Thursday 8 August 2013

It's the Little Things ...

Sometimes, I think that the name of my blog should be changed to "The Forgetful Blogger!"  There are so many little projects I do around our home that I intend to blog about as soon as I do them, alas, it's then weeks/months later, and I have yet to snap pictures ... oops! Hopefully, having been so inspired at the Haven Conference last week in Atlanta will make me a better blogger!  *fingers crossed*

For example ... in our breakfast area, I had this pretty buffalo checked cushion made for our bench a few months ago by my super talented neighbor, Christy.  Here we are ... months later, and I'm *just* now sharing it ... please tell me you can relate!


It's not a huge change (here is the BEFORE):


BUT, I think it adds a nice little pop to our breakfast area.  Sometimes, it's the little things, right?


The vignette on our table hasn't changed much ...


Except for an added little white pitcher, filled with spare utensils.  Again, the little things ...


Over on our dry bar, I added two decorative matching plates from Home Goods, which are identical to the plates I now have flanking the secretary in our great room.  I'm a repeat offender, what can I say?


I love how the green in the plate is "picked up" by the green faux grapes I have tucked inside one of my handy glass cloches:


Annnnd, I also added this cute little wrapped pitcher ready to be filled with a summer drink ... love the texure!


Little things can go a long way!


Now, I simply have to share something that's NOT so little!  I was truly flattered when Jennifer, from the beautiful and inspiring magazine "Artful Blogging," contacted me and asked if they could include my little old blog banner in the "Banners We Love" section!  I'm beyond flattered and sincerely appreciative!  THANK YOU, Artful Blogging!


Come party with me:

Coastal Charm/Nifty Thrifty TuesdayMy Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/Tuesday's Treasures
Savvy Southern Style/WUW


And, thank YOU for stopping by!

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Online Store: Knot n Stitch

Introducing on my blog today a new venture 'Knot n Stitch' started by a good friend of mine 'Vandana' and her team. This is what Vandana says about Knot n Stitch:

We are a small startup in the home furnishing niche currently working with creating beautiful designer cushion covers in varied colours, hues, textures and works. Each of our pieces is carefully designed and created right from the stage of design to the finished product by us and aims at providing an experience beyond par. 
Here is a look of what they have in their store:

Beautiful cushions to add charm to your space.

Sunshine yellow to brighten up your room.

Added some texture too......

 





Knot n Stitch is a venture by three women:
Vandana Rajesh
Anju Athmarao Rajiv
Vinita Hari Govind
To know more about Knot n Stich team, read their story here.
Hurry up visit their site, make a choice and place your order :)


All images are provided by 'Knot n Stitch and are subject to copyright!!

Wednesday 7 August 2013

Inspiring Eminent Artist: Monika Gupta

Featured artist of this month is Monika Gupta of 'Earthen Style'. Her hand painted terracotta products are perfect fit for every kind of decor style.  Lets meet Monika:

Educated as a software engineer, MCA from Nirma Institute of Management & Technology, employed as a Manager in MNCs in last 10 years. I left my cushy job and started giving texture, color and shape to inanimate mud.
I have hand painted lots of terracotta products for home decor which includes vases, pots, masks, hangings and planters.




Monika describes her products as loud, glossy vibrant and attractive and I am totally agree with that. Color she chooses and patterns on every pot are always so unique and attractive.



Each product is one of its kind. Look at this hanging planter...isn't it amazing.


‘Earthenstyle’ produces delicately crafted earthen pots in different shapes, where the exteriors are textured and finished in vibrant colors  so that a unique desirable product for home decor is ready to be marketed.


When I am on a break and not designing, I meet people on internet or face to face, to get their opinions on the work I do. This helps me to understand, likes and dislikes of users of my products.


Our products can be bought from our facebook page and some e-commerce platforms like craftsvilla.com and mirraw.com.
You will also find us in few Exhibitions & Flea Fairs in Bangalore.




