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Mother’s Day is a holiday that honors motherhood and is observed around the globe in different ways. In the United States, the embodiment of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became a national holiday of the country in 1914. Eventually, the holiday became commercialized, and later on, denounced by Jarvis. 

History of Mother’s Day

Surprisingly, celebrations of Mother’s Day can be traced back to the ancient Romans and Greeks. Both held festivals in honor of the goddesses Rhea and Cybele. Christians also had their own celebration called, “Mothering Sunday”. 

Mothering Sunday was once a major tradition in many parts of Europe and the United Kingdom. It is usually celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent and was seen as a period when the faithful would go back to their “mother church” for special service. 

As years pass by, the Mothering Sunday tradition shifted to become more secular rather than religious. Children give their mothers flowers and other gifts. However, this practice slowly faded, especially when it merged with American Mother’s Day in the 1930s and 1940s. 

Anna Reeves Jarvis and Julia Ward Howe

In the United States, the celebration of Mother’s Day can be traced back to the 19th century. Before the Civil War, Ann Reeves Jarvis of West Virginia was a key personality in initiating the Mother’s Day Work Clubs. The goal was to teach local women how to take care of their kids. 

The clubs, later on, became a unifying force in a region of the country that is still divided by the Civil War. In 1868, Ann Jarvis started the “Mothers’ Friendship Day”. They gathered mothers from the former Union and Confederate soldiers to promote reconciliation. 

Julia Ward Howe was another key personality in initiating Mother’s Day. In 1870 she wrote the Mother’s Day Proclamation, which was a call for mothers to unite and promote world peace. In 1873, Howe campaigned that the “Mother’s Peace Day” be celebrated every 2nd of June. 

Mother’s Day these days

A modern Mother’s Day celebration includes flowers, chocolates, treating her to a nice dinner, or a bottle of her favorite wine. In addition to these, Mother’s Day card is popular and one of the hottest items. It was also observed that the British send more cards per person than any other country.  

People also love giving and sending flowers to their mothers. Statistics have shown that two bouquets will be delivered every second across the United Kingdom. Pink flowers are the favorite, but vibrant colors are becoming more popular. Among the favorite flowers are carnations, roses, sunflowers, gerberas, and tulips. 

Plants and flowers are known for making the world colorful and cheerful. These are some of the reasons why homeowners display real flowers and floral prints in their homes. These design elements instantly add beauty and evoke a refreshing vibe to any room or space. Floral prints can bring color and life that will surely be enjoyed by its audience. 

Floral prints as a decorative element

Every home deserves to have a refreshing look from time to time. One of the interesting ways to add life to your home is through the display of trendy and chic posters. There are hundreds of designs to choose from and floral prints are among the favorites of many homeowners and designers. These prints come in different colors that can instantly create a joyful vibe. 

Floral prints can be seen in abstract form, contemporary-theme, minimalist, rustic, and others. Floral prints are easy to add to your rooms as they can blend well with any design style. They make a lovely and interesting focal point that will catch the attention of anybody. 

Another way to make the trendy floral prints look more interesting are the frames used. Neutral colored frames such as white and black make the walls look more sophisticated and elegant. They may appear simple at first, but the overall transformation of the walls is awe-inspiring. 

Floral prints allow the atmosphere of summer to spread to your home. Different flowers have their respective effects. For instance, rose and orchids can give a classic and elegant look, while red poppy can give any room with bright splashes of color. Sunflower, on the other hand, can help create a rustic or country-styled room-interior. 

Benefits of floral prints

Seeing plants and flowers inside your home is not just about making it look attractive and vibrant. Studies have shown that seeing plants and flowers can calm and relax the mind and body. In addition to these, several studies have also shown that plants and flowers have various health benefits such as increased productivity of workers and better work concentration. 

Posters that feature flowers and plants can give you a sense of fulfillment and put a smile on your face and your housemates. Especially during these days, the sight of flowers can let you enjoy your stay at home. 

In the world of business and advertising, floral posters have become a fashion statement that encourages consumers to patronize the products or services. Just remember that there are certain elements to consider such as the size, dimension, color, and type of flower. It is a fact that flowers have their respective symbolisms along with the colors used. 

Final Thoughts

Flowers are trending these days in terms of upgrading the interior appearance. Floral posters are readily available as they are one of the interesting and versatile decorative elements. There is a vibrancy, drama, and boldness to the contemporary floral that has never existed before. Imagine how much you can do with floral designs and the colors that they have. 

