I’ve never had a green thumb, but there was a time in my adult life when I did successfully manage to keep several plants in the house alive. I really enjoyed having those splashes of green throughout my home. I knew they were scrubbing the air and they were a sign of victory for me after YEARS of killing plants (anyone else out there over-water their cactus…twice?).
But I don’t have a single plant in my house at the moment, and I don’t expect I will for another 4 or 5 years. Allow me to explain why:
1. I have a cat who decided a few years ago that potted plants were very unusual litter boxes. Putting large rocks in the pots did help with this problem, but didn’t completely solve it.
2. In the not so distant past I had a newly walking toddler who liked to grab things. And eat them. Things like plant leaves. I made sure that we didn’t have any poisonous plants before we reached that stage, but Darah seemed to be perfectly fine chewing on the stuff that wasn’t poisonous, too.
3. Now that I have a tiny little kid in the house, that means I have a mischief-maker. I know she would delight in toting plants around the house, at least until her arms got tired, and then she’s just drop/break it on the floor.
4. This same child also LOVES to dig in the dirt. You can see where that leads us…
So yeah, no plants for me. Has anyone else out there had to get rid of their plants for the foreseeable future?
I do miss them. And it recently occurred to me that I could bring some plant life back in my house without having to actually have plants. I could turn to art! I’ve learned so much over the past few months about all the ways that art can breathe new life into your home, and if you are a bit short on plants and other signs of nature, bringing in some art can really help you out!
I found a print that really took my breath away on Gallery Direct. It’s by the same artist who painted the beach scene we have in our bedroom. It’s a painting of a tree with some gorgeous moss on it. It actually reminds me very much of a trip Tim and I took to the Pacific Northwest a handful of years ago, where I got to see some of the greenest landscapes ever. I remember driving through the woods and honestly expecting to see gnomes and fairies pop up. The forests had such an enchanted look. And there was moss growing everywhere. This picture immediately pulls me back into those forests and into that feeling of being somewhere magical. That’s more than any houseplant of mine ever did, I have to say!
But what I REALLY like about this painting is the material that it is on. As I was looking over the options on Gallery Direct, I noticed that you could get your artwork placed on birchwood. PERFECT! It gives the piece such a natural vibe. I didn’t tell Tim anything about the piece I selected so it would be a surprise when it arrived. When he opened it, he immediately commented that the wood looked amazing and that it might be his favorite display option so far. It is very much in line with his personal style. I’m so glad I gave it a try with this tree painting. I’m not sure if I would have, otherwise, but now that I’ve seen it, I think it rocks.
Right now, Gallery Direct is having a BIG sale on their site. Everything is 25% off AND you get free shipping! If you don’t have any reminders of the great outdoors in your abode, here’s your chance to remedy that situation, no watering can required! And here’s one more reason to support Gallery Direct (other than the fact that you will be BLOWN AWAY by the quality of their work). Did you know that Gallery Direct provides the artwork for Extreme Makeover Home Edition? It’s true! As you ooh and ahh over the beautiful homes this season, note the art on the walls. It’s all from Gallery Direct!
So how about you? How do you bring nature into your home? Do you have a house full of plants? Any images on your walls that take you outside without having to leave the house? Any other ideas for how to bring the great outdoors in?
Win it!: EEEEEE!!!!! I’ve been waiting for this moment for a few months, and I’m so excited to tell you that you now have a chance to win a $200 credit to Gallery Direct! You can choose from the AMAZING images they offer, or you can upload your own to create some truly custom art. You are going to swoon when you see the final product!
Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.
Disclosure: I serve as a blog ambassador for Gallery Direct. Product samples are provided as part of the program. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Donna K says
I like the Fluid Reflection III by Kim Coulter
Lily Kwan says
Midnight Run II looks very nice!
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/kim-coulter/midnight-run-ii
Erica G says
I like Night Lights I. http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/sean-jacobs/night-lights-i
Breanne says
I like the Natural Selection III
Jessica says
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/kim-coulter/fluid-reflection-iii
Very Pretty!
kathy pease says
i love the Sunny Autumn
Caroline Ashton – AS198A
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/caroline-ashton/sunny-autumn
Erica C. says
I like this Chat Noir one –
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/art-nouveau-and-deco/art-nouveau-poster-cabaret-du-chat-noir
DanV says
I like Calm Cottage
Steve Parker – SP103P
Ross Hassel says
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/john-kluesener/canal-front
I like this one alot.
moltisantai1 at msn dot com
Happi Shopr says
I like this one:
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/sara-abbott/rapture-iv
racergirl1313 says
I like Night Shade I – very pretty. Thanks!
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/sean-jacobs/night-shade-i
mary gardner says
i like sunrise rocks
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/stock/13013771
marygardner49 at aol dot com
Quanda says
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/kim-coulter/love-song-ii
Quanda says
Love Song II by Kim Coulter – http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/kim-coulter/love-song-ii
lilshuga2001 says
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/michael-joseph/orchid-hearts
vicki D. says
I like Everything is Possible II.
