My Dream Canvas

Friday Inspiration : A Home in Mallorca

2013-05-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

Friday in my opinion is the best day of the week. It is the time to plan for the weekend. Whether you do a lot or do absolutely nothing on the weekend is your choice entirely! Sometimes the weekend seems no different from the work week and yet Friday is a fun day :) While I have some mundane errands to run this weekend, I can't help but day dream of an island in Spain :)

I think the maximum number of homes featured on MDC have been from Spain :) This exquisite home in Mallorca takes my breath away. The fuchsia flowers, the Mediterranean air, the earthy tones.......sigh its all so dreamy!

What is your favorite element in this home? To view more images of this home click here.

Images: via

Travel Keepsake Kits : The Perfect Summer DIY

2013-05-16T17:17:00.000-07:00

I am really not great at DIY projects thought I would love to be :) However, this fantastic DIY that I found on Martha Stewart's website is just my kind of thing! I am totally motivated to try this out myself.

I love the concept of these travel keepsake kits. After every vacation I think of printing a few photographs and preserving them in an album or scrapbook. However, it never happens!! I never get around to sorting the images......I guess I take too many pictures :) These wooden keepsake boxes seem to be the perfect way to store photographs, ticket stubs, maps, and mementos. What an absolutely brilliant, stylish yet practical way to store your memoirs.

To know more about how to make your own fun keepsake boxes click here. You will find details on where you can buy the box, the paint and the stencils!! I think this would be a fun project for the summer!

Images: via

My Escape From Reality :)

2013-05-15T22:56:00.000-07:00

My Dream Canvas often acts as my ten minute escape from reality. Some days it is even more meaningful to blog a little as it helps me unwind and relax. MDC is a big part of my life and yet I share only a part of me here! There is a whole other side as well:) On the home front there is a lot going on and some of it is not in my control. However, what I can control, and I like to do is blog and take pictures :) Sometimes doing the most random things can make you feel relaxed. I moved stuff around to give my home a summer makeover. I dug out this little horse which was lying neglected in a closet and now it has a new home next to my turquoise lamp!

MDC is where I usually share my thoughts about design and décor and my passion for photography. Yet blogging is like maintaining an online diary. It is hard to disconnect the realities of everyday life from the virtual world. However, every once in a while I write just for myself......simply to pen down my thoughts. As a blogger does that happen to you? Do you always write for an audience or sometimes is it just for you??

Today, I spent a few hours chatting with a friend at home. A cup of tea and a good conversation with a friend who "gets you" can be the biggest blessing in life. I am fortunate to have an amazing set of friends where I live. While I was writing this post, I received a comment from a blogger friend and reader who said " Each time I visit your blog, I leave a little happier Anu! Thank you so much."

A thoughtful comment like this on a day like today was just what the doctor ordered :) Thank you! I have a lot on my mind these days...... and a good conversation with a friend and a kind comment on MDC reminds me that I should not just dwell on the negatives but count my blessings :)

My little horse says hello :)

Image: My Home

Summer Inspiration That Makes Me Smile

2013-05-15T09:23:00.001-07:00

Summer is around the corner, and here are some images that make me smile and remind me of these lovely words.....

“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” ― Henry James

Have a lovely day!

Images 1 and 2: via, Image 3 and 4: via

Come Fly With Me To "The Farm" Jaipur

2013-05-13T17:42:00.000-07:00

Hello there My Come With Me Series for this week takes us to my favorite state in India....Rajasthan! I lived in Jaipur and other parts of Rajasthan for many many years. I miss Rajasthan a lot and try and make a trip there whenever I can.

The Farm is an inventive and artistic little boutique hotel on the outskirts of Jaipur. The Farm is largely constructed from spare parts and salvaged furniture from the owners old palace. The hotel opened in 2009. In this hotel, the treasured cultural heritage of its young Rajput owners meets reinvention, originality and flair. The Farm is also a creative space that showcases the work of many artists both known and unknown.

While the property offers all the luxuries you need, reuse,recycle and re-purpose is the mantra of the hotel. All the 6 rooms in the hotel have a unique personality of their own. I am intrigued by this eclectic and artistic hotel. To know more about "The Farm" click here.

Images: The Farm Hotel and subject to Copyright.