Valentine’s Day is one of the most awaited days by almost all individuals. This is celebrated in the name of Saint Valentine, the mysterious saint who is known to have defied the Roman emperor in service of the people. Saint Valentine performed secret marriages for young lovers. It was the belief of emperor Claudius II that single men made better soldiers than those who are already married. As such, Saint Valentine performed the sacrament of matrimony for young soldiers. Over the years, with his story and along with other tales, couples across the world started celebrating Valentine’s Day as the day of love. Read on to know more about how different countries celebrate the special day.

A week-long celebration in Argentina

Valentine’s Day in the country is not celebrated in February but in July. They call it, “the week of sweetness”. This is the time when lovers exchange kisses and receive sweet treats. It used to be a commercial activity, but later on, became a tradition. 

Romantic getaway in France

Did you know that the first-ever Valentine’s Day card originated in France? This was when Charles, the Duke of Orleans, sent love letters to his wife from the prison in 1415. There is also a French village called, Valentine, which is known to be the center of romance on the 12th and 14th of February. Homes are decorated with love cards, roses, and proposals for marriage flakes. 

A gala event in the Philippines

Valentine’s Day in the Philippines is a perfect day for young couples to get married in a mass wedding ceremony that is sponsored by the government. This is done as a form of public service. The day is considered to be special by many young couples. 

National chocolate day in Ghana

February 14 in Ghana is known as the “National Chocolate Day”. Ghana is known to be one of the largest cocoa-producing countries in the world. This is celebrated to increase tourism in the country. As such, couples or even those without dates on the said day can attend various events like performances, music events, and restaurants. 

The day of winemakers in Bulgaria

On February 14, the country celebrates the San Trifon Zartan or the “day of winemakers”. Couples celebrate their love with a glass of local wine. 

Wales – the day of the San Dwynwen

In Wales, Valentine’s Day is celebrated on January 25. This is called the “day of the San Dwynwen”. Lovers exchange gifts in the form of handcrafted wooden spoons. Interestingly, this has been the practice since the 16th century.

Feast of Saint Dionysius in Spain

In Valencia, Spain, the day of love is celebrated on October 9. This is known as the feast of Saint Dionysius. Macadora or marzipan figurines are made by men as a gift to their female partners. Parades are also done as part of the celebration. 

A celebration of love in Denmark

In Denmark, the 14th of February is celebrated by giving chocolates and roses. In addition to these, they also give handmade cards with pressed white flowers, called snowdrops. 

Exchange of unusual gifts in Japan

Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14 and women buy gifts for their male partners. Men can’t return gifts until the 14th of March and this is called the “white day”.

Lovers Day in Brazil

Lovers day or Dia dos Namorados in Brazil is celebrated by exchanging chocolates, cards, and by watching music festivals, and dance performances. Family dinners are also common on that day. 

By tradition, Valentine’s Day is celebrated every February 14. This day is special to many people around the world. Candies, flowers, chocolates, and gifts are given to our loved ones. But did you know that Valentine’s Day is all about one person? Saint Valentine, as we know him, maybe shrouded with mysteries as there are many stories associated with him. All we know is that the month of February is called the heart’s month, a month of romance and that it is inclined with both Christian and ancient Roman traditions. 

Who was Saint Valentine?

Valentine was a religious person in Rome. He was believed to be a priest of a bishop and lived during the 3rd century after the death of Christ. Historians said that he was jailed by the Roman emperor, Claudius II for an unwillingness to obey the emperor’s orders to stop performing Christian marriages. Moreover, he was also accused of helping persecuted Christians. Valentine also befriended the daughter of Claudius, sent her letters, and miraculously cured her of her ailments. His letters often ended with his signature, “from your valentine”. 

His passion and faith urged him to befriend the emperor and tried to convert him to Christianity. Unfortunately, this led to his death by being beaten with clubs and beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate in Rome. He was then buried at a Christian cemetery on the Via Flaminia.

In 496 AD, Saint Valentine was given a feast day by Pope Gelasius. Since then, the feast day is observed every 14th of February. It was in the middle ages that Saint Valentine has become an icon for love and romance. However, in 1969, his name in the calendar has been removed as there are not many records about his missionary works. 

Saint Valentine remembered

The story about his signature in his final letter to the daughter of the emperor saying, “from your Valentine” led to the tradition of sending and receiving cards, letters, and poems from anonymous admirers. The celebration of Valentine’s Day started in the middle ages in England and France. Today, people in many countries spend an average amount of cash to spend the special day. 

