Modern and Rustic Mood Board - White Oak Lichen

I admit it - I'm a Lichen-aholic!   I absolutely love lichen.   I really didn't know this was a thing until a couple of years ago when I found some lichen in orange and pink.  I had no idea it could be found in so many colors - which are only enhanced by a little bit of rain from Mother Nature!  

What is a Mood Board

I really want to jump in and tell you all about this art - because it’s such a fun piece that I just happened to stumble upon.   But before we get too far - let’s give a quick definition of what a mood board is and how I use them.  

A mood board is an essential tool in the design process that acts as a visual to work from, bringing together inspiration and concepts to help plan a visually pleasing look for a space. For those passionate about interior design (or those who just need a visual!  🙋🏼‍♀️), mood boards offer a way to experiment with colors, textures, and decor elements before making any big decisions.

When it comes to art-centered mood boards, they play a critical role in connecting key pieces of fine art with furniture, color palettes, and room accents to make the room cohesive and functional.  By assembling various images, fabric swatches, and design ideas on a board, you can envision how a piece of art might transform an entire room and set the tone for its decor.

Whether you're integrating a bold abstract painting or a serene landscape photograph, a mood board helps ensure that every element—from the color of the walls to the choice of accessories—flows seamlessly around the art. This practice is a creative and practical step that helps designers and homeowners visualize a unified, inspired space where every piece feels intentional and connected.

My story for this (and how I got started with this) is when I had to design, build from scratch and decorate a barndominium.   Being a very visual person, I was struggling.  Fortunately, I’m also a list maker and project manager …. So off to technology I went to build mood boards, a walk thru plan of the barndominium and suddenly it all came together and the final product is exactly what was requested.   I find that mood boards allow me to both “chip and chunk” rooms and walls (basically take a big task and only work on a piece of it - chips and chunks of the whole big project ) until finally it fits together.  It is my method to keep from getting overwhelmed (which I easily fall into analysis paralysis when walking thru room decor and design!!).   …. Side note …. THIS ART is in the barndominium in a very prominent visual spot.   

Now … onto the REAL WORK!   (The FUN STUFF!!)

Background of the White Oak Lichen

One day, I was over at my friend's house.  There was a very large - okay, it was HUGE - tree laying in their yard.   The oak tree had to be 100 years old!  It had survived tornados, lightning, you name it - and it stood strong.   Unfortunately it was rotting.  And to make sure it didn't fall on their house, they had to go ahead and cut the tree down.  Understandably, they were sad.   Not only were they losing some shade, but they were losing this amazing tree that had been there longer than they had been.   

I was about to leave their house, when on a whim, I picked up my camera.  (This event surprised absolutely NO ONE who knows me!).  I walked over to the tree, and thought I'd snap a few pictures so they would have something to remember the tree from.   Then..... the colors.   Oh my goodness.   The beautiful rust and seafoam (or biscay) green colors were amazing!!!   I probably snapped 30 pictures of this tree and it's beautiful lichen.  

The tree may now be firewood, but the beauty of it lives on - in ART.   Similar to the circle oflife.    Maybe this is the Circle of Nature ART .... Since ART is actually found in the word NATURE (just rearranged a little).    This fine art is for those who enjoy nature, color, outdoors, abstract - or just a beautiful piece of art.  White Oak

This ART is perfect for any room -  home or office.   

This Spring, our family did a thing.  We bought a farm.  Now, farm life is not new to me - as I was raised on a farm.   However the fact that we were about to invest in some property with a possible event building - WAS a surprise.   Unfortunately, the first step was .... what to do with the building.   It had a concrete floor, and beautiful knotty pine wood walls.  Oh, and a bathroom.   

Ironically, and amazing coincidence, this property is 200 feet from where this picture was taken.   Needless to say.... It will be highlighted in the building!   

This ART is so versatile, though, don't let the rustic theme throw you for a loop.   It would look amazing with whites, teals, grays - in a home or office.   

This mood board has a little more of a personal attachment for me - because it was my mood board for our new building.   So not only was it fun to put together - it was a little stressful in that ... what if I don't do a good job.    Amazingly enough, when I showed my husband the finished product - he was ready to shop.   (Did anyone else read that ..... it was a modern day miracle!)

