Tuesday, 31 May 2011

A Dining Room in White ...

Well, my hands are cramped and my fingers are still swollen (wait ... that's probably from all of the salt intake in the goodies I inhaled during the Memorial Day parties we enjoyed this weekend ... nevermind), but it's DONE !!

Here are the results of a crazy decorator (a/k/a ME) who was determined to give her dining room a new look by painting every.single.piece of furniture (all dark stained) BM White Dove, followed by sanding, staining and waxing!

Take a peek around ...



Some of you may remember that I purchased this sideboard last Fall and debated whether or not to paint it.  Many of you suggested I leave it alone ... alas, I simply couldn't.  I left the top alone though (does that count) ?!


Loved distressing its legs:


And, I'm sure you're not surprised that I added an animal print runner on top!


Not only did I paint all of the chairs, but I recovered them as well.  And, for the arm chairs flanking the sideboard, I found these pillows at Pier One (on SALE) ... they simply screamed at me to take them home to add whimsical pops of color:




Let's  not forget the bench, which was the first piece in this room I attacked with my paintbrush!


I LOVE how the tabletop gleams now that I refinished it (from a cherry stain to dark walnut to match the top of the sideboard):


I knew that I wanted a pop of color on the table.  When I spotted this gorgeous vase at HomeGoods, I knew it was "the one" !!


Love the crackle finish and ornate detail on the sides:


A silver tray is perched on top, holding everything needed to "set" the table:


Plate wall remains the same:


There are two more items on my list in order to complete this room ... a cowhide rug layered on top of the sisal rug, along with a vintage chandie, dripping in bling bling!  Wish me luck ...


Annnnnnd, a nighttime shot:


As always, thanks for stopping by! 

Linking up to these fabulous par-tays:

Savvy Southern Style/WUW
Elements Interiors/Whassup Wednesday
No Minimalist Here/Open House
French Country Cottage/Feathered Nest Friday
Miss Mustard Seed/Furniture Feature Friday
At the Picket Fence/Inspiration Friday
Under the Table and Dreaming/Sunday Showcase
Thrifty Decor Chic/Before and After Party
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/Tuesday's Treasures

Saturday, 28 May 2011

Unconditional Love

I have been waiting for this mother-baby sketch for long time now. I have mentioned about it in my earlier post here. Now this framed beauty is ready to take place in my baby's room.

Unconditional Love
Though its not a perfect picture but what I love about it is that one can see calm and feeling of being secure in mother's arm on baby's face. Mother looks so satisfied and filled with love while holding her baby. Have a closer look.......

Happy & content mother

Reposed & calm baby
This portrait I made during my teen age & little did I know at that time that its going to be a part of decor in my baby's room. I swell with pride whenever I see this picture.




This Picture has enhanced the beauty of my baby's room and affection between both of us is roaring high by the day. Being a mother is sheer bliss and I am enjoying every part of it.



Happy weekend to all lovely blog readers.

Note: All images are mine please do not copy without my permission.
P.S: Please forgive me for my photograhy skills. I am not a good photographer just trying my hand on it.

This is my entry for PPF.

Thursday, 26 May 2011

Tale of real beauty...eternal beauty

Ever since I read about the 'yahoo real beauty' contest  I have been musing on what does real beauty mean to me and wondering why didn't I think over it before. Suddenly my mind started flooding with thoughts of 'what does real beauty mean to me' and here I am pouring few of them drop by drop.

                                                            Real beauty is eternal.
For me real beauty is present in nature everywhere. When I open my eyes in the morning & step out of my bedroom pleasant & fresh breeze embraces not only my body but also my soul, chirping of birds around is music to my ears, warmth of emerging sun makes me feel like I am lying on my mother's lap, fragrance of flowers, rustle of leaves, play of colours uplift my spirit. Everything present in nature looks just beautiful.


Image Source: Click Here
For me real beauty is present in every human being man or woman, boy or girl, kid or elder though its not rrecognizablein disguise. Real beauty is a reflection of soul, a glow that comes from within that comes from kindness, gentleness, Love, sacrifice, serving others, good deeds and virtue. Its not physical appearance that makes us beautiful. All that glitters is not always gold. Fair complexion, sharp long nose, big sparkling eyes, fuller pouted lips, bow like eyebrows, silky shiny hair, tall & slim .....that's definitely not a definition of real beauty.
It is said that "Tailor makes you look gentleman and beautician makes you look beautiful but truth is that character makes you look real beautiful".

There are lots of people who served entire humanity and tried to make Earth a better place to live. Those people in my outlook are blessed with real beauty...eternal beauty. Few of them are:-


Mother Teresa
 Image Source: Click here

Mahatma Gandhi
Image Source: Click here

Anna Hazare
Image Source: Click here
Baba Ramdev
Image Source: Unknown

Last but not the least for me real beauty is simulacrum of God. One who imbibes the virtue of God is blessed with real beauty.
Image Source: Click here
This is my outlook toward real beauty.

Thanks for going through my post. If you liked it
vote for me on IndiBlogger.com here: http://www.indiblogger.in/indipost.php?post=59817



This post is written for yahoo India and Dove Real Beauty contest : 'What does real beauty mean to you'
Check their web site here:

Dove Real Beauty on Yahoo! India


Saturday, 21 May 2011

Patriotic Wreath ...

