Like most of us you have your treasured photographs and other decorative items that you love.  It's tempting to have them all out on display.  Many of them hold good memories so it is only natural to want them where you can see them.  But does it look cluttered?

     Knowing when to stop is important in almost every thing we do, including decorating our homes.  I have some ideas to help you know when to stop.  First look for the focal point in your room.  Hang your photograph there. Create small tabletop displays of your accessories.  Can you create a themed display?  Those are always fun.  But don't fill the table top.  For me I always look at how much work is it going to be to dust all them!  I don't want to spend large amounts of time cleaning, I have other things I like to do.

     If you just have too many things that you love and would like to display consider changing them out seasonally.  This not only allows  you to use all your lovely items, but it will refresh your rooms.  It also eliminates clutter. There is nothing like clutter to mess with the good vibrations in a room.  

     Some things just say happy or joy.  When you see them they communicate that feeling to you. Suddenly, within an instant or viewing them, you begin to feel happiness grow within you.

     The featured photograph is one that makes me feel happy every time I see it.  First it is yellow.  Yellow is a warm color and is most often associated with the happier emotions.  Second this flower just looks like someone is spreading their arms and jumping for joy.  The flower is a Gladiolus.  Their name has the word Glad in it.  Which is another way of saying happy.

​     I think it is important to surround yourself with things that have the power to bring a smile to your face.  What artwork do you have in your home that makes you happy when you see it?

     It's officially here; Autumn.  So many claim this as their favorite season and yet it goes by so quickly that some years we barely get to enjoy it.

     So what does Autumn mean to you?  For me I can sum it up with one word; cozy.  Breaking it down into its parts it is warm blankets, more time to read, leaves turning color, decorating with natural items, baking, mulled drinks, raking leaves and the list could go on and on.

     Some fun things to do to welcome Autumn would be to put up new photos on the walls that depict the warm colors of the season.  The sultry little sunflower featured would be perfect for autumnal decorating.  Go into your yard and cut some Autumn colors to put on your table.  If you don't have a yard and garden head to your local farmer's market.  Pick up a new book to read as the daylight fades into shorter days.  Enjoy a cup of mulled cider with that book and you have the perfect end to any Autumn day.

​     Happy Autumnal Equinox!!!

     We are surrounded by white walls.  Does your home have white walls?  If your living room has white walls click the 'like' button below this post as an informal survey.  Or shout out the color of your walls in the comments.  I think the results will be interesting.

     More often than not when we move into a home the walls are white.  Most of us don't do much to change that especially if we are living in an apartment.  White has become easy and comfortable.

     So what do you do if you like your white walls, but your art work is also white?  You can choose matting and frames to make the photos stand out from the walls.  However you want to be careful that the matting or the frame doesn't diminish the photograph.  After all it is the photograph that you want to stand out and be noticed.

     Using the photograph above I created two examples of frames and matting that enhance the photo instead of overpowering it.  A perfect way to showcase your white photos are white walls.

  
     Abstract art can evoke a powerful emotions. It can draw out people to talk about it and what they see.  Having a conversation starter in your home can be a good thing.

     Abstract art was born  out of a need for artists to express the changing world in new ways.  Pushing against existing boundaries and going into new territories is a powerful avenue of expression.  Today with all the digital tools available to artists there is a whole new realm of expression to explore.

     Often times it is wither a like it or hate it situation for the viewing public.  I have seen some pieces that I really like and others that made me wonder why.  But I leave my mind open and view each piece individually and not as an entire genre. Something that can make me wonder when I look at it is a good thing.

     The photograph shown here is an image I made of a lily petal that had fallen onto the table.  But when I shot it as a macro image it suddenly becomes abstract.  Now it makes you wonder what it was or what it could be.  Except that I already told you on this one.  Images like this make good additions to your home decor because it has the power to draw out your imagination and that is powerful.

     For more images of my abstract photography check out my Abstract gallery.  Clicking on the featured photo will take you to my store where you can purchase the image in a wide selection of sizes and mediums.

    The last thing you want is for your home to feel cold and impersonal, lifeless. When you walk into your home it shouldn't feel like you are walking into a motel room.