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/jaquiel/everything-is-possible-ii
Tiffany Hearn says
I love this one!
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/bailey/earth-fact-iv
Amity Johnson says
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/stock/592434
R Hicks says
I liked Fluid Reflection III by Kim Coulter
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/kim-coulter/fluid-reflection-iii
BRICH22 AT EARTHLINK DOT NET
AEKZ2 says
I love this Mt Fuji one:
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/travel/japan-mt-fuji
Angela Cisco says
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Angela Cisco says
i LIKE A WALK IN THE WOODS,
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/sylvia-angeli/a-walk-in-the-woods-ix
Brittney House says
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/michael-joseph/bonsai
I love this so much!
Diane W says
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/cecile-broz/dining-with-cherry-blossom
really speaks to me.
diane dot wortman at gmail dot com
Angela Winesburg says
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/stock/1059638
leticia s says
I love “I’ll Fly Away II”
Brittany K Choleva says
This was hard!
But I absolutely LOVED the Lady in Red I by Kim Coulter!
Here’s the link: http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/kim-coulter/lady-in-red-i
I loved the “Balance” of this painting -Gorgeous! I even had to share the link with my sister:)
Gladys Parker says
Love this: http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/stock/15242932
Gladys P
@sueparks2003
sps1113 at yahoo dot com
daniel healey says
I really like Nightfall II by Sara Abbott
Barbara Bee says
I like Curious Events because the colors would go really great in my living room, which I’m in the process of repainting right now. I don’t know much about art, and nothing about abstract, so it’s just the colors I’m attracted to.
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/t-graham/curious-events-i
3oink63moo484@gmail.com
Lindsey m says
I love the Gentle Rain II
Heather Garcia says
http://imageset.gallerydirect.com/art_preview/NA100P_F0000_ML000_CG_20_410.jpg
Heather Garcia says
New Years Day by Jon Eric Narum
gala says
I like this one Winter in the mountains
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/stock/11919236
lee marino says
i really love Spring Branch Sky by Jon Eric Narum
leeawesome143@gmail.com
Terra Eash says
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/kim-coulter/wild-horses
Chase says
I’d like to win this one.
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/judy-paul/lucky-in-love-ii
Aisling says
One of my favorites is Mango by Allyson Krowitz:
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/allyson-krowitz/mango
cassandra says
i really like the painting on this link. http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/sara-abbott/ill-fly-away-i
cmarquez482(At)ymail(dot)com
Desiree Dunbar says
I love this painting http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/vincent-van-gogh/blossoming-almond-tree.
ky2here says
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/tatara/six-ways-to-fade-bend This is perfect for me.
ky2here at msn dot com
Mippy says
Hi!
I love this piece:
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/jon-eric-narum/new-years-day
Thanks so much for the chance!
~Mippy 🙂
bunnysmip (AT) yahoo (DOT) com
Rebecca Shockley says
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/cecile-broz/dining-with-cherry-blossom
awesome
Niecey Docherty says
So many stunning images. I like this one best
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/caroline-ashton/natural-selection-ii
Emmy says
I like this one:
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/sara-abbott/dusk-i
Susan Chester says
I love the colors of this painting called Shifting Sands
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/sean-jacobs/shifting-sand-iii
smchester at gmail dot com
arely colin says
Lovers Ramble
Jennifer T. says
I really like Drifting II by Jane Bellows. I couldn’t stop looking at it.
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/jane-bellows/drifting-ii
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
Mary S says
Lovers Ramble~
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/country-life/lovers-ramble
Pinky Sade says
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/jensen/tuscan-view-ii
Corey Olomon says
I;m nt sure it is the one I would buy if I win (I would take a family vote), but I really like the: http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/maeve-harris/cascade-ii
Crystal S> says
I really like this one http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/leslie-saris/my-secret.
The colors are beautiful.
sellcrystal2 (at) yahoo dot com
Pauline Milner says
From Gallery Direct, I really like the painting Sunflowers by Peggy Weiss:
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/peggy-weiss/sunflowers
Thanks for the awesome giveaway opportunity. ~Pauline (dod@rogers.com)
Jean Lynd says
I really like http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/allyson-krowitz/little-breaking-wave b/c it reminds me of the vacations I’ve had at Orange Beach.
lisa says
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/karen-wilkerson/view-from-the-canal-i
Tracy says
I like Mountain Memories III
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/sylvia-angeli/mountain-memories-iii
Dan D says
I’ve always had an affinity for driving through the empty places.
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/stock/13762570
Claire says
I like the print of Women in the Garden by Claude Monet.
Wendy O. says
I love Green Barn by Jane Bellows. It reminds me of my childhood, and it has a very calming affect on me:
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/jane-bellows/green-barn
steve r says
I really like this: http://imageset.gallerydirect.com/art_preview/SJ104A_F0000_ML000_CG_20_200.jpg
Debbie C says
I like the print of Women in the Garden by Claude Monet.
