Happy Ganesh Chathurthi to all

Wishing a great year of health, peace and prosperity.

I am sure most of us would have welcomed the elephant head god home...I make it a point to make my own eco-friendly idol at home, but this year I am unable to :)...Sharing pictures of the ones I made in the last three years and wishing everyone a wonderful season of festivities :)

2009 - whole wheat ganesha

2010 - Raagi, whole wheat, corn meal, oats and rice pillayaar (Ganesha)

2011 - Orange as the thoppai (tummy) and whole wheat and corn meal Ganesha

I hope to get back to making my idol next year...May Vinayaka (ganesha) - Removes all the obstacles and brings in happiness, good health, peace and prosperity to all...:)

My Favourite Corner ~ In a Facebook contest :)

The move between continents, left us exhausted and tired. The last four months were hectic and stressful. I had my fingers crossed and was praying that my vintage collection - furniture, kitchen and decor items, reach India with minimal breakage. Though things went better than we thought, we "lost" our vintage 1962 Guitar pluck - Lane acclaim side table :(. the precious piece lost its leg. What hurts is that I can never replace the vintage table here in India. Also, the fact that antiques and vintage items are irreplaceable. (I have gotten over the loss as I write this post..dint have a choice though)

After every move, I sit back and look at pictures we took in our previous home. This helps me forget the mess around me in the new place :). While I was doing just that, dearest Preethi Prabhu of Indya Kaleidoscope, announced a contest on the store's Facebook page.

The contest....

Indya Kaleidoscope has announced a -"Take this beauty home" Contest..where participants had to post a picture of  a "Favourite Corner of their home".  I have sent in my entry of one of my favourite corners of the previous apartment in Atlanta.

How I could win!..

All you need to do :)...Just click on the picture below. It will take you to the Indya kaleidoscope's contest page on Facebook. Like the picture and leave your wonderful comments for me to win the contest :)..the picture I sent in :)

I am looking forward to all your Likes :)..each like translates into a vote and improves my chances to win :). 

PS: I promise you will love browsing through the contest folder...there are other beautiful homes and corners for you to drool...so get going :)..

A reminder: 
Link to my picture : Indya Kaleidoscope - Sudha Iyer's Fav corner :)
The contest page: Take this beauty home contest ~ IK
Contest ends : 17th Sept 2012. (thats this Tuesday!!).so pl hurry!

Thank you for the votes/Likes in advance :)...see you soon..I am coming back with a wonderful store profile

Vintage Love ~ Teak Dining chairs ~ how awesome!

I had written about a set of teak chairs found on the local C'List. I had identified them quite some time ago but could never get to publishing the post. And, then a very dear friend bought a similar pair and I remembered the post on TDE.

Designer: Farso Stolefabrik

Time period: Early to mid 70's

Material: teak and danish wool

source: chicagovintage blog

Preethi, of Indya Kaleidoscope had bought a pair of these beauties from a seller and worked her magic on them :)

After the DIY

source:indya kaleidoscope

Glad she bought these vintage beauties...aren't they just yummy! 

How Are You All Doing

How are you all doing...i have been missing from the blogging scene for quite a while now. Simple apologies would not compensate for that :)..However, a major move between continents and a few health issues kept me busy all these days.

My apology and a huge thank you for being so patient with me. Moving back to India after quite some time is a major change for me and the family. New beginnings and missing old friends has become a major part of the move for hubby and me

I promise to come back with a lovely store profile and a very inviting home tour.


As they say - " I'll be back"..thank you for your patience 

Vintage love ~ Rope Sofa

I have come across a lot of rope chairs and loungers. But spotted this lovely rope sofa recently on ebay...Made in Yougoslavia..:). 

source: ebay

Friday Finds: Bride's Basket

A huge hello to all who are a part of Design Enthusiast. Bad health kept me from theblogland...I am back and hope to be better soon. Having said that, I wanted to share a beautiful find from my trips to thrift and antique stores. A very delicate piece of beauty! Called the Bride's Basket

As usual, it was difficult for me to research for information with out knowing where to start :). Most of the time my posts start with a picture or a glimpse of the object/furniture piece at a store. I come back home and struggle with the research...The moment I find something, all the effort feels worth the find :). This week's find is a small glass/crystal and silver basket. Though I get to see them regularly in antique and thrift stores, I did not know much about them. Extensive browsing and reading later I found these were called Bride's basket.

