Designing a feminine office space - Deepa's home office!

Welcome to my newly decorated home office – a space that will also double up as Aalayam headquarters at my end! 

 Warning! This post is definitely not for the faint of the heart - it is COLOR HEAVY!

This is also the next stop on my home tour. I have already featured our family room, guest room, my son's room and our basement den on Aalayam previously and if you are a home décor enthusiast, take a few minutes to browse through those spaces as well- I would love to hear your thoughts on our painted home!

Now, sit back and enjoy as I narrate the story of how my very own functional and feminine space came about.

But first, apologies for the long hiatus!  2015 is turning out to be something else! Unexpected things seem to be cropping up from every corner faster than I can make them go away and frequently distract me from the blog and I am painfully aware of this but rather helpless. So, thank you for your patience as we struggle to get back to regular paced programming.  

I hope you enjoy this colorfully decadent post in the meanwhile.

So, we decided to re-purpose an odd shaped extra bedroom into a female office space. I began with a few basic requirements for this space – it had to be a place of my own to stay organized and be inspired. That, coupled with my husband’s encouragement and enthusiasm, enabled me to turn this room into a chic and glamorous space- if I may say so myself.

“If you love something, it will work. That’s the only real rule”- Bunny Williams

I think this room is an absolute testament to that!

I started by creating a mood board of all things that inspire me – a little bit of France, a little bit of Morocco and lots of color and I think the visual magic happened on its own! I went bold – with the colors on the wall, the upholstery and the fabrics. 

And the end result as you can see is dark and dramatic! I love it! This canvas will provide the necessary sensory overload to inspire my work for Aalayam.

For someone like me, who is constantly on the go – this space is ideal to relax, unwind, plan, organize, do something creative and catch up on professional reading. 

The large windows make this small space bright and airy by day and the cool light fixtures allow for ample lighting by night. I also chose my furniture pieces with great care – they had to be budget friendly, style savvy and functional for this small space and to meet this wish list was no easy task and took a great deal of patience!

A gallery wall filled with some of my husband’s best work, a global vibe added via French inspired décor, a Suzani bedspread and Moroccan lanterns and a touch of whimsy incorporated through a hanging birdcage and metallic accent pieces define this space. 

The bejeweled flush mount fixture draws your eye up to the ceiling while the cowhide rug grounds the space and pulls everything together.

I am sure this will space will evolve as time passes but for now I am happy that it is a merry mix of style and function and I can see myself enjoying many quiet afternoons reading or hand -writing letters or simply drawing inspiration from books or the nature outside my windows.

So, did you enjoy my little office filled with Parisian panache and Moroccan magic? Tell me what you think an ideal feminine office space should look like - do you think I have hit all the right notes? 

So, here's my take on creating a fun space that oozes style -
1) Take your time finding pieces that will work - after all Rome was not built in a day!
2) Don't be afraid to marry styles - French aesthetics and Moroccan must-haves share space happily in  this boudoir!
3) Small spaces can make a big impact too -don't shy away from using bright colors and bold patterns just because it is a small space.
4) Add a little romance - a few hanging lanterns, a birdcage and splashes of pink spell 
R-O-M-A-N-C-E, no?
5) Every room needs a few splurge elements  ($$$!) The campaign style desk, the rustic-finish twin bed, the brass book shelf and end table were my splurge items. But, but, but - I had to have those!
6) Who would've thought! - black and white are great accent colors!
7) Step outside your comfort zone. My husband forced me to try the cowhide rug and I am so glad I listened!

A big welcome to our new readers! The Aalayam family is now 400 members strong and we are so humbled! Supriya and I love to bring you posts that are visually and intellectually stimulating and although we have slowed down our pace a bit, we believe the quality of our content has never been better.
So, stay tuned dear readers....

Cheers!
~Deepa

p.s: All images in this post are from my home and may not be used or reproduced wihout permission
 
 

 
 

Home tour- Part Global, Part Wabi Sabi, Part Barefoot Living (Part 2)

Design is in the details!

