Drive A Few Miles to Get Inspired

Well, it's time to hop in the car and go for a color tour.  Actually, it's not what you think...I'm not talking about all the beautiful leaves that peaked with the colors of autumn in Michigan (although that is a great idea on a sunny October day).   I am talking about getting inspired by color in a different way. 

Do you find yourself shopping at the same old haunts?  Every day to the same places...Target, Costco, and the grocery store maybe tossing in a Hobby Lobby visit here and there?  I do love, love, love Target and I always pick up something there that looks great in my home, but when your car automatically drives there and your red cart goes up and down those same isles you stop noticing the new and exciting things offered.  I want you to go another direction and try something else.  Cross town.  Drive a little.  Go explore the next city over.  They will have the same stores over there, but will have it presented differently and you might even stumble across a cute boutique or fun mom-n-pop store that speaks your decorating language.  This is the color tour I am talking about. 

When I returned from my girls weekend to New York, I realized how narrow minded we get in our own little world and how it stifles our creativity and inspiration.  It is so energizing to step outside of your community and see how the world works on a different main street.  It inspired me to get out and see more!  A different view, a different perspective, and a different shade of the same colors we are used to.  I highly recommend changing up your day and seeing the same things in a new light.   You don't have to go to New York, or on a plane, just go for a drive.

I did this just the other day.  I drove about an hour from my house to the Lake Michigan lake shore community of Saugatuck,MI and then headed north to neighboring Holland, MI.  On my way home, I stopped at a different Target off my usual path and discovered so many new things.  It was an eye opener.  Here just two ideas that stemmed from from my trip into new pastures.  I got so many new ideas just stepping across the county line.  I'll share more soon.

This beautiful greenery has the effect of a topiary, but it in fact is just a bird bath with a huge pot of flowers placed in the bowl.  I thought it was genius because it lifts the focus off the ground and creates a beautiful statement.  I am totally going to try this next year.

A mirror on a hook - who would have thought?  It creates so much more interest.  The composition of this vignette is perfect (minus the surveillance camera).  I love the shine of the chrome and the reflection of the light when the lamp is placed directly in front of the mirror.  So often we place lamps and accents to the side, but in this case the designer put the lamp smack dab in the center of the mirror and I think it looks great.  It's just a different approach.