Maybe it’s their symbol of freedom, or maybe it’s their feathers or song – something makes us love birds. Birds have long been a favorite in modern and classic home decor. While you can find textiles, ceramics, accessories galore filled with birds, bird themed artwork for the home is an added touch that can take your room in the modern, classic, or even rustic direction that is uniquely your style. Silhouettes, realistic depictions, and abstract interpretations of birds all have their place in contemporary bird themed artwork for the home.

GreenBox Art + Culture is drawn to artwork full of color and life. We find works that serve as starting points for your entire room’s decor and color palette, offering the perfect focal point for your wall. See a piece of artwork that speaks to you, then your room will fall into place around it. Birds have proven to be a popular theme in our current contemporary art choices. We continuously find images we love with birds as the subject, and there’s no expected decline in this fascination.

We’ve rounded up a sampling of our bird themed artwork for the home to give you some direction based on style. First, we’ve gathered some of our more whimsical art featuring birds that are sure to bring a smile to your face. One – Anna Todaro’s “Bluebird” features and angelic creature with a soft color palette. Two – Linda Ketelhut’s “Vintage Birdhouse” would go perfectly in a vintage, eclectic room. Three – Angela Donato’s “Love Bird Pennant”  brings a feminine touch to its surroundings. Four – Shelly Kennedy’s “Welcome to Our Nest” will be right at home on your walls, making guests feel more than welcome.

Some of our abstract art choices featured here will bring color and a little wildness to your walls. One – Alberto Cerriteno’s “Chattering” has a neutral color palette, with a funky collection of patterned birds. Two – Carter Carpin’s “Patchwork Bird” is a vibrant kaleidoscope of colors that will energize your walls. Three – Jenny Kostecki-Shaw’s “Red Birdcages” features colorful birds that will instantly boost the uniqueness of your room’s design. Four – Flora Bowley and Jennifer Mercede’s “Stalk” is filled with passionate brushstrokes in a current color palette of magenta and blue.

Our featured bird modern art is composed of more realistic and stylized birds. One – Meg Hunt’s “Terrarium Pals” is a graphic delight in a very contemporary color combination. Two – Eleanor Grosch’s “Paisley Pheasant” is a mid-century modern piece with a folk art twist. Three – Flora Bowley’s “Pretty in Pink” perfectly represents Flora’s unique style of intuitive painting with a fresh pink and bold black background. Four – The Mincing Mockingbird’s “Bullfinch” is one of many detailed, yet simplistic bird art pieces that, when grouped together, create a feature wall that is full of life and a touch of cheekiness.

See what we mean? There’s bird themed artwork for the home no matter what your taste, and this is just the beginning! We’ve got flocks of bird art, and we’re adding new pieces all the time. Go to GreenBox Art + Culture for that perfect work of art that will help your room take flight. Be sure to follow our Pinterest board “Bird Themed Artwork for the Home” !

With traditional beach house décor, you should have no trouble finding salty seafaring accents that will blend flawlessly just based on theme. There’s such a general and pleasing color scheme in the nautical world that the majority of antiques and common nautical fare seem to be made to all go together. We’ve put together a board with traditional pieces to create inviting nautical room décor for your beach house to ensure no one will forget their goal of vacationing: to feel comfortable and relax. Brass and bronze fixtures pair perfectly with needlepoint pillows and our classic ocean themed artwork by Jack Dickerson.

1. Traditional Nautical Wall Art by Jack Dickerson 2. Bristol Bay Sunset Bronze Chandelier 3. Whale Tale Door Knocker 4. Ship Pillow & Anchor Pillow

For a crisper, more modern take on nautical room décor for your beach house, we’re drawn to graphic prints and clean lines. Quirky items that seem old-fashioned get an updated look with a coat of paint, like this mermaid wall hook. A traditional nautical light fixture is perfectly modern in a fresh aqua color, while a knotted rug in modern hues brings interest to the floor and continues the modern nautical look. Our artwork picks for this modern style include Eleanor Grosch‘s mid-century modern styled sea birds along with Cory McBee‘s contemporary graphic of an antique ship.

