The new year is here. The perfect opportunity to reflect and resolve. But instead of making a list of all the bad habits you want to break, or things you didn't get done and want to check off the list this time around... what if your resolution this year wasn't about all that? What if this time, you focused on how you want to feel this year, and not what you want to do. What possibilities could open up if you just started living as the person you want to be?
One of my favorite shows is The Good Place. There is a scene where they talk about how everyone keeps getting reset and starting over, and with each "reboot" they retain the lessons they learned each time around, like an IOS update. What if this is your reboot? What if in this moment you choose to show up as the 3.0 version of yourself that you want to be, simply because you decide it is so?
I have a secret to tell you. Our surroundings constantly impact us. Our emotions and our mindset. It's a shortcut and you can use it to your advantage. How? By changing what you interact with and look at on a daily basis.
If the new reboot of you, wants to be more assertive and confident, try surrounding yourself in colors that evoke that emotion for you. Maybe reds, vibrant jewel tones, not to ignore shades that resonate in your body with power and strength. Slick smooth surfaces like glass and metal, or highly polished wood. Choose art and accessories in high visibility zones that make you feel confident and empowered. Step into that version of who you are, literally.
Maybe the 2024 reboot of you wants to focus on living in the moment. Try colors that make your body melt- an instant "ahhhh". Accessories that constantly stimulate your senses with different textures, scents, and temperatures. Artwork that is mesmerizing and makes you pause, creating a gap in your thoughts and allowing moments of stillness and breath.
Need to evoke your creative self and finally get those juices flowing? Yellow might be the ticket to your creative optimism. Or maybe gray gives you the mental space to imagine without limits. Add some whimsical accessories that make you think outside the box. Unexpected artwork that makes you smile.
Do you want to start living with more connection to yourself and others? Try incorporating wood materials with lots of character, like second hand finds that have a story to tell. Colors that create warmth and coziness, accessories that inspire gathering and sharing space. Artwork that starts a conversation.
The grounding effects of nature impact us on a primal level. If you need to feel more of "all the above" in your reboot, go back to your roots. Earth tones like greens and browns will anchor your space in timeless color. Live plants can make you feel more centered and grounded. Choose earth based materials: woods, woven goods like rattan, caning or baskets, richly textured fabrics like twill, cotton, and linen. Artwork that reminds you of your favorite outdoor explorations.
This year, let your resolution be inspiration. Surround yourself with what you love, and what reminds you of who you are meant to be.
We often underestimate the importance of a focal point in a space. I like to say it is similar to the flow of a conversation. When you enter a room something needs to “speak” to you first. It should be the boldest, the loudest and set the tone for all that follows. If you don’t have this piece, what occurs is a visual “shouting match” between everything else vying for your attention.
What do I look at first- the plant, the table, the chair, the pattern of the carpet? It all competes unless you have one unifying piece that ties it all together. It’s the anchor to everything else. It is not the moment to play small. I have never found that multiple small art pieces, or just one piece that is awkwardly small, will have that effect. In fact, even gallery walls need a larger piece as their focal point. Unfortunately gallery walls are so hard to get right, what you often end up with is a wall full of visual clutter, not the cool, artistic collection you were after.
One large piece of artwork as a focal point:
-defines each space in a great room layout
-sets an emotion in the room
-balances out the fullness of what's on the floor (furniture and rugs) and carries it up onto the wall
-balances out the other empty walls around it
-creates a window effect in a space that feels enclosed
Investing in one large central piece of art ties together the myriad of “stories” that are occurring visually in a space, connecting the color palette, subtle textures, patterns and lines, it fills the empty spaces with it’s presence, and creates the energy level for the room.
Wow! Did you know you could get all that from one design choice?
Sometimes a room feels bland, unfinished, or stale and we don't know how to break free from the "blah". Other times we just want a change but don't want to replace everything. Then there are the times you need a whole reboot. No matter what your reason or goal, wall art that you love, can be just what you need to easily create a cohesive, well designed room.
Easy Neutral Room Accent:
If your space is already neutral in color (browns, grays, black, whites or any combo of them) you have a fantastic base layer. Now you can select artwork with the color accent you desire, and pull colors and textures from the art, into the space, with small textiles like pillows and throw blankets, or decor items like candle holders, vases or trays. Whether it is a whisper of color, or a bold pop of color, your entire room will transform in a snap.
Mix it Up:
Later on, you can have a whole new color twist by choosing different colors from the same artwork, and changing out those small accessories and color accents. Because your investment pieces (the bigger stuff that you replace less often, like furniture, flooring, and paint) are neutral, you have given yourself longevity in design. When you select artwork that has a few colorways to play with, you have set yourself up for a room that will look fantastic for decades.
Defined Color Palette:
What if you have an investment piece that is bold in color and you aren't ready to change it? Simply find artwork with a bit of that color in it. It doesn't need to be the dominant color of the art, just existing in it somewhere. Then, use the other colors in the art for your accents. Tip: Throw blankets and accent pillow covers are a great way to cover a bit of a bold colored sofa or chair, and soften it's impact in the room.
You Don't Know Where to Start:
If you are looking for a total redo and are overwhelmed, don't panic. Art is the easiest way to create a cohesive, well planned room. Just pick artwork that creates the emotion in you, that you want in your space. Whether it is vibrant, lively and colorful, or it is soft and dreamy, your space will take on the feeling of the artwork you select, when you use it as your inspiration. Once again using the colors and textures from the art, in your space, with small textiles like pillows and throw blankets, or decor items like candle holders, vases or trays.
Take your artwork with you (or have it on your phone) anytime you are selecting items for the room. I like to say you want it to feel like the item melts into the artwork when you set them on top or side by side. If it feels jarring, it isn't the right fit. You should have a whole body feeling, like puzzle pieces snapping into place. It really is the easiest way to design a room. Shhh... designer's secret!
By bringing the art into the space, your room will take on a rich, 3-dimensional experience that you love being surrounded in.
Before we can form a solid understanding of fine art nature photography, we need to explore what defines fine art photography and nature photography in their own right. When combined, these two approaches come together to evoke emotions, tell a story, and connect us to the endless power and promise of nature through awe-inspiring fine art nature photography. When we hang such art in our indoor spaces, we elevate our quality of life by bringing the purity of the outdoors inside.
]]>In contrast to a genre like photojournalism, fine art photography results from a photographer's creative vision paired with how they interpret the scene they are attempting to capture. Where photojournalism is documentation of the newsworthy, fine art photography takes what many see as ordinary and amplifies it to become extraordinary.
To bring such a heightened artistic expression to life, the artist photographer must first master photography fundamentals such as lighting, focus, composition, and exposure. Additionally, a fine art photographer needs an adept understanding of their gear and how to use it seamlessly to execute their intended concept.
From cameras to lenses to post-processing software and everything in between, if the artist understands which instruments to use, which notes to hit, and how to present their viewpoint in a captivating way, they can express the intended emotion or those they felt as the shutter clicked. If the viewer of the piece can feel these emotions or their interpretation of them, a kind of magic has occurred far beyond what language could ever describe.
A wonderful way to tie all this together is through a quote from the Format.com article Fine Art Photography Tips To Get You To The Next Level. It reads, “A definition of fine art photography involves bringing a vision, emotion, or a state of mind to life through a photographed image. It involves creating something that previously only lived in your mind, as opposed to simply capturing what you see in an artistic way. It’s a way to express your emotions and the way you see the world—and share it with others.”
Pictured above, fine art photography like Waterman's View not only inspires but evokes emotions of tranquility and exhilaration. Catching nature in such a thrilling moment is something an artist photographer may spend years trying to capture. Those of us who don't surf still long to know what it looks and feels like inside the barrel of a fast-moving wave. Hanging nature photography wall art like this in your home provides that glimpse and adds inspiration and peace to the space.
The natural world has it figured out. Nature isn't worried about that meeting at corporate next week or any regret or longing for the past. With our hectic day-to-day schedules and all the stress accompanying them, is it any wonder that we gravitate toward spending time in nature to calm us? Of course, visiting the natural world isn't always an option. Thankfully, a close second is fine art nature photography.
Nature photography is a vast genre that includes landscapes, beach and coastal scenes, wave and ocean art, and the art of abstract nature photography. To capture the nuances and hidden beauty that others miss, a master photographer spends countless years in the natural world. They see these scenes differently from others and can report their stories and findings back to us through striking images.
If you consider how fleeting a week-long beach vacation can feel, imagine how short-lived the opportunity was to capture an iconic image like Humpback Breach off Poipu. Another example is PCH Sunset Drive, pictured below, where every element of the scene had to be just right to immortalize Latitudes photographer Stephanie Hogue’s vision.
Stephanie had this image in mind for years, and after many trips up the coast, the conditions were finally perfect to see her vision through. About PCH Sunset Drive, Stephanie said, "When the sky and sea come together with a magical light that looks like a painting, I get so inspired! I especially love the warm red cliffside light playing off the blue and white churning of the ocean waves, offering a show of their power but with a graceful softness."
With fine art nature photography, you can relive those fleeting vacations with these spontaneous, magical moments captured on film.
Now that we have a firm understanding of the two genres that make up fine art nature photography, let’s explore some fine art photographic prints from our gallery.
To capture her artistic vision, Stephanie waited hours until the light was just as she needed it to capture the inspired mountain landscape Nature’s Gift.
Another piece from Stephanie that highlights several elements of fine art nature photography, including the changing seasons, is Rocky Mountain Sunset. Certainly, to freeze this magical image in time, Stephanie had to wait for the setting sun to be positioned just right to blanket the fall-colored trees and dramatic mountain silhouette in such a soft and ethereal light.
After years of attempting to catch the perfect image of sea foam, Latitudes artist photographer Steve Munch achieved what he thought was impossible with Foamy Flute.
Of the piece, Steve said, “Growing up on the beach, I chased that foam for years. I was seeing different pictures of it, you know, where people captured it, and it just has such an abstract feel, and it’s different every time that I never caught or really saw anything that blew me away. And then, as I opened galleries, I felt like I could capture what I wanted when I wanted, but that foam was such a challenge I still couldn’t.
“One particular day, I was in Kauai, and the foam was different. Foam is created by big swells, usually high tides, and water trapped against sand embankments. So this particular day, the foam was way whiter than it typically is, and that's what caught my eye — it's not full of sand, it's not all brown. This foam was super beautiful. I shot about four pictures of it and didn't think much about it. I shot it on film, and months later, when I got the film developed and saw the results, I knew right away it was beyond insane. It was so good.”
We’ve only touched on all the mesmerizing fine art nature photography Latitudes Gallery has to offer. Please explore our photographic collections at your leisure, and if you’d like assistance selecting the perfect piece for your space, book a free virtual consultation with our expert designer.]]>Abstract nature photography takes a natural subject, like the first light of a rising sun over the ocean, and portrays it in a way that is either somewhat or entirely unrecognizable. Often the viewer of an abstract photograph won’t make an immediate association with the natural subject captured on film.
