Tuesday 8 June 2010

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sweet imprints...

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I recently became the owner of these beautifully crafted Sandesh moulds, that my mother found while clearing her old trunks.
Having spent most part of my childhood summer vacations in Calcutta, West Bengal where my grandparents lived for decades, my love for Bengali sweets and especially Sandesh is interwoven with my memories of days spent lazying around in the wrought-iron balcony with smooth red-oxide flooring... ( more on that later;-)
So when my mother brought these precious little pieces of terracotta moulds I was thrilled.

I just had to share these photographs with all of you.
Hope you like them.

( images by Arch)

Wednesday 2 June 2010

Master Bedroom Gets a New "Do" ....

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Greetings ... remember me?!  I can't believe that I haven't been taken into custody yet for blog neglect!  LOL.  Shame on me!  I could say that I haven't been engaging in my decorating obsession lately (thus not having anything to share with you), but, alas, that would be a big ol' fib!  Actually, an intervention has been in order for awhile now, as I always tend to go into decorating overdrive in the Spring.  I've just been horrible about posting, and I sincerely apologize.

So, my latest decorating victim has been our master bedroom.  When I redid our master bath earlier this year, naturally, I had to then turn my attention to our bedroom.  I'm not quite finished, but I wanted to share what I've done so far.

BEFORE: (My apologies ... this is the ONLY *before* picture I could find. It's when our home was featured on the local Christmas Tour of Homes last year. This gives you an idea of the color scheme ... my typical reds/golds/greens:


AFTER:  I love how tranquil the colors make our resting space feel and truly enjoy relaxing in here now.  I am *this* close to painting the green portion of the ceiling SW Quietude and the white ceiling SW Rainwashed.  I also plan on painting the walls a shade lighter than they are now:


BEFORE:  Again, sorry that I'm reminding you of Christmas when it's now almost Summer!


AFTER:  I had to let go of the somewhat bulky recliners and place smaller parsons chairs there instead.  And, of course, I had to add the animal print runner for fun.


I'm on the lookout for soft brownish-gold slipcovers for the parsons chairs.




Being a huge fan of The Nester's window mistreatment tutorials, I think I took her lessons to a new level when I made these panels.  If you touch them, you will, undoubtedly, get stabbed by the bazillion straight pins that are holding them together!  The cream fabric used for the panels is from WalMart, purchased for $2.97/yd (yay)!  The satin-y checked fabric, admittedly, I splurged on at $17.99/yd.  And, the tassel trim was on clearance for $5.99/yd.



I truly love the new, soft fabrics on the bed (especially the bird print). 

The pillows are severly MIStreated, as well.  What you can't see are the safety pins in the back, holding the fabrics in place!  I'm patiently waiting for my neighbor to give me a crash course in sewing so that I can finish these off:

 



There's the master bathroom in the background ... I'm happy now that the two rooms "flow" together.


The runner on my dresser matches the fabric used for my window treatments/bedskirt/accent pillows.



A little accent chest fills the corner ... love painted pieces!


I recently purchased this bench from Kirkland's (and plan on replacing the fabric currently on here with the same blue fabric that covers the accent table by the triple window).


And, finally ... the bedside table lamps USED to look like this:


Now, they look like this:  (I added blue paint and tassels to the bases and gold "B" monograms to the shades).
                     

So, that's what I've done thus far ... thanks for taking a peek.  I'll be sure to post pics as I complete the finishing touches!

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On an unrelated (but fun) note ... every year, there is a great charity golfing event held here called "Monday after the Masters."  It was started by Darius Rucker (Hootie and the Blowfish) a few years ago, and celebrities and professional (and semi-professional) golfers participate. My husband and I were fortunate enough to have VIP passes, which allowed us to have access to the clubhouse, private parties and a private concert where Darius performed solo (and with his former Hootie and the Blowfish  croonies), along with a few others (Edwin McCain, Colt Ford, Javier Colon, Gary Valentine, John Daly, singer from Creed and Josh Kelley). It was an amazing time, and we're already excited for next year. So ... meet my new friends:

Here is Gary Valentine (remember the oh-so-funny show "King of Queens"?)  He was hysterical. 
         

Any country music fans out there?  Here's Colt Ford ... what a truly NICE man.  He was so polite and truly humbled that people wanted his autograph.

