Step into the *Pah-lah* ...

Happy Monday, everyone !!  So, it's a balmy 80 degrees here in Myrtle Beach, and I'm on my way out the door for a day of fun in the sand and surf.  NOT, but oh how I wish!  Actually, we're still being poisoned by these fer-eeeezing temps that just don't want to leave us.  I really shouldn't complain though as the arctic weather has forced me to stay inside and decorate.  The shame !! 

And, since there are a few "before and after" (and winter decorating) parties,  going on again in blogland this week, I thought I'd, once again, crash the get togethers and subject you to more of my recent ADD. See my sidebar for a link to Susan's BNOTP and also join Melissa over at the The Inspired Room.

So, welcome to our sitting room (the room that seems to have no purpose and no activity, except when I walk by and move something around).

BEFORE: This room has had many different looks since we moved here.  This was the most recent ... it was *okay,* but I didn't care for the "principal's office" feel to it ... seemed off balance ... the rug was too small ... the paint was the same as the other common areas ... blah blah blah. 

So, I went with Ralph Lauren Metallics Paint/Lush Brown for the walls:

Painted the ceiling Ralph Lauren Metallics/Golden Candlesticks:

Added panels to the existing valance; a large, rich rug (Lowes + clearance = score!) and a small, leather ottoman (thank you, HomeGoods):

Found an accent table from good ol' Kirklands, hoping it'd work in that spot, along with a super soft and cozy animal print blanket to warm the room up for the winter:  

Added more "knick knacks" to the bookshelf, which I'll never be satisfied with:

 

And, finally, had to complete the room with a gift to my son from my parents ... a baby (literally) grand piano.  Here's Linus (a/k/a my sweet dinosaur covered Jax) banging away on it.  Oh how I wish we had room for a real one !!  

Okay, lemme have it ... how'd I do?  Even though it will, unfortunately, still remain an unused and unappreciated room (except by our cat, Eden), does the (hopefully) cozy feel make you want to retire to one of the wing chairs after dinner with a classic novel in one hand and perhaps a brandy in the other, while dawning your favorite Snuggie?  Or, maybe engage in a sophisticated game of chess?  If so, FANTASTIC !!  If not, where did I fail?  As for John, me and our gang, we're heading out to the man cave (a/k/a garage dedicated to all things NY Yankees) to act like the unsophisticated crazies that we truly are !!  I'll take you there soon.

Thanks again for stopping by !!

Read More

Rang Decor Readers Creative Spaces: VIII

Wishing all you lovely readers a very Happy New Year, 2010! It's going to be a great year with lots to share with all of you. We just got back from a beautiful trip to Rajasthan, so stay tuned for loads on havelis, palaces, forts and sand dunes:-)

Lets get the ball rolling with a brand new post on Rang Decor Readers Creative Spaces.

Karthik Vaidhyanathan

Karthik Vaidhyanathan is from Chettinad in Tamil Nadu and having grown up in a typical Chettinad house with loads of kitsch and colours, he wanted to incorporate these elements in his 1420 sqft new apartment home in Bangalore.The Chettinad influences are the 7ft arched windows, that he found when St. Josephs college on Brigade road, Bangalore was being demolished. They fitted in perfectly into what was once a balcony cum utility area. He also made a small tinnai (seating besides the windows).

Karthik continues, 'I converted this to become a loungy relaxing sit-out kinda space for entertaining friends and family.'

Karthik picked up these ceramic chettinad tiles from a shop in Pondicherry and has used it for a coffee table. This is inspired by the traditional 'Mannai' which is used during wedding

ceremonies.

Karthik explains, "I wanted to convert the open dining space into a study cum work area and wanted to isolate it through the use of two pillars. Did the rounds of antique markets and shops but found them too expensive or too elaborate for a flat. Finally landed up at Vermilion House in Bangalore, wherein I saw two pillars with Yaali sculpted motif at the top

(Yaali is a mythical creature, that with the face of a lion, the tusks of an elephant and the body of a serpent or ‘makara’ another mythical creature. The Yaalis are prominent in many a south Indian temple as sculptures on the walls or pillars, since the 16th century and they are believed to guard the temple. They are supposed to be more powerful than a lion or elephant)

"I also saw two pillars in teak with a floral pattern at the top; these are typically found in Kerala Home. These again really appealed to me. I picked up all four. The remaining two ‘floral’ pillars became the entrance to my kitchen, right opposite to the study."