An article by Adobe encouraging us to think outside the box with abstract photography states, “Abstract photography consists of images created using photography materials and equipment that don’t have an immediate association with the physical world. Abstract photographers use perspective, movement, and light to transform the world we see into an unexpected, often unrecognizable image.”
Abstract photography allows the viewer to play a unique role while engaging with a piece. Some may see vibrant color and movement, while others see something else entirely — this adds an element of intellectualism, creativity, grace, and wonder for both the viewer and the space the abstract wall art inhabits.
For Strie Seas, Latitudes artist Stephanie Hogue used a slow shutter to capture these compelling waves streaking across the shoreline. The thought and expertise that went into creating this piece are evident in how this abstract photography looks like a painting. You could meditate deeply on this large abstract wall art for hours, leaving your worldly worries behind as your mind dances around the paintbrush-like waves, the soft sky, and Santa Cruz Island resting faintly in the distance.
In 1842, using a spectroscope to disperse light rays into visible patterns, John William Draper produced images that many believe to be among the earliest versions of abstract photography. At the time, his prints had no recognizable reality to the visible world. These early abstract photographs were vastly different from the day's photography and opened up endless possibilities for photographers to bring the invisible into the light. To Draper, his images were nothing more than science records, but they are recognized today as game changers.
Next, Anna Atkins, an early English photographer, placed dried algae on cyanotype paper, creating a book of photographs that she self-published. Like Draper, to Atkins, this exercise was a scientific study, but the striking white-on-blue creations produced a whimsical abstract feel thanks to the use of negative imaging.
Abstract photos of nature make an undeniable statement, especially in a space with non-abstract pieces. Here are a few tips for incorporating this art into your home or office.
If your home’s design style favors specific accent colors, an understated yet captivating way to tie them together is with abstract wall art that utilizes several of those tones. This creates harmony in the room and shows your guests the thought that went into your selections.
Often when we see abstract nature photography, its scale is abundant. While these prolific sizes create equally prolific statements, if you're working with a smaller space or less wall real estate, that doesn't mean you're out of the abstract wall art game. Opt for a smaller print that adds to the room without overwhelming it.
That said, if you have the space, go big. Hanging large abstract landscape photography like Ke'e Ablaze will not only turn a few heads and drop a few jaws, but your guests will sing its praises long after they've left your home. In this room scene, the golden sunset light filtering through the roaring waves is hypnotizing, to say the least. The juxtaposition of vibrant color against the white room commands your attention and leaves you inspired, energized, and feeling alive in ways only abstract nature photography can provide.
Sometimes all an artist needs to create stunning abstract photography is a different perspective. Take a look at Pier Aerial. From far above, the Ventura Pier takes on a new form. What do you see? A landing pad for helicopters? A runway in the middle of the ocean? Some robotic sea creature? That’s the beauty of abstract photography — whatever you see is precisely what the image is to you now. Even better, what we first see in an abstract work often morphs into new wonders over time.
Rainbow Eucalyptus Panoramic is a remarkable piece of abstract nature photography. Taken on the Hawaiian island of Kauai after a tropical rain, the bark of this rainbow eucalyptus tree elevates into something different entirely.
Often we see the abstract in nature’s daily forms. Seaside Patterns is a study of tranquil reflections on ocean water patterns. We recognize that immediately, but upon deeper examination, we see one of the abstract gifts nature so selflessly provides.
We see this again in Four Palms. These quirky and fun California palms stand tall and together like a proud family soaking in the sunshine as four small birds playfully fly around their gathering. If you live in an area with palm trees, this is a regular site. Still, is the palm tree not among nature's most abstract creations?
This is only a taste of the abstract nature photography we offer. Browse our collection of abstracts to find a piece that suits your unique design needs. If you’d like assistance selecting the perfect piece for your space, book a free virtual consultation with our expert designer.
]]>Often we think,
-"I don't feel like tidying up."
-"I will fix this place up when I'm out of this funk."
-"I will never feel good in this house."
-"This place is temporary, making it look good just isn't worth the effort."
And we stop. Letting our emotions freeze us. But we have incredible power to change how we feel in our spaces, by simply, changing our spaces.
]]>Often we think,
-"I don't feel like tidying up."
-"I will fix this place up when I'm out of this funk."
-"I will never feel good in this house."
-"This place is temporary, making it look good just isn't worth the effort."
And we stop. Letting our emotions freeze us. But we have incredible power to change how we feel in our spaces, by simply, changing our spaces.
Ever deal with something that makes you want to pause everything and hide? It could be a rude comment, or a breakup, or just not feeling yourself, and all you want to do is stay in bed for a week, binge watching Netflix? At some point you realize that your space feels heavy, it is hard to move through, and you tidy it up. Suddenly things feel a little lighter, optimistic, easier. Why?
Our spaces are constantly impacting us, but so many of us stopped noticing. And the trick is, we can let our spaces be in control, or we can use that secret power to our advantage.
Many people mistakenly think this requires a lot of effort, or huge changes to make them feel good in their spaces. But they are wrong. It just takes one tiny thing.
You've experienced the ripple effect before. You clean one table off, and suddenly the smudges on the window are impossible to ignore. So you clean the window, and all of a sudden, the cobwebs on the ceiling are shouting at you. It's kinda like that book, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie", except you are the mouse and your house... well, it's full of cookies 🍪🥛...
The great thing about wielding the power of your spaces to impact you, is it feels amazing! Who doesn't love a good dopamine rush?
One thing done ✅
and another ✅
Bring on the dopamine and happiness! 😍
But how do you start? Do one tiny thing off your home to-do list and watch how it ripples into another, and another. It's kind of hard to stop the magic once it starts.
Need some help? Try one of these kick-starts and see what happens next:
-make your bed
-toss all the shoes on the floor into a basket
or put on a shelf
-scrub the sink
-do a 10 min sweep of the house and tidy up anything that doesn't belong
-organize one drawer
-purge a linen closet of stained and mismatches and donate
-vacuum one room
-dust one surface
-magic eraser the smudges off the door or wall
-swap out wall or table top art you don't like with art you love
-clean the dining table or island
-set out fresh flowers on a tidy surface
-put out your favorite holiday decor item
-organize your purse
-clean out your closet and donate anything you don't love
-get new white linens for the bed or bath
(secret trick to making it feel fresh!)
-clean one shelf in the fridge
-get new decorative pillow covers in colors or textures that make you happy
-paint a wall
It doesn't take much to change how you feel at home. Letting go of what doesn't make you truly happy will make you feel lighter and can bring you more of what does make you happy. And being surrounded by what you love is a magical feeling.
You have the power to feel amazing in your home. So... what tiny thing are you going to check off the list today?
]]>As noted in our blog, Art Heals: Unlocking and Exploring Its Many Benefits, numerous studies have revealed nature's remarkable ability to serve up a host of benefits for both body and mind. Something as simple as a nature walk, like on a beach during sunset, boosts our mood, and that elevated feeling can continue long after we return to the real world.
Psychology Today's article How Admiring the Sunset Changes You for the Better discusses the three benefits of sunset gazing:
No matter where you are, a setting sun is a site to behold. But there's something about watching the sun sink into the ocean in Southern California or Hawaii that adds another level of awe to the experience.
Southern California produces hypnotic sunsets year-round, but those in the winter are especially majestic. The colder winter temperatures act like a drying-out agent for the atmosphere. This allows the light to travel all the way from the atmosphere without being absorbed by the same amount of moisture droplets as other seasons.
Since specific colors are less adept at cruising through the atmosphere, they fall behind the other colors the sun emits — the ones that ultimately reach us through a sunset. While many believe California sunsets are spectacular due to the smog, this is not the case. Another thing that makes winter sunsets in Southern California so breathtaking is the sun spends more time near the horizon.
In our piece pictured above, Spectacular Ventura Sunset, the orange sherbet sky reflecting off the incoming waves is so captivating it's almost heartbreaking. This is the type of heightened scene you wish you could freeze in time and soak in the dreamlike quality anytime you like until your soul overflows with gratitude and wonder. And that's precisely what you can have, or the closest thing to it, when you incorporate wall art like this into your space.Vivid Ocean Sunset is another fine example of the beauty a Southern California sky can deliver at day's end. With the last rays of a setting sun pouring through the cloud ceiling and reflecting onto the shallow water, it's hard to tell where the beach and water end and the sky begins. Sunsets are surreal, and sunset wall art like this takes the surreal and turns it all the way up to 11.
The article The Scientific Reason Why Hawaiian Sunsets Are So Beautiful explains that Hawaiian sunsets are so powerful due to a threefold boost. First, volcanic dust paired with volcanic smog/haze plays a large role. This dust mixes with various gasses and water vapor which helps amplify the colors in the sky.
Second, Hawaiian sunsets benefit greatly from location. Located “20° north of the equator and 155° west of the Prime Meridian in the Northern Hemisphere” lends the islands year-round warm weather, resulting in a ton of water vapor which helps boost the colors.
Finally, the setting sun disappearing into the ocean with no land mass disturbing the horizon creates a sunset experience like no other.
Our Kauai photography is chock full of unbelievable sunset wall art. Imagine hanging Palms Ablaze in your home. This piece featured in our article The New Sanctuary: 5 Tips for Choosing Home Office Art, is not only a significant upgrade to any space and serves as a mood enhancer and source of peace, but you can also use it as an escape. Let's face it — even those with a high level of patience have one or two people in their lives that know exactly how to push their buttons. In times like these, simply dial into Palms Ablaze to anchor yourself and create some much-needed distance from the source of your impatience.
If you're looking for a gift for the true sunset aficionado, Island of Fire is an excellent choice. Sunset pictures like this add a lively sense of the dramatic to any space while simultaneously revealing the unmatched skill of Mother Nature's paintbrush.The wind is swirling and the pumpkin spice lattes are scenting the air. It's time to get your home cozy for the holiday season. Not only will autumn colors get you in the mood, but shades of green, brown, and rust are the HOT colors in design right now- time to bring the outdoors in.
For some of us, it's the first family gathering indoors in years. You might be looking around at the remnants of 2020-2022, ready to feel good in your home again. Ready for good times with family and friends in your home again.
]]>For some of us, it's the first family gathering indoors in years. You might be looking around at the remnants of 2020-2022, ready to feel good in your home again. Ready for good times with family and friends in your home again.
There is one thing we all seem to crave at home, especially at this time of year. Hygge is what the Danish call it, that feeling of curling up under a blanket, in a soft seat, with a cup of cocoa and just being happy, comfortable, and cozy. It is also the intangible feeling you get when you walk into a home you just WANT to be in. And don't we all want a home like that?
I have 5 easy ways for you to bring that hygge magic into your home, right now.