Some Thoughts On Summer Decor

2013-05-13T08:53:00.000-07:00

As summer makes its way towards me, I have the desire to redecorate and de-clutter. In winter, I tend to display more things around my home and in summer I feel the urge to clear them out. Does that sound crazy to you:) I like to update my home for the season. Each space in my home has some permanent elements and some that are temporary. For this reason I am very partial to a neutral palette for my furniture and my walls. I only need to change the pillows, add some fresh seasonal flowers and a few accessories to give the room a new look!

For Winter and Fall I like everything warm and cozy with a lot of layers. For Spring and Summer I like to remove the extra rugs on the floor, reduce the accessories and try and make the space look more breezy and open! I strive towards making "my dream canvas" clean, refreshing, light and tranquil. I am trying to attack the clutter in my home. It is taxing work but rewarding. While I am trying to clean the home on the surface, I am also attacking my closets, shelves and drawers :) I shall be relieved when I make some progress. I shall keep you updated as I work towards giving the rooms in my home a new look. I will try and share the before and after pictures once I am done!

Changing your decor for the season gives you an opportunity to bring out some long-lost pieces and make them the center of attention for a while. I like the thought of that :) I have brought out my aqua candle stands this weekend to welcome the new season.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Please feel free to leave a comment or inbox me your suggestions. We can all learn so much from each other......... so lets get this discussion going!

Images: Anu@MyDreamCanvas and subject to copyright.

Joining the Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday.

Joining My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday Treasures.

Moms Are The Best :)

2013-05-12T12:38:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful mom's out there! These are the treasures I got this morning from my two little babies :) I hope you are enjoying your Sunday and Mother's Day where ever you are! Here's a toast to you mommy:) You are my lifeline and the most incredible woman I know!

See you back here soon for an action packed week on My Dream Canvas!

Image: Taken By Me

Happy Friday and A Big Thank You

2013-05-10T09:11:00.000-07:00

A very Happy Friday my friends!! I woke up to see more than 5000 likes for My Dream Canvas on Facebook. I need to say this more often and I know its never enough!! A big thank you to each and every one of you who stop by here. You all have given me a lot of love, support and encouragement over the years.

You are the best :) I look forward to seeing more of you on Facebook.

Image: My cup of tea!

My Journey Through The Cotswolds

2013-05-09T00:19:00.000-07:00

“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” – Lao Tzu. This pretty much sums up my drive through the Cotswolds earlier this year :) We got into the car and just drove off. I picked the towns based on how quaint and pretty the names sounded :)

The day started out dark and cloudy. It was my first encounter with the typical English weather as the previous few days had been bright and sunny! However, I could completely relate to it as the the weather in the Pacific Northwest is very similar.

The Cotswolds area is one of England's favorite destinations. I was fortunate that one of its most famous little villages Chipping Camden was less than an hour away from my brother's house. These towns are famous for their honey-colored limestone homes with thatched roofs in a beautiful rural setting. I was not disappointed! We meandered through narrow lanes and rolling hills. At every turn there was something that caught my eye. I loved every minute of it.

I took thousands of pictures that day. The first picture shows the first of the many limestone colored homes we encountered. I wish I could have looked inside :)

Driving through the tiny villages, there were numerous inns and pubs waiting for the weary traveler!

This is a picture I took of the 17th-century Market Hall in Chipping Camden. "Chipping" means market or market place from the old English "Ceping". Chipping Camden was one of the most important medieval wool towns and was famous throughout Europe. I fell in love with the town's High Street which curved like an arc. The street had a series of charming old homes.

There were so many quaint and charming tea rooms and I had a hard time picking one. Luckily, my kids behaved and we enjoyed drinking tea the British way :) I loved the variety of scones and the clotted cream that was served with the tea. My husband loved the assortment of jams. Sitting in a tea room is such a lovely way to spend an afternoon in England. The quaint village setting completes the experience. I could get used to it :)

We drove through to Moreton-in-Marsh, Chipping Camden, Broadway, and Stow-on-the-Wold. All the towns had picturesque streets lined with interesting shops like the one below. Unfortunately, the airline baggage limitations have made "vacation shopping" a wee bit problematic :) I could have bought tons of stuff but I was a good girl. I admired all the lovely stuff from afar:)

I loved the buildings and the striking architecture!

