Quirky vignette for Diwali

As the Diwali weekend approaches there is plenty to do so I will leave you with a funny mini vignette. It was my husband who got these decorative balls which I use to scent the room and it was he who suggested the fun idea... He said I should tie  turban on its head and I looked at many you tube videos on tying turbans.., let it stew a bit in my head but it was not coming together for...

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Junk Diwali decor

Junk is green, junk is gorgeous, junk is the new glam... All that junk can be made glamorous.. An old torch is now aptly used to hold tea lights or diyas... the old torch still shines light on a new day. So let there be light and cheer this Diwali! The old torch stands tall, with a pewter bowl on it holding a tealight while its top half with its rough scalloped edges stands on some iron...

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Diwali DIY : Wire art embellished boxes

Diwali is when we pray for peace and prosperity and deck our homes in gold to invite luck and prosperity in. I present to you a recycled wire art DIY this season.   I received some DVDs some years agoin a box  (I know I seem to be collecting these things in the hope of renewing them one day!) and I wanted to deck it out in traditional gold as well. As luck would have it, my favourite shop...

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Adding grunge to Indian vintage decor

Junk is the new glam in decor what with the gorgeous junk decor ideas all over the blog world. Here is my take on junk decor. Like I mentioned before rust does not necessarily look great in tropical India. But there are other ways to incorporate a bit of grunge into Indian vintage brass and bronze. That board there was once part of a play set my son used. I attached normal door handles available...

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Folk designs on ceramic

I must confess that I love all kinds and manner of folk art. When I got a Warli card at a local exhibition I thought that I had to showcase it better somehow. I copied the design onto transfer paper and transferred it onto a silk cloth which I then stuck to a ceramic plate which once held Diwali sweets. Oh I had to trim it with that stone string which I am obsessed with now. I just love the...

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Using embroidered patches and tanjore stones on brassware

This post is dedicated to my friend Janaki who gives me gifts to repurpose. The beautiful embroidery patch in this picture is one such. It was a big one which I have cut up and repurposed. The leaf brass wall hanging is again a gift which I dug out of my steel trunk. Take a look... The zari work goes so well with tanjore stones and brass. Here is a look at the original wall hanging  What...

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Four fun side table decor ideas

The other day I just set up a little table by my workspace on the floor with whatever I found around and then it occurred to me that this could be a fun project so here are four arrangements that I put together with various objects from around the house The plate which serves as the base is a picture plate from Amsterdam and the objects on it include my favourite Chinese vase. This...

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The most awesome golu ever!

Every year Navaratri means a new themed golu at Janaki and Sabesh's residence. Preparation begins well ahead with the theme being chosen, dolls chosen or bought or both; and the props and return gifts made... this is not a mean feat; just take a look at the awesome backdrop created for this year's theme - Karnataka. It recreates in minute detail, the ambience of the Mysore palace. The entire...

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Decorating brassware

All of us have many cups, lamps, candle holders and such lying around the house. Me too! I decided to put some of them together and bling them up cos they are too pretty to give away and some are really old treasures too.. this will probably be a serial affair because I have a lot of things I want to put together and will do that when I find the "right" way to do it!  Here are a couple of...

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An easy way to find an architect who will realize your dream home

At some point in our lives we build new homes or renovate extend or refurbish our homes and we are at a loss to find the right architect who will help you do that. Magazine after magazine splashes spreads of beautiful homes done by leading architects and interior designers but not all of us can hire them and not all of them are free to do our relatively little spaces. So we probably choose an architect/designer...

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Create festive houseware with tanjore stones

Bling up your lamps and turn little matkas into decor pieces this season. All you need is glue and some pieces of jewellery... there is such a choice now in little shops that sell festive bling across town. I picked up two pretty bracelets which were going cheap and destrung them. I have already used part of the pieces on transparent pebbles, then I did this! You have already seen the stone...

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Interesting everyday decor

There are many terrific bloggers out there and often I am inspired to recreate some of the stuff they put up. Here is something that is inspired by that awesome blog - Funkyjunkinteriors. Junk may not look the same here in India with the high humidity which mostly spawns mold but there is always a way to recreate ... An upturned pot and an old cow bell strung simply through a rope. A knot...

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Assemble a festive rangoli this season

The  Indian festive season is upon us and rangolis are an integral part of our festive decor. All manner of instant rangolis are available in the market but something from our own craft and jewellery collection can help give this festive season your very own personal touch.  Here are some of mine Interestingly apart from the first one the others are all just arrangements - no...

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My home

My home is where my heart is; where I live with my two kids and hubby; where we lovingly and painstakingly assemble all the little things we collect during our extensive travels. I would like to think that every little corner of my home tells a story of time long gone; of travel and of beauty. Much of the furniture and some furnishings have been passed down from our parents. Here is a glimpse of...

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How to make a cushion in a hurry

I made this one in about ten minutes and I think I will use it or a long time.  See I have this footstool on which I sit in the early morning light with my cup of coffee for about some ten minutes sipping and chatting with hubby before my son wakes and the morning run starts. My use of this footstool is limited to this morning time and for when I am sewing still I wanted to sink into...

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