"I have opened up the kitchen on all sides. As a result one can see through the entire length of the house. Have kept the kitchen in contemporary white and steel to break away the colour all around.

Have converted one of the corners of the kitchen into a 'work' area with a table and a white bar stool from ikea. Helps me work on my laptop as I catch some T.V. "

The low-rise square dining table with a low hanging light is one of the first pieces of furniture that Karthik got custom-made around 6 years ago at 100ft boutique in Indiranagar. The installation on top is the ‘people tree’ from Mukul Goyal in Delhi.

The showcase near the dining table houses lovely antique enamelware tiffin carrier, teapot etc and some very precious family heirlooms.

The whole house has lovely handmade Athangudi tile flooring.

View from the living room

The two chairs in the ‘sit-out’ are of rosewood and were picked up from Bamboo Market in Bangalore, a place where one often gets to see old antique stuff of houses that have been demolished. All it took to restore them was some cane-work and polish. A dash of colour through the pillows from Good Earth and one in a similar ‘Rajasthan’ theme from Rattan stores in Delhi.

The workspace cabinets and shelves have been made by Karthik's local carpenter. The knobs on them in various shapes and colours are antiques.

A peek into his bedroom:-)

Karthik's love and passion for his home comes across so beautifully through these pictures.

All the best Karthik, enjoy your new home. Thanks for sharing these creative corners of your home with readers of Rang Decor.

P.S. If you have any questions for Karthik, do mail it to myvarnam@gmail.com.

Read More

Fireplace Transformation

Happy New Year !!  I hope everyone had a fun-filled holiday season with family, friends and food and is now forging ahead into the new year with your resolution(s) list in hand and decorating projects lined up !!  Of course, the wheels are spinning out of control in my head with dreams of projects I'd like to conquer in 2010 ... my poor husband.

As I'm new to blogging, I don't have a recap of the projects the hubs and I tackled in 2009, but will definitely share them shortly !!  But, since Sarah over at Thrifty Decor Chick, Rhoda at Southern Hospitality and Susan at Between Naps on the Porch are all hosting weekly Before and After parties, I thought I'd start by sharing one of our recent projects - our humble fireplace's transformation.  I'm also linking up to a new party ... The Mantel Party at "Stories from A 2 Z!"  I'm sure there's lots of eye candy !!

I liked our fireplace/mantle, but I didn't *love* it.  I tried painting the inset *too* many different colors and placing many different pieces of art in it, but nothing ever worked.  It was missing something (okay, a LOT) to truly be the focal point of our great room !! 

Before (Yawn) ...

So, after perusing the internet forEVAH, I found an inspiration picture and then poorly sketched what we wanted.  Then, my husband and I got to work and totally did the work all by ourselves ... NOT (sorry, everyone, I don't have the do-it-yourself factor on this one) !!  Actually, our contractor, Todd, was able to exactly duplicate what we wanted ... he truly did an amazing job with MDF and inexpensive molding !!

After (YAY) !!

I love it ... everything about it ... the traditional look ... how the crisp, white paint pops against our wall paint ... the taller mantle ... the ledge up top and the detailed molding ... LOVE it all !!  It truly gives our room a brand new look.  And, rather than paying an electrician too much money (that we don't have) to add electric, our contractor hid extension cords inside the legs on the left side so that I can add lamps to the mantle and illuminate the top ledge and the alcoves above that.  

I've truly had fun futzing (is that a word?) with the accessories on it and will continue to futz a bazillion more times before I'm satisfied !!  YAY !!

I look forward to seeing everyone else's "before and afters."

Thanks for stopping by,

Read More

Refresh Studio

The day I set my eyes on one of the lamps made by Rabi of Refresh Studio, I knew I had to meet him and see more of his creations...