1. Seagull + Pelican by Eleanor Grosch & Come Sail With Me by Cory McBee 2. Assembly 3 Light Chandelier 3. Mermaid Anchor Wall Hook 4. Yellow Rope Rug

Finally, a gentleman wants to feel like the captain of his ship and quarters, so we’ve found some masculine nautical room décor for your beach house that’ll keep your room looking sophisticated and seaworthy. Keeping with darker shades of gray, white and silver accents will keep the look from being too dark. Dark wood continues the “old ship” feel and keeps the look classic. We recommend Danny Englander’s photography artwork to evoke an elegant maritime style that’s timeless and powerful. Paired with sleek accents and monochromatic textiles, this nautical room décor for your beach house is a handsome package.

1. Nautical Rigging Oversize Wall Mural by Danny Englander 2. Ship’s Hourglass 3. Maritime Charcoal Alpaca Throw 4. Rhoorkie Campaign Chair

Regardless of your style, we’re certain you’ll find your ocean themed artwork “soulmatey” to perfectly complete your nautical room décor for your beach house at GreenBox Art + Culture. Be sure to follow our Pinterest board “Nautical Room Décor for Your Beach House” !

If you and your family get to travel, remind your children about the different climates and landscapes you’ve visited. Your own town may have a beach and a desert very nearby! On car trips, you’re unfortunately sure to see some litter and other evidence of people being careless with their surroundings. What a wonderful opportunity to encourage being responsible!

While your little ones may see and realize the damage that we can easily do to our lovely surroundings, they may not know how to help or prevent it. Earth Day is a perfect time to join a group in a cleanup effort in your neighborhood, a park, or beach. When even a small group joins together (like your family!) big changes can happen quickly. Search for events and group gatherings online for trash pickup and cleanup in your community.

Some other simple ways to get your kids involved in Earth Day 2013:

1. Reuse and recycle plastic bags, and carry reusable totes to the store.
2. Learn about your community’s recycle programs if you’re not already participating.
3. Walk or ride a bike whenever you safely can instead of using your car.
4. Pull weeds in the yard and garden instead of using herbicides.
5. Plant a tree!

Remind them how fun it is to swim in clean water, play in a clean park, and walk down a clean sidewalk. Now, listen to their ideas on how to celebrate Earth Day 2013!

Source: Earth Day Network

Featured Contemporary Wall Art: Find Beauty by Stephanie Corfee

We love color and vibrance that leaps off the canvas and really warms up your walls. For springtime, we recommend a dose of color and whimsy, no matter your age or style. By bringing spring decor for the home into unexpected places, it not only livens up your living space, but it will brighten your outlook and refresh your surroundings. Selecting original artwork from artists around the world enables us to accumulate various styles to fit many types of homes. Our line’s definitely got gorgeous options in both neutral and colorful palettes which can brighten up a room in their own way, so if you’re seeking home decor to express how spring makes you feel and add dynamic whimsy to your atmosphere, here are some of our top decor picks along with colorful GreenBox artwork for the home.

Colorful

Whimsy and color don’t necessarily mean “childish” and “immature”. We see whimsy wherever an accent makes us smile and feel inspired. For those of us that enjoy a healthier dose of color in spring decor for the home, choose show-stopping accents that are impossible to ignore and will have your room bursting with happy hues. Caroline Blum’s artwork Spring Blossoms is a gorgeous canvas that will have spring leaping off your wall. In a size 30×4, it makes a perfect centerpiece for your wall over a beige sofa or between windows draped in white. Bringing in a vibrant rug like this Betty Rug in Honey from Design Within Reach, adds a subtle splash of color. By keeping this bold accent relegated to the floor, the color doesn’t overtake the room.

Accent tables can be a great place to experiment with color, and offer the option of a simple DIY painting when the mood strikes. This contemporary Drum Stool/Table/Ottoman by Bend Seating is as eye-catching as it is versatile. Available in white, orange, or peacock blue, these options offer a safe and clever way to add color punch to your neutral decor. Brighten up a neutral sofa with a Kantha Throw from Ebay, then use it in your guest room once your living room color choices shift. Lastly, flowers are a perfect way to bring a feeling of spring indoors. Opt for wall art featuring ranunculus and peonies with Paula Prass’s Ball Jar Series for a garden that requires no upkeep, but provides lasting and colorful beauty.