Oh dear! These were very very tempting :) It was all I could do restrain myself.

Last, but certainly not the least, was this very mysterious building we stumbled upon during the drive. This turned out to be Snowshill Manor. The manor is a dark and mysterious old palace filled with the lifetime collection of Charles Paget Wade. I quickly tried to read more about this home in my guide book as I sat in the car while hubby tried to see if we could get in. Alas, the manor was closed to visitors at the time. We met up with a few people outside who were part of a film crew. They were shooting a movie right outside the manor. It was all very exciting :) I came away wondering what it would be like inside. The manor is definitely on my list of places to visit when I am back in England.

I hope you have enjoyed my journey through the Cotswolds :) I shall miss the lovely homes, the picturesque lanes, the winding roads and the sheep :)

Images : Anu@MyDreamCanvas and subject to copyright.

The Color Caravan Goes Online

2013-05-08T09:15:00.003-07:00

Many of you have asked me about Madhubani Milk can I bought from The Color Caravan a few years ago. Yes, I loved it the instant I saw it :) Today, you can purchase the one of a kind products from The Color Caravan via their recently launched online store. The Color Caravan currently ships only within India but plans to begin international shipping soon!

Now for the exciting news!! To mark this occasion Color Caravan has offered the first 30 readers of MDC based in India to receive a 10% discount. The coupon code to use at checkout is MDC. This discount is valid till May 31st. To know more about The Color Caravan, subscribe to their newsletter on their website.

Here are some lovely products available at their E Store that have caught my eye.

Have fun shopping my friends :) Thank you Swati! All the very best to you and your team!

Image 1 : Mine, Images 2 and 3 : The Color Caravan.

Balcony Love and A Pretty Bedroom

2013-05-07T16:54:00.004-07:00

I have a soft spot for balconies and so when I found this one, I just had to share it with you:) Perhaps, its because I grew up in India. Many of the older homes there had balconies or verandas. As an army kid I moved around constantly. One of our homes had a long veranda wrapped around the front of the house. I was eleven at that time.I remember the fun my brother and I had running from one end to the other :) Of course, If I had something like that today.....I would go crazy decorating it :)

Both the homes featured here today are based in Melbourne, Australia. Melbourne is a very special city for me with fantastic memories. I lived there for 2 weeks in my early twenties. I was there on work and fell in love with the city. I had left home for the first time for more than a few days. I lived on my own, bought groceries, tried to cook and failed miserably :) It was my first grown up experience :) It was a special time.......

This home is a stunning Victorian mansion. with its own unique character and charm. To view more images of this impressive home click here!

Photos by Sean Fennessy, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

This is another home located in Melbourne. I think the bedroom is really pretty. The bedspread caught my eye. You can probably guess why :) I like how the rest of the room is simple and clutter free. This highlights the beauty of the bed. You can view pictures of the entire home here.

Photos - Brooke Holm, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

A Spring Soiree and A Giveaway By Mikasa

2013-05-06T08:25:00.001-07:00

Spring has arrived at My Dream Canvas :) These last few days we have had some amazing weather in the Pacific Northwest with crystal clear skies and long sunny days. Seattle is also known as the Emerald city and it is beautiful to see all the wonderful shades of green resplendent everywhere.

Today, I am inviting you into my home. I have teamed up with the stylish and popular brand Mikasa to entertain you all. Mikasa is a leading brand in tableware and gift ware. I am using their Daylight collection for my party. This collection is perfect for spring. The pretty leaves sprayed across the plates bring the gorgeous outdoors into my home. I love the delicate, fresh, and classy look of this collection. This collection is versatile as well. The Daylight tableware can give your dinner service a Spring\Summery look. Alternatively, it can be used outdoors to add elegance to your al fresco dining. I am a big fan of natural light. The warm glow of the sun combined with the beauty of the Daylight collection helps create my perfect spring soiree :)

Welcome to my home!

I love this shade of green....... it has such a soft and delicate look!

I paired the dishes with these lovely French countryside Amber glasses by Mikasa.

Evening glow, some fresh flowers, and wine make it a romantic evening!