#1 Focal Point
Focal points ground a space and set the tone for your experience.
-a lush grouping on the center of a table
-large artwork that ties a room together and defines the function of the space. Like a piece over the console table as you enter the home, or over the sofa when you enter the room. It's the bold, "look at me first!" moment.
-a feature wall of paint, wallpaper, wood, or tile in organic shapes, textures or colors.
#2 Supportive Seating
Select seating that supports what you want to do in the room.
-Want a space for great conversations? Choose an L shaped arrangement of seating so no one is shouting across the room at each other.
-Like snuggling up in a nest? Try a chaise or papasan for that cocooned retreat.
-Make sure the seating is comfortable for the length of time of the activity, with enough seats for you and the number of guests you wish to entertain. Love having lots of people over? Think of multi functional pieces like ottomans that can tuck under the coffee table and serve as extra seating.
-Finish it off with artwork that defines the seating area and anchors the room.
#3 Soften It Up
Evoke all the senses with lush sensory touches, like pillows, throw blankets, candles, aromatherapy, and delicious treats. Pay attention to all the surfaces your body interacts with and make sure they are pleasurable to use and make you want to dive right into the coziness!
#4 Layer the Light
A blast of ceiling light makes a room feel clinical. Not cozy! Think of lighting in layers.
-Start with a soft wash of light throughout the space, enough to move around safely.
-Then layer in task lighting where you need it, like a reading lamp or overhead lights for cooking. This is the light you need to get something done!
-The last layer is the fun one! This is accent lighting, all the lighting that make us feel good. It's spot lights shining on artwork, turning the whole piece into a glowing light source. It is twinkle lights and plant lights, neon and wall washers. The g-l-o-w!
#5 Plant Power
Nothing makes a room feel more grounded and welcoming than nature.
Bring the outdoors in with live plants, cut flowers, photographs of nature and believable faux where plants can't thrive. This really is the time of year to take advantage of the ample options right outside your door and bring in the dried flowers, cattails, evergreens, acorns, pinecones and branches.
Nature brings us back to our center and warms our home with mother nature's playground of textures, scents and patterns.
]]>What spaces need when you crave a reboot or when things get out of hand are the 5 Cs.
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Curate: If it is important enough to occupy a space in your home and heart, treat it that way. Give it space and importance by not crowding it. If you have fallen out of love with an object in your home, let it go. It isn't the person who gave it to you, it isn't the money you spent on it, it isn't the memory attached to it. It is just a thing. You create the meaning attached to it, and it served it's purpose. Let it serve someone else now so you can make space for something that is right for you, right now.
Consolidate what you love into groupings. This means instead of your collections sprinkled around the home like confetti, gather like items into one larger scene and allow breathing room around the grouping.
Love collecting photos from places you have been but they are all smaller than 20"? Hang them all together so they create one large overall image. Some things are just better together.
Have a collection of statues or stones? Great. Mix them into one or two bookshelves with other items of varying size. But if you have so many it looks like a store... revisit step 1.
Comfort is creating spaces your body loves being in. An often used phrase in design is "form follows function" and that is absolutely true! But I believe that falls short. Function follows your body. That means how your body feels in a space, is the first indication of what you need there.
Do you want to feel energized and excited in your home office because you are starting a new company? Then surround yourself with positive examples of that for you. Colors and images that evoke your power, determination and skill. Not boxes of last year's tax returns and memorabilia from a another career or time in your life, when your goals and vision were different. When you were different.
If you want a harmonious home, select images, objects, furnishings and colors that evoke that for you. Notice how your body wants to feel, and create the spaces that will comfortably allow you to step into that. Remember the saying "dress for the position you wish to have, not the one you do have." The same holds true for what you surround yourself with.
It isn't just about what is on the floor. Your walls need to balance out the fullness of the floor for a comfortable space. And because walls are at eye level, what you look at most, tends to influence you the most. Especially if you have taken the time to curate wall art that speaks to a deep part of you, it pulls you toward what you want to create in your life.
Cohesiveness & Continuity is what pulls a home together. It is what makes the transition from one room to the next, comfortable and seamless. This is where consolidate and curate come in clutch! You have done your homework to create a space of intention. Now it's easier to create cohesiveness and flow because what you allow to occupy your home, is what you really, truly, love!
If you love the ocean you can create one room that says it loud, with a big bold print of the beach, treasures you have gathered in a bowl, family snapshots from beach vacations, textiles in varying shades of blue, aqua and sand, and then let that essence trickle in subtle ways through the home. The trick is finding an element, like woven sisal and various shades of blue, to pull through all the spaces in different ways and different intensities. This is what makes a home look planned out. And no, you didn't actually need to think of it all in advance to make it look like you did!
Often my favorite part of art consulting is placing one of Latitudes Gallery images on a client's wall in our virtual preview session and watching all the pieces lock into place. It makes me just giddy to see a room come together like that. And it's so easy! Artwork is the ultimate shortcut to a cohesive space. Shhh. Don't let my secret out.
All 5 Cs are important and at different times in your life one might be more vital to your home success than another. But checking each of them as you go about refreshing your home, makes sure you have a clean slate that is true to you.
If you find after curate that you now have a big blank wall to fill, or if you get to "cohesive" and you need wall art to pull the room together, reach out. The team at Latitudes Gallery is here to help you enrich your life with artwork that fills your soul and creates a home you love living in.
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My husband and I have been on a mission over the last 8 years. We found ourselves taking many "hotel vacations" less than 10 minutes from home just so the kids could spend all day in the pool, and we could gaze about a room with absolutely zero "visual to-do list" items screaming out for attention. No laundry. No dishes. No cleaning. No fixing. Just sunshine and a good book.
But at some point we decided we would rather invest the money we were spending into creating our own "hotel" at home. Curating spaces full of our favorite things. The kind of space that makes you want to take a nap the second you see the fluffy bed, pick up that guitar, look out the windows, or get lost in a scenic photo.
Sounds lovely, right? Want one too? Here are my top 7 tips for creating your own oasis this summer:
1. Visualize
If you don't know where you want to go, you may end up where you don't want to be. So think back on your favorite vacations and getaways and jot down:
-What the rooms looked like?
-What color palettes were used?
-What did the walls, floors, windows, and bed look like?
-What kind of art was on the walls?
-Did any of these favorite trips have something visually in common?
-What scents and sounds did you experience there?
Use this information as you move through creating your oasis.
2. Clear the Clutter
The one thing hotels do not have, is clutter. So do your best to clear your spaces of all visual clutter. Start with the rooms you spend most of your time in, like your bedroom and the family/great room.
If what you loved about your favorite vacations was empty tables and counters, find hidden storage. Keep those inspiration rooms in mind and select storage and solutions that reflect the essence of the spaces you enjoyed.
3. Curate What You Love
When you surround yourself with what you love, it revitalizes you and sets the tone for your day. Take inventory of your spaces, letting go of what doesn't make you feel great, and bringing in what does! If you have been hanging on to grandma's chair or your kid's kindergarten art project out of guilt, it's ok to let it go and find art and furnishings that enrich your life. Really, they would want that for you too. It's time to let it go and find the true you.
4. Focus on the Focal Points
Spaces feel better when there is a distinct focal point that sets the vibe for the room and makes you feel the way you want to feel being there. This is the thing you see first when you walk into a room and most often is wall art, rugs or the largest piece of furniture.
An energetic vibrant and bold piece in the living space is great. In the bedroom, maybe not so great. Do you really love orange enough to have it an entire sofa? Maybe orange accent pillows will be just right? Are clown paintings really your thing? (My childhood bedroom had one. It was not my thing.)
Pay close attention to what these pieces say and make sure it's what you want them to be saying!
5. Stimulate the Senses
The best way to feel like you are in a new place is to evoke the senses. One of our favorite hotels smelled like vanilla and sandalwood. So this is a scent I have incorporated into our home with diffusers. You can make it a daily experience or mix things up with scents that transport you. What are your "scent stories"?
What about the textiles? What did the bedding feel like, the sofa, the surfaces on your bare feet?
Bring in the music, sounds, flavors, colors and textures to mimic the body experiences of your favorite places.
6. Bring the Outside In
Great hotels have carefully planned botanicals. A foyer table with giant white blooms greet you, lush landscaping to meander through, water features that delight with sound and visual display, artwork of blossoms, beaches, trees and palm fronds to be mesmerized by, indoor potted trees and planters to soften the corners.
This reminder of life outside transports us and brings life to our spaces.
7. Bedroom Escape
The bedroom is the place you connect and recharge. So set yourself up for success:
-Keep it a "no distractions" zone. Leave the laundry, bills, kid stuff, and clutter outside that door!
-Block the light with blackout curtains and turn off lighting. Even night lights and clock lights will disturb your circadian rhythm unless they are a soft orange glow.
-Make sure your linens are fresh and a texture your body likes! Everyone is different. Secret tip: Hotels always use white linens. It magically makes the room feel bright and clean.
-Create a cozy corner where you can escape from the rest of the house and reboot. I love having my favorite chocolates, books, journal and mementos tucked away in a box nearby.
-Make sure your decor puts you at ease. This space should feel uniquely yours!
I firmly believe that we live our best lives by creating spaces that surround us with what we love, every single moment. When you do this, you don't need an escape from your daily life because every day is a beautiful expression of you.
The oasis you are looking for is already inside you. It is time to create it around you.
If you need help selecting just the right artwork for your spaces, reach out to the art stylists at Latitudes Gallery. We can help you find just what you are looking for.
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Here are her guidelines for sofa wall success:
1. Match the shape of the wall left above the sofa, with the shape of the artwork.
This leaves a balanced amount of breathing room all the way around your artwork.
We use 3 ratios in the gallery, find the one that balances out your wall best:
-Standard ratio (tall and wide) 3:2
-Demi Ratio (the width is double the height) 2:1
-Pano Ratio (the width is triple the height) 3:1
2. Size it right
-Fill about 30” vertically. Too little feels awkwardly disconnected from the sofa. Too much feels crowded (leave at least a foot above and below).
-Make the artwork width at least half the width of the sofa.
-For a sectional, L shape or chaise sofa, go wide! At least 80”-90” wide artwork typically balances this sofa best.
3. Center it or line it up!
-If that doesn’t balance out the room, look at lining the edge of the art up with the arm or edge of the sofa.
-Need more wiggle room? Consider adding in a plant or side table to line the edge up with.
4. Be a Rule Breaker
Rules are made to be broken. Especially when you know how!
-If your sofa has a walkway behind it, center, size and match the shape of the entire empty wall.
-Sometimes the art you love won’t work in the ratio that works on your wall. This is when we find a happy compromise! Reach out to our art stylists so we can customize a piece just for you and your space.
Want more examples? Download our free art styling guide with all our designer's best tips and tricks for art sizing, styling and placement success.
Got a sofa wall and just don’t know what to do with it? We offer virtual consultations and email renderings so you can get it right the first time.