      

What about golf lovers?  Here's young and cutie, Dustin Johnson ...
  

Annnd, my *giddy* hubby with Jim McMahan ... yes, this crazy man had the breakfast of champions ... eggs, bacon and a cold Mich Ultra!


Weeeeellll, friends, thanks SO much for stopping by and not giving up on me!  I'll post again soon of my lessons in layering around the house!

Take care,






I'm linking up with:


 
Thrifty Decor Chick for the Before and After Party

Friday 28 May 2010

Monday 17 May 2010

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buddha at home...

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I don't have many idols of Buddha, but I just love the serenity that permeates the space that has the face of peace. Today I am sharing with you a few arrangements of Buddha that I have managed to photograph at home over a period of time. Hope you like them.
The post on decor inspired by love for Buddha is on it's way, so stay tuned:-)

Wednesday 12 May 2010

Monday 29 March 2010

The "not-so" Great Room

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Welcome, friends !!  Ah, the flowers are blooming ... the grass is turning green ... and Spring is in the air !!  Yay !!

Yes, it's time to throw open the pollen-laden windows and spruce the place up a bit.  Come on in and take a peek at our great room !!  Unfortunately, I had to replace my computer, and I lost a lot of my pics.  So, let's just pretend you saw this room when it had matching green recliners, green sofa and animal print rug (it was just too matchy-matchy).  *Yawn*

NOW, here we are with a racy red sofa ... updated fireplace ... comfy, striped accent chairs and a traditional, larger rug with all the colors I love.  (Feel free to click on pics to make them larger.)




Having my husband's permission to "retire" the recliners, I promised him I'd choose super comfy chairs and add an ottoman to "his" chair so he can rest his hoofs.  The chairs I selected literally *suck you in* ... great for "Lifetime" movie days !!  They are *dressed* in a really pretty striped *satin-y* fabric.  I chose a coordinating paisley fabric for the ottoman, oversized pillows and toppers to the panels framing the french doors.

                           

On to the fireplace ... updated the mantle by adding matching floral arrangements on each side (the "before" shot is in my header) ... not the greatest (need to add some gold flowers in there), but they'll do for now !!



I *just* found this beautiful, petite chair at a local antique store. The fabric is gorgeous in person ... it's a *satin-y* gold (which ties in nicely with my accent chairs), and the uphostery tacks are such a great accent !! I really do like antiques ... but, may I just say that I'm always a bit spooked by the stories that *could* be behind them ... I know that sounds weird. I asked the gentleman I bought it from to please do the voodoo/ghost removal ceremony before I left. He laughed and waved his hands in a silly fashion over the chair ... I'm sure he thought I was ker-azy !!




My parents have this same accent chest in their home.  I loved it so much, I just *had* to have one for our home, too.  It's the perfect size and height for the niche that is right beside our fireplace.  Too, the drawers are nice and deep, serving as great storage, too !!


A closer look (even though it makes the background color look more beige vs. gold-ish):


Just a little side table:


This brown/black accent table also serves as great storage for more of my knick-knacks.  I'm just never satisfied with it, nor the accessories on it, as it seems a bit "blah" ... so, I just ordered gold mirrored lamps to replace the monkey ones ... I'm hoping they do the trick !!


My Easter bunnies, which used to be in my kitchen, found a new home here, too:


 We just recently added the chair molding and shadowboxes to this wrap around half wall.  I love how it ties in with the same molding/shadowboxes that in the neighboring dining room (not pictured):


This inexpensive, fun table runner came from HomeGoods. I thought it would lighten up the otherwise dark coffee table a bit.


And, of course, seeing as I'm on a shell kick lately, I filled this glass bowl on the coffee table with gifts from the sea:


Well, folks, that's all I got.  I'm open to any and all suggestions to improve my space !!  And, too, I give you my solemn promise to learn better photography skills !!  I'm very envious of all you talented peeps who know how to shoot in the right light, at the right angle and make your pics look as though they're jumping out of the computer.  Your talents are inspiring me !!

Thanks again for stopping by,


I'm linking up with:

Metamorphosis Monday at BNOTP

Make Your Monday at Twice Remembered

Made it Monday at Persimmon Perch

Make it for Monday at Cottage Instincts

Toot Your Horn Tuesday at A Silly Little Sparrow

The Spring Mantel Party at A Soft Place to Land

Before and After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick