Tuesday, October 29, 2013

using natural elements in decor

Brian and I have been enjoying walks in the nearby State Park lately.
I'm trying to incorporate more exercise into my daily routine and the Park 
makes walking more pleasant and less of a chore. The views are amazing,
the woods are peaceful, and the fresh air feels so good. I come back home
feeling energized - physically and mentally. I dread the upcoming continuous
rainy days, and even worse, the severe cold and snow. I'll have to use
the treadmill (or, as I call it, the "dreadmill") in my basement. It's just not 
the same.




While climbing these stairs, I started noticing acorns amongst all the leaves.
I told Brian they'd make for some great decor, such as using them as a vase 
filler. So we started filling our pockets with acorns, acorn caps, and hickory
 nuts.  I hope it's not illegal to take these things from the ground  in the Park. 
I know you can't take plants, but I don't know about fallen acorns and nuts.


When we got home, I washed all the acorns and nuts and filled up
this vase and added a candle. Perfect for my small kitchen table.


Pine cones also make great fillers. I collected these pine cones years ago
from walks around the neighborhood.


I don't know what this beautiful, brushy thing is, but I found it on the ground
by the lake in my neighborhood. They were growing in great clumps amongst
all the cattails. I love the simplicity and beauty in just one of these.


 I even have some rocks in my decor. My friend found this heart-shaped
rock by my butterfly garden. I was so excited - my first heart-shaped rock!
I'm now on the lookout for more.


This little dish holds some of my favorite rocks ~ polished stones I've
had for many years and pretty rocks collected from various trips.


Even something as simple as adding a few polished stones to a tray
can add a touch of loveliness. The clear quartz pieces were given to me
by a friend.


How do you bring the outdoors into your living space? 



31 comments:

  1. Back in TX I had lots of acorns and pine cones. Not here though. I love the candle with the acorns. Very pretty.
    Brenda

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    1. I told Brian that people sell acorns and pine cones on eBay and he was flabbergasted! I explained to him that people in certain parts of the country that don't readily have these things, will actually buy them! I've even heard of people selling tumbleweeds on eBay, lol.

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  2. Your park is beautiful, I'd love taking daily walks there, too. Your pictures should be framed! I like your decorations, simplicity seems to be the key these days. We have an oak growing what look like right out of our patio, actually the patio was built around it. Anyway, the acorns are just steps from the door! I love how they look like little thatched huts! :)

    XO,
    Jane

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    1. I used to take walks there all the time by myself, but I just don't feel safe doing so by myself anymore. Not that anything has happened there (any crime). I don't know what it is, but I trust my intuition. So, I wait for the times that Brian can go with me. Thanks for saying my pictures should be framed...maybe I will print some of them out and do so! That is so cool that you have acorns right out your door.

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  3. What a beautiful walk and brought something home to boot!

    Judy

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  4. That looks like a beautiful place to walk and I love the things you brought home and the way you've displayed them. I despise exercising. I have to force myself to do it. I do feel better when I have done it, though, and I enjoy walking. I'm looking forward to being able to walk either without my kids more often, or for them to be older and faster at walking because I usually have to take them with me and there's little exercise in a walk with the two of them. :P

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    1. I have to force myself to exercise, too, believe me. But when your health depends on it, it's a necessity. When you find an activity you actually like to do (for example, I love yoga), you actually look forward to doing it!

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  5. I love all of your "natural" touches and how you incorporated them into your decor. It makes me want to go out and find things from nature too.

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  6. What a gorgeous park you have to walk through! It really does make exercise fun when you've got views like that. I'm not looking forward to the long winter either.

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    1. It's so much better to walk through this gorgeous State Park instead of through my neighborhood or on the treadmill!

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  7. Melanie, I love your natural decor...acorns, rocks, grasses. The park looks really pretty and makes walking so much more interesting. I need to get a treadmill for the winter months. Sometimes we mall walk, but that is truly awful.

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    1. We don't have a nearby mall to walk in, and I agree, that would get really boring quickly!

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  8. I loved what you did. My Hubby and I used to do the same thing. I have lots of small rocks saved from places we have visited.

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  9. I love the acorns in the vase with the candle. Simply beautiful! One of my favorite things to use in a vase are sticks or twigs I find in my yard. I'm going to have to try acorns too!

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    1. Once the leaves are off the trees, I plan on cutting some bare branches and using those in a vase. I've seen some great ideas on other blogs and Pinterest.

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  10. I love the acorns and the rocks. How perfect and such beautiful pictures. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  11. Beautiful Melanie. I've read that in the National Parks you should not take out anything, but I am a gatherer too. We always have pinecones, acorns, leaves, sea glass at the beach in our pockets.
    Natural decorations are always my favorite. I like how you used yours. Love, Penny

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    1. I've never been lucky enough to find sea glass, though I've purchased some on eBay!

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  12. Melanie, watch your acorns. They may sprout on you if conditions are right in your jar.

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  13. I also meant to say that the pictures are lovely!

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  14. LOL - the "dreadmill"! Do you listen to music or watch something while on the treadmill? I always enjoyed my 30 min on the treadmill because I could listen to whatever music I liked without comments!

    That is such a gorgeous place to walk!

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    1. My dreadmill is in the downstairs family room...sometimes I watch TV, other times I turn on the TV but no sound (just for something to look at) and crank up the tunes!

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  15. What a lovely place to walk.
    In South Texas there are no pine cones.
    What a nice way to collect fall things for your home.
    Laura
    White Spray Paint

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    1. I could easily live elsewhere (always dreamed of living in CA or NM) but I would miss the pine cones!

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  16. Have been extra busy with my aunt visiting, but am catching up with your recent posts!

    Melanie, I love the scenery in this park! Yes, I totally agree about being stimulated by the landscape and the fresh air, just not the same on the ''dreadmill'' (TOO funny, as I've said before!). I love your acorns in the glass vase; very pretty!

    Poppy

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