the east coast desi

Malavika Kamath is no stranger to TECD. Her brainchild "Omnah" has been featured here on TECD's "Featured shop" segment. If you haven't had a chance to check them out earlier, you may read about them right here. While putting together the feature for Omnah, I was not only drawn to the unique product range but was also drawn to the product styling. My curiosity got the better of me and I knew that if her ability to curate so prudently and style her products so effortlessly for her store, was any indication of her strong aesthetic sense, her home would only be an extension of that. Bull's-eye! I was right! Her Mumbai home is filled with eclectic furnishings and art that creates well-ordered interiors with plenty of references to her homeland, India and her travels across Asia. A style of decorating that is truly synonymous with TECD's "global-desi style"!

Having been a flight attendant in Hong Kong, Marketing and Communications professional in Singapore, and now a Facebook entrepreneur after having relocated to India after 16 years, this lady has pretty much been there and done that. When Malavika is not working, she enjoys music ranging from raga to rock, loves eating out, lounging at home with loved ones and occasionally escaping the daily grind via sourcing trips she takes around the country for her brand Omnah.

Malavika has successfully decoded the sure fire way to deal with the decorating dilemmas of a rental space. Minimal wall decor has been balanced by using tall cabinets to display her collections that keep the eye at the same level if art would have been hung. Besides, the cabinets provide additional storage space. Now who wouldn't want more of that! Working with the neutral wall colors of the rental property, Malavika makes the space interesting by bringing in bright hues through textiles, art, decor accessories, potted plants and fresh flowers. Each of these are judiciously combined to create little pockets of interest in every corner of the home.

Let's start with this eye-catching corner right here - The tallest idol is that of Ardhanareshwari a gift from Malavika's brother, bought in Chennai. The two Krishna idols are also gifts from friends and family! A Tibetan kettle picked up from Delhi is adapted to serve as vase for a bunch of roses. Although the brass lamp could pass off as Indian in style, it is handmade from scrap metal and was sourced by Malavika from Cape Town.

The living room is an intimate space with plenty of seating options. To amp up the casual vibe in the living room, Malavika decided to go with a diwan plumped up by a number of throw cushions and woven furniture, "I absolutely love having a ‘divan’ at home, with plenty of colourful cushions, either in my living room or in the lounge or TV room. It’s something we have grown up having at every home we’ve lived in. My mom decorated it with bright cushion covers, and being a neat freak, they were neatly arranged as diamonds." Persian Kilims and textiles like the Kashmiri Crewel (Arastan), Gujarati Kutchi embroidery cushions as well as cushion covers from Omnah’s very own Dakshin series import color, texture and the plush factor to this urban dwelling.

The Annapurna Tanjore painting above the diwan is a 43 year old piece. Malavika loves the deep rich hues of the paintings and says the newer creations these days don't quite exhibit such unique themes or colors. She was drawn to this particular painting at the India International Trade Fair in Delhi as the horse in the painting is actually 5 women (yes, take a closer look)! Flanking the Tanjore painting on the right is the Saraswati wooden sculpture sourced from Salem, Tamil Nadu, another one of Malavika's favorites.

Another view of the living room. The painting is a hand painted batik creation by artist Henry S from Borobudur, Indonesia. When asked about the influences on Malavika's design style, she says "My mom, a Fine Arts student from J.J. School of Arts, has been my biggest influence with regard to home décor and styling, and she has been significant in shaping my own style. I believe I am blessed with her artistic gene. Her spotlessly clean, simple yet elegant style, with hand-embroidered cushions and chair backs, to well-polished brass pots, artifacts, and a select set of indoor plants made for a cozy and impressive home."

At the far end of the living room, a reclining Buddha from Bali brings a zen vibe to this corner. Malavika particularly liked the teal color going for the Buddha and his serene expression. She fondly recollects a story associated with this Buddha purchase, "I went on a day trip from Bali to Ubud. Enroute there are over hundred shops lining the street on one stretch. I spotted this Buddha from the car and had to have it! I kicked up a fuss and insisted on going back, took a detour to find this shop on the return trip. I am so glad I made that effort."The Cabinet is Korean, bought in Singapore. The picture frame is actually a baby cot headboard that Malavika found in the antique market in Shanghai, which she then got framed in Singapore.

Malavika's "Ganesha Corner"! The large Ganesha on Lotus is a treasured gift from Malavika's sister. The smaller groupings of Ganeshas and brass elephants are a combination of lucky finds from Chor Bazaar Mumbai while a few others were picked out on her travels. The little cow on the right is another interesting find from Chor Bazaar shares Malavika, "It’s used to cover a cow’s horn by village folks, so unique! Some of them come with bells (ghungroos) so you can imagine the sweet sounds you’d hear when the cow or cart is moving?"The glistening copper pot was spotted at a steel shop in Mumbai and is used to houses a few green stalks. A bunch of Carnations and white Statice add a punch of color to this setting.

A Madhubani painting in the ‘godhna’ (tattoo) style was an impulsive buy from Dilli haat. Malavika's coffee table has her favorite books, a Urli from Chor bazaar which is always sporting fresh flowers, and other fond curious from her travels like the bell from Singapore and the copper and metal alloy planter from Istanbul.

A stunning Tibetan wooden door depicting Durga seated on a tiger is a hand painted creation from Just Anthony in Singapore. Malavika loves this piece as it is not only decorative but also multitasks as a room divider.

Quoting Malavika on what the word "home" means to her,"A home is a place and a feeling, and is a reflection of who you are. That said, my home is my safe sanctuary, my quiet nest that I can escape to, a place where I feel relaxed, peaceful and happy. A home should be warm, welcoming, clean and uncluttered (I try!) and smelling really nice (I use a lot of ‘dhoop’ and incense sticks), with open windows and lots of natural light, and your mood is set! My home is a place I look forward to seeing when I return to it. I feel the decor should be bright and cheerful, and should rise up to greet me when I walk in! And, I decorate to please myself, not impress others."We couldn't agree more!

Malavika's "Got to have it" list always included oriental style furniture. So when she spotted this pair of fire engine red Chinese chairs in "Just Anthony" in Singapore she knew she had to have it! A complementing side stand draped with a 45 year old hand-embroidered piece from Timor Island (Ubud, Indonesia) makes for a lovely backdrop for a collection of pretty decor accessories. The Chinese urn from Chinatown in Singapore, peacock and Naga arti stand from the Rajasthan State emporium in Delhi, an Indian brass lamp (a gift) and the Balinese wooden bowl though disparate in style come together beautifully to give this corner a curated look.

A closer look at a few more pretty corners......Some of her favorite stores in India include FabIndia, The Shop, The Bombay Store, Goodearth, Mora Taara. Singapore being another favorite destination to shop, Malavika digs the product range offered at Just Anthony, Yue Hwa Emporium, Lim’s Arts and Living and Barang Barang.

Malavika's charming study/work office- Desk and chair from Amar colony is Delhi are the heart of this setting. An Egyptian vase converted into a lamp was picked up from a small boutique in Noida. Adding a touch of green to this setting is a Croton housed in a multicolored planter (reminiscent of the house painting style of the Ndebele village people of South Africa) bought on a trip with Malavika's parents to Johannesburg almost 20 years ago. An exquisite Afghan Kilim and Tajik Suzani patchwork cushion from Arastan pull the colors together perfectly in this room.

A closer look at the photograph by well-known Malayian artist Howard Tan - the photograph is that of the entrance to an Indian shop-house in Georgetown. (Georgetown was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008).

The master bedroom is an un-fussy space that helps unwind and relax at the end of a hectic work day. The painting above the console is from the Forbidden City, Beijing while another contemporary painting gracing the wall above the bed was picked up from a mall in Noida . The brightly patterned bedcover is from The Shop, Connaught Place Delhi.

Malavika's night stand has all the essentials in place - books to read once tucked in, an orange metal and wood storage box (picked up at the Annual Diwali Mela for the Blind School in Delhi) to store unsightly messes, a handmade etched Zebra soapstone trinket dish from Johannesburg, a reed diffuser pot from Pondicherry to keep things smelling fresh, and a yellow ceramic and brass teapot from Chinatown in Singapore that cradles a few stalks of fresh blooms.

A few decor tips from Malavika before we call it a wrap on this home tour, "While decorating your home, try to keep the base a neutral palette so you have the flexibility to add pops of colours that don’t clash or make the space look too busy. For instance, I’ve always liked off-white walls and sofas that contrast well with dark wood furniture and plenty of colorful cushions to accent the living room. Oh, and add some ‘life’ with plants. Another tip I follow while shopping for decor items - if you really like something that you spotted on the first go, BUY IT! Don’t spend too much time deliberating especially if it’s an affordable, unusual piece."

Now that's what I call running counter to trend and creating your own style! I hope you enjoyed the home tour as much as we had fun putting it together for you. Thank you Malavika for letting us tour your beautiful home. We wish you all the very best!

(Image credit/copyright: Malavika Kamath. The images may not be reproduced without the prior written permission of the home owner / TECD)

I cannot emphasize enough on how “Good Design” can enhance the quality of everyday living. Good design has the ability to magically transform square footage into comfortable, functional and stylishly livable spaces. The Mumbai based multi-disciplinary design studio “Zero9" is adept at balancing cutting edge design with traditional interpretation of comfort and function. I was particularly blown away by their design approach adopted to stylize a 950 sq.ft. apartment in Mumbai owned by a young couple. The design team lead by Prashant Chauhan and Anu Chauhan completed the project within a time span of 5 months. Logically altering the walls that existed in this Mumbai apartment, the team successfully maximized space utility and created a home that exudes contemporary flair integrated with a rustic+homey vibe. Clean lines and simple design is brilliantly combined with old décor elements to create a sense of history in this new Mumbai apartment.

Firm Zero9's strong design beliefs have steered them in the right direction since launching their firm in 2005, "We believe in an evolving and long lasting relationship with the people we connect. We place our client’s virtuous sense and taste as the focus of our works. Our sensitivities translate the client needs to reality by using innovative and state of art mediums like digital art, photography, new-age technology and material analysis. Each of our projects with a unique style has a story to tell."It's no surprise that the distinct design style of the firm is much sort after by young home owners and design enthusiasts who second Zero9's design mantra, "Design is boundless.", and are "aesthetically inclined towards integrating art and space converting it to refined design solutions."

I reached out to Prashant Chauhan to get my answers on latest design trends and how he and his team managed to achieve the design feat in a 950 sq. ft. space. His answer to the latter is straight forward,"It's all about keeping it simple. The lesser the clutter, the bigger the space. Another prerequisite included to see as much as the floor as possible. That makes a space look bigger.” Quoting Prashant on following design trends in the industry,"We believe good, efficient design defining the user and his lifestyle is timeless. Trends are temporary.”

