Many have said that color affects our mood, but I would go even further to herald the benefits of great design—which incorporates color, but also pattern, balance, placement, directional movement, function, and light and dark values into the composition. Most importantly, great design with intention makes us feel good, whether one is a trained professional or the recipient of said professional’s expertise. Some of us are fortunate enough to be intuitive designers with no formal design education, who “just know” what looks and feels optimal and beautiful, fun and fanciful, bringing forth our style, in style, but what does that have to do with camping? Isn’t Nature the ultimate artist?
Nature is my muse—my inspiration. In terms of camping style, I’ve tent camped growing up and as an adult, with travel trailer experience a more recent addition. I prefer a mindful approach to writing, art, and design, appreciating the beauty of things as they unfold, enjoying the story. The same applies to my camp style.
Creatively, I’ve found my yellow Winnebago Minnie Drop 170K travel trailer, “Daisy,” to be a most inspiring canvas for my camp design aesthetic. To begin this journey, my first acquisitions to set the tone were a serendipitous find in a gift shop of red, green, white, and yellow trailer salt and pepper shakers; a reversible black “Happy Camper” outdoor rug; and black and yellow Kijaro Dual Lock camp chairs. These items served me as my sole accoutrements for months and are still looking new and wearing well after much use. A grouping of toss and lumbar pillows that married the yellow and black exterior with the cream interior with green-gray and black upholstery, followed. Their solid yellow, and floral, leaf-like and daisy-like fabric patterns in similar colors on cream and black backgrounds helped further this endeavor...
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With nature as a recurring theme, Loretta is the author of six books of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, including the Misthaven of Maine Series, her memoir, The Nature of BEing: A Healing Journey, and her latest work, Meet Me on the Other Side of Wonder: Selected Poems. An award-winning artist and designer, her original watercolors and design grace the covers of all her books. When she isn't out in nature, you can often find her writing or painting at the campsite. Visit LorettaBoyerMcClellan.com and McClellanCreative.com for more information.