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

The Magic of Kalamkari!

I grew up in a home adorned with Kalamkari..Seetee covers, cushions, shirts, dresses and sarees..so much..that I have taken this much loved hand painted/block printed cotton textile, sourced from Pedana near by Machilipatnam in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, for granted...as an essential part of my life and living space.

The familial response that the fabric art evokes in me is not surprising, as I see this fabric used with global seasonings and versatality. World designers and decorators have embraced this fabric to add a dash of earthy splendor to their collections, homes and works of art.

The word "Kalamkari" is derived from the Persian words kalam (pen) and kari (craftmanship), meaning drawing with a pen. 

Two distinctive styles of kalamkari art reign supreme-  the Srikalahasti style and the the Machalipatnam style of art. My father is from Machalipatnam and this particular style of fabric is something I hold dear to my heart. A piece of home..wherever I am.

The sheer versatality of the fabric is tantalizing. Clutches, Purses, Handbags, Scarves, Home Decor, Paintings and Table Cloths. I even have coasters made with this fabric and print. The beautiful hues, the vibrant textures and the organic, hand made quality of the print..where no one design mirrors the other..the textured imperfections..the fragrance of the fabric..make any Kalamkari piece, a work of art to be cherished.

I leave you with an image from my home..a Kalamkari twin bed-sheet (queen and king size tucked safely away in my linen closet) on a day bed/seetee lending the global appeal to a warm and cozy family room. And just in case you were wondering..the lamp is from Pier 1 Imports! :)

Love,

Supriya

"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