Characterized by beautiful turmeric colored Jaisalmer stone floors (etched with silhouettes of frangipani leaves in brass) and textured white stucco walls with carved geometric niches, the space sports a warm rustic vibe with an open airy floor plan. Niches created in the wall along with wooden shelves serve as the perfect display platform for interesting decor accessories and quirky collections. The decor accessories seen in the home are a combination of those that the owners had collected themselves and others that were sourced by the Zero9 design team from Oshiwara Antiques Market in Mumbai and Good Earth.

The palette of sea foam blue-greens, ocher and nut brown come together in the most charmingly eclectic way to punctuate an otherwise white backdrop.

My absolute favorite spot in the house, has to be this antique painted "parsi style" day bed tucked close to the window, a perfect spot to curl up and read a good book.

The colors flow unhindered from one space to the other thus keeping the look cohesive and creating photogenic corners in every room in the home.

Design challenges to keep the kitchen looking fresh and unique were tackled by thoughtfully combining real wood cabinets, modern G4 stone platform, cheerful ocher colored tiles and wooden carved jali that are lit to emphasize their design presence. All in all, the kitchen is the perfect model of how form and function can come together to create stylish interiors.

Won't you agree when I say that it's all in the details?

As we transition to the master bedroom and bath, the mood is intimate and inviting. Departing from the rest of the design style at home, the master bedroom and bath have a more contemporary, modern, clean line approach to it. White flooring and wardrobe shutters in brown mirror, create that sanctuary spa like feel.

Zero9's services are not limited to Interiors for commercial & residential projects.They are proficient in the areas of advertising, exhibitions and architecture too. You can get acquainted with their range of skill right here. Should you wish to stay abreast of their latest projects and work, follow them via FB or Instagram.

Thank you Prashant for taking the time to connect with TECD. We wish you and Zero9 all the very best!

(Image credit: Sebastian Zachariah and Rashmi Mallaya, Image Copyright: Zero9. The images may NOT be reproduced with the prior permission of Zero9)

The Memphis based jewelry design label “URBANITII” is one to book mark if you love handcrafted jewelry pieces that are chic, feminine, stylish, and affordable and give you that edgy look. The artist at Urbanitii, Vidhya Maghanathsunder, meticulously designs and creates these handcrafted pieces that are not only aesthetically unique but are also a symbol of beauty and the artists originality. Forging a relationship with creativity and finding her true calling, Vidhya, a self-taught jewelry designer, churns out collections for Urbanitii that covers a broad spectrum of genres, be it ethnic, contemporary, boho, modern, quirky, simple or bold. What makes Urbanitii stand out from the rest of the players in the same field is that the designs do not conform to predictability or rigidity. Every collection is dedicated to attempting new techniques and methods in crafting jewelry and is an artisanal blend of different styles, metals, textures and colors.

THE LATEST FROM URBANITII'S COLOR BURST COLLECTION

TECD: Hello Vidya and welcome to TECD! Let us get started by asking you, the significance of the name “Urbanitii” ?

Urbanitii:“Growing up in India I was always exposed to the beauty and fine craft that jewellery making was. So it is an influence of those sensibilities and blending it into smart n easy wear pieces for an urban life, hence 'Urbanitii' (urbanity).”

TECD: Tell us what made you heed to your creative calling?

Urbanitii: “I was not of those who was focused on a dream of how my future must plan out, while growing up. I was fortunate enough to have a happy childhood, and completed my undergrad and masters with no particular ambition, although I gave my best to whatever I did. I was a 'happy go lucky girl'.

Post marriage, I moved to the US. Coming from a family of creative individuals and having inherited some artistic qualities, the resources in the US intrigued me and I got exploring. My initial tryst with being creative was when I started painting abstracts. I found myself to be very happy doing so. Soon kids came along and I was a busy stay at home mom, still unaware of what my true calling was. It was 2 yrs after my second child that I was at a crafts store and spotted some beautiful beads on sale. I bought them and rushed back home excited. A few youtube videos later and a lot of practice, I was creating my own jewelry. In no time I was back at the store buying some basic tools and more beads and voila! There began my journey with beads, strings, colors n all things beautiful. The moment Urbanitii was born.”

TECD: Tell us more about Vidhya, the person behind the label?

Urbanitii:"Coming from a technology background of BCA and MCA, I never had an opportunity to work with corporates. Do I miss having experienced that? Hmm…Maybe.. But I would never want to trade on the contentment and happiness I get being a self made entrepreneur and making my own statement pieces. Being an entrepreneur teaches you a million lessons that you cannot learn in any business school.

I truly believe in living a very simple and uncomplicated life. I have a mental list of things that make me happy. I intend to keep expanding on the Happy List and focus very less on frivolous matters.”

TECD: Would love for you share a few of the million valuable lessons that you learnt along your creative journey?

Urbanitii: “Grit and Persistence are the only 2 words. I teach them to my kids too. It will automatically lead you to success.

Running a small business and making a living out of it is no easy task. Penny pinch all your expenses. It helps in the long run. And TRUST yourself. There will be a million times you will doubt yourself. Trust your gut and plough through. You will reach the stars!”

TECD: Each of the pieces is simply exquisite. Please give us a run-through of your creative process?

Urbanitii: “My inspiration in creating a piece of jewelry has been the raw materials itself. Often, People ask me if I sketch or have a vision in my head. The answer is, No. I carefully do an expanded research in acquiring raw materials globally. My designing is an 'on the go' process. Don't get me started on the number of stringing and unstringing of beads. But I do it till I get it right.

Working with new materials is always a challenge. But I love it because you learn so much in the process. I get a prototype done and apply the techniques on other pieces.”

TECD: What according to you has been your most memorable experience w.r.t. Urbanitii?

Urbanitii: ”My very first sale! I was delighted by the fact that someone loved my design and creation as much as me. Moreover, it was my first salary, which was a big deal to me. I had sleepless nights for the next 2 days, purely out of joy!”

TECD: What are future plans for Urbanitii?

Urbanitii: "I’m thrilled about the fact that there has been growth every year since we opened. Our main focus right now is to make Urbanitii more accessible to people. Even though we ship globally, international shipping costs have always been a deciding factor for people in India. We are currently looking at collaborating with high end boutiques and stores in India.”

Thank you Vidhya for taking the time to connect with my readers and sharing your inspiring creative journey. We wish Vidhya all the very best for all that is in store!

You could connect with Urbanitii via their FB page and also write to Vidhya at urbanitiistudio@gmail.com for custom orders.

(Image Credit/Courtesy: Urbanitii)

New Style Alert People! The Bengaluru based, "Pastels and Pop"(P&P) is the new rage in designer handcrafted juttis. The Chhabra sisters have successfully given the old-style Punjabi juttis, a new modern avatar. The modern juttis not only complement traditional Indian attire, but also western outfits. In an array of stunning designs and colors, the footware has options for every occasion - be it the everyday casual look or the occasional dress up. We sat down with Akanksha Chhabra (one of the two co-founders of P&P) to discuss about their brand and inspirational entrepreneurial journey so far.

TECD: Hello and welcome to TECD Akanksha! Delighted to have the opportunity to connect with you. Let’s start by asking you, the thought behind the name “Pastels and Pop”?

Akanksha : “Thank you Sruthi for showcasing Pastels and Pop on TECD.

Our products speak the language of color. While we make Juttis in POP colors like a bright pink or a lush red, we also play around with earthy/pastel colors like lemon yellow, pista green and soft peaches. Pastels represent the essence of traditional handcrafted Juttis, and, by having added a pop factor to them, we are redesigning Juttis for the modern woman. So the name is an attempt to express these amalgams.”

TECD :Tell us more about the duo that is the heart and soul of Pastels and Pop?

Akanksha: “We are two sisters, Akanksha Chhabra and Aarti Chhabra, who are the co founders of Pastels & Pop. I, Akanksha, am an ex-software professional with a Bachelors’ Degree in Engineering. But my lifelong passion of designing lured me into this industry. I have always had this dream of starting my own enterprise, and now my dream has come true.

My younger sister Aarti, pursuing Bachelors in Business Management, is in her final year. Creativity runs through her blood and finds its way into her hands, which is why she’s amazing at sketching and art. Our mutual interest in clothing and accessories led us on the path to Pastels & Pop.”

TECD: Let's rewind to the time that Pastels and Pop came into being?

Akanksha : “My sister and I have a never ending love affair with the Indian Jutti. Our initial years were spent in the heart of Punjab, and we always adored the Juttis our mother used to buy.

In December 2014, my sister Neha, was about to get married. It was the first wedding in our family, so we were naturally very excited about the preparations. As everyone knows, the Big Indian Wedding is all about grandeur with the clothes being a huge part of that. Naturally inclined towards designing and dressmaking right from childhood, the three of us then created and designed all our outfits from scratch, and brought our sister’s dream wedding outfit to life.

When we received innumerable compliments throughout the wedding for our clothes and shoes, that’s when it hit us! First, we absolutely loved the designing process, and, second, there’s a huge, vacant market in Bangalore and other South Indian cities for quality designer ethnic wear which is also affordable. We went about doing our research and in July 2015, Pastels & Pop debuted with its first ever Jutti collection!”

TECD: What according to you is the USP of Pastels and Pop?

Akanksha: “Our major USP is that our collection is, and always will be, versatile! We cater to the palettes of ladies of a wide age group; some of our Juttis provoke elegance, while some can get downright funky, so that you can have a pair of P&P Juttis for any occasion!

Apart from that, we also like to believe that we are one of those companies who actually believe that customer is king. We take customer reviews very seriously, and ensure to always maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.”

TECD: How would you describe your ideal Pastels and Pop woman ?

Akanksha: “The ideal Pastels & Pop woman is any woman. We like to believe that each and every woman is born beautiful. Every lady is a Cinderella, looking for her pair of glass slippers. There doesn't always have to be a Prince Charming for you to feel special; we at P&P would love to make your fairytale come true!”

TECD: Tell us more about your creative process in bringing a pair of juttis into existence?

Akanksha: “At Pastels & Pop, special care is taken to make sure that the finest detail of each Jutti is perfect.

The designs that we introduce are not accidental or arbitrary. A lot of thought goes into the type of prints and elements that we choose, embroidery techniques we employ, and the base colors that we use, so that they intersect with the taste of the modern woman.”

TECD: Your most memorable experience w.r.t. Pastels and Pop?

