Our New Sunroom

Happy "almost" First Day of Fall!

As I watched our home "virtually" being built, one of the things I loved about it was the sunroom right off of the kitchen.  I remember thinking that if this house were ever to become "ours," I could see myself spending lots of time in this cozy space.

Fast forward a few months, now that the home "is" ours, and, I can honestly say that I do, in fact, spend lots of time in here ... either curled up with a great magazine ... chatting with family/friends ... or, even dozing off for an unexpected snooze (oops)!

Here is what it looked like while the house was being built:

Annnnd, here it is NOW, with a few familiar pieces and all ready for Fall!

Some of you may recognize my favorite fabric from our old home.  The chairs on the other hand, are new!  Well, new to us, anyway ... thanks to Craigslist, these practically unused and comfy IKEA  Ektorp chairs now serve as a place to just "plop!"  They're covered in light sage green slipcovers with cream piping ... and, they happen to match the green in the rug perfectly!  Yay!

The sofa table perched in front of the window holds a few Fall goodies, as well as a pair of lamps that used to be on our old screened porch.

While I played around with adding candle sconces and mirrors on either side of the center window ...

I knew when I stumbled upon these prints at HomeGood, they'd work really well in here for the Fall season!  And, at only $12.99 a print, I found this seasonal purchase easy to justify!

This little coffee table once sat on the screened porch in our old home ... thankfully, because of its petite size, I was able to place it in here:

My favorite wire tray from Pottery Barn sits on top of the table, filled with more Fall goodness:

Let's take one more peek at the whole picture ... 

BEFORE:

AFTER!  I can't wait to see how this cozy space evolves throughout the seasons!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Fall Decor Tour

Come In and enjoy the Fall Decor Tour!











Fun Fall Pillows that I made!






Take an old photo cabinet card...add some embellishments and you have an easy and fun Halloween decor.












I cut out our initial. Then hand painted black and white checks along with tiny green vines.



Boo is done in vinyl...so easy! Done with Halloween, just spin it around and now you are ready

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Creative Connections: Maheshwari Janarthanan.

Let's talk about my next Creative Connection: Maheshwari Janarthanan

She is an illustrator, an artist.

I had seen her work featured by many of my fellow design bloggers.

Simple, playful, magical and dream-like illustrations with subjects ranging from nature's flora to people.

I was piqued by her description of herself as a dreamer, mother-earth worshipper and healer.

Lady in the water...

K+S Wedding Invitation...

I was in Chennai, India visiting family in July-August this year and remembered that Maheswari lived in Chennai. I dropped her a line to check if she would like to catch up over a cup of chai. She was happy to meet and even suggested the venue, which I blogged about here.

A petite young lady, soft-spoken with a shy smile is how I would describe Maheswari. I instantly liked her. 

Maheswari says, "I believe my work is a mix of fantasy, mysticism and magic. It's a platform where I am able to express my thoughts and ideas about myself, the world around me and the world I want to live in.

A place where I can create my own fairytale and escape into my wonderland."

Love Poems…

"I love drawing people and most of my sketchbooks are filled with them(mostly women)."

We (I also met another talented artist there) spoke about our lives as creative individuals, things all three of us were seen nodding at, things about following our unique paths, our passions and our work.

Dreamer Tote Bags…

Apart from being a talented illustrator, she is a Pranic Healer. I have immense respect and admiration for people who help others. In a world where everyone is out to further their own interest here is a person who heals, who thinks about others.

Maheswari says, "The Universe' is my greatest inspiration especially 'underwater life' and 'space' these are things that calm my mind. I don't know whether I make sense but these are somethings that makes me both dream & be in the present at the same time."

   

The Sacred Journey...
"This illustration is about our journey, our experiences through many lives, many births.
God – Birth – Life – Experiences – Death – Reincarnation – Enlightenment – Oneness – God
I believe it’s a cycle, a process. We go through different lives, different experiences. We evolve, we become enlightened. We become One. We become God.
We are God."

As I dive deeper into this divine sea of her work, I find shimmering pearls that touch my heart and let's me understand this mystical, magic gold dust scattering artist.

Tree of Life…

The awakening...

Self realization / Nirvana - 'Kundalini Awakening' also known as 'Serpent Power' & the Lotus symbolizes Wisdom/ Divine spirit.

The beautiful Maheshwari Janarthanan.

A small photo-shoot with the Love Postcards she gifted me. A tribute to this gentle-soul, talented illustrator, whose work seems simple yet so profound.

Love Yourself…

Dreamer Tea Towel…

Eat. Love.

Dive into Love...

A series of 4 brightly coloured coasters…

 I love Rumi's work and here is an illustration by a kindred spirit, Maheswari.

This very aptly describes the Creative Connection.