Whether working on a small home office design or a larger space, the home office wall art you choose should help you through your workday. Many prefer office artwork that calms, while others opt for art that energizes and motivates. Some pieces can produce a single aim, while others combine several. To deliver the most optimal outcomes, your best bet is to ensure the room’s overall design achieves the vibe you desire.
Your home office wall art plays a big role in defining the space’s personality. By selecting pieces that work together to form an overall theme, you create an atmosphere that serves your needs best. Even if you love what you do, work is still work, and the grind is still the grind. Producing top-notch work on a daily basis is expected, and such expectations can lead to stress and anxieties that set us back.
To help counter these feelings, hang wall art that brings the outdoors indoors. A piece like Emerald Seas pictured here is the perfect example. With a bit of imagination, you can hear the jewel-colored waves crashing into the shore. You can smell the salt in the air and feel the ocean’s meditative pull.
Looking a little closer, you can see the sun peeking through the overcast and piercing the wave creating an awe-inspiring sparkle. Where the rest of the ocean reflects the cloudy gray sky, this sunlit wave is a beautiful metaphor for life outside the demands of the nine-to-five.
We are lucky to live in a world with so much color. That said, the colors you choose for your home office art will directly affect the feel of the room.
Art in the traditional office often uses neutral colors to create a scene with little to no distraction. Apparently, the idea is that workers in a neutral-colored setting will be more productive. Many of us who have worked in traditional and home office settings will state that the opposite is true, and color psychology backs us up. A bright color like yellow stimulates the brain’s creativity, makes us more inquisitive, and uplifts the spirit. Still, one should use such a vibrant color sparingly as too much can have an overwhelming effect.
Orange, a combination of yellow and red, combines the strength and liveliness of red with yellow’s feel-good nature to create an uplifting optimism perfect for the home office. And staring at the blue ocean, as noted in 9 Amazing Ways Coastal Artwork Fills Your Soul, can produce feelings of tranquility, happiness, and more.
Dreamscape, the abstract ocean photograph pictured above, uses variations of these colors to create a vivid scene that strikes an ideal balance between calm and energized. An abstract piece like this also works to encourage imagination. Its color and wavy lines create a pleasant feeling of soft, rocking motion. This motion takes hold of our imagination and works to create space in our overcrowded minds. It reminds us that nothing can hold down our spirit while we’re required to stay put 40 hours a week.
Finally, abstract art could help take your mind off of complex work problems, so you can ultimately find the solution. Research shows that sometimes the best way to solve a problem is to stop thinking about it for a while.
In Transforming Your Home Office: Six Ways to Create Serenity in Your Home Office Space we discussed the importance of incorporating nature into your new office space. This could be plants, soothing scents like lavender, or alluring wall art for your home office like Palms Ablaze. Note how the rippled clouds introduce the fiery sunset over the calm waters of Kauai, Hawaii.
Hanging this gem in your office is like forming a window to a tropical wonderland where all things seem possible. Sure, creating sunsets is a bit beyond the capabilities of humankind, but we can use this inspiring scene to ignite our inspiration, creativity, and motivation in the workplace.
One of the greatest things about work is when 5 p.m. rolls around. What’s even better than 5 p.m.? A relaxing vacation in paradise.
Since we spend so much time at work and so little on vacation, why not bring in big, epic reminders of your time away? Visiting a new place for the first time or returning to a beloved getaway touches something deep within us and restores the shine to our soul. Working a piece like Seaside Sunset into your modern home office design could help keep that soul glimmering.
Imagine hammering away at a demanding project in your home office. The deadline feels like it's approaching at warp speed, and you're not 100% sure what your boss wants exactly. You've been through this 1,000 times, so you know everything will work out, but what if there was a way to relieve some of the stress?
Now imagine the same situation, but this time you look up at Seaside Sunset a few times an hour. The image brings you back to that trip to paradise. The memories of a worry-free week surround you and give you the motivation to power through the day.
While carving out a space in your home office for the meditation cushion is beneficial, it’s not necessary to experience the benefits of awareness. By becoming mindful of what occurs in each passing moment and taking note of your environment, you will realize many of the same benefits.
Observing your surroundings is a highly effective way to practice mindfulness. When we engage with a piece like Rainbow Eucalyptus Panoramic, we create space in our overcrowded minds. It’s easy to get lost in this photograph of colorful Rainbow Eucalyptus bark taken on the island of Kauai. But we’re not lost. We’re completely present with this wall art and the moment. Even spending five minutes a day in such a state can do wonders for the soul.
Now that you finally have the chance to decorate your own office, we’d love to help. When you have a sec, check out our photographic collections. If you see something that speaks to you or would like help finding something that does, please don’t hesitate to contact us online or by phone. We'd love the opportunity to help you select the home office wall art of your dreams.
]]>Our modern era is nothing short of extraordinary. Technology has provided an ease to life’s demands, amplified how quickly we communicate, and made high-quality entertainment a mere click away. But all this ease creates more time for our minds to run amok and develop internal storylines that are often unhealthy and untrue.
]]>Our modern era is nothing short of extraordinary. Technology has provided an ease to life’s demands, amplified how quickly we communicate, and made high-quality entertainment a mere click away. But all this ease creates more time for our minds to run amok and develop internal storylines that are often unhealthy and untrue.
To help regain our sovereignty, we can discover, implement, and hopefully benefit from the numerous ways in which art heals. This healing power expands far beyond the mind’s mischief-making. For some time, studies have shown how the right art may aid in the healing of many conditions. While the ways that art may assist in healing are indeed countless, in this article, we’ll take a close look at a handful that we find highly beneficial. Keep reading to discover how you could use the healing power of art to help improve your life.
Study after study has shown nature’s innate power to benefit our physical and mental health. A simple, rewarding walk in nature elevates our mood, and that boost could continue long after we return to civilization. Directly interacting with nature unlocks something beautiful and primal that’s written into our DNA.
According to an article on the American Phycological Association’s website, spending time in nature “has been linked to a host of benefits, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and even upticks in empathy and cooperation.” The article goes on to state that spending time in blue spaces, such as coastal environments, are highly beneficial and perhaps slightly more so than green spaces.
Studies show that spending time in nature could improve our well-being, as could the photographic wall art that captures its timeless power. The study Why Is Nature Beneficial?: The Role of Connectedness to Nature revealed how exposing participants to nature videos created positive emotions, improved attention spans, and increased the ability to reflect on a life problem. While being in nature directly delivers more benefits, we eventually need to return home, so why not introduce nature to your walls with unique coastal wall art like the piece below?
This awe-inspiring view on the north shore of Kauai, Hawaii, may help double up the healing benefits of art with a panoramic view of the lush green Kalalau Valley and the calming blue ocean waters in the distance. The entire scene is natural. No cars, no businesses, no hustle and bustle, just powerful nature art at your service 365 days a year when you incorporate this potent slice of paradise into your home. Take a look at these tips to escape everyday with art on your walls to unlock additional ways to help you recover from life’s daily grind.
Another great example is the ocean wave art pictured above. This wave is the purity of nature in one of its rawest forms—a variable that is constantly shifting, the vast ocean. The glassy water serves as an inviting lens to take in the sky, sand, and land. The hypnotic scene pulls us in and may create enough welcoming space in our minds to temporarily free us from dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. When we are 100% present with this breathtaking wave, we will benefit from it, and we can return to this magical space every time we engage with art like this.
For more on the benefits of coastal and ocean wave art, check out our 9 Amazing Ways Coastal Artwork Fills Your Soul article.
Once we use art to help reduce stress, anxiety, and other ailments, we may see further healing, such as the lowering of high blood pressure. If we could consistently set up shop near these beautiful nature scenes, many of us would jump at the chance, but that’s not the reality of life. So the idea is to get as close as possible by adding these soothing scenes into your indoor spaces.
Unfortunately, the office, whether at home or in a traditional setting, is a place of high stress, anxiety, and burnout. None of these are healthy, and they could all lead to more severe health issues. So in these settings, anything we can do to create tranquility could benefit our overall well-being.
Adding strategic home office wall art like this majestic sunset scene could deliver a moment of meditation whenever you need it. Perhaps you have a nerve-wracking call soon with a difficult client. Schedule five minutes beforehand to get lost in this sunset to help calm your nerves and possibly lower your stress level. Five minutes may not seem long, but in a stressful environment, five minutes of peace is a lot, and that peace could carry over into the rest of your day.
This sunset scene also speaks to the work day’s end and the promise of tomorrow. For many, it may be helpful to reflect on the healthy and non-healthy behaviors of our day and gauge what we can do to increase those actions that lead to less stress. Large beach wall art like this could remind us to start and continue such a practice.
Soothing waterfalls may be another way to help cope with the demands of the modern office. This mesmerizing scene and all of our large unique wall art could help bring you back to those good times spent exploring the natural world.
The red and green earth slit by this waterfall is enough to hold your attention to the point of hearing the water as it flows down the cliff. You can feel the crisp and calming island air on your face. No longer are you regretting the past or worrying about the future. You have carved out your own space in the present movement, only deviating from it to return to beautiful memories of past vacations. Perhaps you even feel a rush of hopefulness and positive thinking.
You are not the stress and pressure you feel at the office. You are an optimistic human being enjoying the beauty of life. Uncover more strategies to bring peace to your home office in our article Transforming Your Home Office: Six Ways to Create Serenity in Your Home Office Space.
Great art offers many benefits. It beautifies our spaces, could increase in value, touches something wild within us, and inspires the soul. Even more important, though, are the possible healing benefits of art. We could use large beach wall art, unique coastal wall art, ocean wave art, and more to possibly add some tranquility to help us navigate an ever-increasing busy world. Accumulating more peace could help lessen stress, anxiety, and other pressures.
Please browse our photographic collections at your leisure to find pieces that speak to the natural state of calm within you. Once you’ve made your selections, don’t hesitate to contact us online or by phone. We would love the opportunity to help you bring the most serenity possible into your space and your daily life.
]]>It is my favorite time of year. The white blossoms on the cherry trees swirling in the breeze like snow, unpredictable wind and rain, and the first buds of new branches bursting out overnight. It is inspiring watching Mother Nature emerge from the restorative pause of winter.
It reminds me that this too, is my chance at a rebirth. The packing away of winter decor leaves our homes feeling a bit cold, and empty, after the fullness of the holiday season. So I use this opportunity to focus on Mother Nature's lessons, turning inward, re-settling my nest, and bringing attention to the bright blessings to come, through the power of my surroundings.
]]>It reminds me that this too, is my chance at a rebirth. The packing away of winter decor leaves our homes feeling a bit cold, and empty, after the fullness of the holiday season. So I use this opportunity to focus on Mother Nature's lessons, turning inward, re-settling my nest, and bringing attention to the bright blessings to come, through the power of my surroundings.
