Our Boring Halloween Mudroom!

If you were to ask my son what is second favorite holiday is, he'll quickly tell you it's Halloween!  He's at that age (7) where he wants things scary and spooky, not cute and childlike.

Sooooo, when I finished decorating our mudroom for Halloween (admittedly, the only room I splash a bit of spook around), needless to say, he wasn't as impressed as he has been in years past.

When I asked if he liked the new "BOO" garland, he said, "sure, it's cute, but, it's not scary ... at all."  Okay, fine.

What about the mice running here and there?!  Nope, boring.

Surely, the spider taking over our family wall and turning frames crooked with its huge web takes you "aback," right?  "Sorry, Mommy, but, no."

Yup, apparently, spiders aren't scary one little bit, especially when they're sparkly!  Who knew?  

Neither are the birds who are ready to attack.

Well, at least he approves of the candy,

especially since the eyeballs are edible!

Sounds like I've got my work cut out for me next year.  For now, our "cute and childlike" Halloween mudroom will have to do!

Thanks for stopping by our boring and "non-scary" Halloween mudroom!

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My Wonderful Discovery!

I am known for my love of Checks!


Black and White or,


Black and Tan,


Wonderful checks in general!


So when I came upon this Wonderful Discovery! of an area rug website that had my love for checks in the form of a rug, I was overjoyed!


Checks that I have painted are on this old tea kettle and pottery pitcher...
                                                                     And

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Tiny Changes in our Master Bedroom

I owe our bedroom an apology, as I always tend to forget to share little goodies in here ...

whether it's orange pillows added for the season,

a pretty mirror that came home with me earlier this summer from Home Goods (that used to be white, but quickly turned gold, thanks to a quick paint job),

or, even a pretty new comforter set from Tuesday Morning and cute pillow from Home Goods.

When the gash on my "pleather" top flea market find ottoman got larger, I forgot to share how our faux animal rug came to rescue in covering said gash up!

And, when I added an orange runner to our painted bench, I walked right by it time and time again without my camera.

Remember when I added my World Market wing chairs to our dining room ... well, somehow they found their way in here earlier this summer ... they like playing musical chairs, I suppose.

Well, at least I can't feel badly about this piece, as it hasn't changed with the swipe of my paint brush ... YET, anyway.

The matching armoire has somehow also been spared from my paint brush ...

too bad I can't say the same for what "used" to be a square, white plate.  Yup, there aren't many things that I won't paint!  I'm sure you can relate.

Well, I hope that our bedroom forgives me for neglecting it.  I'll try to be better about that.

Please tell me you have a room that you tend to neglect, too!

Thanks for stopping by!

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Diwali Decor Ideas

Before I share Diwali decor ideas, I would like to thank all my readers and friends for showering
so much love on my blog. It's because of your love and support my blog has been nominated  for
'The Most Informative Blog' on GoodHomes Awards 2013.
If you really found my blog 'The Most Informative' one then please Like the link here to cast your vote :)

Diwali, the most beautiful and the brightest festival in our culture is 

just around the corner. I know lot of my readers were waiting for post on Diwali Decor Ideas.

Your wait ends here.

Rangoli at entrance make it cheerful and inviting. Make one with colors or with petals, put some diyas or candles and see the mesmerizing effect. 

Toran made of marigold flower strings and mango leaves add perfect festive cheer.

Bright and vibrant color walls add to festive glow. Give a fresh coat of bright color to your walls and you are all set to welcome festivity. 

Bring in greens and don't forget the flower power. Strings of marigold on walls give a festive look to home.

Take out all the lanterns, candles, tea light candles, diyas and lamps. It's time to display those beauties all around the home.

Apart from this there are lot of things that you can do to make your home look pleasing and inviting. Cushions specially silk or brocade with bling look perfect, use some nice matching throw and rug for cozy look. 
Make a cluster of pillar candles and tea lights put one decorative mirror behind the arrangement. This setting will double up the charm and glow of your space.
To make a table centerpiece: take any tray put some pebbles with flowers or petals then put tea lights in any fashion linear, circular or random then put some pearls around each tea light. You are ready to greet your guests :)
Hope you will find these tips interesting and will try out some to make your home ready for the biggest festival.

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Online Store: Style Ashram

If you love contemporary decor and planning to buy some modern furniture 

this store can be a big help for you.

Style Ashram is on a mission to make world class modern furniture affordable, by removing middlemen and expensive showrooms. Thus their motto, "no unnecessary expenses, just pure happiness."




The idea was born when co-founders Arti and Lalit went furniture shopping. Contemporary designs were hard to find, and incredibly expensive. So they put their entrepreneurial minds together to create a solution.

According to Arti, "we strongly believe in creating spaces that bring peace and allow you to decompress. For us, that means minimalist designs combined with comfort."

From sharing design ideas over coffee, to customizing sofas in a leather or fabric of their choice, it's quickly become a hub for creativity. "People come with some great visions, and we're thrilled when we can help their ideas come to life. Whether they buy from us or not, its great to be a part of that process."

For Design Decor and Disha readers, Style Ashram is offering a special promotion until November 10. Just enter code DDD10 to get Rs 10,000 off any purchase above Rs 75,000.

Happy shopping friends!!

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Than Monastery, Bhuj | Gujarat.

I just cleaned some virtual dust off my hard disk which housed frames from one memorable trip to Kutch, Gujarat in 2011. With that came some beautiful memories that has me writing a blog post.

Bhuj was our base for many small trips that we undertook around the region. 

Than Monastery is about 60 kms from Bhuj. A beautiful temple complex tucked away in the quiet countryside of Kutch district.

Than Monastery is situated at the foot of Dinodhar Hill and is dedicated to Dhoramnath.  
He is said to have performed rigorous penance here for 12 long years.

The temple is made with limestone, mud and plastered with cement and one can see bright vermillion colour smeared on various walls.

The care taker of the temple showed us his earring that was part of the order of the temple.

Our driver Akhil Bhai and the patterned shadows...

My colourful socks and some light and shadow...

Bright Vermilion Trident...

The limestone wall arches and contrasting vermilion figures.

While walking into the various chambers of the complex, we came across some stunning ceramic floral tiles.

...and marble inlay work on the floors.

It was interesting to see a sudden profusion of colours in the interior of the temple as compared to the plain limestone and vermillion on the outside.

The inner walls were adorned with Kamangari Paintings~ A dying art in Gujarat.

"The speciality of Kamangari art was that the paintings were done on on a wet plastered background so that they lasted longer. The artistes used brushes made from the bark of palm trees, using colors extracted from leaves, pebbles and clay mixed with gypsum."

~ extract from Frank Grey's article

Intricate 'jaali' work in the walls.

Such beautiful Kamangari Paintings depicting various mythological scenes.

We walked into a room that had magical light streaming through coloured glass and painted with Kamangari work.
I understand in the olden days the rich-class of people used to patronise the Kamangari artists who would paint the walls of worship and homes.

The serene and quiet temple complex with occasional calls from the parrots...

Vermillion smeared stones and symbols in the complex.

Every part of Kutch that we travelled to, has so much of history in terms of art, craft and architecture. I really hope the dying art finds patrons to revive it and caretakers to uphold such amazing cultural heritage of India.

(Images by Arch)

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