Aadab From Hyderabad

I had a wonderful and relaxing vacation in 'city of pearls'. Yes I was in Hyderabad few days ago and enjoyed my stay there to the bits. Though I didn't get a chance to visit all the tourist spots there but yes I made sure that I don't miss visiting a global icon of Hyderabad. Yes you got it right it's Charminar. Architecture of the building is splendid. Design of lotus petals at the base of each minaret is so enthralling. 

Even though I am claustrophobic, I made it through the narrow, crowded and suffocating stairways inside the tower and reached the first floor. What I saw there was spellbinding. I clicked some pictures of the beautiful designs on granite structure. Designs are mix of Indian, Islamic and Persian architecture. 

From the first floor where you see a big clock in above picture I clicked a picture of the Makkah Masjid, that is situated to the west of Charminar. 

To the right side of the minar is this Nizamia Unani Hospital, which is being renovated. It was basking in the sunshine and grabbed attention of lots of tourists.  

There is very famous Laad Bazaar to the west of the minar. Charminar area is over crowded and surrounded by some 14,000 shops. If you love jewelry especially bangles then don't miss a visit to this bazaar. 

Shilparamam, a night bazaar is an excellent place filled with variety of arts and handicrafts. It was perfect place for me to enjoy. I got a chance to meet an artist there, though there were many but due to time constraint I met only one and bought some nice baatik paintings from him. I promise I will feature his work next month

I stayed at my sisters place and we chatted a lot read endlessly. My sister knows my interests well so she introduced me to a lady who is full of life and very inspiring person. She has her own block printing business and a very beautifully done up home. I missed carrying my camera when I visited her but I am so determined that I'll definitely go to meet her once again and will feature her home as well as her wonderful block printing cushions, saree, duppattas, bed covers and lot more.

I am so obsessed with Buddha that in my leisure time I clicked lot of pictures of Buddha figurine which my sister placed in her living room. here is one for you.

Hope you all are having wonderful vacations with your loved ones. Don't forget to check out this space as I have lot to share. 

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Legless Dresser with a surprise!

This is one of those projects that came out better than expected.




The finished plan was in my head, but as I was working on each step, more and more evolved.




I think it's going to lead a very rewarding second life.





I found this dresser at a garage sale last year...


The poor thing had no legs and the upper drawers had originally had two knobs each but someone converted them into

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A New Shade for the Sunroom

Yay, one project down ... 1,000 to go!  

Sometimes, I feel like "on a whim" should be my middle name!  As I was staring at our little sunroom last week, I decided that I wanted it to feel a bit "coastal-y" and serene ... that's when I turned to Sherwin Williams' Palladian Blue (and our tall, scary ladder) and got to work!  

And, when it was time to put the room back together, more changes were in order ...

I brought in our seagrass rug from the sitting room as the room's anchor.  Then, in came the "wicker-y" love seat from our deck ... I like the natural texture it adds, and how it ties in with the bamboo shades.

I then brought in a pair of coastal prints from Home Goods.

When I spied this cute "Shore Thing" pillow at Home Goods, I knew it would be a fun addition ... I really like it paired with the blue/white stripe pillow (cover from Pottery Barn).

Since the new wall art has silver frames, I added in silver candle holders on our coffee table to pull it all together ...

along with this silver-framed nautical print (which is magically *floating,* thanks to Command Hooks and fishing line).

Back on the coffee table, a sweet orchid (from Target) adds a bit of softness ...

Of course, with this being our little "coastal" spot to relax, a few issues of "Coastal Magazine" are a must,

and this little faux furry foot stool (try saying that fast 5 times!) seemed to be the perfect spot to display them and to pull around and rest your feet on while you enjoy them.

We plan on adding a new chandie in here, too ... just waiting for the one I want to go on sale!

I'll also add a few more coastal accents in here, I'm sure ... for now, onto the next project! 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I'm partying here:

Savvy Southern Style/WUW

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This, That and Then Some

Greetings, friends!

You know when you finally feel a bit "settled" in your new home?  Well, of course it's *then* that you decide that you're anything BUT settled!

Sooo, I'm bringing in a bit of wall color in here:

And, having lots of fun (not) staining our deck:

Let's not forget trying out new arrangements here and there:

Annnnd, getting ready to trade out the bookcase here in our sitting room for a fun find from Craiglist!

