Tuesday 19 August 2014

Welcome to Our Foyer!

Greetings, friends !!

Thank you all so very much for your thoughtful comments about our recent feature in "Decorating Shortcuts" magazine ... it meant so much! 

We're still settling into our new home, and, as it's only fitting to start from the beginning, I'm inviting you all into our foyer!

BEFORE: Here's our foyer as shown by the builder, Hour Homes, on their website after it was completed: 


AFTER: TA DAAA!  I have much more planned for this space, but, here's how it looks today:


I was happy to be able to add our Annie Sloane "Chateaux Grey" accent chest in here, which I then flanked with two parsons chairs (that used to live on the enclosed porch in our old home).  I plan on adding different slipcovers, as well as adding "blingy" candle sconces, above the chairs eventually.


Of course I had to splash coastal accents in, especially since we're not right down the road from the beach anymore ((**sniff sniff**)):



This little fella (or is it a gal) from Home Goods has been overseeing my madness!


Our vintage secretary seems to fit perfectly in the little niche towards the back of the foyer:


Unlike in our old home, I decided to give it a "crown" of inexpensive decorative plates that I look forward to changing out with the upcoming seasons!



Even though a 2 story foyer can pose a bit of decorating challenge (for me, anyway) as far as the "empty" space above, I love the natural light that pours in:


I'll be back soon to share more of our new casa ... hope you'll join me!




Thanks so much for stopping by!


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Friday 15 August 2014

Ice Cream Chairs Transformation!





Don't you just love the look of



Feed Sacks?





Who knew that they



Would become so popular.





They bring back the simpler times...



That warms the heart.








If you remember this picture...


Of when I showed you the vintage wooden ironing board turned Welcome Sign (you can see that post HERE), that is also the first time you saw the green chair. I actually have TWO!

I first

Monday 11 August 2014

Beautiful Balcony Garden!!

First let me share some exciting news for all my lovely readers. I know you all love decorating your homes, so here is a chance to win gift voucher worth Rs.3000/- for more information click here.

I have a wonderful guest today on my blog, Smita Srivastava. A food blogger who is equally enthusiastic about gardening. When I stumbled across some beautiful images of her small balcony garden, I couldn't help and asked her to send some more lovely images.

Smita Srivastava is the food blogger behind the fun food blog Little Food Junction . She started her career as a graphic designer after completing her masters in advertising design but fun foods, cooking & photography was where her true calling was. Struggling to interest her daughter in eating, she began to transform plates of food into colorful animals , people and pictures to liven up mealtimes. Her designs worked so well that she started her blog, Little Food Junction .
Simplicity , healthy and easy to make has always been her mantra for all her recipes and food designs. Her works have been featured on several newspapers and sites of great repute Her book – Fun food for Fussy Little Eaters ( published by Ryland Peters & Small, London) is available worldwide ( on Amazon, Flipkart, Barnes & noble etc )
As I said she loves gardening too.....
 So here some eye candies for you from Smita Srivastava's balcony garden

Well that's a nice way to add pop of colour and so much character in a small balcony garden. Beautiful accessories and lovely planters, is what that can change look of garden.

Indian Balcony Garden

Balcony garden that is filled with lot of character. Don't you love that cute tiny ceramic hut.

Indian Balcony Garden


Look at those lovely mushrooms.... gorgeous isn't it.

Indian Balcony Garden


I just loved her collection of beautiful  ceramic planters in different shapes and colours.

Indian Balcony Garden


And here's a wonderful zen corner in her Indian balcony garden. A perfect place to unwind.

Indianl Balcony Garden

Smita inspired me to do so many things in my garden, I am all set to add some character in my garden. Tell me what do you think of her beautiful garden.
Check out more gardening ideas on my blog click here


Map Nite Stand




What do you do when...


You buy the ugliest table

At a garage sale


And get it home and


R-E-G-R-E-T        I-T-!

YOU MAKE THE BEST OF IT...





It was covered in paint runs and cracked and even candle wax. What it had good going for it was that it's solid pine (so real wood) and a cute size. I had already taken the door off before the picture.


I simply did what I could...cleaned it up

Thursday 7 August 2014

Contest: My Favorite Colour!!

Welcome dear readers!! It's been long that I have held any contest here on my blog and I know you all were waiting desperately for one. So here is one just for you.
Let me tell you the contest is quite easy and lot of fun to take part in, there is no specific rule or regulation and the best thing is you need not to worry about getting maximum Facebook likes...yes contest will not be judged on the basis of Facebook likes. We have jury who will going to judge the contest. So here's little about contest:
This contest is being held in association with GoodHomes. In upcoming monthly issue it focuses on two aspects- Colours and Flooring. The issue highlights some wonderful ideas on how to make your floor marry your décor scheme! Some experts like Andy Munro, Eleonore Cavalli and Krsna Mehta have shared some insightful information on décor. Further the issue also does a deep dive into the runway styles of the season that can be implemented in one’s home. Lastly, they have played with colour in this issue and have displayed 55 ways to make an impression with it! So I would suggest go and grab your copy today and get inspired.