"Bride’s basket was originally called a berry dish / fruit baskets/ fruit bowl. The term “bride’s basket” evolved because a fruit or berry bowl with stand was a very popular gift for the bride-to-be in the 19th century.

During the 1880s, fancier glass inserts began to appear, and the styles available were numerous by the 1890s. American silver and silverplate manufacturers used glass inserts produced in both the United States and Europe. The makers they originated from were not meticulously documented by the silver manufacturers as they were more concerned with their silver stands." Silvercollectblog

liveauctioneers

** Using images from the internet with due credits. These stores I go to have a no camera policy.

Wedding cermonies also include a similar looking piece called a cake basket. The difference between the two being, cake baskets have hinged handles and are movable whereas the bride’s basket handle is stationary. Cake baskets are made of plain metal or just crystal...and did not have glass inserts.

Trivia:
These beautiful pieces were intially called berry dishes..An expert on an antique show on TV mentioned that they were used to serve the bride some berries before the ceremony..hence the name! sweet isn't it! :)

Vintage Love ~ Arne Norell Safari sofa ~ Pricey but awesome

Spotted this on the local C'list and couldn't resist sharing 

would compliment our safari chairs :)...if not for the price!Ah! Here is our pair ...

Wishing you all a very happy start to the weekend...wishes for peace and health :)

Reclaimed door ~ coffee table

An interesting and very thoughtful coffee table

Seller description: hand crafted conversion of a Spanish Cedar old world arched door to a fully functional coffee table. Hand fabricated metal banding wraps the edges while large clavos (nails) and heavy metal legs add further character. Th original speak-easy has been customized to create an interesting storage box that is ideal for coasters, cards, and other item

 

Love the thgt and the neat storage idea :)

Pics: craigslist/seller

Have a great week

Wishing every one a happy week.

I am unable to post more often ...I promise I ll be back with a lovely home tour soon..until then take care 

Announcing An Awesome Giveaway ~ Anu's Dream Canvas

Want to win this awesome Indian handcrafted trinket box? hop over to Anu's Dream Canvas to enter the giveaway. Wishing everyone the best with their entry. While you are there, wish My Dream Canvas a very happy third bday!

Link>>Dream Canvas
Image owned by: Anu of My Dream Canvas

Dream home: Kids room

I keep collecting inspiring rooms like all do...loved this kids room so much that i had to share it here

 :)

source: houzz.com

Vintage Love ~ Wood, brass and leather table

C-listings are getting hotter in Atl...found this cool piece...Design is very similar to Eileen Gray side table, but could be some other designer..pl let me know if u have any info :)

The seller mentioned that table is adjustable and the surface reversible - wood and leather

Awesome isnt it!!..The round piece can be reversed...one side has a croc leather layer and the other has this beautiful walnut wood. When such pieces come by, I miss having a house and a garage :)

Looks similar to EG's table...

Vintage Love ~ Mersman Tables ~ awesome!

Spotted these on the local C-list. Drooling over the wonderfully sculpted legs and the cool walnut wood grain :)

If only I could bring them home!! sigh

Amazing Antiques ~ Hall tree / Umbrella and Coat stands

Home with entryways and amazing foyer spaces deserve to be dressed up a little. A pretty looking hall tree does just that :)and works as a landing space for your keys, umbrella etc when you come home.

c-list

remember this one from Preethi's store...a colonial tile back classic

A few more options :)

halltree.com

Being this dressy is not everyonez cup of tea....but for those who love it :)..wood tones or painted white.

thehomelessfinch.blogspot

a few other hall trees with storage benches

jessicadelashaw.blogspot

A mid 19th century Early victorian hat and umbrella stand 

christies.com

A mid century modern - 1950's 1960's piece in walnut

ebay

Dressing up the entryway is easier than we think :)