     So how do you create a home with soul that reflects you?  Start by stepping back and looking at yourself and your lifestyle.  How would your closest friends and family describe you?  Your home should reflect the needs of your life and how you choose to unwind and just be you.  Your personality should shine through in your home decor.

     Surround yourself with the things tat fill you with good feelings.  Accessorize your home with the same intent that you do your wardrobe.  Buy artwork that speaks to you on a personal level, not because you think it is a good investment.  Are you a casual person that likes to dress up occasionally?  Then let some of your home decor accessories reflect that dressed up side of you.

     I like to go camping and hiking and I have a strong interest in plants and rocks.  In my home you will find the odd rock in my decor,  especially wishing stones.  I also have dried seed pods in places.  These are things that reflect a big part of who I am.  Of course you will also find beautiful photographs on the walls.  The soul of my home reflects my own inner soul.

     When you or your friends walk into your home they should feel like they just got a hug.  That warm, welcoming feeling is a home with soul.  What does a home with soul look like to you?

     It's so easy to get stuck in a rut.  We are busy. That daily repetition is how we get through the days with all those things we feel a need to accomplish.

     It it time for a change in your world?  Are you ready to jazz up the stagnation?  When I feel like this I always look to my home. You can't necessarily change the external forces, yet, but you can make changes in your home.

     Home is where you regenerate and a place where you can also become mired in the demands of life.  So What can you do to make coming home feel better?  Ask yourself  when is the last time you did any redecorating?  Without make it an exhausting chore here are three ideas to help you jazz up your home and add so pizzazz to your home.

1. Painting: Look up.  Is your ceiling white?  Consider painting it.  Maybe a shade lighter than your walls. It can make a big difference in the feeling of your room.  If your walls are white try using one of the accent colors in your room for your ceiling.  You can also just paint one of your white walls an accent color.
2. Accessories:  You can bring your room together with your accessories.  This is what can really make the room reflect your personality.  Add pieces that make you happy when you see them.  Try adding a large photo of something you love, or a lovely vase that you can fill with flowers or leave empty.
3. Color: If painting isn't the way you want to go bring new splashes of color in through other ways.  Go back to your accessories and use them to add eye-catching color.  You can also add color through photographs or the frames for the photos, pillows, blankets, and small carpets.

     Start small so you don't feel over whelmed.  Add things when you see something that catches your eye.  Before you know it that feeling of stagnation and boredom will be gone.

     The beginning of September heralds the end of summer and the start of Autumn here in the northern hemisphere.  This brings with it the promise of the bright reds, yellows and oranges of the season.

     I have often wondered if there is a reason for the bright colors of Autumn.  Red, orange and yellow are all warm colors. They vibrate with happiness and warm feelings.  I wonder if their purpose is to gives us an overload for us to store away to recall during the dark, cold days of winter.  Like a squirrel with acorns, we store away memories of those colors and the delicious feelings we had when seeing nature bathed in them.

     We are fortunate that we can savor these colors in our homes long after they have left Mother Nature. As we start our way into the cooler months consider ways to bring these warm happy colors into your home.  One way for me is the photograph of the path into the woods featured here.  I look at it and can remember the walk, the warmth of the sun and the smells of Autumn all year long.

     Too much of a bright high energy color can be exhausting.  Which is why you need to think about balancing the energy of your colors used in the various rooms in your home.

     I find it helps to think about how a room is going to be used when picking colors.  Consider your vision for how you want to feel in that room.  For example I generally equate my living room with relaxing and interaction with family and friends.  So I wouldn't choose a bright, primary orange.  I like orange so if I want to use it in the living room I would choose a darker more muted shade and probably only use it on one wall.  But in the kitchen I would choose a lighter, more vibrant orange as that room is a high energy room.

     Bedrooms are generally quieter, more passive spaces where we want to get a good nights sleep.  Blues and greens have a calm soothing effect that works well in rooms like this.  But you still need to balance out that passive energy.  Use your lower energy color as your main color and then bring in some splashes of color like yellow to add a happy, sunny feeling to the room.  Your accent colors can add the balance the room needs.

     If you've ever looked at a color wheel you will notice that the colors opposite each other, which compliment each other, balances a warm color with a cool color.  If you want a balance holistic feeling to your home take a cue from the color wheel and think balance while incorporating your favorite colors into your home.