Nature Photography Feature - Steve Brimm

A friend of ours, Steve Brimm, is a wonderful nature photographer. He really has an eye for a good shot, as well as the patience to wait for the right time. He runs a small gallery in Copper Harbor, MI, which is part of Upper Peninsula Michigan. Although I have never visited, his images make me feel like I have. He has done features on the NC Coast, where we are located, as well as all points in between while he travels. These images would look fantastic in one of our Barn Wood Frames, and would be the perfect rustic touch to add to your room. Winters can be long & these images can brighten up your rustic space by evoking the illusion of a window in an otherwise dark space.

You can support Steve Brimm by purchasing prints directly from his website or by visiting his gallery in Copper Harbor, MI. All of the images below are property of Steve Brimm and should not be printed or copied without his permission.

Here are a few of my favorites!

This one was taken just a couple of weeks ago. I love the colors and the cloud shadows 

on the mountains. Simply Beautiful!

This photo features a unique perspective of the moon reflected in a small puddle on a mountain.

This one is from Steve's adventures sailing the Florida Keys. Love the sail boat "skeletons".

Interesting focus of a wildflower. Would bring color & life to your rustic decor.

Who wouldn't want to walk on this path. This one is from Isle Royale National Park. 

I like how the sun has managed to peak through to the ground in the forest. Lovely!

What a majestic sunset! This would be the perfect addition to your walls, to bring color 

and life to your cabin decorations.

Aurora Borealis - aka The Northern Lights. I have got to see this in person someday!

This is a Cross Fox. The cross fox is a partially melanistic colour variant of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) which has a long dark stripe running down its back, intersecting another stripe to form a cross over the shoulders. It tends to be more abundant in northern regions. It is less common than a red fox, but more common than the elusive silver fox. (definition from wikipedia)

What an AMAZING shot! Love the contrast of the colors.

And - here's Steve Brimm, the photographer is photographed in very close proximity to a moose. This was taken at Isle Royale National Park. 

Rustically Modern - A Designer's Approach

It is becoming increasingly popular in today’s society to include natural touches in modern design. This can be seen predominately throughout homes across the United States. Homeowners love the conveniences and sleek appearance of the modern style, but still want to incorporate rustic appeal to soften up the atmosphere. In this 21^st century full of electronics, the “Rustic Modern” design provides the perfect combination of modern amenities with the comfort of warm naturalistic charms.

There are several ways to attain a proper balance for your rustically modern look. Natural wood is the most common element to include when adding rustic appeal to your home. Of course, most homeowners gravitate to hardwood floors for a natural, pure appearance. Wood floors provide a warm ambiance and are easy to clean and maintain. However, if you prefer carpets instead of hard floors, try to incorporate other types of real wood and bold finishes with natural wood furniture. Usually the more unrefined and less varnished wood produce a more natural design. Rich, unpainted wood tables or a log-constructed lamp can give just the right amount of rustic to a modern space.

In addition to natural lamps and tables, incorporate other accessories and even some oversized rustic pieces to create interest and a focal point for the room. If a giant taxidermy animal is not quite your style, try an antler light fixture, twig decoration or a few plants that will draw in attention. Live or artificial plants are a great way to break up a contemporary area and add a bit of nature to the space. A rustic armoire can be the perfect addition to a sleek, white room as well.

In order to keep the space from becoming too rustic, most homeowners will keep the walls white or paint them a neutral color like beige, cream or tan. These choices allow the room to remain bright, while providing contrast to the darker wood tones. A soothing green hue can supply a bit of color without overwhelming the space. It also incorporates a naturalistic shade into the mix of modern and rustic.

Natural patterns are popular in rustic modern spaces as well. They give a nice texture to a contemporary setting by reflecting organic components found on nature. However, try to keep them in simple and solid patterns to avoid engulfing the modern design. Canvas, burlap and linen materials are good choices that are not too overpowering. If the room still needs a splash of rustic, an animal skin rug or wall hanging may be the perfect option.

So if you want your contemporary home to feel more like cozy cabin, you may want to consider the opportunities of a rustic modern style. Homeowners can still enjoy the luxury of modern elegance while incorporating rural features into the home. 

Barn Wood - From the farm to your home!

Recycling barn wood has become a nice rustic trend in design. It can be done in all sorts of ways; and some companies actually go out, tear down barns, and make their products from the barn wood and windows. There are awesome mirrors made from the windows, as well as picture frames. Peruse a large variety of Barn Wood Frames or Barn Window Mirrors, to brighten up your decor. These can be painted to match your style, if you are not into the natural color of the barn wood.

On a grander scale, barn wood has been incorporated into designs as flooring, walls, headboards, kitchen cabinetry; the options are endless!

These Barn Wood Floors have character and are not just for rustic designs. A friend of mine even used wood from a barn that was on the property the house was built on to make floors. 

This modern dining room features a Barn Wood Accent Wall. Reclaimed wood like this can be purchased from Urban Woods Company

.

I love the mix of stainless appliances with the rough barn wood cabinets and drawers! 

This rustic Barn Wood Headboard was a DIY project & used tongue and groove barn wood. The wood was left rough, even with nail holes, and is the feature of this rustic chic bedroom. Check out the rest of the room from Buckets of Burlap, for more rustic decorating ideas.

This unique Barn Wood Mirror features wood slats of different colors and thickness, weathered and peeling, to give it a well-loved look. This could go from beach house to mountain cabin to charm your guests!

If you have any DIY projects from Barn Wood, please share in the comments! We would love to hear your ideas!