Hello and I am back! Thank you for all your articulate feedback and wonderful comments about Kamini's home. Join me on this extended tour of her eloquently put together home where style and function reign supreme. Kamini believes in finding perfection in the imperfect and this falls in line with the Wabi Sabi style of the home but then again the overall decor of this home is not contained by any one style rather it is driven by the home owner's creative inner instincts -so, read on and be sure to be vowed, yet again! 

the spice box also tell the story of a discerning collector!

If you have missed part one, you should probably start there and get to know Kamini and her passion for creating a beautiful home first.

colorful cotton textiles spell COMFORT!

 I am in conversation with Kamini and I was curious to know if she believes in an egalitarian approach to home decorating and if in fact she let's her husband partake in the  decorating process.  After all, men are wired differently and not many want to indulge in decorating debates with their wives. So, I asked her who called the design shots in their home and here is her response-

sheers curtains extend a flirty welcome

 "Uh, I do. Ok let me rephrase that. I do, but my husband usually has something to add too. If its a color I want to paint a wall or a color of the sheets on the bed, then he just stays out of it. But when it comes to picking furniture, lighting, rugs etc we usually make the decision together. I’m the right brain which means my heart rules. He is the left brain and looks beyond just the aesthetics - maintenance, function, price and so on. And together we make the final decision" 

The lovely  Kamini and Raghavan with their adorable pets

Ah! the partnership approach, that's always a win-win!

"The heart of human excellence often begins to beat when you discover a pursuit that absorbs you, frees you, challenges you, and gives you a sense of meaning, joy and passion" - unknown
And Kamini has sired this passion for design and decor from her early days. She says,

"When I was a kid I used to rearrange my room all the time. I shared a room with my brother and probably made life hell for him...always moving things around, adding flowers, putting up pictures and so on. I loved flower arranging, setting the table, moving furniture around and so on, so my love for design has always been there. 

interesting vignettes add dimension to her rooms

The first thing that strikes me when I look at the images of her home is the timeless appeal. Everything flows in harmony! Clearly, she didn't just stop at one home decor store, load up her cart, come home and arrange everything in one afternoon and yet everything ebbs and flows so well. I asked her about her shopping philosophy. I wanted to know if she is budget savvy or if she is the kind of shopper that would rather have the few things she likes even if it costs a pretty penny (I do that sometimes!). And her response? 

 
"Never. I never buy outrageously expensive stuff. My favorite places in Seattle are Pier 1 Imports, Cost Plus World Market and Z Gallerie. I go to outlet stores like TJ Maxx and Home Goods which usually have great deals, and I watch out for sales at some of my other favorite places which are usually more pricey. My favorite online stores are Viva Terra and Wisteria. Pricey, but I get great deals on clearance"

Kamini's magic wand and intuition at work again!

And then I  asked her to share her favorite online resources for inspiration with our readers and this is what she said -
" I have a weakness for design coffee table books and I spend hours, literally hours, browsing through them and getting ideas. Magazines are my next source of inspiration - usually House Beautiful and Elle Decor. I loved Casa Viva when I was in India. Blogs and websites are also great, but I don’t spend too much time looking online. Catalogs from Pottery Barn, Room and Board, Viva Terra and West Elm are also fun to browse through. 

To me, a good home should be a true reflection of the owners personalities and their inner state of mind. In that sense, home  decorating is an evolving process and I don't necessarily mean keeping up with design trends but rather letting your home reflect your collective life experiences as well as your day to day moods.She agrees. 
"No, home decoration is never a done deal. In fact as I write, I am rearranging things. I move things around, replace artwork with others inside ('coz I don’t have room for all), in summer I go for a lighter, breezier look, more flowers in vases, sheer curtains etc.I move furniture around a lot. I’ve stopped shopping for big ticket items like furniture because I don’t need any more, and small accessories - 'coz I have too many of those. But I do look out for sales and deals on textiles, cushions, linens, coffee table books. Those are things I can shuffle around. You won’t believe how a room can get a total makeover just with different textiles and cushions! 

And I am a paint addict. I can paint a room at the drop of a hat. Again - with paint you get a big bang for a small buck! Like I said I hate clutter, and I just don’t have room to store a lot of stuff, so its easy to reconcile myself with not shopping a lot. I have a lot of baskets in the house - to store kitchen linens in the pantry, to store those darn coffee table books :-), to store cushions and blankets. They look lovely and are so functional. My two weaknesses are rugs and pottery, both of which I have enough and am not even looking to add more. So I stick to window shopping which is also a lot of fun.

master bedroom - a  magical medley of gray and orange

Personally, I don't have much of green thumb at all. Although I love the idea of adding a little greenery to my indoor landscape, I am afraid and have not taken the plunge so far ! I have toyed with the idea of creating an intricate cactus garden just to add a little sculptural interest but  have not mustered the courage yet. So, I am always envious of homeowners who can successfully incorporate house plants into their decor. Kamini and I talked about indoor greenery and here are her thought

I do not claim to have a green thumb, so I stick to “easy to take care of” plants. Pothos (money plant), peace lily, (spathyphylum), orchids (yes, they are easy to maintain), lucky bamboo....these are some of the easiest to look after. Herbs on the kitchen window sill are easy and pretty. 

And finally, we hobbled on to a subject that we are both fond of - artwork. Home owners often find it difficult to navigate the world of art and I believe that figuring out one's personal taste in artwork takes patience and persistence. Curating art work is a time consuming and a daunting process but well worth the effort. Truly, nothing is more pertinent than artwork when it comes to customizing your home décor. 

A well-curated art collection is a great way to allow your home décor to speak for your personality.  But remember - there is really no right or wrong way.  Building your personal art collection is a creative process that takes a sense of appreciation, and a lot of intuition. Kamini talked about incorporating amateur art work into home decor. By adding personal art work Kamini has ensured that their home is unique. Her custom art work tells the story of what truly inspires her - eastern heritage and earthy colors . Sentimental displays on her wall generate a sensory appeal that immediately draws the viewer in! 

And that was my interview with the lovely Kamini Raghavan!

Her home sizzles with style! It is a  treasure chest of heirloom antiquities and tells the story of a discerning collector. It is a transitional space that allows her to seamlessly combine her eastern roots and her western design sensibilities. I give her astute intuition for color and aesthetics a big thumbs up!

But what I will take away the most from this feature is the fact that she is an absolutely positive influence! Her blog was a portrayal of her varied interests and the depth of her personality and she inspired many through her blog  (including me) and it was my great pleasure to get to know her!  Thank you Kamini and Raghavan for sharing your lovely home with the Aalayam family!

Here is another look at the irrepressibly spirited Kamini as she answers some fun questions for me. The thoughtfully curated corners of her home reflect her vivacious and positive personality! Thank you kamini for allowing me to trace your home making voyage on Aalayam- it was a pleasure!

Cheers!
~Deepa

P.S: All the images in this post belong to our homeowner kamini Raghavan. Please do not use without permission!

India Inspired family room and Dasara Golu

 Hello and welcome to the season of joy, color and inspiration! 

Dasara and Diwali are around the corner and what better way to celebrate than share festive inspirations right here on Aalayam. Supriya and I have channeled our collective enthusiasm to create an array of seasonally appropriate festive posts! And tonight, we kick off! 

   Our first stop- my (Deepa's) colorful family room! If you are thinking of getting into the festive spirit with a few touches to spruce up the main living area of your house then this post might be just what you are looking for! This is also the next stop on my (Deepa's) home tour. I am sure many of you remember previously featured posts on our son's room, guest room and the media room. If not, stop by and take your time! But now - the family room.