The High Court of Love

During medieval times, the High Court of Love was established in Paris during the day of Saint Valentine. Women chose their judges depending on their ability to recite poems. The judges focused on the issues around marriage contracts as well as the acts of violence against women. 

Modern-Day Saint Valentine

Celebrating Valentine’s Day today is similar to how it was celebrated in the past. Couples are expected to do something extraordinary during the day. An example is a romantic dinner. The history of Saint Valentine and the rose is still popular these days and a single rose is associated with love and romance. 

Catholics offer prayers and thanks for loving families and friends. Couples also ask for the blessing of the saint for a happy and fruitful life together. These days, Valentine’s Day is second to Christmas when it comes to a large number of cards exchanged

Just like Santa Claus and Rudolph the reindeer, there are other characters that complete the Christmas spirit. Though they are not that much mentioned in films, books, or comics, Christmas gnomes are popular among the Scandinavian countries. 

Gnomes are believed to be nature spirits that live underground. They are likewise fond of interacting with humans and can be both helpful and mischievous. In Scandinavia, gnomes are closely associated with Christmas and have the role just like the American Santa. In Norway, the gnomes are called Nisse. 

The Scandinavian gnomes

Scandinavian gnomes are similar to what we have read in any Western book. They are bearded creatures and are oftentimes considered to be mischievous domestic spirits. Gnomes are believed to be responsible for the welfare and protection of a farm.

Some Scandinavians also believe that gnomes came from the soul of the first person to own the farm. The spirit creature then continues to take care of the farm.

Scandinavian gnomes rose from the imaginations of the people who wanted to feel less lonely during the cold months of winter. As many know, fams in the region are isolated, and that people experience dark and long winters. Gnomes are then associated with pranks and mischiefs. However, there’s the other side of the story when gnomes are scary. They are known to have the capacity to kill livestock and destroy the fortune of the family. 

What do gnomes look like?

Most gnomes look like short and old men. They have long white or gray beards with bright red caps on their heads. Depending on where gnomes live, the outfits also differ. For instance, gnomes living in the stables usually wear gray clothes and those living in the house appear neater with blue and dark green attire. Gnomes also know magic and how to cast illusions or make themselves invisible. 

Gnomes in Sweden

Swedish gnomes are sometimes called Nisse but are more commonly called Tomte. Swedes also believe that gnomes take care of farmers and their homes. They are known for living in solitude and about 2 feet in height. They also possess incredible strength and hate people with a lack of respect or even lazy farmers. 

According to legends, Swedish gnomes are caring for children and help with fortune if you are good to them. They are also active at night especially when the homeowners are asleep. They also love to do various things around the house and hate it when people interfere with their tasks. During Christmas, it is recommended to leave a bowl of Christmas porridge so that they will reward you with gifts. 

Scandinavian Christmas gnomes

In Western countries, Santa Claus is one of the most important people. However, Scandinavians believe that gnomes do the majority of the work during the season. Norwegian Christmas gnomes help in safeguarding the animals throughout the year. It is also important to leave a bowl of Christmas porridge on Christmas eve for them to become your friend. Just like Santa, gnomes also bring gifts to children on Christmas eve. 

Bedroom is a special place for every household member. It is where you can have rest and relax from the daily routine and forget about your worries. Since it is your personal sanctuary, it needs interesting decor to make the atmosphere inviting and relaxing. There is a wide range of decors that will make the necessary transformation. While choosing the right bedroom decor, you need to consider several factors, such as room size, furniture pieces, and wall colors. 

The decors you choose can instantly change the beauty of your bedroom. This is the reason why you need to plan carefully before adding any poster. Themes may vary and are available in various designs. The most important aspect in choosing the right design is how they combine with the interior design style of the whole room. Choose the poster design that will stand out or will enhance the overall design of your bedroom. Here are some ideas that you can employ when decorating the bedroom with posters.

Floral prints

Floral prints are always safe to use. However, different flowers evoke different kinds of energy. Experts suggest not to have complete freedom when choosing the type of flower. There are flowers that are appropriate for the bedroom. Here are some examples:

• The cherry blossom represents freshness and innocence and is ideal for newlywed couples. 
• Peony Flowers are known to attract love, romance, and warmth. However, avoid this flower to couples. 
• Roses help improve the relationships among the members of the family. 
• Orchids symbolize love, beauty, and fertility. 
• Narcissus is the flower that represents career and education as well as good luck and prosperity. 

