Tuesday, 5 July 2011

Le Chateaux ...

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July!  We had a fun-filled weekend, for sure!  Let's see, we hosted a small gathering to celebrate my sweet and handsome hubby's birthday:
  

ate WAY too much:


and played on the beach with awesome friends (Jax loved "flying" into the water) ... oh to be young and "simple" again:


I'm sure you'll agree that it went by much too quickly!

Well, I must give a *HA-UGE* thank you to all of you who commiserated with me by admitting that, you too, also suffer from "DJS" in my recent post !!  I'm just glad that we can all suffer together ... aren't you?  I look forward to sharing many other decorating ailments in the future (as well as my made up Chinese proverbs)!  LOL

I'm keeping it simple today by sharing another chalk paint redo.  Some of you will gasp when you see that I painted over such a pretty piece (in fact, I was almost afraid to share the before pic); however, as much as I loved it, the parrots needed to fly back into the woods. 


After adding a coat of AS Old White, I then added two coats of Chateaux Grey.  


Even though it's called "grey," it really is more green, which is why I chose it ... I wanted to compliment the green in my accent chairs; which, I'm not sure why I did that because I have a tiny feeling that these chairs will be moved, covered or magically disappear before my very eyes in the near future:


Of course, I pulled out my sandpaper and distressed it a bit here and there to expose the Old White (is chalk paint the easiest to distress or what?!):


I then painted the hardware Old White and then added a bit of Gold Leaf Rub 'n Buff:


I love how it changes colors, depending on the light.  I'm hoping that you can see how it looks more green here:


versus how it looks more grey from this angle: 


I'm enjoying the new look ... again, sorry parrots ... enjoy your freedom!  And, while my paintbrush is still wet, I'm going to take a peek around and see what else needs a facelift.  Hmmmmmm ???

Have a great day!

I'm off to party at these fabulous blogs:

Dittle Dattle/Amaze Me Monday
BNOTP/Metamorphosis Monday
Savvy Southern Style/WUW
Miss Mustard Seed/Furniture Feature Friday
Thrifty Decor Chick/Before and After Party
Shades of Amber/AS Chalk Paint Party
Perfectly Imperfect/All Things Furniture



Wednesday, 29 June 2011

When Creative Juices Flow

Something comes out very interesting and amazing whenever creative juices flow in our lives. This happens in everybody's life at least once but for we creative peoples it happens every now and then. So in case of mine. I have to admit that I am obsessed with DIY projects and specially using aluminium foil. I have made lot  and lot of things using waste aluminium foil.

Today I'm sharing my latest DIY. In this project I used an earthen pot, most popularly known as Kulhar which is used as a cup for serving tea on railway station in North India and Maharashtra.
I covered this pot completely with left aluminium foil. Then made some designs by rolling foil and glued them on pot. This is how it looks


And now its adorning one of the corner in my living room.


This looks perfect with Krishna Radha statue.


Earthen pot + Aluminium foil = A beautiful art piece

One more DIY(aluminium foil) I have to show you so please wait and do frequently visit this space.

Linking this to Cindy's Show and tell friday on My Romantic Home, French country cottage Feathered Nest Friday





Tuesday, 28 June 2011

Wall Decor

Hello all my friends out there hope all of you enjoyed your weekend at its fullest and mine was a very creative one. My hubby and I created a wall collage in our living room....it was fun drilling the wall and then hanging our memories in form of lovely pictures. Then in the evening we just sit on couch and sipped a cup of ginger tea in front of that lovely wall and talked lot about memories behind every picture.

Our living room has got a new look now .....it looks so lively with all that pictures. I really loved the idea of putting up our family photographs, looking at those pictures brings a smile on our faces and relieves all stress.

Have a look friends and let me know your views. Here are before and after effects



Little bit of dull space


Now looks lively and cheerful


one more view
I am quite happy with it. As we bought this apartment 3 months back so its like a big blank canvas that I have to fill with my imaginations and colours lot more to come ......watch this space frequently and leave me some encouraging and inspiring words.




Monday, 27 June 2011

Do You Suffer from DJS ...

otherwise known as "Decorating Justification Sydrome" ??  Well, I do (another self-prescribed condition).  Symptoms include: diverting from your list as you venture into noted danger zones such as HomeGoods, Pottery Barn, Hobby Lobby, Kirkland's, etc.; often using shameful mental tactics (e.g., saying, "it's the only one left" ... "it was meant to be" ... "you'll be so mad with yourself if you don't get it now" ...); and, developing a glazed over stare in the middle of the aisle as you picture how said unexpected items would look in your space.

Case in point ... on a recent trip to HomeGoods, to purchase a simple item on my list, which was ONE $3.99 white plate (to replace one I broke), I spotted a beautiful $13.99 coral throw.  And, that's when the voice of DJS kicked in ... telling myself that since I added coral to the neighboring dining room, I really NEED to add coral to the sitting room for balance ... that if I don't, I'd really regret it ... it was the ONLY one left ... that's it's such a great price ... and, bad things will happen if I don't get it!  That's when my now-clammy hands quickly placed it in my squeaky-wheeled cart.


