Flowers say it all!

Flowers breathe life into your decor. There is absolutely no need to buy expensive flowers to ace up your homes. Simple, thoughtful ideas are all you need to add that extra zing!

With Valentine around the corner, you may want to express your love with florals. Yes, these ideas can be done by the men for their lady love too!

Instead of going in for those bouquets, whose prices just shoot up during February,  better to try your hand . After all, handmades are special anyday.

Scout for those pretty bottles,  jars , vases in your home. You might have not realized  but your kitchen holds all of these treasures and more.

A pickle jar and three peach roses...

Jars like these can be used all around home

On the dining table...

Contrasting colours...

Lemons to quench your thirst or for floral fixes?

Colourful display

Tamarind seeds in a clear glass base. btw it is a terrarium bowl

So, did you like these simple arrangements? Instead of one big central floral decoration, place these flowers all around your home. Your valentine will sure not miss your warmth and thoughtful gesture.
Celebrate Valentine in style❤

From House to Home- Manisha Kapoor's residence

A thing of beauty is joy forever! - John Keats

This rings absolutely true every time, you visit Manisha's home in Central Mumbai. From converting the house to a warm and vibrant home, it took Manisha about 6 months to do up the interiors completely. She took her time, was in no hurry because she had imagined a certain look for her home and wanted to turn her imagination into reality.

Her family of five, including her two adorable dogs occupy this space, which is contemporary but with a touch of traditional elements like brass and wood.
As, I take you, through a visual treat, you will agree that 'modern marries the traditional' is followed through out, with one area effortlessly merging with the other.

I discovered her home in a facebook group and was itching since then to showcase her space to all. So, here we go...

The entrance...

Does the not so neutral colour scheme surprise you? well...this is what pushed me, to give her home a second glance because i understand that when you choose a dark coloured wall paper, the onus of carrying off this look is not easy!

I asked Manisha,on how she finalised on this. And this is what she had to say,

"While we had always wanted a slightly darkish grey look, we only got the confidence to go really dark when we picked the wall paper for my daughter’s room (silver-black) and then the matching paint with it. We tried a lighter grey but it just didn’t look good with the wall paper. So we went dark, with a little apprehension, but once we put a patch on the wall, we were convinced how gorgeous it looked.

I went through so many pinterest  pics to convince myself, and eventually just decided to take the plunge. Am so glad because everything really stands out against a dark color. In fact, my designer who was helping me, also said that she had never done anything dark like this, and she was so glad that I took the decision. We have a lot of natural light in our home, and also high ceilings, so we could carry off dark walls very well I feel."

Moving on to the living room...

There is a bold use of colours and patterns. And a confident putting together of disparate things that go together. The final effect is impactful, elegant and inviting.  Friends and family who have visited have immediately been enthralled by the interiors, and  are noticing every single detail.

Those chandeliers...fine detailing with pearls and crystals

There is gold leaf bordering done on the wall that run through out and sandpapered to create a distressed wooden look.

Do you notice the antique finish console out there ?

 

Bedroom Goals  

I found it difficult to rest my eyes on one particular object, such is the impactful presence of bold n beautiful elements in all her bedrooms, whether it is the classic wooden jaali worked cots, the banana botanical on the walls or the subtly laid flooring giving a very cohesive look to the entire set up.

Vintage cot

The other areas...

Hexagonal tiles with snowflakes and lotus motifs

Stunner...

Brass and wood.. ever together!

Artistic ... I say!

Manisha says, "I believe that design is successful when every detail is thought through. This doesn’t mean that every single thing has to be totally coordinated as that makes things very flat. At the end of the day, a home represents your past, present and future and everything in your home should say the story of your life.

Everyday when you get back to your house, it must feel like home. Comforting, pleasing  to look at, and functional for smooth living.

I am a Bombay girl, and a brand and marketing strategist by profession. But I have always had an eye for beautiful spaces and designs. Whether it’s my saree collection or my home, everything is a celebration of beauty."

