either group them by color, by size or both. It’s also good to keep certain subjects together so you can find what you’re looking for in a pinch. Sometimes it’s cool to have a section of old vintage books to add a sense of history to a room.

If you’re a collector, this is a great opportunity to let your collectibles shine. You don’t want too many, so make sure you pick your favorites. Always keep some space around the items and don’t crowd the shelves. You want your book shelf to stand out, not just one particular item, so keep with general themes.

Bringing the Outside In
It’s good to keep the outside of your home in mind when designing a space. What do you see when you look out the window? Is there a lot of green from leaves on a tree? Try to bring the outside in and highlight how beautiful it is. Decorate with some neutral colors like greens, browns and blues, and that tree will feel like a part of your home.

Think about light when choosing your curtains or shades. Is there a lot of light coming in a window or not enough? If it’s not enough, then I suggest you get blinds that open easily or a sheer curtain. That way you can block the light when you need to and let the sunshine through the sheers beautifully.

An easy way to brighten up any room is to bring in flowers and plants. Not only will it make you smile, but it’ll smell good and the air will be cleaner. Gotta love natural air fresheners!

The whole point of design is to attract and submerge. You want people interested in what you created and then happily drown in the sweetness of your work. I’m telling you, a few simple makeovers like this will add a modern and clever touch to any space.

If you’re like me, you’ll want to rearrange every room in the house! I absolutely love doing things like this. Not only because I’m a designer, but it really relaxes me. Good Luck!