They're Baaaack!

I woke up this morning realizing that I haven't bored you all lately with pics of just a few more of the crazy mesh wreaths that I've had the privilege of creating for others lately (*gasp*)!  So, here you go ... try not to doze off! 

"Go, Team, Go!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simple Randomness:

 

 

 

 

Truly flattered that these wreaths are now gracing the doors of two local schools:

 

 

"Happy Fall/Halloween!"  Okay, okay ... I'm sheepishly a bit proud of the "BOO" wreath that I designed last year because it managed to find its way onto Pinterest and, because of that, several folks contacted me to have a little "BOO" on their doors this year, too.  What fun!

 

For the "BOO" wreath making a repeat appearance on *our* front door this year, I added striped ribbon instead for a little change:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, I had to splash some Fall on our front door, too!

 

 

Are you still with me?  All kidding aside, I'm beyond flattered and excited that folks across the country have trusted me to create a little fun for their doors!  I didn't expect this to turn into a little gig for me, but I'm going to enjoy it as long as I can ... hopefully, creating a website making it easier to share them all in one place for easier viewing and ordering! 

Can't wait to start on Christmas orders!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

Becca

 

Read More

Indian Art: Pattachitra (Odisha Art)

Pattachitra is an age old  traditional painting of Odisha, India. Paintings depict Hindu mythology and are inspired by Lord Jagannath. It is one of the oldest art form of Odisha. Pattachitra is a Sanskrit name, patta -cloth and chitra- painting. Thus its a painting on silk or cotton cloth filled with rich color that portrays Hindu mythology.

Image Source: Click Here

                                                       Pattachitra
Origin: It is said that these paintings were substitute for worship on days when the temple doors were shut for the 'ritual bath' of the deity. This form of art still survives in places like Puri, Raghurajpur and Sonepur in Odisha. Artists also called 'Chitrakars' who mastered this art are Mohapatra and Maharna

Image Source: Click Here

Style: The style is mix of folk and traditional elements. Mainly depicting stories of Lord Jagannath. Paintings have very intricate designs and lines are bold and sharp. Background on which figures are painted is always filled with floral motifs. Mainly red, yellow, black & white colors are used for filling in. Borders mainly in red is an essential part of every painting. Colors used are all natural.

Image Source: Click Here

Process: Painting is done on canvas. Canvas is prepared by applying glue (dried and powdered Tamarind seeds and chalk powder) then it is dried in sun. Canvas is then rubbed with the khaddar stone to make it smooth and then rubbed with chikna stone to make it shine. Then the motif or figure is drawn on canvas directly with the brush by chitrakars who have mastered this art. Then natural colors obtained from vegetables and various stones are filled in. Brushes used are very fine and made of mouse hairs. Final coat of lacquer is applied to protect it from weather and to make it last long.

Image Source: Click Here

Hope you enjoyed reading about Pattachitra. Want to say something leave your comment, love to hear from you :)

Read More

The Channapatna Swirl: Varnam.

Rang Decor has seen Karthik Vaidyanathan share his creative space with it's readers, start his new venture Varnam~ Colors for your home and now he is back with his full fledged exhibition showcasing traditional crafts of Channapatna that are made relevant in today's times and have a strong utilitarian value in our everyday life.

'Gubbi Series' Paper weights.

The 'Channapatnaiks' bottle stoppers.

'Kuruvi Series' Paper Roll Dispenser.

Karthik states, "It was over two years ago, on a road trip to Mysore, when I had stopped by at a little toy-shop along the streets of this little town called Channapatna. I came away fascinated. Little did I know then, that I would be so closely linked with this beautiful craft form in the coming years."

Kuruvi Series' Wall Hooks.

'Four Little Chefs' Napkin and Card Holder.

'Three Little Piggies on a bus' hanger.

Salt & Pepper Shakers.

Varnam, his own social enterprise has been working with a group of talented crafts-women (for over a year now) to try and revisit this craft that was traditionally known for making toys. 

Do drop by and see these vibrant Channapatna beauties at 

The Channapatna Swirl~ Re-imagining the Channapatna Craft.

at Showcase @ No.1 Shanthi Road, Bangalore.

on October 19th to 21st, 2012

11 am to 8 pm and the grand opening on 18th October at 6.30 pm.

You can also join Varnam's Event page on Facebook.

(Images by Varnam)

Read More

Coolest Sconce EVER!

Do you want to hear about the






Coolest Sconce Ever? 



 I happened on an absolutely huge garage sale from years of accumulation and living. In fact, it was more like a flea market! I found three of these in varying degrees of disrepair...




This was the only one that was completely there with the face plate and all the crystals. At first, I did not intend to keep any of these sconces

Read More

Federal Mirror Addition

Remember that vanity that I just transformed? No? Well let me remind you...