Akanksha : “Our first order, a Bride ordered our juttis for her wedding functions and after the wedding she left us a beautiful email in which she told us about how much she loved wearing our juttis and how comfortable they were! Not to mention the number of compliments she got! It always feels amazing when clients take time to click pictures in our juttis and send them to us with lots of love and appreciation. And the biggest compliment for us is, when they order with us again :)”

TECD: What has been your success mantra as small business owner?

Akanksha: “Just believe in yourself and your idea. Pay attention to detail. Customer service is the biggest aspect for any company, so make sure you keep your customer's happy by providing them with the best product and best support.”

TECD: What’s next on the cards for Pastels and Pop?

Akanksha: “We have received love and appreciation from not only our India based clientele but also international clients. While we have handled individual international orders offline until now, we plan to go international very soon, by expanding our reach into the world market, ensuring that all our customers around the world have a hassle free buying experience.”

When it comes to footware haven, Pastels & Pop it is as you don't have to choose between style or comfort! The floral and printed ones pair well with jeans, shorts and dresses. While the embellished ones go beautifully with salwars, chudidars, sarees and lehengas. To stay abreast of their latest summer collection SS16 that launches this June, connect with P&P via their FB page and Instagram. This collection is going to showcase juttis that are perfect for a bright summer. Be it a day at the office, a day out with friends, or even a wedding! The summer collection has pairs that range from monochrome, floral to embellished beauties in an array of colors. To get yours today, click here. They are also available online at Ikkivi, Pernia's Pop up ShopandThe Wedding Brigade.

Thank you Akansha for taking the time to connect with us! We wish you and Aarti all the very best in your entrepreneurial journey!

Tucked away from the cacophonous buzz of metropolitan Bengaluru, the eclectically charming home of Kanthi Prasad is truly a manifestation of the expression "a home should be soulful, seductive and serene". The more than 20 year old, three bedroom apartment is infused with nostalgic heirlooms, covetable travel treasures and one-of-a-kind art and other unique bits and bobs steeped in interesting stories. Though the overall palette is defined by calming neutrals, the place is brightened up with pops of color through textiles, paint and fascinating décor accessories.

The entryway to the home is a reflection of what's in store for you. The console you see in the entryway has undergone a transformation at the hands of Kanthi's skillful eye for design and detail. The original piece, an antique teak-wood chest of drawers with a mirror was converted into the console and a diwan that sits pretty in the living room. A lot of Kanthi's pieces are repurposed from the family's ancestral home in Mysuru. Kanthi shares, "Our ancestral house in Mysuru had so much character, with wonderful artifacts, curios and furnishings filled with history. There was a part of me that wanted to carry that legacy and hence the repurposing was adopted."

That readers for you is the lovely Kanthi Prasad! As you can tell by now, she loves everything relating to home, decor and design. A retired kindergarten teacher by profession, she fondly reminisces about her time that she used to enjoy crafting and art sessions with the school kids. Decorating and home-organization have always been a hobby of hers. Though not trained in the design field, she is a natural when it comes to identifying, grouping and styling, be it for the home or herself.

Here is the diwan that I was talking about! Shades of rust, rev up this space beautifully and provide a visual contrast to the canary yellow on the walls. The Buddha wall decor and Buddha hand mudra were picked up by Kanthi while on a trip to Singapore with her family.

As we make our way to the living room, we are welcomed into a warm, elegant and relaxed space that is brimming with strategic play of tactile layers, color, patterns and functionality. Throwing more light on her decorating style, Kanthi says, "I don’t think a lot about fitting my style into a particular genre of decorating. When I see a piece, I just know if I like it or not. If I can envision it having a space/a home and it is within my means, I will embrace it. I typically like ethnic Indian with a balance of modern elements. Repurposing rustic artifacts and items is something I love to do and you will see plenty of that around my home."

There is so much to take in.....I'm instantly drawn to the coffee table that is filled with lovely silverware that shimmers in the soft flickering light thrown from the lit candles. Before she relocated from Delhi, she made sure she picked up an assortment of these pieces as mementos from the many silver shops in Greater Kailash.

Another example of repurposing old items is the wooden bowl (also from the family's ancestral home in Mysuru). Originally used in it's hay days to mix the rice dish, "pulliogre", it now serves as a unique plant stand!’

I bet your heart skipped a beat ! Mine did too! The eye catching display of brass with intricately carved wooden pieces is a nod to the home owner's south Indian roots. The assortment of brass collectibles you see has been collected over a period of over 40 years! "I collect them slowly (but they suddenly reduce in number when my daughters make a visit- they love taking away my goodies." (I can relate to that as that's exactly what I do when I visit my parents;)

Decorating was never a challenge for the design savy Kanthi, "I honestly don't see this process as a challenge at all. It is what I thrive on. It has always been an organic process for me, keeping in mind practicality and affordability. I used a lot of my stuff that I had in Delhi, and over the years have collected and added to the decor, through my travels. I can't do anything in haste or under pressure. I take my time and believe it is an ever-evolving process."

It's wonderful to see the ambiance that one can create when you mix finds from different eras and places.

Kanthi shows me one of her favorite pieces, the kajal holder. (I'm also eyeing that silver kangan and that very lovely Ikat silk saree that she carries so effortlessly!

The niche is anchored by a set of wooden pillars that Kanthi got custom made. The niche is painted the same color as the opposite wall to tie it all together. Taking the center stage is the heirloom Tanjore painting(again salvaged from their ancestral home) that Kanthi got restored by a curator from Delhi National Museum.

A closer look at the other details adorning this beautiful niche !

The french doors from the living room lead to the balcony. Once the doors are thrown open, the living space is extended and it feels like one large space with a green view. This is Kanthi's favorite spot to read or just enjoy the evening breeze.

Talking about influences on her design and style, Kanthi says, " I am not sure how I developed my style initially. I love to read décor magazine and my daughters and I bounce off ideas and influence one another. I do remember when my husband and I just started a family in Delhi, I would collect money from selling newspaper to the Kabaadiwaala and actually use that towards something for the house. So I think I always paid attention to the character of the home, and gave that importance. I studied home-science in school, so my organization skills and house-keeping probably comes from there. Travelling the world and living in 7 cities has given me the exposure and helped hone my taste. "

The dining room is just off the living. A Kerala wall mural by B. Murali immediately catches the eye with its flaming colors. Family photographs and other travel knick-knacks have an inimitable way of adding nostalgic warmth to this space.

Tucked to a corner, this antique writing desk from Delhi makes for the perfect spot to catch up on mails and pay the bills. Adorning the wall above the desk is a collage of masks and puppets that have been collected over the course of Kanthi's travels to the Middle East and South East Asia.

Just off the lounging area is another balcony that has been touched by Kanthi's magic wand! As you can see, the outdoors spaces too reflects the same amount of thoughtfulness that has gone into creating the indoor space. This is where Kanthi unwinds everyday with her cup of coffee. Potted plants, terracotta bells and Bastar art elevate the style quotient of this space.

This lovely plant pot that you see here is another heirloom piece. It was originally used to feed fodder to the cattle!

Quoting Kanthi on what a HOME means to her, "Home is my safe haven. It is a reflection of myself. And when it is well organised and pretty, it gives me utmost satisfaction."Kanthi we can truly see the love that has gone into the making of this home !

This is Kanthi's daughter, Shalini's room. Remember Shalini Prasad ? I know you do. We have featured her home and her work here on TECD! I am so glad she introduced me to her mom and I had the opportunity to connect with her on this visit to Bengaluru. Done up in a black, white and red theme this room is serene in every way. All the art in the room is done by Shalini!

Every corner is just so well put together!

This is what Shalini had to say about her mom's style of decorating, "For my sister, Yamini and me, Amma has, is and will always be the embodiment of style, strength and grace. We can’t be more proud of her. From the way she carries herself to the way she keeps her environment, every aspect has a touch of class, character and taste. We have learnt, immolated and developed our own sensibilities and styles from her. I personally may have studied design, and architecture, but I am always struck by how intrinsically and instinctual her understanding of the balance of space, line, texture and object is! What one has to go to school for, comes just so effortlessly to her. She takes it for granted and I have to keep reminding her that she has an innate talent! We have grown up in order and beauty, and we have only Amma to thank for it. She always says that there should be a place for everything in the house (or else get rid of it)-- an organized home is an organized mind-- and I swear by that principle. The biggest lesson I learnt from her about creativity in home decor is finding beauty within your budget; to look beyond the tried and tested; and remind yourself that it is ever evolving. She is crafty, handy, practical with good taste and a keen eye— and those are a great combination of tools to have when styling the home."

Here is what Kanthi had to share on her favorite decor stores, "My daughters (whom I am proud to say have lovely homes themselves) have a good eye for things. Through them I got to see and got to love West Elm, World Market, Crate and Barrel to name a few. But more than the brand name stores, the three of us are fans of visiting old towns, flea markets, antique and vintage stores in the US and the hole-in- the-wall shops in the little alleys of Bengaluru and Delhi. I believe that

if you have an eye, you can spot beauty anywhere. I just enjoy browsing around these eclectic unnamed shops and like to be surprised by the things I can find. "

Love the mini gallery wall Kanthi has created in this bedroom. "I fancied the idea of mounting this brass ‘Trishool’ and spear like spoon, on the wall, instead of placing them in my puja room, so I attached wire on them to hook them up. I picked up the ‘Kamandal’ from a trip to Banaras."

And finally a look at Kanthi's private sanctuary. Royal blue and deep reds set the tone for the space. Another Kerala wall mural above the bed and a grouping of mini marble paintings from Rajasthan continue the eclectic theme that is seen in the rest of the home.

It was a wonderful opportunity to meet this lovely lady and am so glad I got to spend some quality time with her. Thank you Kanthi for your hospitality and I want you to know how much I appreciate you inviting me to your beautiful home. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and delicious food (I'm a huge fan of your paniyarams-yum!) It would be so amiss, if I did not thank Shalini for making this happen!

I'm sure you'll enjoyed this home tour as much as I had fun putting this together for you'll. Happy decorating folks !

(Photography : Sruthi Singh. Please do not use the images for commercial or non-commercial purposes without the prior written permission of the home owner and TECD)

Fab India needs no introduction. It is one of my favorite stops when it comes to soft furnishings and Indian wear. Today the spotlight is on their Spring and Summer home collection 2016. It appealed to me on every level - be it color, pattern, texture or the product styling, it is spot on. Here are some exclusive shots to make your heart flutter and add some color to an other wise mundane Thursday:)

The floral motifs in bright hues truly mimic the happy season, Spring!

Finally leaving you with this gorgeous soiree setting.....Sigh! How I wish I could just sit awhile and stare at nothing.....but alas, it is just Thursday, so let's get rolling!