Neutral

For a more subtle approach to bringing spring indoors, whites, pastels, and metallics take center stage. Our neutral picks for spring decor for the home contain some unexpected accents that will have your guests taking a second look, and are sure to bring a smile. These Platinum Etched Wine Glasses from Jayson Home are destined to be a family favorite and passed down as classic heirlooms. Display these in a glass front cabinet or atop a buffet when not in use for functional and timeless decor. Mudpies and Other Recipes from Anthropologie is a delightful book that will be loved by everyone who takes a peek. Your coffee table shouldn’t be ignored when perking up your place, so add this colorful conversation starter to bring common ground to a group of kids and adults, and excite the little ones for all the fun that spring brings.

The Ikea PS Jonsberg Vase looks fabulous alone on an entry table or amongst books on your shelf, with one tall white gladiola or a bunch of blossoming branches from your favorite tree. It would also look nice as the centerpiece for your tabletop decor alongside World Market’s Porcelain Cotton Crochet Placemat set in this fresh, spring shade. Keep these punches of pastel on the more mature side with plenty of fresh whites, neutrals, and natural wood. Our 5 Dancing Fawns artwork by Eli Halpin maintains a simple, yet contemporary color palette that will accentuate your decor throughout the year, and especially bring to mind the new life brought by spring. The Eartha Linen Throw Pillow from Tulu provides a flowery pink touch without going overboard. Add it to your sofa or armchair for a charming detail that won’t steal the show.

Whites or brights, we think it’s time to freshen your surroundings with springtime decor. The smallest touches will renew your view and make you smile, and there’s no denying that big and bold can’t help but let the sunshine in. Our favorite tip? Bring in one, huge, favorite piece and create the Spring Equinox right in your living room: Magnolia Pod by Andrew Daniel in sizes up to 60×45. It’s time to open those windows and let the fresh air renew your spirit!

Sometimes, you’ve got something in mind, but are simply unable to find exactly what you’re looking for. Case in point, our suggested mirror for the powder room couldn’t be found in quite the shade of green that we were looking for. Simple fix: spray paint! Check out your local hardware store for the shade that would best suit your project and color palette. The green chosen for this ornate mirror really creates a bold focal point that’s best offset by a calmer piece of stretched art, like this from Christy Tomlinson, keeping a small room like a powder room from feeling too busy. An interesting, yet soft-hued hand towel choice brings another dose of color without being too flashy. Vintage bottles in shades of blue and green would be another simple touch that would bring a lot of personality to a powder room.

Our featured bedroom decor brings a heavy dose of emerald green for the home to the bed as the anchor for the entire room. Keep the look more mellow by bringing in black and white details that tie the artwork by Flora Bowley in perfectly with the all green coverlet. Throw pillows, a blanket at the foot of the bed, and simple white curtains will ensure a bright, clean look in this contemporary style bedroom.

Another modern look is our suggested pairing with Jason Smith‘s wall art decor for the living room. A decidedly mod sofa offers a sleek silhouette, making a discriminating selection of only a few favorite pieces a perfectly adequate grouping for even a larger living room. Minimalism and modern go hand in hand.

For a “parlour” look, seek antique and classic shapes to fill your space. The scenic landscape in Robert Kennedy‘s canvas wall art is a time-honored piece that will find a place in your family’s home for years to come. With an old-fashioned vibe, it’s not uncommon or uncouth to let your knick knacks and decor become a little more abundant. Heirlooms and vintage finds create wonderful conversational pieces and easily look at-home all together, regardless of color or theme. This look is about comfort and a little bit of antique luxury.

Tweaking your decor with emerald green for the home brings a splash of current color and a vibrant new view. Bring in bold, color-soaked pieces, or let a little go a long way with emerald green. We’ve got artwork for the home to please any palate! Don’t forget to follow our Pinterest board “Emerald Elegance for the Home”.

Start by finding your perfect artwork in a shade of blue, or even pieces with only a tiny speck of blue! The way the blue is carried throughout the room will create the atmosphere you’re looking for. Pick a full room of blue decor for a vibrant sea of tranquility, or strategic splashes of turquoise or cobalt for an injection of serenity. We’ve rounded up some gorgeous accents in shades of teal, turquoise, and navy along with a lovely blue canvas wall art pairing to fit in to a multitude of living space styles. Start with a work of art that speaks to you and takes you to that place of peacefulness, be it a seaside escape or a wintry wonderland, and keep your eyes peeled for finds to add to the mix.

Once you open your eyes to hues of blue, you’ll be amazed at how just the right shade can fit into your existing decor. Or, maybe you’ll be inspired to make your surroundings a pool of blue, floor to ceiling awash in cerulean.