Didn't you drool over all her beautiful pots and masks. Tell me which one is your favorite.  For me every piece is just unique and she put all her efforts and creativity in making different patterns and choosing perfect color combination. Don't forget to visit her Facebook page 'Earthenstyle' to know more about her artwork.
In case you missed earlier posts on Inspiring Eminent Artist then click here.



All images are provided by Monika Gupta and subject to copyright

Tuesday 6 August 2013

Quick Wall Makeover

So you have seen two wall makeover ideas on my blog. You can read about first one here and about second one here.
Here is one more and it's KwikDeco again. Yes this time my son chose the wall decal of his choice for his room and when the package arrived he was super excited and gone crazy.



Here is how his room's wall looked before makeover.


And this is how it looks now. Filled with color and full of character.

It was super easy makeover, my son just peeled the stickers and stuck them on wall. I saw him smiling more and more every time he sticked the bird, butterflies and flowers on the wall.

It looks pretty. I told him to stick his photo on that empty bird house and he rejected the idea by saying "Am I a bird" :)

Beautiful tree and some stuffed toys resting underneath.

A different view. This decal has made my son's room look full of color and cheer.

If you want to know more, check out their website www.kwikdeko.com, give a call at +91 9686-896-204 or shoot an email at shashank@kwikdeko.com




Monday 5 August 2013

Fan Of The Week: Shashwatee Raut

First let me share some exciting news for all my lovely readers. I know you all love decorating your homes, so here is a contest and a chance to win gift voucher worth Rs.3000/- for more information click here.
This really cheers me up and keep me going when I receive some sweet notes from fans and readers of my blog. One such reader 'Shashwatee Raut' sent me her very very creative work to share here. Have a look of her DIY projects and beautiful balcony garden. Over to Shashwatee-

Many items in my garden are clay items which I have painted...Tulsi pot, small dog, swan, stool on which I have kept the fountain and the lotus pot.


Small cranes are made of U shaped hair pins and left over M-Seal. The mushrooms are made of plaster of Paris and body of a Reynolds pen (white body)...I have used egg shells as mould to give the mushroom shape. The small insect is made of a plastic ball. The bells are made of Chai ke kulhad!!!



This is Shashwatee's small but lively and beautiful balcony garden.

These five hanging pots are just rabdi handis which I have painted :) 
They look so vibrant and enhance the beauty of her small balcony garden.


   

Small pot in below image is made of paper clay...and I have placed an artificial plant in it as I can't water it......and the lotus like pink flower is made of pistachio shells. 
That lotus looks so real . Pot and butterflies are adding character to the space.



The nest in below image is made of coconut coir...I tried to make it as real as possible but......it became like this. 
Now who will going to believe this that nest isn't real.

I have made the pen stand with a rejected glass on which there was a crack...by simply pouring candle drops on it..then painted with fabric colour.
That's creativity at it's best.
 And the tablas are made of coconut shell..
Two creations are inspired from yours..
This is beautiful and she has done great job. You can find these two tutorials here and here.




Thanks a lot Shashwatee for sharing your passion for art and craft here on Design Decor & Disha.
What say friends. Isn't everything just fabulous. Everything that she made tells a story of her creative imaginations. What do you think.....just let her know through your comments :)

If you also have something to share please feel free to write me at designdecoranddisha@gmail.com!!
Stay tuned to meet Inspiring Eminent Artist of this month :)

All images are provided by Shashwatee Raur and are subject to copyright.

Electrifying Sconces




It took me a while, but I finally DID IT!




What did I do?




Well, years after making two sconces and using them for wall art, I FINALLY electrified them.



Let's go back to the beginning...




I purchased two of these sconces at a garage sale.  I think I paid 50¢ for them.



I then found two metal framed mirrors at Hobby Lobby and I liked the finish, so I painted the sconces to

Friday 2 August 2013

Side Table Renew!




Do you remember this side table with drawer?




No?




Well, let me jog your memory...




Remember this?



 
It is the side table that had the broken leg. HERE is the post where I gave a tutorial on how I fixed this leg. I will give you a glance at the original table that I purchased, not knowing that the leg was broken...


After fixing the leg, I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old Ochre