Curb appeal sets the tone for the whole experience of your space. Think of it like a title page on a book. Fresh plants in tidy planters, pulling off winter's dead foliage, blowing it out and scrubbing it all off.
Now open the door and step inside. What is your guest experience here? I love a beautiful console table with 1 or 3 creative and bold decor items on it. Less and larger is better here. And above it? Perfectly sized artwork that creates the vibe you want your home to evoke.
For a tranquil feeling, try Seashore Showcase:
For a bold statement piece, "Dreamscape" is a showstopper:
Now is the perfect time to clean those windows and window treatments. Vacuum delicate fabrics, and spot treat if needed. For easy-care window treatments pop them in the wash and hang dry or damp dry on low until wrinkles are removed, and then hang dry. Not sure? The dry cleaner can tell you what is best.
While you are at it, make sure you have hung those treatments at the appropriate height and width. You want them hung as close to the ceiling as possible (usually within a foot or less of the ceiling), not right at the top of the window. And wide enough (or high enough if roman shades) so all the gathered fabric is covering wall, not window, when open.
Often I am asked to help improve a space, and all the blinds are drawn. Opening those curtains is the first step! The rest won't matter much if it looks like a cave.
Lighting, including natural light, changes the whole feeling of a space, and how your art looks. Let the sun shine!
If you jumped on the gray-on-gray bandwagon, you might be needing a little oomph right about now. Maybe you never left the beige train.
One of the easiest ways to do that is to swap out your small accessories, like pillow covers and throw blankets. This is what I do every season. Using pillow covers instead of all new pillows makes it easy to store, and it's budget friendly.
Next, look up! Now that you have more light flowing in, let's finish off the walls. Update tired and dreary artwork with something that brightens up your space. Artwork can set the tone faster than just about anything else. If you never actually hung artwork and just stared at big blank walls for years, it will make the room feel complete. But be sure to size it to balance out the furniture below it, or it just won't feel right. No, a 20"x30" just won't do the trick above your sofa. It will look like a postage stamp. (Reach out and we would be happy to help with sizing or snag the free size guide I created to help you diy it.)
Go for a whisper of color in "Strie Seas":
Or for a richer feeling, one of my personal favorites, "Anacapa Golden Sunrise":
Both images are gray blue dominant and blend perfectly, while adding a hint of depth to your space. Anacapa Golden Sunrise bridges the gap between beige, taupe and gray... it's kinda magic!
Just tidying up your space can make old things look new again. Now is the perfect time to purge those unnecessary items, letting go of what you don't love, and giving yourself a little more breathing room. It's also a great time to finally organize all those electronics, cables and papers.
Don't forget to give those walls a little TLC. Hand prints and marks are quickly knocked out with a Magic Eraser and cobwebs were sooo two seasons ago.
I love keeping a plastic mason jar of each of my household paints, with a mini foam brush or small artists brush. It eliminates excuses not to touch up the nicks and dings when they happen, but also perfect for easy seasonal maintenance.
Plants literally bring fresh air and life to a space. They are one of my favorite ways to ground a space that feels incomplete. If you are struggling with letting go of unnecessary items and feel compelled to fill back up spaces that you just emptied out, plants can be a perfect step in between.
Got a brown thumb? It's ok! Succulents are fairly resistant to even my poor watering habits. But if you are hopeless, faux succulents, or grasses can be pretty convincing.
Not a fan of faux? Then go for the next best thing to real. Life-like images of botanicals can bring nature inside, no watering needed.
Sometimes all you need is a new perspective on the same thing. One of my favorite suggestions for clients is to shop their home when they want a new look, and move favorite items from room to room.
The same applies to artwork. One of the reasons I often suggest 60x30 sized artwork is because it is so flexible and works just about anywhere. The other magical part about that is you can swap your art from room to room and totally change up the look, with what you already know you love. That makes investing in artwork double the bang for your buck.
Notice how beautifully gallery favorite, "Emerald Seas" is in both rooms. It's one of our most versatile images.
Hope you are as inspired by spring as I am, and ready for a fresh look in your spaces.
Tasha Cleaveland is an interior design and art consultant for Latitudes Gallery
Follow her for more tips on your home. IG: @tashacleaveland
Your office is many things. It’s a place of inspiration and productivity but also stress. At times it’s quiet and peaceful. Others it’s fast-paced and overflowing with action. Because offices are all these things and more, choosing the right office wall art is key to amplifying positive emotions and quieting less positive ones. By selecting the best pieces, you set yourself up and your entire team for success.
]]>To help you choose the right art, we put together this collection of office wall art ideas. It will make your office, whether inside the home or at a separate location, a welcoming place where inspiration, calm, efficiency, and joy reign supreme.
Rested, refreshed, and ready to go, the workday starts with high levels of productivity for many people. For others, it takes a bit longer to fire on all cylinders. Either way, we all hit a wall at some point in the day and need to look inward and outward to find the inspiration we need to perform our best.
Professional office wall art like Sunrise Cauldron is an ideal piece to inspire. The fiery sunrise will provide the motivation your team needs to succeed at any hour of the workday. The numerous water channels finding a way through jagged rocks to fill the refreshing blue water pool is another source of encouragement. It silences that inner voice that tells us we’re too tired and out of gas long before our internal tank is truly empty.
One look at fine art photography like this taps into raw power inside each of us. If we pull from this source as needed, the day is ours.
Office life is hectic, to say the least. While it’s a place of friendship and collaboration and often brings out the best in us, it is all too easy to give in to stressful emotions and allow them to drain our energy and guide our actions. Staying cool in high-pressure situations is a vital ingredient to the success of any office.
One way to keep the inner peace is by hanging Serene Hues of Blue in a hallway or room that your office mates frequent. Its mixture of blues and greens will calm even new hires unaccustomed to the fast-paced culture of many offices.
Blue and green are associated with feelings of calm, peace, and restfulness. It's no surprise that in 2021, a soothing blue-green hue was named Color of the Year. Serene Hues of Blue takes things one step further with its white field of bright clouds sandwiched between the sky blue above and ocean blue-green below. Use this cloud lit by the sun's power to increase your energy while the more soothing tones deliver a deep sense of calm.
Giving your all in an office is much easier if you keep a reward in mind. The reward doesn’t need to be a sports car or luxury vacation or some other far-off goal. Reminders of nature’s beauty and how you can return to it when the workday ends can get you through even the most brutal assignments.
Office wall art on canvas like Sunset Path will remind your team of all the beauty they can experience once quitting time rolls around. This path along the Ventura, California coast leading to a golden hour sunset, provides a jolt of vitality and stimulation. It reminds your team of their reward at the end of each day. This could be a walk in nature, dinner with family, drinks with friends, and so much more.
As with Sunset Path, a modern office art piece like Painted Island reminds us why we do what we do. At least five days a week, we spend half of our waking hours away from our loved ones. We do this to give them a good life, including magical moments like the first time your kids or grandkids saw the ocean.
Painted Island is a wonderful office wall art selection. The palms blowing in the wind under an energetic sunset on the island of Kauai brings you back to that first family vacation to the ocean. Perhaps you saw a similar lively yet peaceful scene after a long beach day before you and your family headed to an oceanside diner. It’s memories like these that fix themselves to a special place inside our hearts.
Give Painted Island a permanent place in your office as a reminder of why you work so hard.
When it comes to problem-solving, the more open your mind is, the better. With an open mind, you are receptive to a wide array of ideas and solutions. On the other hand, when we are set in our ways and hold onto fixed ideas, our ability to think outside the box and solve complex problems diminishes.
All of us struggle with these fixed ideas, and in a stressful environment like the workplace, it’s all too easy when problems arise to dig in and use the same method that worked last time. But this time isn’t always like last time. That’s why we need an open mind. Hanging office wall art that displays wide open spaces like that represented in Bryce Canyon Sunrise will remind you of the endless possibilities of an open mind. Then, when it’s time to put out the next fire at work, you’ll come up with the right solution in no time.
Just as the surfer walking in the vibrant beams of a setting sun is heading to his next adventure, soon too will you. It doesn’t matter if it’s 9 a.m. or 4:55 p.m., one glimpse at C Street Sunset will keep you attentive, motivated, and in the game until it’s your turn to live life beautifully outside the office.
Whether it’s art for an office park or home office wall art, we’d love to help you find the perfect piece to keep you energized and focused on the task at hand. Fine art photography is so much more than beautiful scenes caught on camera. It has the power to inspire, calm, motivate, and more.
Please take a look at our complete photographic collection to find motivational office artwork that speaks to you. All pieces are artist signed and printed on luster paper, metal print, canvas, or wood, whichever you prefer.
]]>Hanging seascape art in your home makes a big statement in many ways. Wave and ocean art can involve a lot of action, which inspires you and your guests to get out and enjoy nature. But the artwork can also be a soothing scene with little to no action that adds great peace to your sanctuary as you take refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
]]>It’s almost impossible not to make a statement hanging a picture of the ocean doing its thing. Our fine art photography captures a moment in time through these awe-inspiring images. While the piece remains motionless, you can still hear the ebb and flow of waves, picture the next frame as a wave crashes, and even smell the saltwater and feel whatever memory the imaginary wind whips up.
Making a statement with waterscape art may not be your intention, but it’s a happy bonus with this style of nature art that delivers countless benefits to you, your family, and your friends.
Let’s take a look at five of the top ways seascape art makes a statement.
By hanging soothing ocean art that uplifts the spirit in your home, you’re expressing your love of nature. While you love being inside and enjoying the beautiful house you’ve turned into a home, a piece like Spectacular Ventura Sunset tells your guests (and reminds you) that your love of the outdoors runs so deep, you had to bring the outdoors indoors.
Some people measure their lives by the number of beautiful sunsets they witness. We think this is a lovely way to assess one’s time on this planet. A sunset like the one displayed here not only makes a statement but places you in that stunning sunset state of mind whenever the urge arises.
Many people claim that the power of enchanting nature scenes is their fleeting nature. There is a lot of truth to that. But how many times have you watched a jaw-dropping sunset and wished it would go on forever? Now with a little help from the passionate artists at Latitudes Gallery, you can keep that sunset for all time. We’re not sure if there is a bigger statement than holding on to a setting sun.
In the abstract wave art piece, Journey's End, we see the end of a 4300-mile journey from the coast of New Zealand to the white sands of Kipu Kai beach in Hawaii. Displaying such an epic natural voyage in your home is a statement in and of itself, but there is an even larger one at play here. Humans are great at a lot of things: some good and some really bad. Unfortunately, our race excels at polluting, and this includes our dear ocean.
Not everyone has the time to write endless letters to elected officials or raise awareness through grassroots movements to protect the ocean. Sometimes all it takes to be an advocate is to care. Everyone who enters your home will be moved by this seascape art and do what they can in their own way to save our precious waters.
Yes, this is the journey's end for this once mighty wave, but as a nature lover and ocean advocate, you understand how the work is far from over when it comes to protecting our ocean and coastlines.
Seascape art touches something wild and free in each of us. Maybe this goes back to the way our ancient ancestors viewed the ocean. Imagine the mystery and magic they experienced staring out at the endless blue long before Jacques Cousteau and others showed us a glimpse of the life below.
Whatever that wild part of us is, it’s still there, and it’s not difficult to access. When you incorporate Storm Swell 2015 into your art collection, those spaces within you open up. No longer are our hearts covered by worries about bills or material things. The high wind and high tide having their way with the Ventura Pier remind us how we belong to the ocean, and in turn, it belongs to us. Everything is interconnected. Sometimes we simply need to open our hearts to see.
And when it comes to feeling free, the American flag standing tall and proud in the photo’s background doesn’t hurt one bit.
The crystal clear clarity of fine art photography makes more of a statement than the most realistic seascape oil painting because this is precisely how and when it happened. This brief waterfall scene, now frozen in time, took place once, never to be repeated exactly the same way. Luckily, through this wonderful artwork, we can access its calming golden nature over and over again.
Whether it’s your children or grandchildren, at a certain age, video games and other forms of screen life take precedence over the great outdoors. Make a silent statement about what these kiddos are missing by hanging Green Room where they hang out. When they see this surfer mastering this fun wave, they may just leave the screens behind to check out the real-life reality show happening outside 24/7.
We would love the opportunity to help you select a gorgeous piece of wall art that will transform your home. Latitudes Gallery is unique in that we are the artists behind the photographs. We know the backstories, and we’d love to share them with you. Each piece is signed by the artist and printed on your choice of luster paper, metal print, canvas, or wood. Please browse our entire collection to find a piece that adds happiness, calm, and inspiration to your home.
]]>When you’re at home, the chaos of everyday life seems to slow down. Though at times, your mind is still thinking about work, that errand you forgot to run, or any number of things to come. Incorporating beach wall art throughout your home or office touches something pure inside you and provides the calm that we all need to live fully and peacefully. As a result, you thrive in everything from your projects to those simple, beautiful moments with loved ones.
]]>When you’re at home, the chaos of everyday life seems to slow down. Though at times, your mind is still thinking about work, that errand you forgot to run, or any number of things to come. Incorporating beach wall art throughout your home or office touches something pure inside you and provides the calm that we all need to live fully and peacefully. As a result, you thrive in everything from your projects to those simple, beautiful moments with loved ones.
Beach, wave, and ocean art make us feel alive and motivated. The more we feel alive, the more alive our surroundings become. In this article, we’ve compiled six ways this art captures the breathtaking beauty of nature and brings your living space to life.
Let’s jump right in and explore them together.
Spending the day at the beach provides numerous health benefits. Swimming in the ocean relieves stress, increases muscle strength and endurance, improves skin health, and helps support all kinds of healing. But you don’t need to jump in the water to cash in on the gifts of a coastal environment. The heightened beauty and constant motion of these scenes draw us out of our cyclical thought processes as our attention shifts to the powerful gift of this moment.
Living on the coast or visiting often is not an option for many of us, but that doesn’t mean you can’t reap the psychological benefits. Just as mirror neurons invoke an emotional response when watching a great movie, hanging a calming piece like Hanalei Bay Sunrise in your home or office will help you fully enter the present moment. It is here that the artwork comes alive and grabs the entirety of your soul’s attention, leaving room for nothing but wonder, peace, and awe.
Hang this dreamlike image taken off Kauai's famed Shipwrecks Beach in a high traffic area of your home as a reminder that the best parts of life aren't spent moving at 100 miles per hour. You’ve been moving so fast for so long. It's time to slow down and enjoy the richness of life’s simplicity.
Some of the most stunning aspects of nature reside in the smallest details. When we open our senses fully, we open our hearts to endless opportunities to appreciate the gift of life.
The remarkable power of nature to take your breath away is everywhere. Sometimes all we need is a strong piece of fine art photography to inspire us to head out and find it. It’s time to get outdoors and re-introduce ourselves to the wide-open blue sky. And then do it over and over and over again.
The turquoise blue waters in Lanikai Beach Twins bring the calm of beach life and the ocean into the comfort of your home. There’s something to be said about taking a beach day without fighting traffic! Topping it all off is the perfectly still morning captured in this piece. It’s a morning that most of us would pay good money to bottle up and enjoy anytime we like. Well, that’s exactly what you’ll have when Lanikai Beach Twins comes to life in your living space.
Sometimes all you need to feel alive is being at home. Whether enjoying time alone or with loved ones, recuperating from the outside world is essential to a balanced life. In Good Life, the two white Adirondack chairs facing the sunset demonstrate the power of great nature art. It’s the kind of image that softly whispers “peace” every time you see it. Why not keep the television off tonight, set up two chairs in front of these Adirondacks, and enjoy the irresistible view? As you feel the stress melt from your shoulders, you’ll be so glad that you did.
At Latitudes Gallery, helping passionate people like you get away from life’s daily chaos is exactly what drives us. We were lucky enough to bear witness to every scene represented in our photography and then capture them on film with the sincere hope of sharing them to further beautify your living space or office.
Please take the time to browse our full collection to find your next slice of daily wonder.
Through this magical artwork, you can hear the ocean’s roar, smell the ocean breeze, and feel the warm sand beneath your feet. In a matter of seconds, you’re light-years from any difficult memories or concerns about the future. By hanging the right ocean art, you receive so many of the heartfelt benefits the ocean and coast have to offer, but from the ease and comfort of your home all year long.
Here are nine ways coastal artwork fills your soul.
The ocean is powerful and playful. It puts on a show, filling us with the pure inspiration only found through the rawness of nature. For example, the spirited bouncing tide in Foamy Flute - Sea Foam on the Sand will bring a warm smile to your face and motivation to your heart to create something captivating. It could be a piece of art, a new project at work, a delicious meal for loved ones, or even reconnecting with old friends.
Experiencing undiluted beauty like this foam dancing on the beach will keep your soul filled with joy and inspiration day after day.
Ocean Blues is reminiscent of a Rothko field painting, though this scene is not a painting—it’s real-life fine art photography. The piece brings together straight lines, a soft sky, and shallow water rippling from the ocean breeze to create a calm that is difficult to put into words.
Staring at this piece provides the peace of mind we need to uplift our souls and remain productive. You can easily get lost in its calming effect and then experience those benefits every time you lay eyes on the scene.
In Metallic Pier, the rainbow sherbet sky reflected in the water speaks to the artist in you. This doesn’t mean you need to rush out and buy brushes, canvas, and tubes of paint. If we pay close enough attention, everything in life is art, from how we choose to decorate our home to how we pour a glass of water. Simply noticing the way a setting sun lights up a cloudy sky is a form of art in itself.
Your life is the canvas. How will you paint it today?
Our modern digital world offers more ways to stay connected than ever before. But all the scrolling and web surfing and information overload have also led to a disconnect from self. Pieces like Sunset Sail remind us that nature has so much more to offer the soul than our smartphones ever can.
Imagine yourself in that sailboat off the coast. You’re completely unplugged. You have no appointments, no emails to respond to, no bright screen vying for your attention. With a larger-than-life sunset like the one over your boat, who needs anything else? This is your moment. You’ve earned it. Slow down and enjoy the beauty.
Witnessing these nine mesmerizing dolphins ride this wave touches something wild and pure and forever young in us. It shows us that we’re not so different from the rest of this miraculous planet’s inhabitants.
Do you remember the joy of just being a kid? These dolphins certainly do, and so can we when tapping into nature's mood-boosting power through fine art photography like Family Surf Lesson.
Through extensive research, marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols uncovered how the sight of the ocean drops us into a mildly meditative state that he calls Blue Mind. In this peaceful state, you experience a deep sense of calm, happiness, and connectedness.
A piece like Tunnels Beach Sunrise is ideal for Blue Mind. Just staring at this hypnotic beach scene on the North Shore of Kauai delivers a sense of peace and belonging. Within the scene, all is in its rightful place, including you, the viewer, as you relax into the serene state of Blue Mind.
Today mindfulness has, unfortunately, become a bit of a buzzword. But did you know that people seeking wisdom and complete awareness have practiced mindfulness for over 2,500 years? With longevity like that, surely there’s power in the practice.
By remaining mindful, we note the way light changes throughout the day. We take in the sound of birds and cars and even our footsteps. There is so much beauty in everyday experiences. And a scene like that displayed in Vivid Ocean Sunset taken off the coast of California takes our mindfulness to another dimension. Even better, it freezes this enchanting moment in time. That’s one of the great things about coastal artwork—you remain aware of the wonder of each passing moment while holding on to some of your most epic memories forever.
The ocean humbles us in many ways. Sure, we pretty much run things on land, but once that land meets the water, everything changes, especially when we consider the ocean covers over 70 percent of the planet.
Realizations like this are wonderful for the soul. They show us that rather than owning our planet, we belong to its warm and welcoming embrace. The surfer catching a wave in Reef Walker humbles and inspires at the same time. While the rider is but a speck in the scene, she is master of the wave she rides. She respects the ocean’s power, and that respect is rewarded as the playful dance between wave and rider ensues.
At Latitudes Gallery, we chase the incredible power of nature’s beauty and capture it with the sincere hope of transforming your home or workspace to further enrich your life. All pieces are artist signed photographs printed on your choice of luster paper, metal print, canvas, or wood. Please browse our entire collection to find a piece that speaks directly to your soul.
]]>What was it on your holiday that really made you feel awe? Was it a sunset? Perhaps a sunrise? Was it whales, or a spectacular color palette? Whatever it was, whatever it is that will inspire the feeling you desire, simply go to our SEARCH MENU and type in the word. For instance, type in “orange”. You’ll be transported to a gallery of photo art that is warm and inviting with hues of orange.
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“I want to stay here forever.”
If you’ve been on a tropical vacation, that is a sentence you’ve said. Probably out loud. Probably with a mai tai, or piña colada in your hand.
Interior Designers tell us to display cherished items, and things that make us feel good. That it’s important to our well-being to indulge our senses when it comes to creating an oasis in our home.
With that in mind, don’t leave your vacation behind.
Well, not all of it anyway. Bring home the breeze blowing through the palm trees at sunset, or the hypnotic crashing of the waves on the sand, or the dolphins riding waves at sunrise in the crystal, blue and green, persuasion of an ocean scene.
What was it on your holiday that really made you feel awe? Was it a sunset? Perhaps a sunrise? Was it whales, or a spectacular color palette? Whatever it was, whatever it is that will inspire the feeling you desire, simply go to our SEARCH MENU and type in the word. For instance, type in “orange”. You’ll be transported to a gallery of photo art that is warm and inviting with hues of orange.
You see all our wall art in that color tone, and you’ll also be shown how the artwork looks hanging over a living room couch, over a bed for bedroom décor as well as entryway and office photo décor.
Please call, text, or email to take advantage of our FREE, (no sales pressure) in house designer.
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Nature is majestic and so is this art piece. An artwork like this allows for a meditative break as you lose yourself in the wonder of this fiery sunrise.
Just like your traditional office, you should add photos of your loved ones, favorite sport team memorabilia, or inspirational quotes to your home office space.These items motivate us to focus and motivate us when needed. A focal point wall is perfect for a large piece of art that can set the mood and make a statement.
The excitement of discovering a new place is a feeling that releases wonder in the soul. You can capture this wonder in your space by adding photos from your travel experiences. A professional artwork from the place you visited can make a beautiful gift to yourself that you can enjoy everyday for years to come.
Create some space and time for meditation in your home office. This can be a small corner of your room where you place a yoga mat or a cushion and make a point to take five minutes a day where you focus on your breath, or use a guided script from an app like Headspace. Meditation can also be found in artwork. Check out the photo below, "Strie Seas".
Prints like this with an ethereal flow are great to give you a couple of minutes to absorb its energy and catch your breath.
Painting your home office fire engine red may not be the best way to achieve a tranquil space, nor will decorating it with too many bright colors. Instead, opt for neutral tones. Beach art is a great way to bring these tones into your office space. Photos like “Silky Seas” pictured below bring the tranquility of watching the ocean tide washing over the rocks, set with soft tones sure to compliment your office space.
Yes, neutral tones are important for creating a calm space, but it’s important to also decorate it in a manner that will make you smile. Be sure to have fun and add some pieces that you know will brighten your day. This could a framed inspirational quote or a photo that conveys joy. Check out “Happy Otter” below and try not to smile.
Invest in what makes you happy. There isn’t a right or wrong in choosing the photographic art piece.
]]>Have you heard the saying? “Great art does not have to match your couch?”
I saw it printed on a tee shirt once, and I took it to heart. I thought, that’s probably true. (It was on a tee shirt after all.)
I mean an artist certainly isn’t painting the artwork to match your couch.
I guess if I could afford one of the great works of art, I wouldn’t be concerned about it matching my living room décor. Or would I?
I like things that match, or more correctly, I like when colors coordinate. I like balance in design.
Thankfully, that made learning about composition in photography easier for me to grasp.
Myth buster – No, art does not have to match your couch. But… it’s not wrong if you want it to.
And many of us do.
We want to make it easy for you. Try this: Go to the menu on our website and in the SEARCH MENU type a color, like blue, and watch what happens.
Isn’t that cool? Already you’ve narrowed down the color. Whether you choose coastal art, whales or dolphins, sunsets, or fields of poppies for your wall décor, you’ve made a start toward decorating your space with photographic art.
ARE YOU READY for the pièce de résistance? Call, text, or email our in-house designer to create a FREE wall mock-up using a photo you take (with your phone) of the wall where you believe you want the art to hang. Our designer will create a PREVIEW of how the photograph will look on your wall.
And if it’s over your couch, you can see it at the size that will give the artwork the most impact, not too big, not to small, just right.
Best of all, you can decide if you want it to match your couch or not!
]]>When you add oceanscapes to your home, you tap into nature’s remarkable power to soothe, motivate, uplift, and so much more. You don't need to own beachfront property to reap the awesome benefits the ocean has to offer. If you're looking for the perfect ocean art to gracefully update the vibe of your home or office, we've got you covered.
]]>It could be the rhythmic roar of the majestic waves or the sunlight bouncing off aqua colored waters that brings you back to that perfect moment in time. Perhaps it's the dreamy, natural white noise of it all that touches the purest part of your being, ultimately placing you in a deep calm. Or is it the sight of nature's raw oceanic power that inspires you to tackle your next big project?
Whatever the case, when you add oceanscapes to your home, you tap into nature’s remarkable power to soothe, motivate, uplift, and so much more. You don't need to own beachfront property to reap the awesome benefits the ocean has to offer. If you're looking for the perfect ocean art to gracefully update the vibe of your home or office, we've got you covered.
Let's take a quick look at a few of our more popular ocean pieces.
Memory and imagination are powerful tools. The mere sight of a piece like Golden Hour can take your breath away and instantly bring you back to that long-lost family vacation. The moving imagery here also adds a powerful and surreal element to any room. Named for that magical hour before the sun disappears beyond the sea, Golden Hour is both relaxing and inspiring at once. This piece is excellent for creating a color palette for your living or dining room.
The splendor of sunrise at the beach is challenging to put into words. Thankfully, you'll never need to. By hanging Seaside Morning Light in your home, that fresh sunrise feeling can be yours 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Through its peach-colored sky and turquoise waves, this piece brings you back to the healing power of the ocean, whether you're 10 or 1,000 miles away. Imagine the waves crashing and then heading back out to sea, taking any stress or anxiety you may be feeling with them. Keep the crisp newness of an oceanside morning going all day long.
The stuff of dreams comes alive in Playful Pack - Horses of Camargue as a gorgeous pack of cream-colored Camargue horses race toward you in shallow water. This dreamy vision is ideal for your home office or workspace to keep you energized, inspired, and productive. Place this piece on a windowless wall to add more dimension to the room.
One of the great things about ocean art is its ability to create a wide variety of moods. While this piece is great for inspiration, it can also put you in a peaceful meditative state as you hold the gazes of these elegant animals moving with such determination through blue-gray waters under a soft sky.
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This is the first thing people see when they walk in your home. Having an impactful piece of art here can set the mood for your guests as they stand in your entryway. Whether you are looking for something more bold and striking or simple and sweet, there is sure to be something elegantly inviting to add to the first thing people see when visiting your home
The living room is one of the most utilized rooms in your home. Whether you are watching TV, entertaining or just relaxing, having a piece of art that helps set and continue the mood through out your house will make it easier to transition from space to space within your home.
The dining room is one of the most important rooms in your home. Not only is it a place to enjoy family and friends, but also more intimate than a living room or kitchen. Selecting art that helps set the tone for you and your guests will help make this space feel like its own little world within your home.
The master bedroom is more than just a place to sleep, it should be an escape from the rest of the house. Finding art appropriate for this room will help make it feel serene and peaceful and help you relax at the end of a long day.
When thinking about art for your kitchen, think beyond the walls. Pick a piece of art that adds color or personality in another space of your home and make it work here. This not only helps unify the colors and styles through out your house but makes it easier to put together a cohesive look without creating it from scratch all over your home.
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If you're not sure if adding art to your home is the right choice or beneficial for you, we're here to help. In this post, we'll explore some of the benefits of decorating with art, such as ocean art or landscape photography, in your home or office.
The first thing that art can do for your home is help set the right tone. Each room in your home plays a specific role. For example, the bedroom is intended for relaxing and sleeping, while the office is meant for productivity and work. By choosing the right art or landscape photos in your space, you'll help to reinforce its function and create the right feeling for each room.
This tone can have a significant impact on how you feel when you walk into specific rooms. For example, looking at vibrant, colorful, or cheerful art makes us feel more energetic and happier while we're in that space. On the other hand, art with darker color schemes creates a different mood; it might make us feel relaxed and peaceful instead of energized and ready to face our day.
Another benefit of decorating with art is that it gives you a starting point, or color palette, for your room. For example, if you're redecorating your living room, there are probably thousands of shades and tones to choose from when picking paint colors. Art can help narrow down the possibilities by giving us an idea of what works well together.
When you decorate a room with art, it gives the space more dimension. Like we said before, your walls can look bland and empty without any decorations on them. Art adds life and extra layers to those otherwise blank spaces by introducing color or texture into your home's design scheme.
Wall art can be the missing link that can tie together your furniture and decor. For example, suppose we have different colors and styles put together in one room. In that case, wall art can tie them together by incorporating multiple elements into one piece, such as combining the colors of furniture in your room with the texture of other decor with a landscape portrait to blend the room seamlessly.
Again, this is about using art as inspiration and thinking practically when designing our homes; you don't need any formal training or education in interior design! Just find similar elements that work well with the piece you've chosen, so everything feels like it belongs together.
Art can also be a great source of inspiration and creativity. While some people find art to be intimidating, it doesn't have to feel that way. Art is everywhere you look; on TV, in magazines, online, or even right outside your front door.
When you pick pieces that make you feel something or feel motivating, you can help to invoke the feeling every time you enter that space. Whether that allows you to feel inspired or creative, art helps to open your mind.
We've already talked about how art helps us relax, but what if we're feeling stressed or anxious? It can be hard to focus and get work done or relax if we're completely burnt out or on edge. By adding strategic wall art, such as waterfalls or seascapes, we can help to create a space of calm and relaxation. Instead of feeling on edge, we can be reminded of beautiful walks through wooded areas with soothing streams and bubbling rivers.
Even abstract paintings can help calm our anxieties when looking at them; they inspire feelings of hope and optimism by their very nature. They allow us to open our minds and find new patterns or stories within the art due to their compelling characteristics.
Our homes reflect our style, so why not add some personality and make it feel like your own. Whether it's your bedroom, living room, or office, you want to spend time there because it feels like home. Art can help invoke those feelings by giving our rooms some character and adding our own personalities, dreams, and goals.
You might find this by decorating with landscape photos, or maybe abstract paintings are more up your alley. You could even try mixing mediums like painting and photography together for an exciting mashup effect! It'll only take one piece of beautiful art to turn your living space into an oasis where everyone wants to lounge all day long.
By now, you should have a better idea of how art can be helpful in our everyday lives. You've learned about just how important it is to add artwork to each room of your home to create the right tone, tie together your rooms, invoke inspiration or creativity, and capture your personality.
Remember that adding art to your home is supposed to be fun; don't let yourself get overwhelmed by stressing out too much over finding the "perfect" piece for your space. Instead, focusing on how the art makes you feel and where it would fit in your home. Whatever you choose -- find something that speaks to you and add it to your space.
At Latitudes Gallery, we know the remarkable power of nature. It can take our breath away, add calmness into our life, and call to different parts of ourselves. We offer a balanced collection that allows you to find the ideal piece for your home, adding adventure, happiness, peacefulness, and endless creativity to your home. Browse through our entire collection of work today to find the right piece for your home.
]]>Beachy vibes: Who doesn’t feel rejuvenated after returning from a beach vacation? The sound of crashing waves, smell of salt water, and the warmth of the sun kissing your face is sure to make you feel relaxed. For those of us unable to access a beach, we can create this feeling in our homes with fine art photography.
The turquoise hues in this photo are calling you to the ocean. This piece of fine art photography captures both the excitement of beach travel with its vibrant colors and the tranquility of sunbathing in the tropics. With such happy, welcoming vibes, hang this piece in a communal area of your home, so everyone can enjoy it!