GoodHomes Blogger Contest


CONTEST:
Colours are an integral part of one’s home. By adding colour to your home, you can add colour to your life! Keeping with the theme of 'colour', I would like you to share images of corner/nook in your home or vignette on coffee table/side table or anywhere around your home that has been done in your Favorite Colour yes your favorite colour and you love to spend time there. It is that simple. 
Here are the steps how you can do it:
1. Click the image of place (where you unwind and love to spend lot of time) in your home that has been done in your favorite color. It can be your living room, bedroom, library, studio, backyard, front yard, balcony, garden, terrace, vignette, corner/nook or any decor piece. (Basically I want to see colours, that's it).
2. Send the image to designdecoranddisha@gmail.com

DURATION: Contest is open for 10 days. From 8th August to 18th August.

REWARD: Contest will be judged by experts and the winner will get gift hamper worth Rs 3000/-
 (Hamper courtesy: Printed Noise and Tangerine)
Don't miss any updates from this blog, lot of exciting things are coming your way like my Facebook Page to stay connected.
Happy decorating folks and Good Luck to all of you!!



Wednesday 6 August 2014

Tech Talk: Dell Venue 8

So this post is something different from what I usually write about on my blog. Yes I am talking about technology today. You all are aware of the fact that my blog is design and lifestyle blog but writing a blog wouldn't have been possible without technology and saying that I admit that I am technology freak.
I have used so many gadgets and devices for blogging from desktop to tab, laptop to mobile but, my all time favorite was my Dell laptop that helped me achieve my dreams and in past 4 years I didn't keep it away from me even for a day though sometimes I found that it's not that handy and can't be easy to use on the go.
Then one fine day I got something very handy and designed for life on the go. It's Dell's newly launched Venue 8 tab. The day I got it and explored its features I became a fan of it. Lets have a look what I am talking about:

Dell Venue 8 Review
Image Source: Dell

Design:
Its sleek look and perfect design is what make it stand out from other tablets. Venue 8 tablet is strong, sturdy, light weight and thin ( less than 9.5 mm), screen size is 20.3 cm(8"), tactile rubber finish on the back offers excellent grip and less chances of picking up scratch. It has high definition screen so you can enjoy your videos and images. There is Micro-SD card reader that supports upto 128GB storage that is pretty good. One Micro-AB USB2.0 slot for charging. One headphone and microphone combo jack and one 3FF micro-SIM slot
Dimensions: Thickness: 9.5 mm (0.37)
                    Width: 130 mm (5.11)
                     Length: 212 mm (8.35)
Weight : 350 g

Features: 
Now lets have a look on its fantastic features :
Processor   :  Intel Atom (Dual Core)
OS             :  Android Jelly Bean 4.2
Screen Size : 20.3 cm (8)
Display       : 1280 x 800
Memory     : 2GB
Hard Drive : 16 GB/32 GB
Video Card: Intel HD Graphics
Audio & Speaker: Single mic and speaker with 3.55 mm stereo jack
Camera      : Front- 2MP Back- 5MP
Power        : 10 Watt AC Adapter
Battery       : Integrated 15.5Whr (4100mAh), 1-Cell Battery
Color         : Black
Warranty    : 1Year accidental damage services

For me while blogging it works pretty awesome. It's handy and I can operate it anywhere as it has micro sim slot too. So even if I don't have access to Wi-Fi and can connect to internet and start blogging and that too in a hassle free way. Its dimensions make my work easier, can be held easily without any stress in your hand and I can read in a wide screen and can enjoy my videos and images in landscape view. Its weight is comparatively very less than other tablet thus I can carry it along everywhere and can easily start working on it. Since the day I got this tab I have been exploring it and found it pretty handy and easy to operate. Stay tuned to know more about it and how this wonderful tablet is helping me in blogging. Till then please let me know how do you find Venue 8.


And I have got a news for my lovely readers, wonderful contest is coming your way. Stay tuned!!







Tuesday 5 August 2014

Legs to Lamps





 When I first saw these, I knew what they would become!





I had done this before and it's really not that hard. I used many layers of paint knowing that I was going to sand down and distress these enough to see all the layers of color, two shades of gray, old white, and pale green on top.


I drilled a hole all the way through using a very long drill bit and then from the back bottom to