(Image Courtesy : Fab India)

Here at TECD, we revel in showcasing artists who push the limits of originality, dream big and venture to turn those dreams into reality! Today’s feature throws spotlight on a new-age jewelry brand that embraces more than just precious metals and thrives on the model of avant-garde. Our featured brand, believes in embracing the ephemeral quality of paper and has judiciously manipulated the so-called fragile material to create light-weight, vibrant, versatile, whimsical accessories with a boho-chic appeal. Introducing, “Girl Thinks” (GT) - a Gurgaon based jewelry brand that churns out fashion accessories with a distinct style! Characterized by combining paper, graphic designs and colorful beads/pom-pops, the term paper jewelry has a whole new meaning. Vivid pop art colors bring alive designs inspired by India – the lotus, pankha (handfan), mehendi inspired art, popular Indian Hindu deities and the traditional Madhubani art are just some of the core design muses that appear on these unique creations.

Girl Thinks is led by mother and daughter duo, Aparna and Ananya Vyas. Though they come from different professional backgrounds, anything creative has always been their common meeting ground. Aparna hails from a prominent art family in Lucknow and is an artist herself. Combining her passion for art and her need to share her knowledge, she takes great pleasure in teaching visual arts. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Ananya too graduated with a degree in Fine arts and a specialization in Advertising. I had the opportunity to have a one-on-one with Ananya and talk to her about her foray into the world of design and learn more about their company Girl Thinks.

TECD: Welcome to TECD Ananya! Delighted to talk to you about your creative venture Girl Thinks! Let’s start by asking you what does the name “Girl Thinks” actually symbolize?

Ananya:“We always wanted to have a name that was an interesting one. Something that made people stop and wonder what it could possibly mean. Well, we’re a team of two girls doing it all. The best team that could ever be. We’re a mother daughter duo and Girl Thinks is our little company where we love dreaming of all things beautiful and work our best to make them happen.”

TECD: Do share more about your journey into the world of jewelry design?

Ananya: “A few years back, a relative of ours was having an exhibition of her kurtas and sarees in Delhi and had asked my mother to keep a bunch of her handmade terracotta and paper earrings alongside her display of clothes. By the end of that one day exhibition we were completely sold out on all our paper earrings while we still had a lot of the terracotta ones left. We were beyond thrilled, it was a fun day and that was it. We did not see any reason to pursue it, until a few years later when I was working as an associate producer at an Internet based start-up and the work load was insane. Seeing me hustle so hard, it was my mother who suggested if I could do something of my own and put all that hard work for myself. Glad I took up on that suggestion and after endless sessions of scratching our heads in hope of finding an idea, we finally saw what had always been right in front of our eyes and it was the paper jewelry my mother did years back! That is how the idea fell in place and we couldn’t have had anything more unique to start off with!”

TECD: What according to you is the USP of your brand?

Ananya: “Girl Thinks is our innovative little take at making pieces of jewelry that are exquisite and fun at the same time, a refreshing break from the kind of jewelry we’re used to see every day. The medium being Paper of course gets people fascinated and makes us get noticed amongst the massive jewelry jungle that’s out there. But besides it all, what we truly believe sets us apart are the designs that people have been showering their love upon. Bold, India inspired pieces with a dash of quirk and lots of color is how we do it. Keeping it all handmade in times of things being mass produced, we are so proud to be making it all, one at a time which adds a special uniqueness to each piece and keeps us different.”

TECD: How different is it working with paper as a medium? What would you say are the advantages and challenges of working with paper from your experience?

Ananya: “We don’t consider Paper differently. It’s just like any other medium that comes with its own set of flexibility and challenges. What really makes the medium different is the way we’ve put it to use and we’re more than happy to be able to give it an innovative twist by making beautiful, long lasting jewelry and in the way invent a style that’s our very own. Advantages – Amazingly Light weight and hassle free. Jewelry that you can wear all day, every day. Disadvantages – Although we’ve made the jewelry moisture resistant, we still advise to keep it off water.”

TECD: I'm curious about what your creative process entails. Tell us more?

Ananya: “We don’t settle down to create our jewelry piece by piece, but rather by a vision as to how we want the entire collection to look and create a theme around it. We’re seeking inspiration all the time, pinning ideas on the internet to jotting them down in diaries and mobile apps. Over the time we’ve learned to find inspiration in little things around us and living in a country like India- you really don’t have to look far to find something interesting and give it your own unique twist. Since we are handcrafting every piece, we are sharp on details. Be it a certain color, the size of a bead or the weight of the jewelry, every aspect is well thought of and has hours of brainstorming sessions behind it with layers of detailing underneath. It’s such an incredible and satisfying experience to see an inspiration form into an idea and travel a long way to finally become a product that becomes a part of so many other lives.“

TECD: Who according to you is your ideal GT woman?

Ananya: “The ideal GT woman is someone who makes her own style rather than be trend follower. She loves color and a touch of culture to her personality. Bold and headstrong, she isn’t afraid to embrace something new and be different. But having said that all, we’d simply want every women to wear our jewelry!”

TECD: If you had to narrow it down to one memorable experience w.r.t. GT, what would that be?

Ananya: “When we look back to how we begun to how things are today, all we have in between are so many wonderful experiences. But the most precious one being of a day when I was travelling by the metro and a girl walked in wearing a pair of our Kathputli earrings! What a thrill that was, spotting someone flaunting our jewelry, it was just too much happiness to contain!”

TECD: What are your future plans for GT?

Ananya: "With our designs being the soul and strength of our company we are excited to be expanding into a range of other beautiful products, within this year, besides the jewelry, that will always remain an integral part.”

TECD: What is your success mantra as a small business owner?

Ananya :"It’s not that we’re a pro at this, but here are a few things that we’ve learned along the way:

· Always remember why you started and let your business be an unapologetic reflection of your dreams.

· Failure is inevitable, so learn to take the blows and embrace them because they happen for a reason.

· Make your products speak for yourself. Good products and a sweet word go a long way and have people come back to you for more.

· Success doesn’t happen overnight, so learn to be patient.

· Count your blessings and don’t even think of giving up!”

Thank you Ananya for taking the time to share your wonderful brand and your inspirational journey with my readers. We wish this very talented duo nothing but the very best!

With summer here, team pieces from the GT collection with an ethnic sleeveless kurta, saree or a regular white tee and jeans. These pieces will effortlessly fit into your style and get all the lovely attention your way! To place your order, write to Ananya at girlxthinks@gmail.com. To see their entire collection and stay abreast of latest updates on their upcoming collections, connect with them via Instagram and their FB page.

As for you my folks, I hope you enjoyed this feature and have yourself a great week ahead!

(Image Courtesy: Girl Thinks)

Based in Gurgaon(India), this rental pad is the home of the urban nomads, the Hoskote family. Dr. Hemangini Hoskote is a Consultant Nutritionist with a Ph.D in Nutrition and Mr. Hoskote is a senior leader in Quality and Business Excellence. Together they have a 14 year old teenager. Though the couple have disparate professional backgrounds, they have an intrinsic liking when it comes to the topic of interior design and home decor. The family has lived in this place for about 6 years. Sprinkling it with generous doses of their personality and unique collections, their abode is anything but a regular rental home. Infact, as I write this blog post they are all packed and ready to set up base, yet again in a new home !

What struck me about the Hoskotes decorating style is its refined, laid-back, real and quintessentially global in appeal, each in the perfect proportion. Over to Hemangini to explain more about her style, "I'm as passionate about Home decor as I am about my profession in the field of Nutrition. Guess it’s a balance between the left and right brain activities that makes me happy! Am very fortunate that my husband shares my love for an aesthetically done up home and what we invest in, is often a joint decision. I love reading, music, travelling, cooking, pencil sketching and gardening and certain aspects of these are reflected in my home. As regards interior design, I dislike ornate décor as also too many heavy, dark pieces of furniture. I am not a fan of opulent or a kitschy look.The preference is towards a look that is natural, clean, uncluttered with an understated elegance. We pick up whatever we love and then mix it with our existing stuff. So it could be something during our travels or ancestral, we don’t believe in following any particular style because it seems like it limits our choices. But yes, we do hate the false-ceiling-decorated-look." We hear you loud and clear Hemangini, not a fan of it either!

When it comes to the subject of flowers, Hemangini is a lady after my own heart. She loves to bring the outdoors in with groupings of fresh flowers in every nook and corner of her home. For instance, on the coffee table, she has employed a brass container from a kabaddi store in Surat to house these radiant sunflowers. She also managed to salvage a coconut scraper from Jew Town, Kochi that is currently serving as a wooden tray!

The entryway of the home, hosts a collage of the family's art. Batik Ganapatis were picked up from the first ever Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Mumbai. The Tanjore painting of Goddess Lakshmi casually propped against the wall, was a parting gift from a friend in Chennai. As you can see, the little console illustrates the style that follows in the rest of the home. The artwork is prudently paired with a stone sculpture of Ganapati picked up from Siem Reap, Cambodia.

The living room boasts of a pared down, simplistic style with an underlying color scheme in an oatmeal shade. Chestnut stained furniture and warm bright hues are used as accent colors to add a little verve to this space. No-fuss surfaces and a conscious effort to edit their collection imbues the home with a relaxed, casual mood.

In the far corner of the living room, the warm glow of brass seeks attention. The exquisite Radha-Krishna idols are from Bengaluru and made of an alloy of bronze and brass.

Thoughtfully put together vignettes are scattered throughout the home making it a visual feast for the onlooker. This beautiful vignette comprises of a Ram- Sita wood carving from Ubud, Bali, lac containers from Myanmar and a potted green for that splash of freshness.

It's commendable how Hemangini has played with textural variations. Tactile beauty at its best........Burmese sculpture of bell/gong ringers sourced from Myanmar is prudently paired with a Raphis palm.

Another grouping of treasured possessions - Buddha and disciples (originally part of a 7-piece set) from Myanmar, horse table from Jodhpur and recycled Spanish glass bowl with floating sunflowers.

This was the lovely lounging nook that I had seen on Hemangini's Instagram gallery that ticked off the entire house tour episode! Isn't it perfect!This is Hemangini preferred place to relax, "The Chaise Lounge is my favorite place to read, savor a hot cup of tea or simply relax." The Indonesian Mirror Frame was bought in Dubai, the teal vase is a Khan Market, Delhi find and the Chaise Lounge is from Ikea.

You can't go wrong with a composition of books, fresh flowers and a teal mosaic teapot from Leh! Decor advice from Hemangini, "It may sound cliche but I absolutely believe in using/buying something I totally love. Then it’s easy to work it into my existing decor. Am a believer in "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”."