Hopefully, I'll have a few *blog-worthy* posts to share soon!

Thanks for stopping by,

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This Little Table of Mine!

There Is Something 


About Old Vintage


Fern Stand Tables


That Speak To Me


...And this one in no exception!






This is what I started with, a table top and four legs in much need a L-O-V-E. You all know what I am talking about, right?

Do you see what is missing? Yes, the board that would hold the legs apart in their proper distance. I crawled up into the attic above the hobby garage

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A Cup of Chai…{A photo book about the many cups of chai in my life.}

Today seems to be the day when my 'to-do' list is negligible and I don't see any herculean tasks in the horizon that need my immediate attention.

So I put the kettle on and open the lid of my favourite new tea blend.

The aromatic infusion of citrus, cardamom, lemongrass refresh my senses to a state of immense happiness.

…and I sit down with my freshly brewed cup of tea to tell you all my lovely Rang Decor readers, the story of how 'A Cup of Chai…' A Tea Table book came into being.

I started pursuing my passion for photography in 2006 on flickr, an online platform and community for photographers to share their work and get inspired. Over a period of time I realised I delighted in capturing the steam emanating from my cup of chai, or the compositions and the mood associated with tea time. Soon I had a set full of chai photographs! Do take a quick look here~

Caustics and pattern play...

Morning chai in Jaisalmer…

Chai in our terrace...

Chai and sunflowers from the farmers market…

A Cup of Chai… A photoblog about the many cups of chai in my life came into being in 2008 as a space to share photographs dedicated to my love of tea. 

Soon it became a platform for tea-lovers around the world to come together to interact about their love for chai!

Better Photography Magazine one of India's leading photography magazine ran an article about my work. This was an interesting turning point since my passion for tea and photography was recognised and covered as a unique personal project.

I wanted to capture the moments of having tea in the most spontaneous manner possible. I believe that spontaneity is the key to personal projects. So while a daily ritual of a cup of tea may seem monotonous, with spontaneity and creativity you can break the monotony. For me, creative compositions are important as they can bring the mundane to life.

Being a graphic designer, I am instinctively drawn to unique and creative patterns, frames and compositions in whatever I come across in everyday life, even when I shoot my everyday cups of tea. So whenever there is an occasion for a cup of chai, I ensure that my camera is always nearby. You never know when an interesting composition may come up.

While I continue to shoot my daily vignettes of chai everyday, I share it on Instagram, Facebook and  also on 'A Cup of Chai...' photoblog dedicated to tea. This has resulted in a beautiful confluence of photography and tea, two things that I am so passionate about.

The most natural culmination of a project like this is a book that has the finest collection of photographs that celebrates the eternal cup of tea. A Tea Table book, very unique in it's concept and a great memoir to gift and pass on to chai-lovers, tea-drinkers and fine art photography admirers.

I took the leap and self-published the photo book on Blurb.com in March, 2015.

Glimpses into the book, it also has our family Masala Chai recipe:-)

You can purchase 'A Cup of Chai…' on blurb.com. Click here to order now http://blur.by/1KBfizN

I am also working on looking for publishers in India, to make it a cost effective option.

If you have suggestions on which publisher would be a great fit for 'A Cup of Chai…' do let me know in the comment section. It would be greatly appreciated!

Hope you liked reading about my 'A Cup if Chai… with your cup of tea in your hands;-)

Have a great weekend everyone!

(Images by Archana Srinivas and are copyrighted)

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Some Happy Corners Of My Home

I am in holiday mood and hence blogging has taken back seat. But I miss my lovely readers a lot so decided that I'll post sporadically just to keep in touch with you all.

Here I am sharing some happy corners of my home. Take a look and let pictures do all the talking!!

A peek into my living room.

Hand carved wooden coasters. I just love them. 

Figurines with happy Gazania blooms.

My hand painted bucket that is serving as a planter. It has Salvia growing in it.

I am making myself a bunch of tulip flowers as I don't get them here where I live. Yes the same one that you have seen in first image. If you too want to make some then stay tuned. Tutorial coming soon!!

P.S All images are mine and subject to copyright. Please seek permission before using them.

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