House Beautiful : At Home with Petra and Lukas

A few months ago, hubby and I met a very cute couple at an estate sale. Lukas and his lovely wife Petra were there to buy stuff for their home. We spoke briefly and got to know that we shared our love for vintage homes and furnishings. In our conversation, I told them how crazy I was about the 50's neighborhood they lived in :). The Northcrest neighborhood in Atlanta is known for its beautiful homes from the post war, mid century era.  (I even told them I would love to visit their house sometime. And I was secretly hoping that they dint freak out hearing this :P)

Fast forward six months and hubby and I landed at their doorstep to pick up a beautiful side table...Craigslist Karma!! :-). As soon as we saw their house from the curb, we were in awe. I wasted no time in requesting Lukas for a home tour for DE. I am so glad they obliged. 


Every corner, furniture piece and accessory has been carefully chosen and reflects all love and effort which has gone into making this split level mid century modern home. I could go on...but the tour will be much better with appropriate inputs from Lukas and Petra :)...Over to them

-----------------------------

We have found our home about 6 years ago. We fell in love with its open airiness and unique, mid-century a architecture.

Our 1968 split-level with pickled tongue-and groove ceilings, dark-stained exposed beams, and white crushed-marble brick is a typical Northcrest home.

We value our mid century modern homes in the hood and we even more value our friend and neighbors. This is what makes Northcrest great neighborhood.

We did not have much furniture or accessories, when we moved in, but slowly we built a little collection of vintage and mid century modern furniture and accessories. 

We loved the decorative art and arts and crafts in general, but after we moved into the home we concentrated on the modern furnishings and  slowly upgraded here and there.

The Kitchen

Outside, our landscaping plan is based on native plants and sustainability, and is inspired by vintage Better Homes and Gardens magazines and Sunset books. 





The backyard features a woodland garden, spacious deck and an area for a firepit.

Long shot of our back yard

It was a lot of studying, reading, some missteps and lots and lots of time, but I'm happy we made that choice.

 -------------------
Thank you Lukas and Petra for letting us into your world.  I am yet to get back into reality :)!! Happy weekend everyone


Images courtesy: Lukas and Petra
More about the Northcrest neighborhood: northcrestmodern.com.  A dream source for planning my future home :) 

Store Profile: Anu's Shop

Another lady after my heart - Anu, of My Dream Canvas. She has been over at the Design Enthusiast with her lovely post on Diwali decor at her place and I had posted about all the giveaways she organized on her blog. This time around, she is here to talk about her new love, an online store  - THE SHOP :). I love her eye for detail and all the amazing things she has at home :). It is wonderful when such talented women get into sourcing stuff for your home too! isn't it :). 

I invited Anu to talk about the store, her love for decor and everything beautiful. :)...Over to Anu a.k.a Anuradha 

---------------

I created My Dream Canvas a few years ago with lifestyle and photography as the two main ingredients for my blog. Over the years my interest in Interior Styling has grown and my home home has emerged as a canvas to showcase my thoughts and passion. Last year a thought began growing in my head.......a desire to start my own "little boutique". The idea behind it is really very simple. I enjoy collecting things that are both unique and  beautiful and I want to share it with others. 

At the moment I am primarily sourcing from India but over time my plan is to include products from different parts of the world.  I want my online boutique to be a little gift shop that makes people happy. Each and every product that I source is something that I have personally found inspiring. It gives me great pleasure to see  The Shop at My Dream Canvas  be a part of someone's home! I am a dreamer at heart, therefore I really don't have a business plan in my head :-). For now, I am enjoying the journey and curating a collection that's from my heart!

I am a very happy customer too :)..She was very prompt with the shipping and took care to schedule it as per my convenience. 

Thank you Anu, for coming over at The DE..wishing you the best and looking forward to many more beautiful things to be showcased in THE SHOP :). 

All you lovely folks hop over and own an amazing decor item for your lovely home. 

The online Store : THE SHOP

For updates about the store and products in stock:  My Dream Canvas on Facebook 

She accepts paypal and currently ships within the US :)