A hand-crafted Moroccan lamp is turned on to drive the evening gloom away! The bamboo-handled vase is from Auroville, small bowls from a local pottery exhibition and a pencil sketch inspired by Raja Ravi Varma's "The Milkmaid" was done by Hemangini herself.

The chair you see here is a prized possession of the family... a set of two, these were handmade by Hemangini's husband's grandfather over 80 years ago.Very fond of working with wood, he used his spare time to engage in creating beautiful creations out of this medium.

A grouping of earthen pots from Indonesia and Delhi make for a lovely corner. The Iranian Kilim bought in Dubai defines the living area and adds the much needed warmth to the cold Gurgaon winters.

A potpourri of African dolls, woven basket from Malaysia, seashell container from Dubai, another pencil sketch by he homeowner and some long stemmed Gladiolas make an interesting corner.

Antique dancing Buddha is another find from Siem Reap, Cambodia. More floating sunflowers in a copper urli from Coppre. Here's what Hemangini had to say about influences on her design style, "My Mom has always inspired me to keep a beautiful home. She did a marvelous job at a time when decor stores in India were non-existent. I have always been interested in home decor and would devour all the fabulous decor books in the library right since my college days!"

A collection of musical instruments from the continent of Africa make for a rustic, global display.

Masks brought back from a holiday to Venice are framed beautifully in an Ikea Shadow box. The Black-n-White painting below it was done by the 14 year old as a school Art class project. Hemangini managed to coax the teacher to part with it, now proudly displayed as part of the wall collage in the living room!

Clockwise from left: An assortment of Blue-n-white vases makes for an attractive display. The collection comprises of tealight holder from Jaipur, Delft pottery from Holland and more ceramics and glass finds that are part of the vignette as they come from the same color family of blue. A closer look at the Ganesha from the entryway; The copper container is from the bylanes off Juma Masjid, New Delhi and hosts a generous bunch of Queen Anne's lace; and musicians are from Vietnam.

Hemangini loves to swap out her decor accessories every now and then to keep the ambiance looking fresh and interesting. Here, the Indonesian masks from Java are replaced with a Turkish ceramic plate. The carved wooden plate is from Surajkund Mela, Faridabad and the vermilion jewelry box from Trivandrum, Kerala.

Hemangini says the rental pad posed many decorating challenges as the wall colors were boring, kitchen uncomfortable and dark and certain corners of the apartment such as the dining area do not get enough natural light. However, the challenges did not preclude Hemangini from creating an evolved, inviting and initmate space that downplays the negative aspects of a rental property and highlights the inhabitants personality, interests and their well traveled life.

The bedroom is a calming landscape done up in shades of white that oozes a hideaway vibe. The bedside table is uncluttered and organised, with a stem or two of fragrant roses to delight the senses. Describing what a home means to her, Hemangini shares, "A place which exudes love, warmth comfort and beauty. It has to have aesthetic appeal to soothe and calm one after all the stresses of the outside world."

With that its a wrap people! I'd like to thank Hemangini and her wonderful family for letting us tour their beautiful home despite their agenda to pack and move. We wish you all the very best and another wonderful decorating journey in the new home:)

(Image Credit: Hemangini Hoskote, do NOT use the image/images from the blog without prior written permission of the homeowner and TECD)

I am filled with gratitude as I write this post. It has been three wonderful and creatively satisfying years since I started my blog “The East Coast Desi”! The blog served as my creative outlet to share my home decorating journey, celebrate color and on a more purposeful note to promote Indian artists and brands that appealed to my aesthetic sensibilities.

But this entire blogging experience has been so much more. It’s been a revelation of sorts if you please:

I’ve realized you will ALWAYS find the time for something you absolutely love. And for me, blogging is that one thing that nourishes my soul in ways that I never imagined. I feel so alive and ticking after I share a post with you’ll!
Inspiring others can inspire you in the process. With this, I’m referring to the heartbeat of my blog, my lovely readers. You’ve inspired me to push my creative boundaries and bring out the best in me. Your wonderful feedback and comments is a pick-me-up at times when I’m surrounded by self-doubt. Most of all, I enjoy reading the mails that say how TECD has inspired you to create beauty around your own homes! That is the moment when I hear the violins! Seriously, a big bear hug to each and every one of you who has stopped by TECD and shown your love, encouragement and unwavering support!
Surrounding yourself with people who think positively can only rub off their good vibes on you. I’ve been fortunate to meet some very lovely, uber talented people through my blog. Their inspirational stories and love for what they do has been a catalyst in answering my own creative calling. (Shhhh……a lot is brewing here at TECD, the details of which I’ll be able to share shortly.)
I’ve learnt that it is not the destination but the journey that needs to be enjoyed thoroughly.
I’ve understood that you can say NO and still be the nice guy. There is no room for feeling guilty about this when you want to keep the integrity of the blog intact and focus on putting out only the best for your readers.
Living more purposefully has a whole different meaning……from the everyday predictable routine to the smaller things that would have been dismissed earlier in the busy ho-hum are more bearable and are taken notice of as my perspective on so many things has changed, thanks to my blog.
Last but not the least, it has thought me that hard work and originality will always get you what you want! People will sit up and take notice and the fact that my name was included in the Wall of Indian Décor Influencers is proof enough.

Another significant segment of TECD is its Home Tour segment! The various homes that I’ve showcased on TECD have been so well received. Infact, this is the most popular segment on TECD. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful home owner’s for so generously opening up their homes and sharing my love for inspired living. (FYI I have another set of wonderful home tours coming up this season.)

Once again, I am so grateful to you for following along with TECD on this wonderful journey. You are the driving force for me to stay devoted to this blog so long. I have so much more to share with you’ll and hope to see you around here for many more years to come………

Much Love,

Sruthi

(Image Credit: Sruthi Singh, Do Not use the image/images from the blog without prior written permission.)

My word for this year has been “Collaborate”. Everything for the past six months seems to revolve around this word…….and boy! Am I glad a lot of wonderful things seem to be taking shape because of this. One of things that I’m very excited about is that we have our first ever guest post here on TECD in collaboration with Deepa of Aalayam. Aalayam needs no introduction. But if you are new to the blogosphere or to the world of Indian décor blogs, Aaalyam is one to bookmark! I keep going back to dip into Aalayam’s diverse repertoire as India Inspired topics reign supreme. Deepa and Supriya bring their nontraditional approach to design, décor, parenting issues and Indian festive occasions. It’s the well put-together features, experimental attitude and unique voice that is refreshing. Today, Deepa has put together an extraordinary outdoor-scape that orbits around jewel tones, pattern on pattern, textural layering and nonconformist décor choices that rightly connotes the free spirited Bohemian style. If you are looking for boho-chic, summer soiree inspiration, you are in the right place! Over to Deepa ……..

"Hello TECD readers!
Picture gypsy bohemian and see what comes to mind? Bright colors, bold patterns, scattered chotchkies and maybe some warm-hearted Arabian lounge music wafting through the air! Now, how about you picture gypsy bohemian with an Indian twist? And what comes to mind then is an earthy, kaleidoscopic visual with layers of

colorful bohemia. It is a celebration and a happy exposition of colors, patterns and textures! And that’s all I wanted for our backyard patio one evening -to create an inspired wonderland in which to enjoy a beautiful evening and relax with the family.

Summer evenings in the Midwest are to die for and we love making the most of our treed backyard. We spend many an evening outdoors- grillin’ an chillin’! Lingering summer evenings are the perfect time to make some beautiful family memories, don’t ya think? And one evening, I decided to turn this outdoor space into an extension of our home and literally took the indoors out – pillows, end tables, an area rug, decorative accessories and even a Radha – Krishna painting to hang on the trellis!

I love our weathered pergola. It works well with anything I want to transform this space into and has been the anchoring feature of many backyard celebrations! And the creative potential that this outdoor space holds excites me but I haven’t fully capitalized on that yet. Eventually, I will invest in some durable outdoor fabrics and accent pieces. After all designer outdoor spaces are all the rage these days!

This time though, creating this table scape meant re-using things I already have. And what fun it was too – to go shopping around the house! Bringing in bits of bohemia meant not being too rigid about the colors and combinations and so I just went wild with the patterns and the colors and let it play out on its own! The end result was vibrant and playful - a perfect backdrop for some cozy conversations, wine and cheese and a game of chess! Of course, this could work very well for an evening of alfresco dining with friends as well.

The challenge of bringing a creative vision to life gives me such a high! So, as much as I wanted to sink into the season with my family, I also wanted to create something beautiful. Being able to add a few images of an India inspired outdoor space to the repertoire of google images seems to be another purpose that Aalayam is serving. And I hope you all have your best backyard summer this year!!

Once again, I cannot thank Sruthi enough for allowing us to bring an Aalayam offering to her fantastic blog. I love The East Coast Desi. It is simply my all time favorite design/décor resource staple. Kudos Sruthi for this beautiful and inspired blog that you have worked so diligently to create and maintain! And as always, it is fun to bring our collective audiences ideas and life style inspirations that we know will be appreciated! Thank you and I hope that East Coast readers will follow this post back to Aalayam where Supriya and I have been brainstorming on some great posts for the rest of the year.

Have a wonderful summer everyone!

Cheers!

Deepa (of Aalayam)"

Deepa, thank you for putting together this wonderfully vibrant feature! It's always a pleasure collaborating with Aalayam and I so look forward to more of such wonderful opportunities.........As for you my lovely peeps, get out there and make it a bohemain inspired outdoor party when the sun shines:)

(Image Credit: UJ for Aalayam. The images may NOT be copied /used for commercial or non-commercial purposes without the prior written permission from Aalayam and TECD)

Are you looking for that perfect, luxurious bedding to elevate the mood, style and comfort of your personal sanctuary? Look no further. “SPACES Home & Beyond”, the premium bed, bath and coordinates brand by “Welspun”, recently launched their Spring-Summer 2016 collection. Their newest collection yet again highlights Welspun’s unwavering commitment to premium quality products with high end design. The USP of the collection lies in the fact that products are available in an array of over 100 delightful shades. A perfect time to refresh your bedding, the SS16 collection is sure to gratify every style genre.

As we know, color can be a powerful design tool, if one understands color psychology and its emotional nuances, it can be effectively used to create an ambiance that stirs positive reactions, craft space illusions (even in a tight square footage area) or can be simply used as a design element to bring points of interest to an otherwise neutrally calming boudoir. Whether you are looking to cool off the summer heat with calming blues and egg shell whites or intend to warm up the space in saturated sunset hues of reds, oranges and yellows, the Spring-Summer collection 2016 from Welspun has something for even the most jaded of color palettes, with over 100 shades to choose from. Me with my strong affinity for color, together with the vibes of this wonderful season, summer, I chose to showcase bedding that revels in a multitude of colors for this feature.