 
First of all, I went to an auction and I saw the same piece of furniture! It is not a lady's desk but a true vanity. The mirror was missing on mine! That question is solved! Or you can go HERE and see the post on this piece.
So, I remedied the missing mirror with this Federal Style one...




Yep, this ugly thing!

Read More

Deja Vu Decorating

Yes, folks ... that's right!  If I add something to our home that I absolutely love, don't be surprised if you see it appear in another space at the same time, as well.  Do any of you do that, too?

 

Such is the case when I recently revamped our breakfast room (shown here).  I knew when I spotted the fabulous fabric for the windows in there, that I also simply *had* to add it to our neighboring great room ... especially since we have an open floor plan. 

 

I'm really enjoying seeing pattern in here against our neutral furniture:

 

 

 

While you're here, I'll share a few pics of our simple Fall great room.  When you enter our home, the great room is straight ahead ... with our buffet on the left side:

 

 

I pulled out our Fall pillows ...

 

 

adding a couple of new, patterened ones from Kirkland's:

 

 

It's just about time to enjoy a nice fire!

 

 

After seeing lanterns on Pinterest (including my sweet friend, Kristen, from Kristen's Creations) that are embellished with Fall goodies, I simply had to dress up one of ours, too:

 

 

And, I must thank my sweet Mom for suprising me with this gorgeous floor lamp ... she knows my taste very well!

 

 

A simple apothecary jar filled with pinecones, corks and pumpkins helps our faux Fall foliage pop:

 

 

Hard to believe I'll be trading the orange for pops of Christmas red in a few weeks!

 

 

As always, thanks for stopping by, sweet friends!

 

Becca

Read More

Coppre.

It's all about this blushing metal. Copper.

Coppre is a creative collaboration between the 'Tambat' craftsmen in Maharashtra and Rashmi Ranade, a product designer from Industrial Design Centre, IIT Powai and Sir JJ School of Architecture. 

Coppre works with the craftspeople, by modernizing their products for contemporary sensibilities thereby making the old relevant in the new. 

Inspiration from nature...

Rashmi draws inspiration from  interesting objects she picks up during her long walks like palm leaves, castor leaves, peepal leaves and lotus buds.

Castor leaf tea lights.


Nature Inspired floater.

Copper Pod tealights.

Peepal Leaf.

"The legacy of the Tambat craftspeople who handcraft Coppre's products dates back to the 17th century when they were invited to Pune by the Peshwas when Shivaji set up the city as the capital city of the Maratha Empire.

When the Tambat craftspeople migrated from Konkan to Pune, they formed their settlement in Kasba Peth, an already established nucleus of old Pune. Their precincts came to be known as Tambat Ali (Ali:precincts). These narrow and dusty alleys of Tambat Ali where the timeless sound of metal-hammers clang on copper, have remained pretty much the same as they were almost 300 years ago.

From making armour, coins, canons, copper utensils, ritual wares for the Peshwa rulers, the craftspeople embraced the culinary and ritual needs of Maharashtrian communities and crafted traditional products such as utensils and puja items."~Coppre

Coppre and Light...

This series shows the interplay of light and the reflective metal.

Circle of light tea lights.

Hurricane lamps.

‘Matharkaam’ or beaten work is the distinguishing feature of Tambat craft. The hand-beaten indentations, made by profiled beating hammers, strengthen the object and enhance the inherent rich surface by imparting a mirror-like appearance. It is a skill intensive craft and needs strength, dexterity and a keen hand-foot-eye coordination.

~ Coppre

Reflecting the old in the new...

Drawing inspiration from old traditional vessels, Rashmi has created a modern twist to her Grandmother's trinket box and her mother's Meditation Urlis.

Chip Dip Platter.

Meditation Urlis.

Trinket Boxes.

The bedside Water carafes designed, have drawn inspiration from the ayurvedic practice of drinking water stored in copper vessels. 

This craft started dwindling due to loss of patronage by the Peshwas, mechanization, many bans imposed during British Rule and more recently the changing traditions, rising copper prices and the convenience offered by other materials has reduced the number of families practicing this craft to a small number.

Traditional Tambat Products...

Here are some beautiful traditional Tambat products made today.

Water Jug.

Modak (Dumplings) Steamer.

Water Container.

This art of beaten copper metal brings in aesthetics as well as functionality.

Kudos to Rashmi and her team at Coppre and supported by INTACH & Forbes Marshall for this grand effort in keeping this diminishing craft alive and supporting the Tambat Craftspeople.

You can check out their Facebook page here or email them at coppremarketing@gmail.com

(Images from Coppre)

Read More