What conjures relaxation more than the word “cottage”? Beach Cottage Blue is a calming piece of fine art that will steer you and your family into the cottage kind of calm. This piece goes best with a minimalist look like this living room.
That Road Less Traveled: A stroll through a quaint town, a talented busker, or a chat with a local: these are those magical moments of travel. It’s not always about checking off the recommended spots in your guide. Travel is about finding those special moments.
The cascading pathway created by the welcoming trees in Road to Koala Render is a reminder of those peaceful and unexpected surprises when traveling. Pair a piece of fine art photography like this with earthy tones as pictured.
What could be more exhilarating than seeing the inside barrel of a wave as captured in this fine art photograph titled Waterman’s View? This artwork can bring you back when you need a moment to breathe and a brief escape. This piece evokes the feeling of catching nature’s most thrilling moments.
]]>Originally published on Redfin by Mike Cahill
If you currently live in or have experienced living in a studio apartment you know what it means to work with what you've got. Transforming a single room into a livable space that acts as a bedroom, living room, kitchen, office and more is no small task, and doing it alone can be a very arduous process. That's why we've reached out to the experts in studio design from Miami to Portland, to offer their insights on how you can make your studio apartment as livable as possible without sacrificing aesthetic. So if you're moving into your first studio or dorm room, follow these 20 tips to make the process as simple as possible.
Recognize the power of association
The power of association for humans cannot be understated, that's why we recommend you organize your studio apartment around three main hubs of activity, each with access to an ample amount of natural light. First is where you sleep, make sure that your bed and resting area is neat and surrounded by only the essentials, keep your electronics away! Second is where you want to be productive; some may get more use out of this space than others, but everyone should have a space for taxes, bills, serious hobbies, etc. Put the power of productivity in your hands! Lastly have a place to relax, this is where you can watch TV, read, and generally unwind; having a designated space for each kind of activity will make it easier for your brain to tackle tasks with precision and intent. - Inhabitr
Efficiency is your friend
Studio apartment living is all about minimalism and efficiency. Storage beds are a great place to keep some clothing that can help you reduce the size of the dresser or armoire you buy. Keep your paint colors neutral or bright, as a dark color will make your space feel more confined. If you can, get some barstools for your counter to reduce the need for a table in the kitchen area. Above all, declutter at least once per quarter. You'd be amazed how much space can be created with a reduction in the knickknacks you allow to accumulate! - Maureen Mcdermut Santa Barbara RE
Try to create some sense of division
My biggest tip for designing a studio apartment is to create division and designated spaces for sleeping, dining, cooking, and living. With one open space, it is so easy to see clutter and feel confined to a single box. Easy ways to create division in a space are to define zones with different area rugs, add dividing screens, create privacy walls with bookshelves that add storage, and even hanging curtain panels to create division. - Design Dudes
Give attention to negative space
Ever heard of the saying 'Less is more?' This also holds true when styling your apartment. Refrain from pushing your furniture up against your walls and instead work on creating mini spaces within your room. (Tip: You can also use rugs to section off areas within the same space!) Also, avoid putting your furniture too close together. You want enough space between your furniture to help you easily and comfortably move around. - Foerni Limited
No windows? No Problem!
There are many affordable lighting solutions for small or stuffy apartment spaces. These come in all shapes and sizes and can be standing lamps, LED lights and ambient lights that replicate the feeling of warm sunlight. These can be hidden or if they're visually appealing, placed somewhere as a centerpiece. Most of these options can be bought in places like Amazon or other online retailers. - Big Spoon Co.
Think maximization
When designing your studio apartment, think maximization when it comes to furniture function and layout but think minimization when it comes to visual clutter. Use materials that don’t take up visual space like acrylic or glass. Hang one large impactful art piece or use peel and stick wallpaper to create a large accent feature instead of hanging a busy gallery wall. Even consider one cohesive paint color for your walls, built-ins, and cabinetry to avoid chopping up space visually (bonus: the room will appear larger!). - Sidney Wagner Designs
Take advantage of multipurpose furniture
Make the most of every inch of floor space with multipurpose furniture pieces. A wall-mounted shelf with coat hooks adds a spot for displaying art and photographs while storing coats more efficiently in a small hallway. A Murphy desk provides a dedicated workspace when you need it, without crowding your living space when you don't. - NY State MLS
Studio Apartments are the ultimate in self-expression in a very limited square foot space. In order to feel as if the environment is larger than the actual footprint, several key strategies can be put in place to succeed. First, don’t overlook multi-functioning furnishings. These creative objects can provide several functioning purposes while taking up minimal space. A dining settee with a mid-height back can comfortably sit for evening meals and double up as a small sofa for binge-watching your favorite series on Netflix. Throw in a small cushion/ottoman for an impromptu meal guest and then use it to prop your feet up with the settee. - Pu’uwai Design and Build
Having a murphy bed allows you to increase your usable space during the day for your hobbies and needs. A Murphy bed is a regular bed that can be folded up into the wall. This way, your studio can also be your home office or home gym. While Murphy beds are often expensive, companies like Lori Wall Beds offer a high-quality, inexpensive alternative certain to meet the needs of even the tightest budgets. - Lori Wall Beds
Optimize your storage space
Installing frameless cabinets increases drawer storage space by 20%, compared to framed models. Also make sure to fully utilize cabinet drawer space by using a tiered cutlery divider for utensils such as forks, spoons and knives. - Brad Iseri, Senior Kitchen and Bath Designer, HPM Building Supply
Add an artistic touch
One of the easiest ways to transform your space is with art on your wall. It sets the tone for the entire space and can evoke any mood you like; from bright and playful to calm or dramatic. The right art can brighten your mood and uplift your spirits when you walk in the room and has a unique power to transport you anywhere…and don’t be afraid to go big when it comes to size! - Latitudes Gallery, Ventura
One of the quickest and the most unique ways to transform your studio apartment is by using art to create an illusion of a bright open space. There are artists, like myself who will work with you on creating a new vision for your space using a variety of materials; canvas, paintings, wall sculptures, murals, fabrics, acrylic, metal, or wood. The style of the art can be Modern, Bohemian, Traditional, Scandinavian, Shabby Chic, Hollywood Glam, or Rustic with the composition and concept of the art creating a more airy and bright space. Live the dream you envision with art. - Robin Maria Pedrero
Decide on a focal point
A well-staged room has a singular defined purpose and a focal point. Buyers scan a room from left to right when entering, much like we read a book. If you place the tallest piece of furniture in the far left corner, the room will appear larger than if that same piece of furniture is closer to the entry. Placing a large or tall piece of furniture near an entryway or door tricks the eye into thinking a space is smaller than it is, one should keep taller items in corners or eliminate them altogether. - FormDecor Furniture Rental
Decorate with intent
Only add items you love and remember to include focal-point pieces that will make a statement. Items with no installation, such as our Slimline Bio Ethanol Stove, can benefit a studio or small space with a no-fuss setup. This, and other pieces of furniture alike, means you can feng-shui your space until you are happy with the end result. - Bio Fires
Make it original
Put the ‘studio’ back in ‘studio apartment' by showcasing the cool creative you are. On a mid-century credenza, a flea market table topped with an Indian bedspread, or a curbside reject revived with paint (pieces that can also offer hidden storage) prop a painting, stack books you've read or want to read, place interesting found objects. Start the visual conversation as soon as anyone walks into the room. You be you. - Judith Fertig, Kansas City Magazine
Utilize vertical space
If a space is small, I try to utilize vertical space as much as possible. Perhaps a floating shelf around the perimeter of the top 2' of the wall for books and plants. Large scale art to create an illusion of grandeur and make a focal point. Paint the ceiling the same color as the wall so the eye doesn't stop and everything just FEELS more spacious, well designed and FREE. - Spark Vintage Rentals
Less is more
In studios or small apartments, minimalist style is the key. Keep the decor simple and straightforward. I advise you to decorate only with basic furniture. Do not use any furniture pieces or objects that have no specific purpose. This decoration will give a greater sense of space and depth. With fewer elements, space will gain in personality. - Noelia Unik Designs
Make good use of your available space
Living in a studio is really about making good use of every inch of the area while not creating a jam-packed feeling. You may consider including convertible furniture in your home. For example, I have seen a work desk that can be folded and mounted to a wall when not used. It can be displayed as decoration and help to save space tremendously. Another one I have seen is a small coffee table that can be opened up into a big dining table. - Jacob Coleman at RealEstateCareerHQ
Keep it light
Stick with light colors for wall paint and even lighter on the ceiling to draw the eyes upward and to create an illusion of higher ceilings, as well as light-colored flooring. Invest in good lighting to brighten everything up. If you are installing kitchen cabinets, go all the way up to the ceiling so that you can get in more storage and avoid wasted space. Consider a Murphy Bed with built-in shelving/night table space (they make extremely comfortable and attractive ones these days) to enable you to hide your bed during the day. With furnishings, focus on items that have multi-purpose uses, such as a small island that doubles as a kitchen table/workspace, or an ottoman that functions as a coffee table or as seating. Items with built-in storage are helpful to keep clutter at bay. - Team Hatvany
Originally published on Redfin
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Stuck at home and not able to travel this year? Want to spend the day at your favorite beach? You can almost feel the soft sand between your toes and the cool water skimming your feet, watching the sun rise. Doesn't that sound fantastic right now? Pick out a wall and choose your favorite photograph and we can make it happen! Click here to get started
The more time we spend at home, the more we realize when things are missing the mark and not serving us the way we would like them to.
If your room is missing something and you don't quite know what it is, send in a photo of your room. We can walk you through finding an image that connects you to the deeper parts of yourself, and as a result, creates the space you have secretly been longing for.
The right art can brighten your mood and uplift your spirits when you walk in the room. If you love the beach and ocean, you've come to the right place to find the perfect photograph to display on your wall in canvas, metal or wood. We also have traditional photo prints that you can frame to your liking.
]]>Some times it feels like a mathematical mystery when you are trying to figure out what size art will work in your space.
The magical 60"x30" knocks it out of the park over and over. Whether in a master bedroom, in the living room or entry way, this size is guaranteed to look amazing!
If you are still guessing or just really want to know for sure, you can send us a photo of your wall for a FREE preview and we will help you get the size right.
I figured it would be a great way to close out our Giveaway by showing how different the same space can look with different artwork.
I often talk about how artwork has so much presence in a space that it has the power to transform your entire experience.
Take the first example, "Bold". Notice how the power and vibrancy of the image makes you feel? To me, it evokes a feeling of excitement. I would use this selection for someone who wants a place to inspire action and set their path for the day.
But what if you want a living room that is your oasis, and a place that makes you feel calm and relaxed? Take example 2, "Calm". Notice how nothing else has changed and yet, you feel totally different immersed in this space?
Artwork holds incredible power. It is up to you to harness it for your own desired outcome.
Thank you so much for your entry, Robert. Your space is divine and I hope I hit the mark for you with one of the images!
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