Each of the season’s special collection - Epica, Boho Chic, Courtyard and Youthopia Denim, color your imagination like no other. The Epica collection is the perfect mélange of the past and the present. Modern digital prints bring to life floral, Persian and abstract theme motives in delicious hues. This would be a perfect fit for transitional as well as contemporary spaces.

Symbolic of the Boho-Chic style, this collection is vibrant, eclectic and whimsical. Adopting patterns that are abstract in design mixed in with geometric streaks, this collection is not for the faint hearted. With a mix of water colors and ink treatments dominating this collection, the resulting patterns are not only surprising but also playful. For an individualistic style statement, throw in a few Moroccan lanterns, potted greens, a mix of different textures and eras together with the Boho-chic bedding and you’ve got yourself, a relaxing one-of-a-kind haven.

The Courtyard range celebrates nature and its blushing blooms. Working with similar concepts such as the watercolor effect and digital printing, this bedding range is your opportunity to bring the outdoors in. Vibrant motifs set against a neutral backdrop, this collection is perfect for that modern-chic-cottage look surrounded by furniture that is characterized by unpretentious peeling patina.

The Youthopia collection has a younger fashionable vibe to it. This visually-textural, denim-inspired collection comes in shades of sea-inspired blues that are coordinated with bold hued graphic pillows. Mix in retro décor with this trendy bedding and maybe you could even get your teen to make their own bed. A win-win situation I say!

The Spring-Summer 2016 collection also includes other ranges such as Ruyal, Intensity, Caprice, Skyrise, Forever Classic Stripe, Flexi-Fit, Antonym, Texpressions, Hygro Cotton and Dohar. Living beautifully and waking up feeling refreshed has never been easier. Get your bedding game on and head right this way to browse your pick.

On a different note, if you already have any of these looks going on in your personal sanctuary, I would love to see how you have pulled it all together. Do share it with me on my FB page.

Happy Decorating folks!

(Image Courtesy : Welspun)

Set in a small town in north central New Jersey, the Mehrotras home embraces traditional over modern, comfort over design rules and soul over trends. Having lived in this house for over 16 years, the Mehrotras are embracing a new stage in their life being empty-nesters, as their twin girls, Isha and Shree are off to college. Anjali Ganeriwala, grew up in Calcutta and moved to the US to pursue undergraduate studies in 1987 and has been in NJ ever since. With a background in Computer Science, she's currently transitioning to yet another career as a college admissions counselor. Prashant Mehrotra too studied engineering but sales seemed to be his area of calling. The couple met while they were studying at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ and the rest is history.....The college sweethearts share common interests when it comes to decor, travel, food and Bollywood movies. One look at their home and their passions are mirrored in every nook and corner of their home.

A stunning antique door from a haveli in Rajasthan adorns the entryway. A lucky score from ABC Carpet & Home, the elaborately carved piece asserts the style adopted for the adjoining rooms. Potted beauties are brought indoors to breathe in some color and seasonal appeal into the interiors.

Craftsman style homes have a lot of character and Anjali's way of curating and furnishing her home, perfectly complements the warm wood elements and architectural details that are found so generously in all areas of the home. This is what Anjali had to share when asked about her decorating style,"I would call my style – colorful and very quality conscious. I tend to always look for quality over quantity and avoid kitsch like the plague. I love color and can never have too much of it! But the high ceilings and open architecture of my house have forced me to keep colors neutral and play around with accent colors to define each space."

The formal living room screams cozy grandeur with earthy tones dominating the scene while peaches, coral and rust are thrown in for striking visual appeal. Traditional, big, statement pieces come together to create a dramatic effect while art, travel treasures, books and family pictures add the personal touch!

Luxurious Kanjivaram silk saris have been restyled as swag window treatments that cascade down the sides of the window softening the look of the space. The corresponding sari blouse pieces have been made into custom cushions that spice up the muted colored couch and chairs. The collection of watercolor artwork behind the couch has sentimental value as the artist is none other than Anjali's sister.

The Mehrotras love collecting coffee table books from the different places that they visit. In the living room, Anjali has creatively piled a bunch of books on a wooden ‘paata’ with an enameled plate on top to serve as a side table where guests can put down their drink.

Another simple yet colorful vignette includes this silver statue of Dhola and Maru (a couple whose tragic story is the basis of many songs and told throughout Rajasthan) was bought while on a visit to Udaipur.

Anjali clearly wanted her home to showcase their Indian roots and her love for Indian fabrics and textures. Though she would have loved to have custom work done but labor costs in the US and shipping costs from India made the ideas prohibitive. So she scouted high and low in stores like ABC and Pier One to find pieces that had an Indian vibe. The more traditional Kashmiri carpets were infact brought back in suitcases from their trips to India.

Adorning the stairway, a collection of odds and ends come together to make an interesting collage. Print blocks that have been repurposed as hooks (sourced from Anokhi) are juxtaposed with mini-terracotta masks (Kolkata) and carved wooden lizards (Mexico). The Rajasthani puppet adds a splash of vivid color and mimics the girl in the painting.

Furniture from Ethan Allen sets the tone for this grandiose style formal dining. Butter colored walls are the perfect backdrop for rust and wine colored patterns that dominate the room to create an intimate ambiance. On the far end of the dining room wall, actual menus from two of the top restaurants (the original Bouley of NYC (then consistently ranked as best restaurant in the 1990s) and Mama’s Fish House in Maui) that Mehrotras have dined in over the years is framed and hung, to remind them of some wonderful time spent with family. Other decorative wall art includes Talavera pottery from Mexico and other art pieces collected by the family.

Art forms the soul of this home. Clockwise from left: The painting above the fireplace is a signed limited print by famed Telangana artist Thota Vaikuntam. Next a sketch that Anjali herself did as a teenager is framed and displayed on the book shelf. She fondly recalls that this was the view from her bedroom window while she was in Kolkata. The set of two paintings by an unknown artist were sourced from Jehangir Art Gallery. Anjali says that the paintings were an investment with the intent to support deserving artists.

Another very special piece of framed art is a custom piece that Anjali gifted her husband on their 20th anniversary telling the story of how they met. She specially commissioned a Bollywood hoarding painter in New Delhi to create this one-of-a-kind piece.

Head this way to the family room which is the hang out zone for the family. Much like the other rooms in the house, the family room too has an open layout, abundance of natural light and high ceilings . Neutral shades are spiced up with splashes of orange and green. The collage of paintings on the wall is priceless as they are done by various members from Anjali's family.

Another view of the family room.

Quoting Anjali on what the word "home" means to her, " A place that you are happy to come to at the end of a long day. That was something my husband and I prioritized in every home we lived in. We were willing to compromise on other expenses but we felt it was important to have a home we were proud of and enjoyed since we spend so much time in it. Even today I constantly look at my home and sometimes I feel like it’s a dream – I can’t believe I live here!"

The kitchen is Anjali's favorite space in the house. Utilitarian in every respect yet spiffy enough to entertain when friends drop in for dinner. "This is a room that I got to design – I picked out the cabinets, the island, the granite, the tile…everything! At the same time I was able to put in personal touches like a book shelf for my cookbook collection, a custom rack to show off my Le Creuset pots and a pin board made entirely of corks from the wines we had consumed. I truly enjoy cooking so I was also able optimize the layout of the appliances to make it easy to chop, cook and clean-up in one corner."

And finally a look at their daughter's (Isha) room. Isha had two specific requests while decorating her room. One that it should reflect her Indian heritage and two, by no means she wanted it to be girly. So they choose a color scheme of blue accented with orange. Block-print style bedding and Indian accents from Good Earth and Pier One pull the room together for a youthful vibe.

I'd like to conclude this feature by thanking the Mehrotras for letting us tour their beautifully decorated private abode that embodies everything the family so earnestly values - aesthetics, heritage, global culture, art and ingenuity. I wish them with only the best things that life has to offer!

(Image Credit: Anjali Mehrotra, The images may NOT be copied /used for commercial or non-commercial purposes without the prior written permission from Anjali Mehrotra and TECD)

The design team at Coppre is constantly engaged in experimenting with my favorite metal copper, to yield products that are the perfect amalgam of age-old techniques and craftsmanship, in harmony with contemporary design and function. Their latest collection titled “ Russet Revival” has been shaped in collaboration with the renowned Riccardo Giovanetti Design Studio. In fact, this brilliant collection was also exhibited at the Milan Furniture Fair “Salone del Mobile” earlier this year. Mainly consisting of three simple containers, the design concept adopted for this collection thrives on “to do a lot with a few”. That expanded means that each piece may be used in more ways than one! In double finishes that range between the hammered lustrous sheen of copper to almost matt blackodised finish. I personally think that the sculptural yet simple forms of these beauties would fit right in with any style of interiors.

I'm sure you are tempted to get hold of one of these beauties for yourself. To order yours now, click here.

(Image Credit: Coppre)

Come summer and visiting local flea markets, antique fairs and salvage yards is a ritualistic affair for me. Flea market style is something that I’m hooked to because it advocates style that is authentic. It's the possibility of finding pieces that are loaded with faded charm or have the ability to evoke nostalgia that makes the process of scouring flea markets so exciting. What's also wonderful is that if you are someone whose décor style thrives off of flea market finds, you know for sure that no other home out there is going to look like yours!

I'm so excited to share my first flea market find, these gorgeous 1950’s Afghani spice boxes. Traditionally used to store spices, they now serve as storage for my ring collection. I have blogged about similar pretty boxes earlier, and have had them on my must-have list for the longest time. I've spotted a few on Etsy and Ebay but boy are they pricey! However, I got really lucky the other day. These beautifully handcrafted boxes in shades of coral and deep garnet, with flaking paint and intricate detailing, literally jumped at me from a pile of clutter (Tip: Having a trained eye always helps to recognize the potential that pieces might have when you spot them amidst a pile of junk.) I contained my excitement, for the fear that the seller might pick up on my vibes and quote an exorbitant price for them. So with a casual tone, I approached him and to my delight, these were up for grabs for a song:)

Next is a vintage amber miniature glass hobnail oil lamp from Japan. I not only fell in love with the color but also with the size! It’s in perfect condition with a working wick. Spotted this one on the third floor of an antique shop. Hiking those rickety stairs was so worth the climb. I also plan on building a collection around this particular find. Wouldn’t it be lovely to have this in different sizes and colors all lined up on a mantle? (Tip: Another helpful tip would be to have a mental list of what you’d like to snag at a flea market jaunt as this way you have a specific requirement, don’t end up with stuff that you may not need and stay well within your budget.)

