Day Dreaming

Today, I could settle for either of these two wonderful outdoor retreats. However, it's unexciting household tasks that I have to deal with today.......... No matter what I'm doing, if house cleaning is on my bucket list, it kind of works on my sub-conscience. So wanted to get it over with. Nevertheless, a girl can always dream you know. No restrictions on that.

You guys have a great day!!!!

Images: Via

Rustic élan

I was weak in my knees when I saw the wonderful home of designer, Ursula Mascaro in Elle Espana. Situated in Menorca (Spain), the home has striking pieces of art, textiles from her travels and recycled objects that have been pulled together to create a magical haven. The white stucco walls work as the perfect canvas against the pops of color in the home.  Rustic style is injected in every corner of the home creating an atmosphere that nourishes the soul.

White washed stucco walls only add to the character of the home.

Floor in the Foyer is painted blue echoing the colors of the sea. A protective iron fireplace is renewed to serve as a little bench. Ursula's shoes from her summer 2013 collection.

Love the built in seating. The coffee table is made of a plank resting on pots. What a novel idea!!!

Peasant style dining is the focal point. A collection of stones and sticks from the beach adorn the coffee table.

Adore the chunks of a tree trunk that have been re-purposed as a side table. Painted blue floor adds a pop of color.

Cushion cluster and poufs sourced from Morocco make for a splendid seating under the apple tree.

More of the wonderful colors and textures.

What an enchanting backyard to lounge around in.

The property is surrounded by Greenery on all sides.

Coming up this week.........Sunroom reveal.

Images: Via

Another World Trading

Kantha, an Indian craft having originated in West Bengal (north-eastern part of India) has become a rage the world over.It is considered the most artistic of all embroidery styles, instantly adding a global flair to any space.

Let's delve into the age old tradition of the Kantha so as to be able to better appreciate it. These gorgeous pieces of textile were a means of personal expression. It is believed that a “real” Kantha is able to narrate a whole story.The fabric was traditionally re-purposed from used textiles (primarily saris and dhotis). Layers of discarded saris were joined by a simple running stitch, which typically produces a brilliant rippled effect. Thus, started the foremost initiation of re-purposing in the art world.

Reclaimed Wooden Column Kantha Top Stool

With that said, I’d like to share a fabulous new shop "Another World Trading" (AWT) that retails via online store Etsy. I could not get past the exclusive products that the store has to offer and reached out to her. Am so glad that I did.

 AWT has an array of Kantha inspired trays, poufs, pillows, kids jackets, quilts to name a few. Based in Hawkes Bay (New Zealand), the store is the brain child of Emma Hagen. Little did she know that a vacation to India would inspire her to kick off a vocation that would orbit around the Kantha . In her own words “India was not only like visiting another country but ANOTHER WORLD! I discovered a new way of looking at textiles, fabrics and colors. This has extended to a global search for interesting and different items to enhance our lives. Something that I hope to share!”

Vintage Kantha quilt - Mother Natures' purple, green mustard leaves. 

Emma has the brilliant support of her family to back her. Her son and daughter willingly agree to model for the kids clothing line that AWT offers. The stitching and custom orders requests are often outsourced to her lovely, patient Mother. 

Emma goes on to say “I really discovered something very different and special in India. Color Amazing Color! Most of my creations are imagined and worked out at my home. Then the Kantha is chosen and the patterns are cut painstakingly. I often engage in the finishing details i.e. hand stitching them myself. Strangely enough I dress mostly in practical black but I am surrounded by color in my shop."

Vintage Kantha Covered Bowl

Patchwork Kantha Mini Pouf

Vintage Kantha Covered Rectangular Trays

Vintage Kantha Covered Round Trays

What a lucky lady to be surrounded by such beautiful things. I had a rough time picking out a few to share with you'll. It’s innovate how she has used Kantha for the trays and bowls. They are my personal favorite.

Kantha Quilted Childs Jacket

For more check out Another World Trading at Etsy. 