The view from her balcony... Somethings can never have a comparison and I believe Manisha's home is one such. Unparalleled beauty !

One can draw many inspirations from her home. To follow one's heart and never be too shy to experiment is what I conclude after virtually visiting her abode. Tell me what draws you to her place. Manisha and myself will be glad to hear from you.

You can follow her Instagram handle here

Clinkerz- Creating Wonder out of Waste!

At Clinkerz , Up cycling is a way of life!

Clinkerz is an initiative to create wonder out of waste and engage in the process of up cycling. Reusing, discarded objects or material in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original is what up cycling is all about.

At Clinkerz, they deal with glass bottles that are discarded and convert them into decor products for home and work place. Glass bottles come in myriad shapes, size and colours. Creative thinking has lead Clinkerz to produce the following range in their state of art facility. They are an ISO Certified organisation with a capacity of 10000 bottles up cycling per month.

Range of products offered:

• Photo bottle lamp
• Bottle lamp with messages
• half cut planters
• Table top planter
• Hanging Planters
• Wind chimes
• Drinking glasses & tumblers 

Product Review & Styling:

 Bottle lamp:These lamps again come in various colours and you can of course choose the one that goes on with your decor. Let me also tell you, that Clinkerz would love to personalize the lamp for you. After all, who doesn't love their products to be the way, they imagine it to be and Clinkerz is committed to take customization to a more personal level.

When it comes to glass and light, they make the perfect pair and Clinkerz uses this to its advantage in assisting people to express their love and gratitude thru its signature products.

Adding quirk in my kids room:

In day light

At night, with the lamp switched on!

The lamp comes with all the necessary electrical fitting. You just have to plug and watch it glow!

A lamp for the bedside table:

  This one is real pretty, what with its unique shape and colour, it is the perfect addition to my bedside table. Who would have imagined, that it was lying unused as a trash!

Planter: 

I loved this planter from the word go! Creative visualization has led to this product, that supports and gives a whole new dimension to the green initiative. A small way of giving back to Mother Earth.

The size is good enough for adding succulents, small plants or may be, even your daily needs in the kitchen like coriander or fenugreek (methi). The edges of the bottle are not sharp, therefore you can work with ease, while planting in them. The bottle planter, i feel is an interesting element to add in any setting, either on your dining table or your console.

One quick fact check: It takes nearly 4000 years for glass bottles to completely decompose.

 In today's times, it makes so much sense to use and gift such products that have contributed towards reducing carbon footprints. If this makes sense to you as well, go check out Clinkerz now.

You can even contact them through their Facebook and Instagram page.

Anuradha Singh's living room tour

We have Anuradha with us today, showing off her warm and cosy living room. She is  from Noida and works with a NGO. Anuradha shares this beautiful home with her husband, son (who is currently  studying in London) and her adorable dog Busty.

 A neutral palette, furniture that supports comfortable living with clean, simple lines and accessories that lend a very earthy feel is the USP of her living room.

Fine detailing often enhances any space. The cushions, runner, floor rugs, throws and the wall covering takes the decor to the next level.

Lighting plays a very important role to make a home look warm and cosy and Anuradha sure has got them covered in her space. Floor lamps, table lamp and the lights on the wall gives a lived in feel to the whole set up.

Anuradha says, 'I love Indian design, colors & patterns. My home reflects my passion for traditional Indian style. I love changing the arrangement of my house based on occasions and I believe my home is ever-evolving in terms of  decor.'

 This book shelf is ultimate goal for book lovers and decor aficionados alike! The key to a great bookshelf is arranging the books according to its dimension, colour and genre. Always make sure to add interesting decor elements to go with the books. Small, quirky pieces, your travel souvenirs are great accompaniments to your book shelf. This zone can be further accentuated by including plants and floor lighting. The entire ambience then conspires you to pick up a book and atleast leaf thru it! That's the power of a good reading corner.

