Home tour

This is the first home tour of the year. Home tours are always special because they give us a fresh perspective on housekeeping and decorating.

Today, we visit Jumpi's home. She has a background in textiles and also has a degree in Botany. The love for both reflects in her home. Most of the furnishings  at her place, have been designed by her. 

Then there are plants in various corners of her home that lend such a warm look. I have always believed that plants help in highlighting a given space, which is again very evident in the way Jumpi has styled them.

I have been following Jumpi on Instagram for a long time now and what pulled me towards her feed and home are the personal touches that she has managed to give her home by way of  various DIY's  A house becomes a home only when one takes genuine interest and efforts in the upkeep of the home.  Then the vibe is unmistakable.

These are some of the paintings done by her. She sure has a great hand.

These again are worn out frying pans which were to be discarded and given away to the kabadi waala but she saw the potential in those pans and see how beautifully they have been transformed!

Another genuinity...

These Amaltas pods have been given this vibrant look and does it look any less than an art installation?

Okay for some more eye candy corners...

The last image will sum up Jumpi's love for her space and also is the mantra for all home decor lovers.

Did you enjoy this home tour. Will be soon presenting you with another happy space! 

Till then, take care, stay safe and healthy at home  🏡 

Mayura's Farmhouse styled home

We often try to run away from our urban chaos, to a quieter locale probably a farmhouse that we can call our own for the couple of days that we stay put there. But, what happens when your home itself is farmhouse style inspired ( with or without the farm animals! )? That is exactly how it is with Mayura.

Her insta stories propelled me to establish contact with her and request for a home tour.
Her home that we are about to uncover is 80 years old, though it is renovated, the basic structure is preserved. Mayura lives with her hubby, kid and her Mil here.All of them being decor enthusiast, they were clear from the start that the ethnic charm is not lost upon as they renovate the home!

 I feel the beauty of such spaces lies in openness of the plan.  The indoors merge easily with the outdoors creating vastness of space.

The interiors have been done in dark wood tones.Many traditional elements like the jharokha, brass artifacts which are proud heritage collections rule the place.Apart from these brass bells & lanterns lend a rustic charm!

Unique in itself are these rows and rows of neatly arranged brass  cooking vessels like pots, pans,urns, plates which have been designated a separate place yet assimilating their presence in the interiors as well!

 A sitting area which I understand opens into the outdoor...

 Yet another rustic feature wall with dancing warli motifs and woven treasures. Traditional game like the pallankuzhi board that you see on the ledge makes me remember my childhood  summer days. Oh! What fun it used to be when all the cousins used to gather over the game!

 A peek into her well laid out garden space...

The warli paintings are done by Mayura.

Such lovingly created corners!

 And see I told you it's a farmhouse styled  home...Look at those lovely ducks enjoying a  bath in afternoon sun!

 This is the perfect getaway for me in summers. what do you think? Mayura blogs at thelifeinspire.com and you can have a look at her insta feed here. 
She would be happy to hear from you as well!

A home set in Earthy tones

Home tours are the most loved segment in sajavat. So let's start the New Year with another beautiful home, decorated with love and care!

This home is the love nest of Snigdha residing in Ghaziabad with her hubby and two wonderful kids. They have often moved places within India and therefore she has a strong inclination towards all things Indian. Something that i loved in her home is the earthy feel spilling all over!

The dark wooden textures combined with an aesthetic sense inclining towards natural living , the home is one where you would want to come back to, everyday, after a tiring day spent out!
After all every home should have that casting spell on you! what say?

The dark wood tones, hues of  orange and the greens all come together harmoniously. There is a visual continuity that strikes in this home. Every element is in sync with the other!

 Prints and patterns on the fabrics, wood grained textures from the various furnitures, the ceramics and pots with greens are the main elements that lend this Earthy tone in her space.For all those who love such homes pay attention to these little details to create a similar decor scheme.Going natural is another key to such homes.

Creating table vignettes: Importance is given to the accent pieces on the table and also to knicks knacks hung on to the wall which is at one's eye level.When you have an assortment of pieces, group them together taking a cue from Snigdha. The tray is used here to place jars and other table essentials together.This way the table does not seem crowded too!