Who doesn't love the iconic lassi glasses of Punjab? I know I do. I love displaying blooms in unique receptacles and a brass lassi glass would elevate the entire arrangement to a whole new level is what I reason. I hunted long and hard for the perfect lassi glass. I also believe in stretching the dollar. So if the price is not right, I just wait. And I can happily say that the wait was well worth it. With elaborate details, this handmade filigree work, lassi glass weighs a ton. An authentic vintage piece, the seller himself sourced it directly from Pakistan. There was no way I was going to walk away without this piece. So the offer was made and graciously accepted by the seller. Back home, the lassi glass turned new vase, holds some pretty in pink, Turkish carnations.

Last but not the least is this Pakistani truck art. It was so unique, kitschy and colorful that the minute I spotted it, I knew where to hang it. These are traditionally used to decorate trucks in Pakistan. Much like our trucks in Punjab, the truck drivers take great pride in decorating their trucks. Infact, truck art has even made it from the road to the catwalk. (FYI: The Italian fashion company Dolce & Gabbana used truck art-inspired displays in a 2015 campaign.)

With that we wind up with our flea market post for today. I hope you enjoyed the vignettes I shared from around my home and are inspired to do some flea market shopping of your very own. (Tip: Flea market style is also about stretching the dollar so remember there is always room for bargaining. That being said, if you happen to fall in love with a piece, price becomes a secondary consideration. What really becomes important at this point is deducing what the particular piece can do to elevate your current interior styling situation:)

This month we are focusing on flea market and vintage style. I have a lot in store and you are going to love it (if I may so myself). So do stay connected. To catch up on my other flea market posts, click here, here and here.

Happy decorating!

(Image Credit/ Copyright: Sruthi Singh, The images may NOT be copied /used for commercial or non-commercial purposes without the prior written permission from Sruthi Singh and TECD)

Tap Tap tap.......ding.....zzzziiiiiip........Tap Tap tap.........ding.........zzzziiiiiiip

When I talk of typrewriters, it conjures up images of what I perceive as the more untroubled, innocent days……

My grand-dad’s office was conveniently located next door to home……so when we visited my grandparents, my sister and I always found an excuse to visit my grand-dad in his office. We loved going in there and tapping on the many typewriters that were employed for official use. I for one, felt all grown up in a formal office environment and for some vague reason, I'd always end up typing letters to my parents and grand parents telling them how much they meant to me. Good ol' days!

Fast-forward to present day! Recently my son, requested my husband and me to buy him a typewriter as he wanted to write a book this summer “the old fashioned way”. It was an instantaneous yes from the both of us as we wanted him to experience the thrill of something different in the day and age of IPad and Mac computers. For me it was a chance to add a vintage touch to his room (Yes, I always have my hidden agendas when it comes to decorating!) So off we went on a typewriter hunt until we found the “one”. We came home with a 1950’s Remington Green Quite-Riter Portable Typewriter with Original Case and all! It now sits on my son’s desk, where he taps away at the keys to weave what is a kidnap saga……when he’s not in the mood to write, the typewriter holds his favorite quote and multi-tasks as a source of inspiration. It is a perfect addition to a boy’s room, don’t you think ? Well, that’s my take on how to include a vintage typewriter to your décor.

Wait we are not quite done yet. We have a part 2 to this feature, as I managed to rope in Meera D’souza who has quite the collection when it comes to typewriters. Stay tuned to some very lovely vignettes from her home.

(Image Credit/ Copyright: Sruthi Singh, The images may NOT be copied /used for commercial or non-commercial purposes without the prior written permission from Sruthi Singh and TECD)

I’ve said this before and you will hear me saying this again……….the most positive aspect of blogging is meeting like-minded people (even if the connection is virtual.) It is more than rewarding to connect with people who share the same creative vision as you. Expanding on that I mean people who see the entire process of decorating ones home as more than putting together of pretty objects. They understand that a home should enrich one's everyday experience and thus surround themselves with things that they love and have meaning to them. One such wonderful soul is Meera D’souza. If I had to describe Meera’s décor style, it would be contemporary- nostalgic with a global-desi vibe. Meera’s home is filled with vintage treasures such as typewriters, vintage kitchen utensils, terracotta pottery, brass artifacts... and so much more. It was but natural that when I thought of putting together a feature on typewriters, she instantly came to mind. So I reached out to her and she very graciously obliged. And bingo, she had not one but three typewriters to share! So I decided to dedicate an entire feature to her wonderful collection. I’m going to let Meera take over from here and share her love for the typewriter…..

I spy the typewriter......Here's a vignette to show you how Meera effortlessly incorporates vintage decor into her home

Meera:

“My interest in typewriters is more recent. I think, the more I have lived away from India (20 years now), I yearn for the sights, smells and sounds that make me nostalgic for what was. The clanging of the keys, manual setting of margins, and the ringing of the bell when you press the carriage return key- brings back memories of the Xerox/ typing wallah.

Getting a paper typed as a student meant going to the Xerox/Typing wallah and paying up to Rs 1.25 per page. It meant the neatest of penmanship for the "rough copy" so it was clearly decipherable by the typist. It meant a quick walk to Hill Road where you received bids from the two stores next to each other. It required going back two-three times to check if your paper was complete. And because the process was so draining, it was never my favorite activity. I felt these gentleman with their typewriters could hold your entire class grade ransom if they did not work fast and accurately. I never really cared to know whether they were using a Remington or a Godrej or an electric typewriter. They just needed to type at a lightning speed of 120-140 wpm and make no errors.

LC Smith typewriter

However, when I first saw typewriter art- intricate pictures of icons and scenes using simple typewriter alphabets here in the US, I developed a fascination for them. The first one I acquired was an LC Smith typewriter. The lady selling it had opened a small store in the town where we lived. She even had the ribbons for them. It was wonderful hearing about her love for vintage items.

Vintage Children's typewriter

My second one was a vintage children's typewriter from an antique mall. I loved the colors and of course, the price. I was not sure if it would work. However, the gentleman at the store and I, tried various combinations to get it to work. In the end we did get it to work! It was the oddest thing- two strangers in a store, excited that they could figure out a small mechanical toy.

Blickensderfer typewriter

And finally for my newest acquisition – the Blickensderfer typewriter. I got it at a local sale. My eyes were drawn to the keyboard- which is not the usual QWERTY layout. The keyboard is considered scientific because it uses the most common letters on the home row- DHIATENSOR. I was disappointed to find it was a non-working typewriter- yet it looked in great condition. The owner stated that it had been working till the day before. So we made a deal- I would need about an hour to withdraw money from the ATM and if he managed to get it to work in that time, I would pay the price he had marked. If not, he would take a $100 off! An hour later, he had not had much luck. I resigned myself to the fact that this would not be a functional piece. I was having a hard time believing that it worked one day and stopped the next. So I came home and researched on-line manuals for the model, zoomed into all the mechanical drawings, and figured out how to get it to work!

I feel like I could go on collecting these beauties. Is 3 really a collection? Who knows. Until the next one catches my eye I am enjoying the conversation that occurs around these pieces when friends come over. Of course, I also enjoy styling them. I was so thrilled when Sruthi asked me to send a few pictures for this feature. One of my favorite bloggers, and a blog that has brought never-ending inspiration to me! Thank you Sruthi for showcasing my collection here on TECD.”

Oh Meera, the pleasure was all mine! Thank you so very much for being such a sport and sharing well put together vignettes from your absolutely beautiful home !

As for you my lovely readers aren't you inspired by Meera's collection of vintage typewriters? I personally loved how the pieces add an old world vibe to the decor of her home. If you've been undecided about how to include vintage decor to your home, I'm sure our series on vintage decor has definitely solved that dilemma by now. So happy hunting for that one special find !

(Image Copyright /Credit: Meera D'Souza, The images may NOT be copied /used for commercial or non-commercial purposes without the prior written permission from Meera D'Souza and TECD)

With the start of another school year, summer is officially over in my part of the world. That said it is time to pick up the pace again My son's enthusiasm for a new academic year has rubbed off on me and I like him seem to be ready for the opportunities and possibilities that lie ahead.......

On the blog front, I'm so excited for the month of September.......the festive season is soon going to be upon us so I thought lining up a few wonderful jewelry artists would be apt.........apart from that we also have simple festive decor ideas and tips and some never before seen home tours coming up next month........so make sure you are connected via FB and Instagram for regular updates.

And for those of you wondering about the gorgeous red door that you can see in the background, that's is something my husband built from scratch and I'm so proud of him. He recently took to carpentry as a hobby and boy! the man and his machines are inseparable now. As a result of which lots of DIY projects got done this summer including my basement and shelves for my mudroom:) Will share details soon.

So with that, we sign off today's post.....take care and happy decorating!

(Image Credit/ Copyright: Sruthi Singh, The images may NOT be copied /used for commercial or non-commercial purposes without the prior written permission from Sruthi Singh and TECD)

Today, I bring to you exquisite, handcrafted jewelry from the house of "Varnam". The collection is boldly Indian in style and takes its form from the temple jewelry of India. To give you a jest of temple jewelry, it is traditionally worn by Bharatanatyam dancers and south Indian brides. Originally these enviable pieces are studded with rubies, emeralds and diamonds. Varnam has managed to effortlessly capture the essence of it all in their affordable designs that are created out of polymer clay and similarly studded with semi-precious stones! Based out of Atlanta, GA, Rukmini (a software engineer by profession and a busy mother of two adorable boys) is also the artist at Varnam. She has elevated her jewelry making hobby to what I would term as an art form. Inspired by her South Indian roots and having lived amidst a very festive culture, Rukimi is naturally drawn to traditional designs. She claims to be more of an observer than a talker and you can see this aspect in the meticulous craftsmanship that she brings to her exquisite designs. When the days seem to fall too much into a routine, she likes to challenge herself with the quote, “When was the last time you did something for the first time” and then rolls with that thought in mind. When she is not making jewelry, you can be rest assured that she is improvising on desserts to satiate her family's sweet tooth.

TECD: Hello and welcome to TECD Rukmini. Let’s start by asking you, how did you coin the name “Varnam” for your brand?

Rukmini : Thank you Sruthi for showcasing Varnam on TECD! Varnam means “colors” in Sanskrit. Colors to me is synonymous with my childhood days that I spent in Kanchi, drawing free hand colorful rangolis (festive designs) on the front porch of our home. The possibilities of playing with colors continues to excite me and hence the name Varnam.”

TECD: A software engineer by profession, how did you transition into being a jewelry designer?

