Vintage charm at it's best!

Eclectic Home Office design by New York Photographer Rikki Snyder

Image via 

Books, colors, textures, patterns,  fabrics,  artwork, antique furniture,  mirror work, patchwork - sigh! Now that's what I call Sunday eye candy...

And oh by the way, the other pictures had me at hello as well..so hop on over to houzz for the entire tour! 

Cheers!

Deepa

Featuring the foot stool!

Featured above is my fabulous find from Home Goods - the mirrorwork footstool!Photo courtesy - Uj, my better-half

What are the staple features of Indian decor, you ask? Colors, fabrics and exquisite woods, I say. Undeniably, it is the fine interplay of these key elements that infuses an "Indian" space with vibrant life. Quintessential Indian decor elements include hand carved wood, intricate motifs, splashes of vivid hues, ornate patterns and luxurious fabrics. Now, if you are the kind that draws inspirations from global look books but have no clue where to begin - here is a simple idea. The foot stool! It is a great way to add some boho chic to your space. Foot stools are inexpensive, widely available and very utilitarian! The sari patchwork and the Jaipur mirror work are two great options to bring in some Eastern flair to your living space. These are a great gift option too! Personally, I have my heart set on a kilim and a suzani foot stool. Mixing patterns is totally in and I dream of injecting a little Middle eastern influence  and mixing it up with the Indian elements for a more eclectic feel.  Until then, I plan to put my feet up  on my Rajasthani foot stool and enjoy my cup o' Joe !
Cheers!
Deepa

Image via google

In love with Fall!

Japenese koi pond at the Fortworth Botanical gardens. Credits: uj, my better half

Cool weather, falling leaves, changing colors, Friday evenings and the comfort of home - don't you simply love this time of the year when everything is just so calm ?
The summer heat, the scent of freshly cut grass, the long days and visits to the pool are behind us. The holidays,  the snowflakes, the whimsical light displays and the Christmas rush is still a few weeks away! For now, it is quiet and yet so perfect! 

Ah! It's autumn!  

The Arboretum - Dallas. Credits: Uj, my better-half

Do you have a  favorite fall family ritual? How do you celebrate this season? Ours has always been to a pick a fall weekend and go on a photographic expedition around town. The local gardens is one of our favorite stops. The crisp air and the riot of colors is a soul-stirring experience in itself.

And then there is the cooking!  There is something about the pumpkin displays  everywhere that makes me want to cook! Even my weekly rounds at the farmers market is exciting thanks to the fall line-up of pumpkins, squashes, gourds and more!

The arboretum - Dallas Credits: Uj, my better half

And so, we celebrate with a fall-inspired savory meal each year!  A hearty South - Indian home cooked meal with fall's signature produce is a treat in itself for a vegetable enthusiast like me!
That I can configure a tablescape with an autumnal influence is a plus!

What's not to love about fall?

I would love to hear about what inspires you this season?

Fall brunch at home.Photo courtesy : Uj, my better half

Cheers!
Deepa

p.s: my gorgeous serveware is the "persimmon doubled handled soup crock" from world market. Check it out!

"Indian"izing your living space!

Do you often ponder how to add a touch of "India" to your living space? Do you miss the rich colors, the deep textures, and the vibrant accessories that create a melody in your heart..whenever you browse through the aisles of World Market or Ten Thousand Villages? Symbols so reminiscent of the iridiscent diversity of Indian decor? Then..I am one of your kind.

Here's a visual journey..a traverse through my living room which I have "Indian"ized. A touch of grandeur to give me and my family a taste of India as I walk in the door everyday...

Start with the statement piece - it could be a vintage statue that you found at a thrift store that captures the colors you love, or a intricate carved center table you discovered on craigslist that you refurbished and polished.

Group similar pieces together. Find unconventional ways to display artifacts. Capture the essence of colors, themes and contrasts. Is Red your favorite color? Does the vibrancy of the hue remind you of paprika and warm spicy curry? Then pick bold red accessories, statues, idols, flower pots - group them together and create a vignette.

Don't forget the softscaping! Pillows and fabric based accessories add texture - that creates the visual interest in any living space. Texture instantly transforms your space from blah to having chutzpah! With internationalization of markets, you will be surprised to find how affordably you can decorate your space with the flavor of India.

And..the piece de resistance! The seating. Your options are virtually unlimited. The key is to think out of the box. I personally do not like couches. Low seetees, rattan furniture and quirky looking chairs (read Ikea and World Market) work great if you want to add that touch of whimsy to your living space, while on a budget. 

I do love the structure and the texture these outdoor seating chairs and ottomans bring to my living room. Add some tailored cushion covers custom-made in your current favorite color, and ambient lighting, and there! all of a sudden - you have your very own piece of desi nirvana that no one else has! 

Enjoy your living space. You deserve the joy it will bring you.

Love,

Supriya

Glam it up with GOLD!

A corner from my home. Photo courtesy : Uj, my better-half

When it comes to home décor, I believe in the "Vow" factor.  And nothing spells vow like some shimmer and shine. The color gold is my all-time favorite design element.  Gold embodies glamor and luxury. Its versatility enables inclusion in any décor style or color palette. Gold adds richness, interest and even a bit of drama.  Even for the thrifty shopper, home decorating is an expensive proposition especially when one is gunning for the glamorous look. Hence, I prefer decorating with timeless pieces and gold accents are just that!   My design sensibilities are in constant evolution.  And so, re-decorating is an inevitable reality and my  gold toned accents never fail me!

Additionally, it is rather easy to incorporate gold elements into an ethnic Indian décor canvas – the gold threads in traditional Indian fabrics, the gold foil in Tanjore paintings, and the golden finish of brass figurines are a few easy ways to add a dash of sparkle to your home. The use of gold allowed me to pull in a bit of Indian heritage into my personal space. Most Indian palaces have architectural elements such as towers, pillars and arches with intricate gold details contributing to their opulence. And as I look around my own home, the gold elements remind me of my roots.  

Gold has a global décor intrigue too. If your own personal design preference is western or eclectic then you can easily add some glitzy glamor and elegance via the use of  sunburst mirrors, sconces, lamps, and vases. Additionally, with an innate ability to work well in a Christmas table scape or to add to the festive cheer of Diwali, gold has a magical seasonal appeal as well. 

Of course, the key is to limit accenting to a “touch of gold” or a “hint of glitter”. Remember, everything in moderation!

The above image is from my home. I love the lustrous appeal that this gorgeous antique brass teapot holds and with the addition of few cheery yellow flowers and gold wall art in the background, I have a vignette with the Vow factor !

Cheers!
Deepa

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