Another trick to highlight a single frame on the wall, is to hang, other eye catchy elements that go with it! For example here Snigdha pairs a frame of deity with an equally stunning brass Ganesha deepam and a lotus incense holder..Similar stuff hung together!

Remember kitchen jars can be arranged on the bedside table as flower holders and planters too! Also, keep changing the vignettes on the bed side console and you create a new decor every time!

A very functional bedroom decor yet very classy!

What more do you need if you have a balcony, some greens around, a pretty sit out and a cuppa to go with it?Absolute bliss I say!

So, tell me did you like the home tour? I have tried my best to highlight certain decor tips, for all of you, from Snigdha's pretty home...Any other idea that comes across seeing her home, you let me know...

Thank you Snigdha for sharing your space with us.It felt awesome connecting with you.

And my dear readers, 2017 ended with a bang and I felt great on having won the 'Best Ethnic Decor Blogger' 2017 at the Lifestyle Influencer Awards by Social Samosa and Better Homes & Gardens.
Thanks to all the wonderful readers of sajavat.

And coming up this month is a tour of a fabulous mansion ...You stay tuned.I shall join you soon...

A traditional home in the heart of Vijayawada

The last post of the year and let me make it a good one! This post is after my own heart. It is a home tour from Vijayawada and is the abode of Asha Kiran.

To begin with, let me tell you, the home is built without any help from interior designers or architects. Asha had her home conceptualized in her mind in a certain manner and she went ahead with it and it has turned out perfect!
When it comes to decor, Asha is a traditionalist! Here she lives with her hubby, two daughters and a cute fur-ball!
Traditional Indian homes are synonymous with  a veranda and large open spaces, sit outs in the front, art work on floors and walls and you find all of that here! So far, I have come across homes that are a marriage of traditional with the modern but this home is purely Indian in all sense. I know, am doing a lot of build-up but Asha's home deserves this and more! So, let me just get started...

This is the entrance and notice how it stands out against the high-rise at the backdrop.

As you enter...

Flower beds, the concrete sit out and Ahh! how can you miss these grand pillars...

Look at the Tulsi' maadam' or the pedestal on which the Tulsi is placed! Indians have always considered Tulsi as divine and worshiped the plant due to its intense medicinal properties. And you can spot a niche on the yellow pedestal. This is with the intention of  lighting a lamp there!

In olden times, they would build these niches in the wall near the entry door for lighting lamps.The lady of the house would light them during evenings and that used to lend such a warm and calming effect! This entryway opens a bag of memories for me. For,ages ago when modernism hadn't caught up with our villages, the houses used to be adorned similarly!The ornate carvings on the wooden door and the painted threshold  are just signs of more beauty awaiting you inside!
The  threshold has painted motifs of elephants, kalash and lotuses ,all signifying auspiciousness and prosperity.

Now, as we step inside, you can make out the interiors styled with wood and brass. Asha's kitchen is a treasure trove of brass utensils.She says, she is very much fond of these sparkling beauties. Her favourite places for buying these antiques are Indian Antique Quest, an online destination for authentic antiques, flea markets, Lepakshi exhibitions and the old markets of Vijayawada.

I still have vivid memory of my granny's old home which had such doors that opened half way from top, served the purpose of knowing who knocked without really letting them inside!
This is the traditional version of our modern day safety doors. Isn't it?

The wooden bench like trunk that you see in the above pic serves well as a storage and a sit-out.

Being a brass lover, all those utensils make my heart, skip a beat!

Asha loves to decorate her home with flowers and that can be seen in the following images

 This is her prayer room..

Asha tells me, its been 5 yrs since they constructed this home and to me it doesn't look more than a day old!

The lotus incense holder creates the right drama at the entrance and of course you cannot miss the sweet bundle of  fur-balls who makes his appearance in more than one frame!

Now, a much needed tip for all brass lovers shared by Asha...

 The Original beauty and glow of brass vintage items comes after cleaning with  Pitambari powder  and swiping it with a dry cloth.The most important step is to then keep them under sunlight.This step is a must  to get the best glow. I wish this tip will be useful for all brass lovers.

Let me end the post with an image that left an everlasting impression on me...

I hope you loved this home tour. I felt so happy presenting it to you folks.

As we usher in Christmas and New year, I wish the best for all my readers.We shall meet again in 2018 with more styling tips and more importantly with posts that shall warm our hearts and bring happiness forever!