The finale - some tea, brownies, and cookies!

Here's some information about where you can find the products featured here. The Daylight collection is available at Macy's and BedBathandBeyond.com. The French Countryside Amber glasses are available at BonTon and BedBathandBeyond.com

Now for the exciting news!!! My Dream Canvas and Mikasa have teamed up to offer one of you, your very own 4 place setting of Daylight. Yay!!!

To participate in this giveaway all you need to do is.

Follow My Dream Canvas and leave a comment. If you already follow just let me know!

Follow Mikasa via Facebook and via Pinterest . Please leave a comment letting me know that you have done both.

You could also spread the word about this giveaway via your blog/social networking site. This gives you one additional entry.

Good luck my friends. I shall pick the winner on Wednesday May 15th. This giveaway is open to readers here in the United States. Update I just heard from Mikasa. Great news!! The Giveaway now includes readers from Canada as well:)

Images: Anu Varma for My Dream Canvas and subject to copyright.

Linking up with Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage.

A Special Place Close To Home

2013-05-04T08:09:00.000-07:00

The weekend is here and we are heading towards a glorious couple of days. The temperature is going to rise up to 80 degrees!! This is a cause of celebration in my part of town :) I am raising my glass to the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. From the snow capped peaks....to the sea and the lakes.....to the surreal sunsets.....there is magic all around!

This is a shot of my favorite spot. I was here yesterday to watch the sun go down. I come here often to enjoy the simple things in life. Being outdoors with my family.....watching my kids play..... the sparkle in the water, the glow of the sun and .........simply to smile and unwind :)

Have a Happy Happy Weekend my friends!!

Image: Anu@MyDreamCanvas and subject to copyright.

Introducing Aure

2013-05-02T19:28:00.000-07:00

Aure is the brainchild of Seattle based Lakshme. She is a fellow décor enthusiast and a talented artist. Lakshme creates digital art by fusing traced photographic images with hand-drawn digital graphic elements.

Aure was a shelved dream from her design graduate days. Friends and family encouraged her to bring it to life. As a brand, Aure radiates ethnicity with a modern twist. It will bring the traditional elements into your home in a futuristic take. Lakshme has launched her product with a range of wall art. She envisions expanding into clothing, accessories, and other lifestyle merchandise in the future. Her art work can be made-to-order. Customers can customize the material, size, and colors.

Visit Aure's website for more information. She also has a Facebook page.

Thank you Lakshme and all the very best!!

Images: Copyright Aure by Lakshme

Design Services by My Dream Canvas

2013-05-01T19:32:00.000-07:00

I am happy to announce something that has been in the pipeline for some time now. I have been thinking/ working on this for a while. Today seemed like a good day to blog about it as well:) Thanks to the constant encouragement of my family and friends I am happy to introduce you to Design Services by My Dream Canvas.

Design Services:

My design services range from designing your complete home to just freshening up a space using what you currently own. I can help you pull a room together and give it that special personal touch or help solve your design dilemmas.

I am available in the Greater Seattle area on an hourly consultation basis. For bigger projects, I can provide a discounted quote that is customized to your design needs. Please contact me via email with details if you are interested. I would love to work with you!

Wish me luck :) Thank you so much for reading My Dream Canvas and making me smile a little more everyday!

Images: Copyright to My Dream Canvas

For The Love of Vintage Fabrics Part 2

2013-05-01T09:35:00.001-07:00

Today, I am sharing my first contribution on the Vintage Fabrics series MDC. My aim here was for you to share your love for vintage textiles with me on My Dream Canvas. The fabric need not be ancient, it need not be expensive but it should be meaningful to you. You can read more about the series in my earlier post here!

I am happy to share a beautifully styled vignette by Reshma of Love and Care. She sent me these lovely images of a corner in her home. She has used a sari which belonged to her Grandmother as a curtain. Her Grandmother wore it often and gave it to Reshma some years ago. For Reshma the sari fluttering in the breeze brings back cherished memories.

I really believe that this is such a lovely way to preserve a memory or a cherished gift. I hope you are inspired to share your story with me :) Thank you Reshma for sharing your home and your story with the readers at My Dream Canvas.

Images: Copyright Reshma Sharma at Love and Care.

