CopyCat Art

I can not take credit for this design. Credit goes to Doreen's blog of Hymns and Verses! When I first saw her tutorial on a Valentine's canvas HERE, where she actually gives the templates to use, I knew that this would be the perfect wedding gift to my daughter's dear friend. This is the one that Doreen made and shared...




I wanted to make my own spin on this by adding color first to the

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New Paint Means New Chandie!

Happy Monday, friends!

Not too long ago, I shared how I painted the inside of our front door black.  Such a quick, inexpensive project that really made a difference (love those kinds of projects, don't you)?  

Of course, that "freebie" project then led to a "not so free" project (oops).  Our foyer chandie, which was brown metal with stained glass in shades of purples, greens and reds just didn't work anymore (sorry I don't have a before pic) ... actually, it hadn't worked for some time, but it was one of those projects we simply put off ... for 6 years!

Thanks to Home Depot, our foyer got a new chandie ... the price was right, too, which made it even "more" appealing!  Love its simplistic style:

While playing around in this small space, I then decided to wash a bit of grey onto the white urns:

I wanted them to tie in with the new panels in both the sitting and dining rooms: 

I then brought back our larger rug that has the mustard/gold yellows (like our new fabric), with flecks of black here and there:

Of course, I'm a big fan of dressing doors with simple tassels, too!

I love how the new chandie ties in with our front door!  Annnd, while you're here, you can also see how I used the same fabric in our sitting and dining rooms, which makes my little symmetrical self a happy girl. 

I hope you all have a happy week.  I'm off to continue making a few changes in our great room ... starting with the addition of this beautiful seagrass rug ... LOVE!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Mother's Day Party & A Giveaway!!

First I would like to wish all the beautiful, lovely, hard working, devoted, caring and loving mommies all around the world a very happy Mother's Day!!!

Now I would like to wish a very beautiful women inside and out, who is my truest friend, who teaches me how to behave, who keeps pushing me to be better, who always motivates me, who teaches me to be true to myself, who is really a big part of me, who is everything to me, my love for her is inexplicable-

My MOTHER

Happy Mother's Day My Dearest Mom

Image: Mine

Now I have a great news I am hosting a 'Mother's Day Party and a Giveaway'. I want all the mommies and children out there to speak their heart out. Lets share your sweet/bitter memories and experiences of pregnancy and parenting. I have a big big surprise for one whose story will touch lot of hearts.

Mother's Day Party & Giveaway

Rules: 

1. Anyone blogger or non-blogger can participate in this giveaway.

2. Write about any sweet, bitter, funny, embarrassing moment or anything that brings back memories of time spent with your mother/kid, can be a picture or poem or just a sentence to express feelings will be considered as a valid entry. 

3. Bloggers can write post and publish it in their blog and link it by clicking on the link button at the end of the post. Non-bloggers can directly mail me their stories on designdecoranddisha@gmail.com and I will submit their post on behalf of them.

4. Party starts on 12th May 2013 and will end on 31st May 2013 announcement of winners will take place  on 2nd June.

5. First two entries have a change to win an assured gift. Yes you heard it right!! Post that will get highest number of votes will be a winner and the prize is a big surprise (will disclose little later)!!
6. Following this blog isn't mandatory but if you love reading this blog then following it will ensure that you will not miss any update.

Go get your lovely stories and share them here, party has begun :)

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Our Rental House Tour

We purchased this cute little shotgun house about 8 months ago from a builder friend that had it as a rental for 9 years.

Initially, we purchased it for our 22 year old daughter to live in and we put about another $10,000 in it.

She lived here for 7 months until a job took her out of state.

So now what do we do?

We took to opportunity to fix it up even more though it had been gutted

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Hometalk Always Inspires

Greetings, friends!

When this time of year rolls around, my ADD (Attention *Decorating* Disorder) kicks in ... in HIGH gear!  One of the projects I'm currently tackling is redoing my son's bathroom.  Of course that means turning to the amazing HOMETALK for inspiration!  And, what perfect timing when the fabulous Miriam (Hometalk's Director of Community Development), asked if I would curate an "Affordable Bathroom Decor" clipboard  to share with all of you (well, twist my arm, why don't ya' ... of *course* I would)!

So, when you have a moment, feel free to click on the picture below, which will take you right to my "Affordable Bathroom Decor" clipboard ... you might even *spy* your bathroom on there or someone else's that you know! 

There sure are a bunch of amazing folks out there who have shared crafty, affordable, creative (if not, genius) ideas when it comes to bathroom decor!  You just might want to implement an idea, or 10, in your humble abode, like I plan on doing!