Rukmini : “Jhumkis have always been my favorite kinda jewelry. When I was looking to buy some here in the US, I was disappointed to see that there was not a lot that I liked that was available out there. That’s when I stumbled upon Polymer clay. I fell in love with the versatility of the material and challenged myself to make my first rustic temple jewelry. To my delight, it turned out great! What stirred me further was when my family and friends wore my jewelry on various occasions and came back with positive feedback and encouraging words of appreciation. Infact one of my most memorable experiences was when I gave my sister one of my creations made of polymer clay and she refused to believe that they were faux coral made by me! That’s when I decided to take this passion seriously and Varnam was born.”

TECD: What according to you, makes Varnam different from the many other jewelry brands out there?

Rukmini: “Unlike most polymer clay jewelry that stress on intricate techniques and color blending, Varnam aims at emulating traditional precious metal jewelry. For example, I use custom gold color to get the real gold finish. I strive for a modern twist to a classic style by carefully selecting the colors and using semi-precious stones, crystals and pearls into my jewelry. I keep a balance on the detailing for the jewelry enough that it stands out. More focus is on how it suits the overall outfit so wearing it should not look like an effort. Mostly I trust my sense of fashion on jewelry and go by the flow. Rarely do I create blueprints and much rarely do I follow them. When I create jewelry, I ask myself if I were to spot this jewelry does my heart race to buy this?"

TECD: What is it about polymer clay that you enjoy and what is it that you find challenging?

Rukmini:“I love the workability of Polymer Clay and the unlimited potential for the medium. It allows one to play with endless techniques and styles. Unlike terracotta which needs to be painted upon, polymer clay comes in various natural color and supports custom blending. I particularly love to work with metallic shades like Silver, Gold, bronze to keep my jewelry look more natural. Polymer clay jewelry are lightweight and do not break easily. One of the challenges working with Polymer clay is that unbaked clay tends to catch dirt easily. It is important to keep the whole process clean while working for the best result.”

TECD: That sounds fascinating! Do share more about the creative process that goes into bringing a Varnam creation to life?

Rukmini : “Designs remain fluid in my mind until the final product takes shape and i feel satisfied. Picking colors or mixing them to get the right one is an iterative process. Once you land the color, the clay is softened using the pasta machine and the desired shape is achieved using molds or by hand. To get the intricate designs, a variety of tools are used many of these are just household utilities like toothpick, straw, pen cap etc. For some designs, I use mixed media like gemstones, Swarovski pearls and metal findings. Since its all handmade, care has to be taken to avoid any fingerprints while working with clay. Final step is to bake the clay and polish it for a matte or glaze finish.”

TECD: How would you describe the ideal Varnam woman for whom you design?

Rukmini : “Varnam is for the woman who believes in traditions being timeless and gains confidence from it. While she is rooted to it, she is not bound by it and is willing to experiment. She has an appreciation for the uniqueness of handmade jewelry and its inherent style. In short she desires to look traditional yet elegant, confident yet stylish.”

TECD: Do give us the inside scoop on your up-coming collection?

Rukmini: “My next collection throws spotlight on antique/temple jewelry style neck pieces using faux Turquoise and Coral made of polymer clay. As an addition, I’m also working on complementing Jhumkis and Bangles for this collection.”

TECD: What would you say is the success mantra for a small business owner?

Rukmini: “I started this as a hobby and did not get to pay enough attention on marketing and publicity. While you focus on new designs and techniques, make sure your work is getting the right visibility on social and other media. Another important aspect is the overall packaging and presentation of your jewelry.”

TECD: What are your future plans for Varnam?

Rukimini : “In the near term, Varnam collections will be available in India. Am excited to add kids collections into the Varnam house of jewelry including bangles, armlets, Mang tika etc. For better access to Varnam collections, am looking to launch it on various e-tailers and online channels.”

With the festivities just around the corner, get your hands on Varnam’s incredible collection via their Facebook page or write to Rukmini at uniquevarnam@gmail.com. These beauties style well with Indian outfits but you could also take the fusion route and make them work with western wear too.

Thank you Rukmini for sharing your wonderful work with us. We wish you nothing but the best !

(Image Copyright/Credit : Varnam)

Adopting a freewheeling style of decorating, Suchismita and Indranil's cheerful, rental pad in London is truly an inviting refuge. Embracing color, comfort and playful combinations, the couple has created a home away from home. In Suchi's words, "Our home is our shelter, a space where we can just be ourselves, be comfortable & work, play and relax". An ex-International Development worker, Suchi currently is a full time food blogger at Kitchen Karma and has branched out with a small foodie start-up called London Chaiparty. Indranil on the other hand works in the digital advertising sector and plays the food critic to all gastronomical experiments that Suchi takes on.

Let's start with the entryway. It exemplifies what the rest of the house has instore. Books, a host of potted plants and Indian artifacts, especially those from Bengal (India), fills the narrative for the home owners roots and interests. I especially like the set of colorful, hand crafted owls (traditional tribal art from the Burdwan district located in the eastern state of West Bengal, India) and the traditional Bengali Sindoor Daanis’ that add the desi punch to this vignette.

The couple's way of giving visual direction to an otherwise sober rental apartment is by adding color via vibrant Indian textiles, framed art, stacks of books and plenty of greenery. The neutral couch in the living room is given a makeover every now and then depending on the season and mood by draping it with colorful throws and pattern rich Indian textiles.

I like the fact that the TV doesn't stand out. It's cleverly camouflaged amongst Suchi's collection of plants and artifacts.

Let's take a closer look at the vignettes around the entertainment center. An antique wooden container, Dokra artifacts, handcrafted leather lampshade and a bunch of sun dried baby's breathe come together effortlessly to create what is a melange of textures.

A colorful coaster from Budapest holds a collection of bottles. The twine covered wine bottle was the outcome of a DIY project. Other knick-knacks include: a Madhubani painting that Suchi picked up from India and hubby Indranil framed it for her; a Kashmiri box that was gifted to Suchi by her aunt and upcycled bottles that house more cut stems.

Oh my heart! I absolutely love how the bookcase is bursting with books, charming oddities and vines of my favorite Golden Pothos. Adore the urban jungle effect and the wonderful boho vibe in this corner.

Taking in more of the details that dress up that book case......A unique Dokra statue of Ma Lakkhi (translated would be Goddess Lakshmi) perched on a stack of books gifted by friends who know of the couples hobby of exploring London. Peeking from behind the stack is a circular hand-painted pattachitra design of Ganesha and an IKEA mirror that Suchi jazzed up with a little paint.

Decor mantras that Suchi swear's by :

" Lots of indoor greens

Mixing and matching handicraft pieces from all over the world

Bringing in different colours and making them work

Lots of natural light filtering in

Throws, rugs, cushions a great way to dress up a stark space"

At the far end you can get a glimpse of Suchi's kitchen. Also in the view is a little dining nook that gets a lot of use when the couple entertain every now and then.

No window sill gets spared in Suchi's home!

Top from left : A tray that Suchi scored from a charity store in London shows off her collection of perfume bottles. A Chinese porcelain lamp, some Dutch and Turkish artifacts complete this corner. A definite shift from the Scottish sceneries, Suchi is happy with her little classic blue and white fix. The mosaic glass mirror was a DIY project that Suchi completed with some very fine results. A miniature Eiffel Tower tuned into a ring stand paired with a Turkish soap box (that also serves as additional storage for her rings.)

Finally, the Balcony - the couple's favorite feature of the house. She recently spruced up this outdoor space. The woven reed fencing not only adds texture but also imparts privacy that can be enjoyed while dining or sipping on chai.

With that we come to the end of our home tour. I hope you enjoyed it as much as we had fun putting it together for you. Thank you Suchi and Indranil for letting us tour your beautiful home. We wish you all the very best!

(Image Copyright/Credit: Suchismita, The images may NOT be copied /used for commercial or non-commercial purposes without the prior written permission from Suchi and TECD)

Introducing an online décor store for the urban home - “Bubblewrap”! Intrigued by the name are we? If that is a yes, then founder Bhuvnesh Joshi hit the bull’s eye with his decision to coin the brandname, Bubblewrap. The brand name not only embodies a product range that is uniquely curated but also conveys the feel of the collection which is contemporary in style. TECD had a quick tete-a-tete with Bhuvnesh Joshi about his entrepreneurial venture, Bubblewrap.

Quoting Bhuvnesh Joshi on his transition from the advertising industry into the world of lifestyle and décor, “I am a decor, lifestyle and travel enthusiast and my years in advertising brought me closer to contemporary art and design. Looking at the beautifully designed decor products available around the world, I wanted to attempt curating aesthetically contemporary and modern decor and take it to a larger audience. I gathered while decorating my home, how generic and scattered the market is. Local stores are few and far between and charge a hefty premium for these kind of pieces. I also wanted to experience what it was like to be on the other side and take it up as a challenge to build a brand from scratch.”

The product choices at Bubblewrap ranges from limited edition Studio Pottery, one-of-a-kind décor accessories to numerous mood lighting options at extremely competitive pricing. Built on the foundation of “Great products at great value!, the Bubblewrap team ” is continually working to further widen their reach into categories such as Designer Stationery and Furniture.

Though the crux of Bubblewrap's ethos is minimalistic and modern, they also cater to ethnic and generic Indian Home Decor lovers. My personal favorite is the “Bubblewrap Bazaar” category and I’ve even created a mood board in a classic white and teal palette with rich brown thrown in to ground the setting. (FYI: The brass container with the stand is in limited stock and I personally think, they would be a lovely addition for the festive season with flowers tucked in them. So grab yours now!)

To browse through their entire collection, click here. You may also connect with them via their FB page and Instagram gallery.

(Image Courtesy: Bubblewrap, Layout and text: Sruthi Singh)

An Aesthete's Paradise (Home Tour)

Bespoke Design By ZERO9 (Home Tour)

Urbanitii (Featured shop/artist)

Put your best foot forward with "Pastels & Pop"! (Featured Shop)

Living with what you Love (Home Tour)

Celebrating Print, Pattern and Color with Fab India

Girl Thinks (Featured Artist/Brand)

The Laissez-Faire style of Decorating (Home Tour)

TECD Turns Three!

Indie-Bohemian Inspired Summer Soiree

Color Your Imagination with the Spring-Summer 2016 collection from Welspun”

Traditional Redux

Russet Revival from Coppre

Flea Market Loot - 2016

Vintage Typewriters as Decor Accessories (Part 1)

Vintage Typewriters as Decor Accessories (Part 2)

Blog Update and My New Red Door

Jewelry from the house of Varnam (Featured artist/brand)

Easy Living (Home Tour)

Latest finds from the Decor Store "Bubblewrap"