"We come spinning out of nothingness scattering stars like dust.
The stars form a circle and in the centre we dance."
 ~ Rumi

You can find her work in her blog little one's doodles
Follow her on Facebook here
( Images style by Arch and Illustration by Maheswari Janarthanan. They are copyrighted)

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Diwali Gifting Ideas: Gift With Soul

With festive season approaching fast I am all set to share lot and lot about Diwali craft/art/decor and gifting ideas. In this post I am focusing on budget Diwali gifting ideas.

Would you believe if I say that now you can gift your loved ones 'Limited Edition' gifts that too which fit in your budget. That's true d'mart Exclusif brings you variety of Diwali gifting options. Their collection is a class apart. Let's have a look of their mesmerizing collection of silver plated, beautifully designed and perfect for festive occasion products.

GIFT WITH SOUL

-d’mart Exclusif brings you the new Corporate Collection

d’mart Exclusif, a pioneer in introducing a collection of Worldwide Limited Edition representations of limited edition of Indian deities, art & décor and premium gifting options, announces the launch of its new collection of Corporate Gifts under its new brand IOTA. The new collection from d’mart Exclusif carries the potential to lure the customers as d’mart Exclusif brings to you innovative designs and quality lifestyle products. These unique products are among the easiest and most accessible options to present to your special ones with memorable packaging and make them feel extraordinary.

This dazzling collection includes attractive Mirror Trays, Center Pieces, Key Chains, Vases, Bowls, Jewellery Boxes, Divine Pieces, Candle Stands and Tableware. These multipurpose products are designed to perfection.

Bowls

d’mart Exclusif presents the eye catching range of bowls which are best suited for serving fruits, chocolates, finger foods and are also a good option for gifting. These silver plated bowls are skilfully designed and enameled with colorful stones.  

Divine Collection

d’mart Exclusif brings you a beautiful silver plated “Pooja Tray”  which includes holder for sindoor and chawal and also includes incense stick holder and divine bell. This divine piece can be used at home and is also a good option for gifting.

Jewelry Box

The range of the Corporate Collection starts from INR. 650/- and goes till INR. 10,000/-

About d’mart Exclusif

d’mart Exclusif, is a part of the Internationally renowned Dolphin Group of Companies. The Dolphin Group, a national player in the lifestyle luxury segment, is dedicated to offering a range of inspirational and lifestyle art and décor pieces, handpicked from across the world. These are available at the d’mart Exclusif signature butiks in:

• G-6, M.G.F Metropolitan Mall, Saket, New Delhi - 110017
• 47 North Avenue, Punjabi Bagh (W), New Delhi – 110026
• Centre Island, Second Floor, Crown Interiorz Mall, Faridabad, Haryana

Hope you liked all these ideas. Happy shopping!!

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Update on my MacKenzie Childs style guest bedroom!

If you are wondering what I mean with this title, then you missed this post HERE!




 

In that previous post I give you a tour of my newly decorated MC styled guest bedroom.


I also talked about how these lovely Matelasse coverlets are too short and I needed to come up with a solution so solve this dilemma. A bigger size was too big, so here is my solution...






I made and sewed a black

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Creative Connections: Introduction.

Are we meant to meet the people we meet?

A question I have asked myself many times and every time it's a yes!

Through the world wide web I have virtually 'met' many multi-talented, creative people.
Photographers, Artists, Designers, Stylists, Bloggers, Potters and some amazingly inspirational people who just inspire by the way they live life.

While you follow these people through their http// addresses, you understand their style of work, their inspirations, their passions and when you meet or rather when you are meant to meet them in the real world the connection is instantaneous.
A Creative Connection.
A connection that enriches, brings happiness and inspires.

I have blogged earlier about my meetings with Vineeta Nair, Artnlight, Aarohi Singh, Art By Aarohi and Priya Sebastian, Priya Sebastian Illustrations respectively.
….and as I browsed through those posts I realised that one word that was repeated many times was connection!

So here is the new feature. Creative Connections.
Where I will be featuring a creative individual whom I have personally met in the real world.
Through my eyes. My perspective. My lens.
Here are some beautiful women, inspiring women through my lens.

Effervescent  Aarohi Singh...

Beautiful Vineeta Nair...

Lovely Priya Sebastian with her dramatic work...

Hope dear Rang Decor readers will connect for the new feature: Creative Connections!

See you soon!

( Images by Arch)

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Boo!

Hubby and I celebrated our 20th Anniversary on July 30 by going to an upscale steak house here in Quincy, IL.


Upon walking out, Hubby noticed a kitten under the vehicle in front of ours. Hubby is a true cat whisperer! He got out and tried to coax her out but she wouldn't budge.




The restaurant had given us two cookies on our leave and I used parts of one to coax her out of a hole under the

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