Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Diwali, Diwali Decor Ideas, Tea light candles

Diwali Decor Ideas

Before I share Diwali decor ideas, I would like to thank all my readers and friends for showering
so much love on my blog. It's because of your love and support my blog has been nominated for
'The Most Informative Blog' on GoodHomes Awards 2013.
If you really found my blog 'The Most Informative' one then please Like the link here to cast your vote :)

Diwali, the most beautiful and the brightest festival in our culture is

just around the corner. I know lot of my readers were waiting for post on Diwali Decor Ideas.

Your wait ends here.

Rangoli at entrance make it cheerful and inviting. Make one with colors or with petals, put some diyas or candles and see the mesmerizing effect.

Toran made of marigold flower strings and mango leaves add perfect festive cheer.

Bright and vibrant color walls add to festive glow. Give a fresh coat of bright color to your walls and you are all set to welcome festivity.

Bring in greens and don't forget the flower power. Strings of marigold on walls give a festive look to home.

Take out all the lanterns, candles, tea light candles, diyas and lamps. It's time to display those beauties all around the home.

Apart from this there are lot of things that you can do to make your home look pleasing and inviting. Cushions specially silk or brocade with bling look perfect, use some nice matching throw and rug for cozy look.
Make a cluster of pillar candles and tea lights put one decorative mirror behind the arrangement. This setting will double up the charm and glow of your space.
To make a table centerpiece: take any tray put some pebbles with flowers or petals then put tea lights in any fashion linear, circular or random then put some pearls around each tea light. You are ready to greet your guests :)
Hope you will find these tips interesting and will try out some to make your home ready for the biggest festival.

Monday, 21 October 2013

Contemporary Style Decor, Furniture, Online Shopping, Online Store, Style Ashram

Online Store: Style Ashram

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If you love contemporary decor and planning to buy some modern furniture

this store can be a big help for you.

Style Ashram is on a mission to make world class modern furniture affordable, by removing middlemen and expensive showrooms. Thus their motto, "no unnecessary expenses, just pure happiness."

The idea was born when co-founders Arti and Lalit went furniture shopping. Contemporary designs were hard to find, and incredibly expensive. So they put their entrepreneurial minds together to create a solution.

According to Arti, "we strongly believe in creating spaces that bring peace and allow you to decompress. For us, that means minimalist designs combined with comfort."

From sharing design ideas over coffee, to customizing sofas in a leather or fabric of their choice, it's quickly become a hub for creativity. "People come with some great visions, and we're thrilled when we can help their ideas come to life. Whether they buy from us or not, its great to be a part of that process."

For Design Decor and Disha readers, Style Ashram is offering a special promotion until November 10. Just enter code DDD10 to get Rs 10,000 off any purchase above Rs 75,000.

Happy shopping friends!!

Than Monastery, Bhuj | Gujarat.

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I just cleaned some virtual dust off my hard disk which housed frames from one memorable trip to Kutch, Gujarat in 2011. With that came some beautiful memories that has me writing a blog post.

Bhuj was our base for many small trips that we undertook around the region.

Than Monastery is about 60 kms from Bhuj. A beautiful temple complex tucked away in the quiet countryside of Kutch district.

Than Monastery is situated at the foot of Dinodhar Hill and is dedicated to Dhoramnath.
He is said to have performed rigorous penance here for 12 long years.

The temple is made with limestone, mud and plastered with cement and one can see bright vermillion colour smeared on various walls.

The care taker of the temple showed us his earring that was part of the order of the temple.

Our driver Akhil Bhai and the patterned shadows...

My colourful socks and some light and shadow...

Bright Vermilion Trident...

The limestone wall arches and contrasting vermilion figures.

While walking into the various chambers of the complex, we came across some stunning ceramic floral tiles.

...and marble inlay work on the floors.

It was interesting to see a sudden profusion of colours in the interior of the temple as compared to the plain limestone and vermillion on the outside.

The inner walls were adorned with Kamangari Paintings~ A dying art in Gujarat.

"The speciality of Kamangari art was that the paintings were done on on a wet plastered background so that they lasted longer. The artistes used brushes made from the bark of palm trees, using colors extracted from leaves, pebbles and clay mixed with gypsum."

~ extract from Frank Grey's article

Intricate 'jaali' work in the walls.

Such beautiful Kamangari Paintings depicting various mythological scenes.

We walked into a room that had magical light streaming through coloured glass and painted with Kamangari work.
I understand in the olden days the rich-class of people used to patronise the Kamangari artists who would paint the walls of worship and homes.

The serene and quiet temple complex with occasional calls from the parrots...

Vermillion smeared stones and symbols in the complex.

Every part of Kutch that we travelled to, has so much of history in terms of art, craft and architecture. I really hope the dying art finds patrons to revive it and caretakers to uphold such amazing cultural heritage of India.

(Images by Arch)

Wednesday, 16 October 2013

DIY, Lighting

Do YOU Crave Change?

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Do You Crave Change?

I have been working on my son's wedding that is coming up on Nov. 2. I have not shared anything with you because I don't want to spoil the surprise. It's going to be in a barn in Kansas. So far I have made burlap table runners, chalkboards, canning jar looking banner, and 8 men vests. Today, I will be making tags for the wedding party. These tags will go on their

Our Fall Front Porch

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Don't you just love when you open a seasonal bin full of Fall "stuff," only to find a forgotten bag from "Michael's" containing garland that you scooped up after the season last year for 75% off?! I sure do!

Thanks to that forgotten purchase, our front entry got a colorful Fall addition this year! Of course, I couldn't stop there ...

I had to add in our pumpkin topiaries (that take less than 10 minutes to make) ... they've become part of our Fall family, as I keep bringing them back year after year.

It wouldn't be Fall with a few mums and scattered pumpkins now would it? And, since this wobbly $8 ladderback chair would undoubtedly collapse if I tried to sit on it, I decided to bring it out here to be part of this simple Fall vignette:

Soon, little trick-or-treaters will be ringing the doorbell (hope they don't attempt to sit on the wobbly chair ... the trick will be on them ... oops)!

And, while I love real pumpkins, I'm liking our faux ones, since they'll last all season (annnd, can't get squished in the road if a Halloween prankster decides to try and be funny)!

Of course, I had to add one of my crazy mesh wreaths for the season ...

which, for a few weeks, has been replaced with a Halloween wreath I made ... gotta have mesh ... and LOTS of it!

Love the garland lit up in the evening!

Oh, and my apologies to our corn stalks ... I had every intention of adding Fall bows to them, BUT, when I went to do so, two large lizards (which, to me, translates to huge dinosaurs) jumped out of one of them, thus, preventing me from wanting to get too close to them ever again (ha). Maybe next year!