My first reaction was "Is that lamp base made of stone?" then looking at it closely I realised it was as light as a feather. It was Paper Mache!

Rabi makes eco-friendly, paper mache lamps, artistic vases, containers, boxes out of old newspapers.

For his lampshades he uses dried pressed flowers, leaves and ferns that add such delicate beauty to the lamps.

Love this vase!

A collection of vases in various shapes.

Another lovely creation by Rabi.

Details on the lampshade.

Rabi spends a lot of time creating each of these lovely products, since paper mache takes a while to dry after being moulded.

He does take custom orders and can be reached at rabfrank@yahoo.co.in

( Images by Arch)

Read More

Holiday Home Tour continued ...

Thanks for joining me for Part 2 of my holiday home tour (For those who have asked, Part 1 is hiding under this post ... just scroll down after the last picture (the reindeer sitting out front) and you'll see the first part of the tour).  Please make yourselves at home !!  (You can click on any picture to enlarge them.)  Off we go ....

So, here's where all the action takes place (lol ... kidding!). The "12 days of Christmas" tree lights up our master bedroom.  I thoroughly enjoyed almost breaking my neck trying to hang the garland above the bed.

Love the cascading red, sequined "doohickeys" hanging down (they remind me of curled ribbons):

This humble tree is made out of prelit branches, along with live branches, berry stems, gold snowflakes and words of Joy, Love and Peace.

And, this is where I cry over my wrinkles, apply gobs just a dash of makeup and destroy my mane with lots of teasing and loads of hairspray each day. LOL. I love the feather trees (from Michaels).

And, what bath is complete without rose petals floating by? (Okay, I promise I only did that the day our home was on the local Christmas Tour of Homes.)

Let's go visit Jax's little "suite" now ...

Here's his cozy, little playroom, where he spends a lot of time reading, creating and destroying.  His tree was so easy and fun to do (since Jax helped me decorate it) ... handmade ornaments, snowflakes, snowmen and ornaments of his favorite TV characters are scattered throughout.  Jax loves the snowflakes surrounding his tree as they fall from the *sky*. 

 

And a little peek into his room where I decorated his tree all things sports, to keep with the theme of his room.  I love the big wreath above his bed where Santa is nestled, keeping watch over my little man.

I decorated the wall tree in his bathroom in purples, reds, golds and greens to match the shower curtain. The topper is done in palm branches in greens and reds spraying out (matching the palms in the shower curtain as well).

Next, let's peek into my husband's office:

The Santa elf is says "hello":

I think that this is most FAVORITE tree. I decided to make this our FAMILY tree ... to remind me and my family of what the holidays are truly about. I added black and white pictures of days gone by, along with familial sayings and chocolate *gold* coins (a/k/a treasure ... as in *treasure* your family). I find myself going in there to stare at the pictures of family who are no longer with us ... this tree makes me feel as though they are truly a part of our holiday.

There sits a picture of Jax, John and me front and center (can you spot us?)

And, the guest bath in greens and browns:

We're beebopping out to our little porch ... done in all things rustic.  The slimline tree features all simple, natural ornaments and the large rustic Santa warms up by the fire.  Please have a seat in one of the rockers and visit awhile.

And, before our last stop in my husband's favorite room, we'll pass through the mudroom, decorated with all things Santa.

I love the picture from last year where Jax took a quiet walk with Santa:

Finally, let's visit my husband's "man cave" (a/k/a, the garage).  He's a HUGE NY Yankees fan, so, only fitting that it be in a NY theme.  His tree has his Yankee ornaments scattered about.  We love having the multiple TVs in there ... Jax can watch cartoons; John can watch sports: and I can watch HGTV, Lifetime or Real Housewives of *any* county (lol); although, John prefers it if there are sports on all three !!  Since we don't get out much (having a 3 year old), we love entertaining our friends here ... stop by if you're ever in our neck of the woods !!

Thanks again for spending some time with me ... hope you enjoyed !!  Ronny the Reindeer will be sitting here on the bench for awhile if you'd like to stop back by (oops, the tops of my presents blew off).

Best wishes,

Read More