Happy New Year to all!

For my first post of 2008, I'd like to share some pictures of ecclesiastical pieces and interiors. I love how they evoke feelings of spirituality, connection, and purpose.

This photo of Gothic lanterns was taken over the weekend by my husband Dan.

This amazing snowflake lantern set against ethereal blue tiles is from the Chapel of Our Lady within the Basilica of St. Lawrence catholic church in Asheville, NC. This photo was taken by either Dan or I on my sister's wedding day.

This ancient church in Eastern Bohemia was ingeniously redesigned by Maxim Velcovsky and Jakub Berdych of Qubus Studio. What a masterpiece they've created from contrasting raw walls with glitzy crystal chandeliers and modern punched cross Panton chairs with classic persian carpets.

And, there's a ton of photos of churches, chapels, temples, mosques, monstaries, convents, angels, deities, and more on FLICKR. Here are a few that I really like....

This first image of an abandoned convent is from bsizdez who has an awe inspiring FLICKR gallery chock full of old, creepy, forgotten, industrial, and rural architecture that he has explored.

Messiaen captured some great colors in this one:

This one from /ivan's gallery has beautiful softness:

And, this is from ggnyc's gallery...