The family room is truly the heart of our home (that's right, move over kitchen!). It is where we talk, laugh, play and grow.  It's the grand central station!  But the high-traffic did not deter us from focusing on the aesthetics. I think we (my husband and I) wanted this room to be a comfortable living and visually stunning space. This is where we entertain our guests too. And so, we pushed the envelope! Moving from the unassuming earth tones of our previous home to the bold, Bollywood-like batch of colors in this room- we did a dramatic 360! We embraced color! Bathed in a myriad hues of teal, purple, green, yellow, gold and more this room greets you with a bohemian charm and on closer look you will see traditional Indian accents layered throughout the space. For now, I am happy but any home decor enthusiast will tell you that home decor is never done and therefore, I see it as work in progress.

This room has good bones - beautiful architectural details, lots of natural light, tall windows and great views of the back yard. We walked into this room and we were sold on the house! That's how much we loved this space to begin with and therefore, making it our own was not hard. 

We pictured a fun and inviting space where we could unwind and exchange stories after a hectic day at work and school and that was our inspiration. The resulting nonconformist look was a happy accident ! Not letting any  particular style stifle our creativity was a great way to go with this space, i guess. We brought in diverse elements, one at a time, purely guided by our instinct - the distressed coffee table, a BG Sharma painting, artisanal candle holders, a handcrafted wool rug and pillows in vibrant hues came together in layers to create this indulgent look. We joke about it and say that we kept adding pieces till it felt right - one little thing here and one little thing there! 

Purple predominates as the accent color. How that came to be, I have no idea! I brought the purple embroidered footstools into the family room last winter to enjoy the warmth of the fire and they have remained there since and this may have very well started a cascade of purple accents slowly trickling into the room. Teal wall and purple accents, who would've thought ? But purple adds punch to this space, don't you think?

Overall, the space is anchored by investment furniture such as the leather sofa, the media credenza, a large coffee table and a seating bench and that's where the bulk of our budget was consumed. I swear by timeless pieces that are durable, versatile and which can withstand a few dings!  We bought the leather sofa about 8 years ago. Not your conventional casual seating, I agree but with the addition of a few colorful pillows, it fits right in!

The space is large and open and planning the seating area was easy. We toyed around with accent chairs before settling on this distressed bench. Together with the kantha and embroidered pillows, the bench gives this corner of the room a "haveli-esque" feel and invties conversation. The golden Buddha plaque adds a paradoxical mix of drama and serenity at the same time!

I love how decor accessories that we have owned for varying lengths of time seem to blend in harmoniously with their newer contemporaries. A recent addition- the ornate trunk merrily shares the space with a Madhubani painting (that I painted) and an intricate wood framed mirror that we have owned for 12 years. A happy marriage of the old and the new brings life to this corner.

This space works for us functionally and aesthetically because it is filled with things we love and cherish.  Indian accessories take center stage and add visual interest to our American home reflecting our multicultural personalities. Our home stands ready to celebrate and make memories this festival season!

Home means different things to different people. To me- it means an oasis! A place where I can enjoy the simple pleasures of life like the warmth of a fire on a crisp autumn evening or a quiet conversation or soulful music with my family. 

 Home is also a place where we bring to life traditions that make us a family and nurture our spirit. And this Dasara, I  am celebrating my first (!) Bombe Habba or Golu and my inspiration ?- Supriya's post on Dasara Bombe Habba from last year!  We prepped for our Golu this weekend and my little boy was an enthusiastic little helper! And here is a peak at what our Golu looks like. 

 Marapachi dolls (Pattada bombe) and channapatna wood lacquered toys are the highlight of our Golu this year. Its a modest first time effort and I had a lot of fun reading up on technicalities and teaching my boy and I look forward to letting our collection evolve over time.

 Dear readers, what is your home story? What does the word "home" mean to you? And how does it play into your lives this festive season. Let's have a conversation. Write to us.

Next up, Supriya tells the story of Dashavathara followed by my post on Diwali decor inspirations - stay with us!

Cheers!
Deepa

P.S: All pictures in this post are from my home and are the copyrighted property of Aalayam. Please ask before using.