Sources:
www.shopcandelabra.com
www.horchow.com
www.rugsville.com 
www.westelm.com
www.laylagrayce.com
www.sheherazadehome.com

Fondue is the quasi-forgotten pastime that brings friends and family close, to find delight in swirling delicious bits of dippers into your choice of velvety sauce. Thank you, Switzerland! This Valentine’s Day, don’t bother fighting the crowds to squeeze in a romantic dinner at some fancy restaurant. They are all full of couples with the same idea, taking reservations at 9 and 10 o’clock because the restaurant’s completely booked all evening. Now who’s cliche?

If you’re looking for a way to embark on a new tradition, try fondue this Valentine’s Day. The two of you will find it romantic, ensuring a fun interactive dinner; or the kids can join in and make it an enjoyable family affair. A simple, classic Cheese Fondue recipe will please everyone- especially when choosing dippers! Select your favorite breads, blanched fresh veggies, roasted baby potatoes, and cured meats. The ingredients of the fondue are key- choose an appropriate wine or beer to add to the cheese, and make that your accompanying beverage for this portion. Cornstarch is the source of the velvety texture, keeping the cheese nice and smooth.

Then, finish off the night with a delectable Chocolate Fondue – sure to bring a satisfied smile to everyone at the table. For Chocolate Fondue dippers, the sky’s the limit! Try cubes of pound cake, fresh fruit, your favorite cookies, pretzels, marshmallows (how about peppermint flavored!), or even… bacon! The gang will love experimenting and trying fun ingredient ideas with the whole family. Maybe you’ll get some new favorite combos.

So, of course, with every fun pursuit, there are always matters of etiquette. You know the drill- no double dipping, no dribbling from the pot to your mouth, don’t dip with your fingers, and no dropping items into the abyss (this will cost you a round of drinks- according to tradition!) But, you can handle all that. Don’t forget a special bottle of bubbly to start the night… and Voila! Let the fondue fun begin!

 1. Crate and Barrel     

2. Williams Sonoma

Which makes us nostalgic every Valentine’s Day. There is quite simply no better treasure trove of puns than vintage Valentines. Usually, it’s the rose-lipped lovelies and doily-decorated beauties that get all the nostalgic attention from vintage-card aficionados. But to our mind, these old puns prove that they just don’t make ‘em like they used to.

Here are some of our favorites, along with our best wishes for a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Our modern example has an unconventional color choice for the sofa and modern lines in the overhead lighting, as well as the floor lamp. The bold graphics on the rug are eye catching while its color palette is harmonious with the grays in the wall color and wall art. We’re showing a grouping of similarly themed canvas wall art by Amy Paul that lend themselves to modern decor and have a bold, dark quality to keep the look edgy. Metal and wood accents on the side table bring an industrial and geometric style addition.

A traditional room is also a perfect setting for artwork by Amy Paul. Little Birds Big World is a Mural that Sticks in a size 54×54, which makes a gorgeous statement against a beige wall color. When keeping the main pieces of the room, such as the sofa and rug, in more neutral shades, it creates a calm and classic space. A chandelier type overhead light is an elegant accent that brings glamour to the room without taking away comfort. Opting for a solid wood pedestal side table gives you a very versatile piece of furniture that will be a favorite for many years. An ottoman is perfect for a family setting acting as a foot rest or coffee table when needed. Lastly, this floor lamp is a bold piece of furniture in chocolate to be a chameleon for whatever decor you may transition to.

Regardless of your current personal style and taste, don’t let it limit your choices in artwork for the home. If a piece of wall art decor speaks to you, own that piece of art and make it work with your surroundings. All it takes is your happiness and fondness of your possessions to create harmonious home decor.

All products can be found by clicking their links above.

You may already be a huge fan of Agnes Pierscieniak like we are, but if you aren’t familiar with her style – check it out pronto! Her artwork will transport you to a desirable place, be it a sunny Cabo beach, or an evergreen wooded escape full of shadows and light. Based on her sunny days in LA, she creates her artwork by collecting shadows and playing with color.

Bring a daily dose of Vitamin C(olor) to your work-life surroundings. Even a mental escape to someplace far away can bring peace to your everyday chaos. Download these free colorful desktop wallpapers, No. 07 and No. 08, by Agnes Pierscieniak from her blog Bigger, Brighter, Bolder Color Your World and make your life a little more artful.