And, if you've never toured around Hometalk, be sure and stay there while ... there are endless amounts of ideas and inspiration, no matter what your project is!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by ... and, a special thank you to Miriam for asking me to be a curator!

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Interiors: Moroccan

Today I'm gonna show you some Moroccan eye candies. In recent days Moroccan style decorating has become so popular. This style of decorating is exotic yet elegant. Located between Europe and Africa Morocco has European, African and Persian influences. Moroccan decor is a perfect blend of styles from France, Spain, Portugal, Africa, Persia and has Mediterranean and Islamic influences. 

Morocco is a warm and dry country so Moroccans love to bring outdoors in and their houses are pots of exotic plants. Main elements that play key role in Moroccan interiors are vibrant colors, intricate work on wooden furniture, mosaic products, carpets, pottery and lamps.

Here is how you can achieve Moroccan look for your home:

Furniture: In this Moroccan style of decorating furniture is mostly made of wood. Seating is usually set low to the ground. Choose furniture that has intricate design on it. Wooden furniture have designs of mosaic tiles on them. On center table put brass or copper trays to serve food and other items.

Image Source: Click Here

Furnishings: Use fabric that is luxurious and rich in colors and to add texture use it everywhere, drape it on furniture, windows and even on ceiling. Four or five cushions wouldn't do much use them in abundance and choose cushions and throw pillows that are vibrant and with intricate designs and patterns.

Image Source: Click Here

Walls: Color is the main element if you want to achieve the look. Choose vibrant colors for wall like fuchsia, red, orange, blue, green, shimmering gold or silver. Walls in textured terracotta is the important element of Moroccan style decor.
This blue room conjures the images of Atlantic and Mediterranean sea.

Image Source: Click Here

Walls of this orange room is evoking the image of sunset in Africa.

Image Source: Click Here

Floors: Floors should be wooden, ceramic or terracotta one. If you are opting for wooden floor then it should be hard and dark in color to achieve Moroccan look. Use plush Persian or Asian carpets and rugs in abundance and stack floor cushions to create perfect Moroccan ambiance.

Image Source: Click Here

Lighting: Morocco is known for its dim, soft lights and variety of handmade lamps. Use lamps and pendants that have carved wood, colored glasses and metal frames. Put aroma candles in them to achieve romantic ambiance.

Image Source: Click Here

Accessories: Accessories give a complete look to any style of decor. Use mirrors to reflect light and to adorn walls. Bring in exotic flora in large and colorful pots or baskets. Use ceramic pots in rich colors on dining table and center table or even on a wall. Keep lamps with intricate designs here and there

                               Eclectic Living Room by Los Angeles Home Staging Madison Modern Home

Try using these simple tips to achieve that perfect Moroccan look you were looking for.  Leaving you with all these Moroccan eye candies :)
To know about different style of decorating read my earlier posts on Interiors here.

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Vastu Gyan: Kitchen Vastu

Kitchen is the most important entity in the house. It is referred to as the treasure of the house in some Chinese scriptures.

This is the only prominent place where fire element plays a key role. In vastu shashtra the principle direction of natural energy field of fire is Southeast. Hence the ideal location for kitchen is southeast. A visible advantage of having the kitchen in the southeast is that it is open to the positive effects of morning sun rays and also gets fresh air most of the time.

Cooking gas should always be placed in southeast direction of the kitchen. As this direction is also referred as having the place of the Goddess of food. One should face east while cooking food.
Windows in the kitchen should be in east and ideal location for door is northeast, east or north to allow the natural light and fresh air through out the day.

Color of the kitchen walls can be green, soft pink, orange, brown or yellow. As these colors are considered as appetite stimulator.
All the equipment like microwave, electric oven , toaster etc should be placed in south or southeast direction. refrigerator should be placed either in northwest or southwest direction. Empty gas cylinders should be placed in southwest.  Exhaust fan should be in east direction as all the cooking is done in this direction. Grain pulses and spices must be stored in the west or in the south direction.
The ideal location for sink and drinking water storage is northeast corner as this direction gets maximum morning UV rays that kill the germs.
There should not be a common wall between toilet and kitchen. Kitchen should not be constructed in front of a bathroom, bedroom or worship room.

One need not panic if it is not possible to follow some or even none of the guidelines provided in the Vastu Shashtra as vastu principles and effects are only secondary to one's inner strength and endeavor toward soul growth.

Read my other posts on Vastu here.

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