Corner space utilised effectively...

That's our friendly dog Busty.

Console styling at its best: A runner is the most essential piece while styling your console. Then you can place decor accents that are meaningful and close to your heart. Grouping together elements helps to think of it as a composition, created to draw your attention through the area. Seeing the same colors, design patterns and shapes on the console gives it a cohesive design.The rule of three is used in interior design to create interest, rhythm and depth.

I hope you love this tour of Anuradha's space. Keep styling and decorating your homes. 

As we step into a brand new year I thank you all for your continued support and am being selfish here to expect more love from all you towards my blog sajavat. 

You can stalk me here, guilt-free!

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Wishing all you out there, a  new year that unfolds  many possibilities and fulfils all your dreams! Have a fantastic 2020!

Arco Iris Boutique homestay: Goa

Early this month we spent good 2 nights and 3 days at Arco Iris Boutique home stay in South Goa.
I have been meaning to write this post for so long now but somehow procrastinating. Since, we have some good holidays around, before the year ends, i felt i should really get this going, as it may help many, who are eyeing Goa for their much needed vacay!

Arco Iris is a 200 year old, restored Portuguese colonial homestay in Curtorim, Goa belonging to Bennita and Ganesh, who were wonderful hosts and yes, i shouldn't be forgetting Fenny, their friendly dog.  It is a beautiful home with greenery all around.
Now, leave all that you are doing and just be with me as I take you around the place.

Read the captions against each image as I point out fine details that i found intriguing.

The steps leading to the home have beautiful Goan tiles inlaid on them.

Again, notice the name board ArcoIris . This has been sourced from 'Velha Goa'

Velha Goa specializes in traditional hand painted azulejos and also carries a line of ceramics and imported products. Its imports and raw materials are from Portugal but the final tile painting is done by their very own team of local artists at their workshop in Aquem. The retail store, Velha Goa Galeria in Fontainhas, Panjim has become a unique and popular upmarket shop for original Azulejos.

This is the mesmerizing scene as you look out from the villa

This was one of favourite place to idle away time, listening to the chirping of the birds, pretending to read a book and lose myself in the beauty of it all!

The interiors are well thought of and beautifully maintined.
The house, with a built-up area of around 7,000 sq feet, comprises a foyer, living room, dining room, five bedrooms (four on the ground floor and one on the first floor) with en suite bathrooms, lounge, library, fully equipped modern kitchen, utility area, two storerooms and accommodation for the support staff. It also has a balcony and gallery in front and a courtyard in the rear.

The first  common room as you enter the villa...

Inside the common room...

Notice the woodwork on the book shelf

Does the flooring floor you?

This is the courtyard flanked by colour themed rooms on either sides

Just outside the rooms you have these pretty niches on the wall which creates a very interesting look.There is a dining space for the guests overlooking the greens which we truly enjoyed. The entire home is filled with pretty souvenirs, antiques, knick knacks and a whole lot of plants. Just the way i love!

The niches...

Just outside our room

The dining area for guests

view from the dining area, overlooks our room

The dining area with cemented sit out  on the side, running thru the entire length of the space

Pretty walls lined with frames and souvenirs from various places

As I told you, the courtyard is flanked on either sides with bedrooms.The colours of the rainbow determine the colour of the bedroom, and therefore offers  a choice of Indigo, Orange, Violet, Yellow and Blue.

Coming to our room, the orange one, was the perefect sunset colour!

Let me show you around the blue room as well...

 Another bedroom...

The rectangular niche adding an element of interest to the whole room.

Some more fascinating sights around home...

This is the grinding stone from yesteryear...

So, tell me how did you like the tour of this homestay? I would recommend it highly to all. A very quiet place, in the lap of nature, amicable hosts and 'ghar ka khaana'. I didnt miss home at all, if you understand what i mean!!!