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/claude-monet/women-in-the-garden
chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com
Shannon Egan says
This speaks to me! http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/vincent-van-gogh/seine-with-pont-de-clichy
othila1985@msn.com
Missy Lynnh says
I LOVE New Years Day by Jon Eric Narum. Stunning! I can totally picture that in our living room right above the couch. Thank you for the chance to win this!
mlynnh5 at gmail dot com
Crista Snyder says
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/steve-parker/rain-wood
I really like this painting…mainly because it makes me want to be there..walking in the woods!
courtney says
i like the fall foliage
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/caroline-ashton/fall-foliage-i
Ashley says
I love this : http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/butterflies/butterflies-47
ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com
april yedinak says
I love this painting: http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/jon-eric-narum/backroad
Ashley says
I love this Calm Cottage:
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/steve-parker/calm-cottage
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
Jessica Vaughan Gengler says
this would go great in my living room http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/jaquiel/flower-dance-i
renee walters says
I love nightfall II http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/subjects/nature-and-organic
Thanks so much for the fantastic giveaway!
Renee Walters
Bored2quickly@hotmail.com
Gianna says
Pineapples V by Allyson Krowitz
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/allyson-krowitz/pineapples-v
jose benavides says
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/todd-camp/current-observation-i this is the one that caught my attention
Amylynn H says
There are a few that I really like! I like Autumn Dusk II by Caroline Ashton and Autumn Oasis II by St John. Both would look at home in my house!
sindy says
I like Garden Glory!
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/arthur-albin/garden-glory-i
Linda Lansford says
I like zen / spa stones with flowers
Geoff K says
I love B is for Bird by Joel Ganucheau: http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/joel-ganucheau/b-is-for-bird
Thanks!
Aspiring New Moms says
I like the abstract Tall & Skinny – Thanks for the Giveaway! WOW!!
Nina McClain says
i like the blue bridge
Kristen says
I like the Le Gaulois poster.
paige chandler says
….It’s speaking.
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/sean-jacobs/in-common-v
Amo says
I like Submit I by Jane Bellows! Thanks!
amoeidson@yahoo.com
Beth Swanson says
I like a lot of the art on the site, but “Blue Bridge” really caught my eye: http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/maureen-brouillette/blue-bridge Something about the shapes and colors make me feel it.
sherri crawford says
i like new years day by jon eric nerum under landscapes
Sarah Hull says
I like Toscana Countryside- it would look great in our kitchen- http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/karen-wilkerson/toscana-countryside
Bethany C. says
I like nightfall II http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/subjects/nature-and-organic
b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com
Jessica Eaton Ledford says
I LOVE this one! I’ve always had a thing for trees 🙂
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/judy-paul/tall-and-skinny
Katharine says
Fluid Reflection III by Kim Coulter
Artist: Kim Coulter – KC275
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/kim-coulter/fluid-reflection-iii
Shiloh K says
I love Escapism!
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/caroline-ashton/escapism-i
jules l says
i love the b&w photograph Standing High by Michael Joseph
Stephanie Galbraith says
Noon Gaze by Steve Parker
This one makes me feel like I want to be there…
sxybrt23 at gmail dot com
amy says
Love Bougainvillea by Michael Joseph.
Jesse M says
I really like this one: http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/laura-gunn/color-study-ii
Sunnie says
I like the lone rider I
Katherine says
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/derosier/shadow-box-botanicals-iii
Shadow Box Botinicals`
kng says
I’m torn between two totally different styles! And I could go totally broke (and then some!) with this site!! My two favorites are http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/darvin-jones/silhouette-in-blue and http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/sara-abbott/nightfall-i but I can’t decided which of those two I’d have to get first!! 🙂
This is an amazing giveaway!! Thanks so much for the opportunity!
Amy T says
I’ve got three kids age 3 and under, the great outdoors animal variety is living inside.
Kim says
Love Bougainvillea by Michael Joseph. Thanks.
Amy Carlson says
Dogwood on Blue II
renee says
I love this one:
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/sean-jacobs/autumn-shade-ii
Denise M says
I like this one
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/jaquiel/flower-dance-i
Kristen m says
I like I’ll flay away 1 http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/sara-abbott/ill-fly-away-i
blue65829 at aol dot com
Cynthia Conley says
I like this one:
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/derosier/destiny-ii
Tari Lawson says
I like this one http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/laura-gunn/architecture-ii.
Adrienne Gordon says
I like Night Shade 1.
Valerie Taylor Mabrey says
Sunroom with Narcissus by Cecile Broz
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/cecile-broz/sunroom-with-narcissus
vmkids3 at msn dot com
kimberly dickerson says
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/karen-wilkerson/evening-allure-i
Love this!!
Madeline Jones says
I love this :
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/kim-coulter/tranquil-view-ii
susanlanai says
The Hidden Garden spoke to me.
http://www.gallerydirect.com/art/product/sylvia-angeli/the-hidden-garden
Christina Gould says
I like Late Summer’s Expectation I by Sylvia Angeli. Thanks for the giveaway!