Of course, then, I had to find a couple more coral items to add to the sitting room to add balance in there, right?  DJS forced my hand to purchase this lil' cutie ($4.99):


And, this lush lovely ($14.99):



The drive home after a DJS attack can be mixed with feelings of jubulation, as well as guilt because you caved.  However, when you get your new UNexpected and UNnecessary "pretties" home, your DJS reassures you how lovely it all looks ... and that the rapid heart rate, self-argument and moment of weakness was all worth it!


And, okay, while we're in here, I might as well share two more recent DJS purchases.  This lovely wooden bowl from Target (purchased because the sky was blue that day):


And, this beautiful blinged up tray (purchased because I reminded myself of the ancient non-existent DJS Chinese proverb, which says, "she who buy white bling bling tray and place on ottoman in sitting room have years of good luck!"):


Just please don't ask to see the white plate ... the ONLY item on my list because, well, I forgot to buy it (yet aNOTHER symptom of DJS).  Gee, I guess this means that I'll have go back (insert *sheepishly wicked grin*).  Better yet ... I think I'll just stay away for awhile and enjoy my new DJS purchases!


Thanks for stopping by ... and, if you want to go ahead and confess that you also suffer from DJS, you'll feel a lot better ... that, and you'll make ME feel a lot better, knowing that I'm not alone!  LOL

Linking up to these fun par-tays:

BNOTP/Metamorphosis Monday
Dittle Dattle/Amaze Me Monday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/Tuesday's Treasures
Southern Savvy Style/WUW

Becca

Friday, 24 June 2011

Floor Lamps

While searching for lighting ideas for my living room I came across these very beautiful floor lamps.
Here is glimpse of few of them.

Image source: Click here

Look at this below antique one isn't it beautiful


Image Source: Click here

This wooden lamp has rustic look and definitely goes well with solid wood furniture


Image Source: Click here

Metal lamps add difference to decor in a dramatic manner


Image Source: Click here
 Now some contemporary and stylish floor/desk lamps

Image Source: Click here

Image Source: Click here

Image Sorce: Click here
This ibolili tiki-inspired lamps topped the list and look wonderful in garden. Lovely lamps have left me all confused let me find out which will go well with my decor till then............

Enjoy weekend friends and stay creative.





Wednesday, 22 June 2011

Party on The Patio!

Thanks for letting me share our screened in porch for Kim's deck party at Savvy Southern Style!  Now, it's time to head over to Sherry's summer entertaining party at No Minimalist Here, so let's venture on out to our patio!


When we first moved here, our back patio consisted of one slab of concrete and a little pergola above (unfortunately, I don't have a picture). Two years ago, we expanded the patio to cover almost the entire back of the house ... had the concrete stained and "etched" and also expanded the entire pergola.

Please step on up to the BBQ island (which I had fun designing with a local business):


May I offer you a water, tea or *spirit,* which we are keeping nice and cold in the mini-fridge?


How about a piece of yummy fake bread?  Hmmmmmm!


Or, would you prefer a glass of wine, along with a fake breadstick, grapes and cheese?


If you're ready to eat, let's move on over to the table, which I've given a patriotic theme:


I had the tray, greenery, chargers, plates and napkins on hand:


Why not place boxes of sparklers in your centerpiece for added fun (and just pray that the heat doesn't ignite them!!)


How cute are these patriotic salt/pepper shakers and peppermint melts?  Can you say Dollar Tree and Dollar General?! 


I found these whimsical napkin rings at Pier One (on sale) and the cute plastic cups in the background are from Dollar General, as well!


If you're full or don't have an appetite, we can move on over to our "sit in one of the freshly spray painted red rockers and watch the fire or the drought ridden marsh" area.  I recently scored this fireplace from Lowes, which I'd been watching ... and watching ... and watching until it *finally* went on sale !!  Let's get the s'mores ready!



Or, if you don't feel like relaxing, how about stepping on over to da hot tub!


While getting a good soak, you can look up at the fun chandie I found at World Market.  It almost reminds me of floating bubbles (I know, I know ... have another cocktail Miss Hostess ... lol):


The jets are on ... the built-in party lights are going ... and Jimmy Buffet is blasting from its speakers.  I've even got a clean towel and cold beverage waiting for you.  Now, hurry up and save duckie, who appears to have tipped over ... oh no:


Thanks so much for stopping by ... you know I appreciate your visit(!), and now I'm off to be inspired by everyone else's summer gatherings.  Be sure and join me for the fun!  Cheers!


Becca

I'm also linking up with with this fun party:

Funky Junk Interiors/Saturday Nite Special