Love and Gratitude...Happy Thanksgiving!!

"The earth laughs in flowers"
                       -Ralph WaldoEmerson

What a lovely thought 
to start 
a brand new week...

Frangipani...blooming and beautiful
just outside my bedroom window
 can't ask more from life...:)

"We often take for 

GRANTED
the very things
that most 
DESERVE
our gratitude."

                          -Cynthia Ozick

Thank you Lord for everything...

My husband
our children
our family
and friends
good health
and mental peace...

Thank the Lord for everything!


Happy Thanksgiving!



Images: Mine and copyrighted





Linking:
betweennapsontheporch
savvysouthernstyle
handymancraftywoman

Art of Living

I love texture and style!
Well, I love to mix 
'texture and style'...
to add a little drama 
and dimension to a space...
to achieve a sense of comfort 
and intimacy. 

My world is 
stylistically fluid
and I don't want to
follow any design 'rule' -;)

Balinese decor accent

helps to keep

 the spirit of 

an open-plan South Asian living alive.

Art inspires me everyday.

I always look for flea market

and vintage finds when I travel.

Home is where the heart is...

where cosiness and comfort prevail.

So,What is your design 'mantra' ?

Do drop me a line...-;)

Images: My Home and copyrighted.


Linking:
savvysouthernstyle

betweennapsontheporch
handymancraftywoman

As Diwali beckons...

Marigold, 'Kumkum' and lotus

tea-lights and lanterns

diyas and rangolis, 

shades of gold, rust, red, orange and pink...

fresh flowers and sweets

brass, copper and silverware, 

peacock feathers and paisley motifs,

gorgeous fabrics, textures and patterns... 

love, laughter ,

family and friends

and loads of happiness :)
Yes, Diwali is here...again !

More is coming on Diwali...real soon...
stay tuned :)



All images are mine and copyrighted.


Linking:

betweennapsontheporch
savvysouthernstyle

The magnificent temple of Borobudur

After a beautiful break
returning from Central Java 

the land of mesmerising natural beauty,

profound traditions in history, 

art and culture,

spiritualism

and learning.

[Shakyamuni-Siddharta Gautama Buddha

Borobudur, Central Java, 9th century]


Rulers of the Sailendra Dynasty built Borobudur
some time between AD 750 and AD 850.
This vast monument is a harmonious composition 
expressing both the shape of the cosmos 
and man's spiritual quest.

 I've taken thousands of photographs
of this colossal monument,
some of those are coming soon on this space.

The supremely gorgeous landscape of Central Java,
those beautiful green rice fields,
traditional rice growing kampung,
villages of terracotta-tilled houses,
magnificent temples and 'stupas',
all overlooked by soaring volcanic peaks,
still lingers in my mind.

Images are mine and can not be reused under any condition.

Linking:

savvysouthernstyle

Busking in the Autumn Glory..

Home...

the beautiful morning sun

warm orange glow
and  Rajashani musicians,

busking in the morning glory -;)

Frangipani in full bloom

just outside my bedroom window..
the view itself promises

an unforgettable autumn morning.

Durga puja is around the corner

the humble home 

is slowly getting decked up 
for the season of festivities.

Indian puja/brass items 
and happy frangipani...
don't miss the delicate Kantha work 
on the fabric...-;)



What is your home story...do let me know sometime...-:)


Images: Mine and subject to copyright.


Linking:
betweennapsontheporch
savvysouthernstyle

শারদ শুভেছা~ 'ওগো আমার আগমনী' :: Sharod Shubhechha~ Ogo amar agomoni

 শুভ মহালয়া ~Shubho Sharadotsava 

'ওগো আমার আগমনী'... 

শুভ মহালয়ার পূণ্য প্রভাত

full bloomed lotus at home

  On the auspicious first day of Devipaksha

এসো শরতের অমল মহিমা, এসো হে ধীরে।

                        চিত্ত বিকাশিবে চরণ ঘিরে।।

the  fragrance in the air,
fragrance of the  festivities .

Today is Mahalaya(মহালয়া)...

the commencement of 'Devipaksha' (দেবিপক্ষ)

the beginning of 'Autumn Festival' 

or 'Sharodiyo Durgotshov' 

in Bengali 'শারদীয়া দুর্গা পুজা '...

This is the moment to enjoy 

the timeless beauty of 

Mahalaya  Agomoni and 'Chandi Path' (চণ্ডী পাঠ) 

by (Late) Birandra Krishna Bhadra

a very nostalgic moment for every Bengali

it's all about our childhood memories....

all those auspicious  moments 

in a beautiful autumn ( Ashwin) dawn 

and that magical  telecast on All India Radio.

An 'Oratario' invoking The Goddess Durga

Sanskrit Chants,'Slokas' and Bengali devotional songs 

those unforgettable melodies

by versatile artists of yesteryear's..

'বাজল তোমার আলোর বেণু
মাতল রে ভুবন...'

still in my heart!!

Warm wishes for a very Happy Durga Puja 

and Happy Navaratri 
from my home to yours -;) 

 Images: My home  and copyrighted. 

Please, do not reuse them in any form without my written permission. Thanks!