Images : Via

Brave Enough to Try Whites ???

Good morning everyone !!! 

I loved these fresh and light filled living rooms in shades of white. They are just the thing for summer. With neutral solid color for the couches, the throw cushions can be changed from time to time and the space would have a whole new look. That's an easy and low investment make over. Moreover the neutral background enhances design details and forms the perfect canvas to show case the different textures, colors and patterns. I haven't had the courage to go white with a 6 year old at home. However, my couches are all in shades of wheat and light grey. I constantly change the cushions around for a fresh and spanking new look every couple of months.

Leaving you with these wonderful images. Have a wonderful weekend and stay tuned for more in the "If I Could I Would (Featured Shop)" segment coming up next week.

I heart the  glass work throw.

Floor cushions serve for extra seating apart from being decorative.

The Hurricane candle holders are perfect as they don't hinder the view.  

I never  like to back up furniture against the window. It blocks out light and the view to the outside. This is just lovely.

Images : Via

Clicking Away !!!!

Photographs are snapshots of our lives which we can see, feel and revisit long after it has occurred. They are extremely special to me as they help me preserve memories. Photography has helped me see the details and to savor even the mundane beauty that life has to offer. My thoughts about photography are beautifully echoed in the quotes below...........

“All photographs are memento mori. To take a photograph is to participate in another person’s (or thing’s) mortality, vulnerability, mutability. Precisely by slicing out this moment and freezing it, all photographs testify to time’s relentless melt.”
                                                                       -- Susan Sontag

“Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.”
                                                                       -- Marc Riboud

My son was kept busy the whole of last week with his basketball camp. The drive was a good 25 minutes, but the road had a countryside charm to it. It was dotted with farms all along the way. Once I dropped him off I had a good 2 hours to myself and armed with my camera I set out to capture facets of nature and life around me that I would have missed had I not looked through those lens.

The sunlight reflects right through those gorgeous wings and casts a pretty reflection on the leaf below. Identified as the Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina) found in North America.

I've always been fascinated with pictures of bicycles and was glad i had my shot at it.

From Another Angle

Here we have the Pied Paddy Skimmer (Neurothemis tullia)  found in south and south-east Asia. Love how the tips of the wings are transparent.

Droplets of morning mist looked like diamonds on a spider web

Tucked away, this little gazebo is perfect for an afternoon siesta.

The road ahead

Saw this little guy basking in the sun. 

Have an amazing day !!!!

Images:Clicked by me. Please do not use without prior written permission.

Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and subject to copyright.

An Artists' Abode

Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Mine was very relaxed and I spent a lot of time in the kitchen this weekend. My family and I are complete foodies. So made some delicious treats and with everyone's tummies full we were happy people.

Now coming to the wonderful and truly eclectic home of Anahata Katkin. She is an Oregon-based artist and co founder of Papaya Inc., Papaya!Living boutique and Leelah Clothing. I've admired her work for a while now. Her style is off-beat and is a collaboration of painting, graphic design and hand made, mixed media pieces. If her style of art speaks to you, then do check out the new line of iPhone cases she has to offer. 

Her home exudes her personality and I’m completely smitten and in love with each and every nook and cranny in her home. Every one of the pieces is so different but they all look so cohesive together. Love how she manages to pull everything together and makes it work. 

 

Have a great week ahead !!!!

Images : Via

Dip Into It !!!! (An Inkling on My Antique Inkwells)

I like accessories that tell a tale or two or have traces of time on them. I do not like to merely fill the room, but to decorate with pieces that reflect the personality of the people who live there. Clearly you can tell we love antiques and everything vintage.    

I have been lucky to own two antique Indian inkwells that are rare and make interesting pieces of decor to display. The round ink well was sourced by my dad from a flea market in India. The other dancing lady was what my husband and I found on one of our scouting trips back home.These gorgeous inkwells are made of brass and the dancing lady is unique, cause her torso forms the lid for the inkwell.

I love to group a collection together as it makes a big impact.

