CSN Giveaway at The Design Enthusiast

Hope all are doing well and the new year is treating you all well. Folks at CSN have asked me to organize a giveaway at The Design Enthusiast. I hope to see you all participate. 

About CSN:

Based in Boston, CSN Stores LLC began in 2002 and has grown rapidly into a Top 3 online U.S. retailer of home and office goods with 400+ employees. CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from stylish modern dining room furniture to cute cookware to chic lighting pieces!..more here

The Giveaway

CSN chose to giveaway a single use $25 gift card to readers in US and Canada. (sorry about not being able to include international audience). However, you may enter for a friend or family in in US or Canada. All I need an address based on this side of the Atlantic Ocean :). 

How to enter

1- Leave a comment and write something about yourself and your take on Green living

2- Tell me what you like to see on the Design Enthusiast and follow the blog.

3- Tweet, blog or write about the giveaway 

The giveaway is open until 14th Feb 2011 12 midnight EST. I will announce a winner on 14th Feb 2011. 

Sun Signs on the floor?...:)

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Is it cool or what....marble floor with Sun sign patterns...What say?

Friday Find - Antique Sewing Machines

So what's new about antique sewing machines and why should it be a Friday find?!!..

I thought so too...until I bumped into one at a local thrift store. It did not look like a sewing machine to start with. but a closer look confirmed that it sure was one...:)...I am going to take a camera with me from now on..but for now .pl make do with a picture I found online...(found this one after extensive search (phew!!) (this post was in the draft mode forever as I had no clue what I was looking for and the thrift store sold the piece before my next visit...arrhh!)

A lot of digging later, I found that it was a pre world war machine..used to sew shoes...

some more amazing info on this piece; source:civilwartalk.com

Lyman had worked for Isaac Singer in his Singer Sewing Machine Co. Lyman set up sewing machines in the numerous shoe factories in the northeast of the United States during the 19th century. By 1856, Lyman as a co-owner of a shoe factory and developed improved ways to construct the shoes. 
By July 1858, Lyman had developed a sewing machine for helping attach the soles of shoes to the upper part of the shoe. No longer would hand sewing be the method, but with machines to switch, making the manufacturing cost of shoes much less. His later sold the invention of the shoe sewing machine to Gordon McKay. 

A few other antique / vintage models...

source: ebay

After I came home, I set out researching on vintage shapes and sizes of these lovely antique models. Let me share a few of them

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a very pretty piece! I couldnt  image the journey our humble sewing machine must have had to look like what it does today...

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.i couldnt research on their time frame or manufacturer details..(plan to update the post later). And before I bid adieu for now...I would recommend these two articles

1 - Sewing machine history

2- An Interview With Antique Sewing Machine Collector Harry Berzack

Happy Pongal and a great weekend folks!

Lamp Love!

Loved the lamp....dont you. 


 Brass Task Lamp available from Mine LA. in Hollywood on Melrose.

sourced via AT

I genreally dont share just pics in my posts.(oh yes, I talk a lot!!).but this lamp was a love at first site...had to share it here!

Saffron & Silk's Giveaway

Kamini of Saffron and Silk has announced a giveaway . This event ends on 15th January 2011. Good news is that, she has two different pieces up for grabs.

one for the US audience

and another for the Indian entrants...

Rules for entering are very simple, so i recommend this chance to win an original artwork...Wishing you all good luck!

Pics courtesy: Kamini (Saffron and Silk)

Hearth n Home : Kitchen tours on the food blog...

Check out the kitchen tour, a new series on the food blog - Avial and Rasam...:)

Preethi's Kitchen tour

Here is the link to the post : Here

friday finds - metronome

This week's find has so much to do with music. I am sure pianists and musicians would be familiar with this very useful and beautiful invention of the 19th century. 


Here is what I found this week - Vintage, all wood, mechanical Metronome with its original brass key!
I had been to a local antique show recently and came across a beautiful all wood instrument with a wind up mechanism. The sellers were a senior couple who patiently explained the functioning and use in detail. Thanks to them, I came to know about a very valuable instrument which has a prominent place in the world of music. I did not have my camera with me, so thought I'd share pictures from the www. :).


Name: Metronome
etymology: metron = measure, nomos = regulating
Usage:  by musicians to maintain a constant tempo while playing an instrument or vocal training. 

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Brief History:

The mechanical metronome was invented by a Dutchman named Dietrich Winkle in the early 1800's. (like the one I saw). Metronomes were said to be used by well known composers including Beethoven

How it works:

A "Metronome" is a device used by musician for managing tempo. The instrument emits a 'tock-tock' type noise at regular intervals. These audible pulses happen at intervals are measured in Beats-per-Minute. The pendulum can be adjusted to varying tempos. (Tempo is most always measured in beats per minute (BPM); metronomes can be set to variable tempi, usually ranging from 40 to 208 BPM)

 I am sure people who play the piano must be familiar with this instrument in its modern form.


A vintage style electric metronome

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I recommend this video if you wish to understand the use of metronome better :)

Don't forget to check with TDE for the giveaway annoucement...I hope to see you all participate :)

New year, New Beginnings & a Giveaway!

It is one week into the new year and I am still in the holiday mood..:). I am glad to see a slow but steady increase in the number of followers for TDE and cant help being overwhelmed (Happy is too small a word!). My sincere thank youz to each one of you and to all those who visit my blog(s).

Now on this very happy note, I would love to announce a Giveaway on The Design Enthusiast. 

As of now, this giveaway is open to readers in Canada and US only. You may enter the giveaway for friends and family who live on this side of the atlantic (or the pacific :) )...(all I need is an address in this Continent)..

Watch this space for more details...And wishing all of you a very happy new year and a wonderful year ahead!

Welcome 2011

A sweet welcome to 2011...

Wishing everyone a wonderful year ahead!