DIY : Kantha Stitch on Block Print

'Kantha and block print'
makes me go weak at my knees..-;)

I just love to punch them together

and the magic is twofold .

Here is my latest project

simple running stitch

on old re-purposed
 coral red 
Indian block printed fabric.




You may check my other Kantha work here
on tusser silk.

Trying my hand on this beautiful art ,
more to come soon on this little space
Stay tuned...-;)


Pictures are mine and subject to copyright.

Home...Love...Life...and...Thoughts :)

A beautiful sunny morning in Singapore. :)

Yes,TODAY is the day
 which may not come again.

"Today will Never come again.

Be a blessing.

Be a friend.

Encourage someone.

Take time to care.

Let your words heal

and not wound."
                            -Unknown

                                           

Are you ready 

to celebrate the day 

with enthusiasm... :)

Sunny side up...
Before the weekend
A few happy shots from home..:)

Japanese minimalism
Blue blossom tea set 
and Kokeshi doll.

Accents from Far East

Assorted Japanese pottery

and Terracotta warrior from Xian, China 

Contemporary living 

Asian style..


A design blog doesn't mean just about 'pretty pictures'.
It is about love,
about life,
about home.
Your home...my home...our homes...

Home is where love never ends
and memories are created.

Have a great weekend folks :)


All pictures are mine and subject to copyright.

Kantha : An affair to remember....DIY Silk Kantha Throw :)

"Life, when reduced to its simplest,
the tale is essentially a love story
with a fairytale overtone."
                                               -Unknown.

Well, I am in love with Bengal Kantha...
the simple running stitch and its fairytale outcome.  
This love story began long back, during my high school days 
and the saga continued -;)

So, when the whole design and styling world is caught by 
this beautiful Kantha craze,
(Kantha is one of the most popular art form of Bengal)
here is my humble attempt to 'draw' a tell
on a piece of tasar silk.



 My DIY kantha throw
and a close up...

 It's indeed a little time consuming
I did it little by little over my free time...
but it totally worth it,
 as the immense satisfaction you get at the end.



Bankura terracotta 
 beautifully compliments
the elegant simplicity of kantha embroidery.

Thinking of those good old days
 when all those women folk from rural Bengal 
used to draw 
(yes, here I'm purposefully not using the word 'sew') 
incredible stories 
on soft, recycled saris/dhotis
with intricate stitches.


Looking forward to your valuable feedback :)

images: mine and copyrighted.

A little joyfulness...:)

'Soulful interiors are built over time 

by finding pieces 

that speak to your taste, style and experiences'

                                                          -Michelle Adams, designer.

I love to decorate my space  with relaxation in mind.

There is no rigid style rule for me. 

It is all about fun, function and colours.

Above a cozy nook in our living room 

for indulging my love for 

bold colours, fabrics and floral.

Vintage framed art from Cambodia and a Moroccan lamp add instant eclectic impact and originality.

Suzani cushion can be a great excuse to go bold.

Kerala oil lamps (both the huge standing one and the medium one seating happily atop the console) create a nostalgic feel.

Flower is a delightful way of injecting life to any space. Orchids are gorgeous enough to add a wonderful warmth and charm...:)

The cane chair and the Thai raw silk cushion

create an air of informality 

which is the key factor of this laid-back, relaxed spot. 

Images: My Home and subject to copyright.



Linking:
betweennapsontheporch
savvysouthernstyle

It speaks quietly Tropical-'The Asian Tropical Style'

[Red plumeria and river pebbles on a mother of pearl shell dish
- refined simplicity of tropical living and my humble abode]


A home can be a sensual delight
with simple or intriguing arrangements of
natural materials.


Free flowing space,
airy and light open plan residence,
organic space which is in tune with mother nature
evokes the 'Asian Tropical Style'

Thai raw silk cushion cover 

and silk throw from Cambodia
beautifully compliments 
the Vietnamese wooden fisherman.

So,
Go tropical...
Go natural...
Go green...
it is artfully unexpected :)

A study corner with natural flair...
 Dokra musician from Kolkata (West Bengal, India),
framed tribal art
and wooden 'snake boat race' figure from Kerala (India),
sits happily with green succulent 
potted in a clay planter.

 [Today...on the coffee table :)]

Touch of wood, clay, bamboo, 
coconut twigs or sea shells
blended with 
raw silk, fresh orchids and gorgeous plants
beautifully paints the composed and stylish picture of 
Asian Tropical Decor.

 [A quirky play on design details
antique Oriental tea pot...on the console table]


 Asian Tropical Style is casually elegant,
relaxed and free flowing,
comfortable and crisp,
whimsical yet functional...
 and just perfect for today's busy life.

What do you say...?..:)

P.S. : I am extremely sorry for the infrequent activity on this little blog for the last couple of months. The 'off-line life' is becoming increasingly demanding and juggling between different role(s) is tough sometime. I know my beautiful readers are truly understanding. I'm going to answer all your e-mails ASAP. 
Thanks again for your unconditional love, support and  time.

All images: My Home and subject to copyright


Linking:
savvysouthernstyle