fluttering mulmuls...

...swaying sheers, & soft cottons to the gentle summer morning breeze is something we all dream of.

Here are some summer curtain options...

Ocean Breezes Sheer Curtain from Saffron Marigold, that I had shot sometime back...

Block-printed Sheer Curtain from Good Earth sways in Mishta Roy's home...

Gorgeous sheer curtains from Bungalow...

Amethyst Bohemian Sheer Curtain from Attiser...

Dauphine in Indigo Curtains from Les Indiennes...

Cosette in Chocolate Curtains from Les Indiennes...

Do check out Fabindia & The Red River for their sheer curtains as well...

(some images by Arch and the rest from the websites)

Frangipanis & an angel...

Summer has 'Frangipani' trees blooming everywhere, spreading a carpet of delicate fragrant flowers on the pavements.

Bring simple elements of nature, of the season into your home. Fragipanis, or Chamelis.

Line them up on your window sill or on a table...

Frangipanis just need small bowls of water where you can float them but to add a little something, take out those simple 'yera' glasses or chai gilaas and float single flowers in them.

Cluster them on an interesting platter...

Bring in the angel:-) You can create center of interest by adding any element like a small buddha or any idol...

Another view...

Let your creativity flow. Just remember to take in the intoxicating fragrance of these delicate flowers as you pass by the arrangement. I promise you, you will pass by many times in a day;-)

( Images by Arch)

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer.

Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Yesterday one of the readers' of Rang Decor suggested that I post about 'Summer Decor Ideas'. Following that I received a lot of suggestions about what readers were looking for and topping the list was simple DIY ideas!

So here is the deal. Starting today I will be posting simple DIY ideas and styling from my home!

Stay tuned. A wee bit nervous about taking on this project, so please be with me:-)

Peaches & Pinks...

Bring out your cushion covers in fresh colour palette of peaches, pinks, blush, creams & white. A few sprinkling of copper or gold adds magic...

Brass containers are great as vases, but copper too has it's charm and compliments the peach & pink palette so well.

Carnations come in so many shades and last long too! So have fun and enjoy the season!

Look at this curious lovely visitor who flew in to check on my early morning photoshoot!

( Images by Arch)

Here are few resources for Cushion Covers~

Anek Designs, Varnam, The Red River, Neev Home Decor, Saffron Marigold, Kye

Nidhi Chanani

I received a mail from Nidhi Chanani introducing her work to me and I thought her illustrations were very charming.

Veranda...

'At the veranda, above everything, she takes a break and enjoys the moment.'

Sari...

'I followed my mom everywhere, holding on to the edge of her sari. It was soft and silky like the comfort of her love.'

Nidhi, a freelance artist and illustrator was born in Calcutta and raised in California.

A Grand Adventure...

'What kind of fun will find these kids as they head out in search of adventure on top of a friendly elephant?'

The Gate...

'She stands at the gate and watched the world unfold.'

Do visit Nidhi's Etsy Shop for more of her lovely illustration prints.

( images by Nidhi)

Rang Decor Readers Creative Spaces: IX

Mishta & Anirudh

Today under Rang Decor Reader's Creative Spaces, I take you to a colourful Goa-inspired home in Bangalore.

Entrance Porch...

Mishta and Anirudh are a 30-something couple, both designers, one a product designer and the other a graphic designer, decided to build over Anirudh’s family home’s existing ground floor bungalow on a 60 x 40 plot in Sadashivnagar, Bangalore.

The design of the house revolves around three courtyards and two trees.

Avocado Tree at the entrance...

Mishta explains,"A courtyard on the second floor at the back of the house is carved out to let a mango tree spread it’s limbs...

...and a main courtyard, also on the second floor, at the front of the house, is designed to pay homage to Geoffrey Bawa’s tropical style with a pond and landscaping."

The over-arching theme of the house has been heavily influenced by the couple’s love for Goa, a destination they run off to, to recharge, every two and half months.

Mishta adds, "The idea was not to recreate a Goan house, but to pick Portuguese influences, through colour and form and combine that with the sense of an open Asian tropical house."

The drawing room...

The dining area...

Balinese Lamp against coloured glass at the stairwell...

The Master bedroom...

Guest bedroom...

Second floor lobby...

Mishta adds, "The main colour scheme for the house is yellow ochre and dark green. The flooring is cool green kota stone with small floral tiles inlayed at intervals.

Common passageways are in black and white checks. Rustic tiles in terracotta and green have been used in the flooring of the courtyards. Ceramic floral tiles were sourced from Spain and fitted into niches in all the courtyards."

Custom-made nameplate tiles from Velha Goa...

Mishta & Anirudh~ Thanks for sharing so generously photos of your vibrant home with readers of Rang Decor.

P.S. If anyone has any queries regarding Mishta and Anirudh's home, feel free to ask in the comments section.

( Images by Mishta Roy)

Chai Studio, Honolulu

Today I take you to the gorgeous Hawaiian Island of Honolulu to Chai Studio.

Amerjit Ghag, the lovely lady behind Chai Studio, Honolulu describes it as a lifestyle expression - casual, colourful and comfortable.

The store came into being in 2010, inspired by Amerjit's love for the handicrafts, the culture, the colour and the people of India. She believes that hand- picked products are a natural fit for the type of casual lifestyle they have on the Hawaiian Islands.

Love the warm pink...

The furniture pieces that she selects are mostly rustic and oftentimes repurposed - a chukki becomes a stool, a damchiya becomes a coffee table.

The textiles are rich with stories of traditional use, she has turned them into throw pillows and she includes hang tags explaining the past lives of kantha, phukhari etc.

Whether it is home furnishings , a piece of jewelry or a contemporary tunic, you'll find it all here, lovingly picked up by Amerjit during her many travels to India.

Lovely Rajasthani earrings...

Exotic fragrances... I spot my favourite 'Frangipani':-)

Colourful Indian Kitschy bags...

As far as the name of the store is concerned Amerjit Ghag, a chai-lover ( give me a hi- five;-) loves the fact that everyone has a different, special recipe for chai and Chai Studio, Honolulu is her recipe for a place that offers ideas for an inspired lifestyle...

I wish her all the very best for her venture.

Do visit Chai Studio , Honolulu on Facebook

Ladle love...

I have immense love for traditional kitchenware and utensils. The collection of ladles seems to be growing:-)

My grandmother's antique brass ladles...

Wooden ladles...

Regular stainless steel ladles, there are so many shapes and sizes for various uses...

Small wooden spoons...

What kitchen thing do you love collecting?

Hotel du Parc~ A heritage villa

Hotel du Parc ~ A heritage villa, is where we spent our Christmas Eve in Pondicherry.

Built in the 17th century Heritage Villa Selvom, which has served as the residence to many French governors now is Hotel du Parc.

Beautiful pale yellow and pastel turquoise has been used to bring in the feel of Provence, South France.

Loved the blend of colonial style and contemporary look in the villa...

The dining area with the view of the huge Mango tree that forms a canopy outside in the courtyard...

The deck in the night...

Elegant rooms with antique furniture...Silk drapes and porcelain lamps add a touch of elegance...

The best part about this lovely villa is that it is located at walking distance from the Aurobindo Ashram!

P.S. All the images are from Hotel du Parc's website, my battery died just on the eve of Christmas:-(