Happy Day! 

After being inspired by the mesh wreaths that popped up around Easter (thanks to Kristen's awesome tutorial), I decided to take a stab at it and create one for Memorial Day/4th of July, especially considering the strong sense of patriotism in the air these days!

I started with this (along with a work wreath and three beaded flag necklaces that aren't pictured):


And made this:


I did it a bit differently than Kristen though.  Instead of cutting the ribbon into strips and tying it in knots all the way around the wreath, I purchased a work form wreath and added all three ribbons (one color at a time) all the way around the wreath, creating both inner and outer layers.  I then threaded the beaded flag necklaces in and out of the mesh all the way around the wreath:



 Love the patriotic punch of color it adds to our front door!


While we're out here, take a peek at my beautiful coleus which is growing a rapid rate in the urns ... my poor accent grass and creeping Jenny are being overtaken!


Happy *early* Memorial Day!


And, OH, by the way ... GUESS what arrived in the mail today?!  Yippee!


Thanks for stopping by ... have a great day!

Linking up to:

Dittale Dattle/Amaze Me Monday
BNOTP/Metamorphosis Monday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/Tuesday's Treasures
Southern Savvy Style/WUW




Friday, 20 May 2011

Weekend Lovely Weekend

Happy weekend folks and here are some more sketches to show all of u. Hope u all will going to love it.
My dear Ganesha....always in my mind, heart & soul. Looking leaner here but forgive me please b'coz I made it when I was beginner.

Image Source: By me

This Lady looked so beautiful that I couldn't resist to make a copy of it from a sketchbook.

Image Source: By me
This is inspired by Aishwarya Rai's get up in 'Nimbuda' song and a mix of my imaginations.


Image Source: By me
This came out as a result of my attraction towards 60's bollywood beauties. I love the innocence on the face of this portrait.

Image Source: By me
Wishing all of u a very happy weekend.

Linking this post to Patricia's Weekend wrap up on 'Colours Dekor'


Sunday, 15 May 2011

My Artwork

Today I stumbled across these sketches that I drew during my college days. They are 10 years old now. Some are my imaginations and some inspirations. The below one is one of my favorite. This is an inspiration from an old newspaper. 


Image : By me


This Krishna sketch is completely my imagination and I love this too. Though it has some dirty spots on it now, soon I'll do something of it.


Image: By me
I love portraits so I created this one of famous writer....any guess. 
Image: By me
I have special space in my heart for Ganesha. I saw a very beautiful sculpture of Ganesha and instantly fell in love with that ....so I created this one.
Image: By me
One of my favorite "Mother-baby" sketch I've given for framing so not able to post it right now but whenever I get it back I'll sure upload.



Linking it to PPF



Saturday, 14 May 2011

Mercury Mantel

Happy Saturday !!  

While my fellas are off running errands, I thought I'd share my mantel as it looks this very moment (we all know that it could change any second).

I've been bitten by the silver and mercury bug lately ... can you tell ??



On a recent trip to Pottery Barn, I grabbed up this small looking glass.  To give it height, I perched it on top of a small cake stand I found awhile ago at Home Goods:


The mercury votives stand front and center, while a picture of one of my favorite beaches, Sandbridge (in Virginia), peeks through.  I have so many wonderful childhood memories of Sandbridge.  We vacationed there every summer for almost 22 years.  And, during my college years at Old Dominion University, I spent many days at Sandbridge soaking up the sun.  Needless to say, I was thrilled when this print was given to John and me as a wedding gift 15 years ago.  I decided to retire the brass frame it has been in all of these years and simply use the cream matte as the "frame."  


The print is leaning on a new mirror I found at Pier One.  While I really wanted a vintage sign here, when I spied the mirror, I loved the octogonal shape and thought it'd be perfect above the mantel:


Moving along, I found this mercury based hurricane for a song at Home Goods.  I filled it with seashells and layered a beach fan behind it:


Framing all of the silver and mercury pieces are my two green vases (from Tuesday Morning) filled with branches and faux flowers.  I recently added more greenery to the base to "beef" them up a tad:


Finally ... down below is another looking glass, which I nestled in spanish moss (inspiration: for the love of a house).  I found it at Wal-Mart for a mere $15 buckaroos!  


I love the reflections that you can see in this big ol' looking glass, EXCEPT for this one ... I spy with my little eye, hair roots that are in desperate need of attention.  Yikes!


Thanks for stopping by ... I'm off to finish up a Memorial Day project:


Have a wonderful weekend !!

I'm linking up with these fun parties ... come on ova:

BNOTP/Metamorphosis Monday
Dittle Dattle/Amaze me Monday
A Silly Little Sparrow/Toot your Horn Tuesday
The DIY Showoff/Project Parade
Savvy Southern Style/WUW
Elements Interiors/Whassup Wednesday
All Things Heart and Home/All Things Inspired
My Backyard Eden/Make It Yours Day
Shabby Chic Cottage/Transformation Thursday
My Romantic Home/Show and Tell Friday
At the Picket Fence/Inspiration Friday


The Lettered Cottage


Becca