Landscapes

Landscapes are fantastic poster designs that have been used in both homes and offices. If you are going to use this design in the bedroom, choose the poster the depicts good and calm weather. Images of typhoons, hurricanes, storms, and the likes bring bad vibes to the bedroom. 

Animals

The images of animals evoke positive emotions, and the urge to take care of your loved ones. Avoid posters of predators and other aggressive animals. Posters of animals with their partners are also great to display as they bring harmony and balance to your life. 

Abstract art

The good thing about abstract art is its versatility. They suit well in every room including the bedroom. Take into consideration the colors and significance of the art. We understand that sometimes it is difficult to interpret the meaning of abstract art. But that is what makes them amazing. Avoid too bright or too aggressive designs as these will not help you relax in the bedroom. 

Nature-inspired posters

If still not sure what poster to display, go with nature-inspired art. It is a universal theme and the safest design to display in any room. Just like in any theme, it is best to choose calm and placatory images. Posters with cool designs like greenery and botanical prints are proven to calm and relax the mind. On the other hand, posters of different landscapes like mountains and horizons give an impression that the room appears bigger. 

Travel posters

If you are a travel enthusiast, you can bring the adventure to your bedroom. There are many travel posters available in the market. These posters feature the different travel destinations and landmarks around the globe or the country. As such, your bedroom will have a style that will reflect your character and personality. 

Black and white prints

Black and white posters are perfect if you want your bedroom to have that classic and retro appearance. These posters never go out of style and they likewise evoke a minimalist effect. These prints are ideal if you want your bedroom to have that elegant and sophisticated vibe. 

Art Nouveau is a design style that is commonly used in architecture, applied art, and fine art. Its popularity rose in the 1890s until the beginning of World War I. The goal of the design style was to modernize the design and move away from the eclectic historical styles that were popular during that period. In fact, the concept of Art Nouveau originated from the stems and blossoms of plants. Read on to learn more about Art Nouveau and how it all began. 

A brief history of Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau was based on the name of an art gallery in Paris, “Maison de l’Art Nouveau”. The gallery was owned by an art collector, Siegfried Bing. The gallery featured artworks that were created in the Art Nouveau style. Along with modern furniture pieces, tapestries, and other decorative items during the 1900 Exposition Universelle made the place popular that the name of the place was used to denote the design style. 

Simultaneously, Les Vingt and La Libre Esthetique promoted the design style in Belgium. While the magazine, Youth, promoted the design style in Germany. It was an illustrated magazine on art and lifestyle in Munich. 

Though the exact origin of Art Nouveau is not really determined. Many art historians agree that the origin is linked with the English Arts and Crafts Movement. It also has influences from Celtic art to Japonism. The beauty of Art Nouveau is that it can be applied to other disciplines like architecture, interior design, fine arts, glassware, and illustrations. 

Its worldwide popularity is short-lived, however, because of the rise of the Art Deco movement. It made its comeback in the 1960s. The emergence of Art Nouveau is the response to the traditional design style. The goal was to do away with the traditional ones and modernize the concepts and ideas in the decorative arts. The design style is inspired by the organic and geometric forms, evolving elegant designs that mimic the stems and blossoms of plants. The beauty of Art Nouveau features lines and curves as well as colors and hues. 

Traits of Art Nouveau

Here are some of the traits of Art Nouveau that will make a difference to your homes:

• The design of the furniture pieces is styled with flowers, leaves, buds, and roots. 
• Designers have the freedom and flexibility to choose the color as long as they are light.
• The floor is usually made from hardwood that is stained and varnished with the addition of an oriental or colorful rug. 
• Tiffany lamps and stained glass windows create the atmosphere. 

Achieve the design style in your home

For homes that employ the design style, it is common to see elongated curves and linear shapes. The style is influenced by nature such as flowers, spider webs, and feathers. Here are some ideas and tips to achieve Art Nouveau interior to your home. 

• Wall colors – usually the colors of the wall are soft and muted mixed with palettes of gray, mustard, brown, olive, and lilac.
• Floors – parquet floor or wood finish will achieve the classic appearance, whitewash the floor, or mid-toned wood. 
• Lighting – Tiffany lamps were the popular ones during the period.
• Decors – add curved or straight lines which are geared upwards from the ground. Stained glasses can be used with the same design which resembles blossoms of plants.