Think outside the box -  a metal pale used as a vase

I always like to know a little something about the beautiful pieces that I surround my self with. So some digging revealed that archaeological evidence exists that metallic ink-pots were introduced in the subcontinent by the Greeks and the Sakas (ancient tribe of Iranian origin) imitated them in terracotta. (Source: The Encyclopedia of Indian Archaeology edited by Amalananda Ghosh ). And then the 1880's saw the desertion of the inkwells with the invention of the first practical fountain pen. Some where along the way, these scarce and abandoned pieces turned from trash to treasure.

Antiques make interesting conversation pieces

This time my inkwells have been paired with the Purple Thistle. It is a common wildflower found here in Virginia at this time of the year. As interesting as they look these pretty flowers have spiky stems and leaves. I did have some... Oh... Agh... Ouch... moments in the process of trying to get them. Once dry, they turn white producing dandelion like seeds. On a breezy day the seeds look like a millions dandelions have been let loose.

The distressed metallic purple pail, I found at Target for a $1 and now it’s turned into a vase for a charming display. I placed a votive candle holder inside the pail to hold the water for the flowers. I even found a blue pail and could not resist it. I'll come with something for that. The possibilities are endless, let the creativity get the better of you. Have a great weekend!!! 

All images clicked by me. Please do not use without prior written permission.
Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and are subject to copyright. 

Island in a Glass - Watermelon Cooler

It's mid summer and in my part of the east coast we have a mix of sweltering heat on most of the days and when we are lucky, some cooler cloudy days. But I'm not complaining as 6 months in a year one is cooped up at home with the biting winter cold or the seasonal allergies. 
Well, today I have a watermelon cooler for you and it's the perfect treat to refresh and hydrate. 

Watermelon Cooler - refreshingly delicious

In the good old days when we were in school, we'd come back home, throw our bags on our beds and run into the kitchen to see what was on the menu for the day. I remember mom taking out these huge glasses of watermelon juice for us from the fridge. She would squeeze in some juice of a lime and hand it over to us. The coral color was a visual delight and we'd gulp it down and ask for more. The concoction of mint, ginger and lemon adds the extra zing to it. With this recipe, I'd like to think that you've got yourself an island in a glass.

It's a low calorie drink and it's Gluten Free.

Ingredients: (Serving size 1)

2 1/2 cups of seedless watermelon
6 mint leaves
1/2" piece of ginger
1 1/2 tsp lime juice
1 tsp sugar (or as needed)
a pinch of salt
a pinch of pepper

Directions:

Cut and chill the watermelon in the fridge before hand. Take all the other ingredients except the lime juice and blend in the mixer. Do not add ice or water as the watermelon has water content of its own. The diluted version would not taste as good. Now add the lime juice to it. Stir well. Garnish with a spray of mint. There you go, it's that simple. Go ahead make yourself a glass and celebrate summer while it lasts !!!

Images:Clicked by me. Please do not use without prior written permission.

Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and subject to copyright.

Stone Manor, Girona, Spain

Let me warn you, this is a heavy picture post. Please make yourself a cup of tea/ coffee and get comfortable.

One look at this home and I was completely bowled over.
The Stone Manor is an elegant restored 18th century farmhouse in Girona, Spain. Perched on a hillside, and surrounded by breath-taking views this home oozes style and charm. This residence has 8 bedrooms each done in a totally different theme ranging from Ethnic Indian, African, Moroccan, Zen and Mexican to name a few. One look at the interiors and it tells you the travel tales of the home owners and their immaculate taste. You can get to enjoy the fascinating views and lure of the place as it has been recently listed on http://www.boutique-homes.com. Enjoy !!!!

Purple Wisteria Flowers in all its splendor. It's so beautiful, it almost looks surreal.

Floored like me with the exteriors of this home. I want to hear what you have to say after seeing the interiors.

Will be coming up with more on fabulous escapes soon. Have a great week ahead :)

Images: http://www.boutique-homes.com/small-hotels/europa/spain/stone-manor-girona-spain