Continuing with the theme of bringing nature inside .... 

Using ART to enhance the beauty of your room or your surroundings – always makes me happy!   I like to use ART to remind me of an event, a trip, a vacation, a memory, or just for the beauty!   Investing in those memories now will keep them alive and can be positive reminders of the beauty all around us. 

As a fine art photographer, I have seen clients struggle with where to place pieces of art.  Clients love the piece of art, but they just aren’t sure how to incorporate it with their furniture, or how it could fit in a room or what decor could coordinate.  Those questions and challenges led me to creating mood boards with groupings of furniture items to pair along with my ART.   They have been a huge success so far, and I hope that you enjoy them as well.   Allowing visualization of ART and furniture together may help you make some decisions faster or even challenge you to think differently about what selections you do make. 

Here are the steps I took to arrange this specific mood board.

Select your ROOM

For this mood board, I selected pieces that would be appropriate for a casual cabin atmosphere, as well as a meeting area.   However, this piece of art - could go just about anywhere (except maybe on a Razorback Red wall!). 
 

Select your FOCAL POINT

Decide which piece(s) of art will be the focal point or inspiration point for the room.  For me - for the building - this was an EASY decision.  Probably the easiest decision I made in the whole process.   White Oak Lichen for the WIN!  

 
The sizes offered on my site are 20x20 thru 30x30.   Sizes larger than 12x12 are available in custom sizing - so don’t let size stop your creativity!

Build a theme   

My theme for this mood board was more about Nature, Outdoors, Rustic living (okay - not complete rustic - we do have running water!).   Definitely a snuggle-in and read a good book, or sit down and have a serious discussion vibe.  It could go either way at any moment.     

Create a Mood board

Visualize the items together.   I do this by creating a mood board.    I am such a visualization person.   

This art has been selected for houses that are more rural, country, rustic etc.  I feel like it's more of a modern-rustic.   Is that even a thing?   (Maybe it is now!).   The Chromaluxe high gloss metal is so durable and works perfect for modern-rustic.  

I can also visualize this piece in an office - whether home office, professional office or medical office.   It is just calming to see those colors together naturally.  

Tweak it until you’re happy with it. 

Not everyone’s style is the same - so incorporate YOU into it.   That will ensure that you love it!
 

Start shopping!

Below are the items that I selected to go with this ART / mood board.   The resources are below, or feel free to be creative for your style.   Either way - find something that YOU will LOVE!   After-all, it is your home or office!    

When I looked at my finished mood board I almost cried.   This was it!   THIS is what would add beauty thru nature to the new building and farm. 

Once again – adding to the idea of bringing nature inside.

Hope you enjoy this mood board.   You can order ART on my website or reach out to me for custom orders.   Let's add some ART to your world!!   

White Oak Lichen

#lisablountphotography #westernpassion #lnrfloral

__________________________________________________________________________

As a side note - some of my art comes in acrylic blocks.   This is how you can collect art - even when you don’t have an empty wall!   The 5x7” acrylic block can be placed anywhere - shelves, tables, mantles.  Wherever you need a pop of color or relaxation or a statement piece … you can place an acrylic block.

This piece also comes in a set of 4 ceramic coasters.    These are not always available, so if you're interested in that, just reach out to me and I'll see what's available.

Happy Decorating!  ~Lisa

__________________________________________________________________________

A little bit about me:  I love taking pictures!   It started at a very young age and has stuck with me my whole life.  I have used my pictures to capture memories and moments that later allow you to reflect.  I never considered moving forward and creating art until several challenging events happened which allowed me to rethink my priorities.  I then had the opportunity to collaborate with a designer and had SO MUCH FUN!!   Having a 30 year career in Corporate America, has allowed me the opportunity to now do what I love - take pictures and add some beautiful art to your world!

To find other pieces of art, please check out my website www.lisablountphotography.com

(Please note:  I am not affiliated with or promoting any of the furniture or accessories - only my art.   I will give you links to where I found the items, but it’s only for reference - as I simply found pieces that I liked that I felt could enhance the art when grouped with it.)