Backyard Crush : Purple Hues For The Summer

2013-04-29T21:55:00.002-07:00

Today was a cold and windy day in my neck of the woods. I froze on my evening walk! Yes the weather here is very strange :) You can't blame me for constantly day dreaming about summer!!

I am usually drawn to earthy colors......however, my backyard inspiration today is all about purple/lavender hues. Though this would not have been my first color choice for doing up my backyard. I have to admit, that I have been swept away........ and this looks very..... very tempting.

What do you think?

Images: via

Lucky Finds and Weekend Markets

2013-04-28T20:15:00.000-07:00

I love flea markets, fresh produce markets and weekend markets :) Luckily there are quite a few of them around where I live. May is when many of the local farmers markets will be opening for the season. I can hardly wait. There are a few markets that are open year round. I usually stop by these markets to pick up fresh flowers. Sometimes, there are others things that there to tempt me :) I found this little statue for just 4 bucks! It is actually quite small but I love the carving and the serene expression.

Spring is upon us and the city is turning green. I wish I could capture how alive, fresh and beautiful everything looks. Sadly, the cherry blossoms are on their way out. However, the sight of them always makes me stop dead in my tracks. I took the second picture with my phone while walking around the lake. The wind has been gusting and there is a carpet of these blossoms by the side of the road. This was one of the few trees still in bloom.

Here's wishing you a great week ahead!

Images. All taken by Me and Subject to Copyright.

Weekend Inspiration From Me To You

2013-04-26T18:26:00.001-07:00

I can see myself here this weekend :) The glorious vista, the comfy couch.....the dramatic windows to let the light in, endless cups of tea, a good book and I could hibernate here happily :)

I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Here's another one to make you smile :)

Image: via

The Perfect Accessories To Create Your Haven!

2013-04-24T21:36:00.002-07:00

The room that I have been talking about for a while is finally ready :) There are a few other things that need to be done but for now I have my little haven! This room is actually an extension of my bedroom. However, it is more like a room in itself. For years this room was given the step treatment :) Finally it is getting its due.

I cleared out all the mess from this room. I need to get a nicer study table, but for now I am using my old one. It is not fancy but it will have to do for now. I wanted to do up this room without spending any money. It is amazing what you can find in your own house when you start looking. I highly recommend it. It is more cost effective and prevents you from rushing out to the nearest store to buy more things that you may not need. Everything in this room has been decorated with things that I already owned.

This room follows no trend but follows my heart. I have decorated this room with some of the most precious things in my life. Things like a picture of my Grandmother taken by my Grandfather many...... many years ago! My Grandfather had his own darkroom in his house and developed this print himself. My maternal Grandmother (Nani) and I were room mates for many years in my parents home. She was more of a friend and a confidante than a Grandmother and a very big part of childhood. My Nani was an incredible woman and I miss her everyday!

My big red Suzani hangs on the back wall of the room. The Suzani reflects my love for vintage fabrics and my passion for travel. So does the globe which I bought at a flea market in Georgia.

Here are some pictures of the room after the makeover.........

The magnets on the board below are from the different countries I visited. They used to be on my fridge. However my little one likes to play with them and she managed to break quite a few. I have managed to salvage a few and now they hang on the wall in this room.

The postcards below are part a beautiful childhood memory. Postcards that my Dad sent me almost everyday for a year when I was five :) The postcards on the back have cute drawings and a few lines that he wrote to me. My mom and I were in India and he was living abroad for a year. I have kept them all these years and now some of them have gone up on the wall in this room.

I can never resist pretty tea light holders and vintage maps. This is what I have on the center table in the room. The maps are under the glass table top. I have quite a few of them!!

I hope you have enjoyed the virtual tour of my little haven. I believe that decorating need not be stressful. It should ideally be simple and joyful. I hope I have inspired you to create your little haven! Remember, it is not about the amount of money that needs to be invested into a room or about following the latest design trend. It is quite simply about who you are! Look within you to figure out what makes you happy. Spend time at home digging out the things that mean the most to you. These are the perfect accessories you need to create you own little haven :)

Images: My Dream Canvas and subject to copyright

Joining the Open House at No Minimalist Here.

Joining the party at Somewhat Simple.

Joining Transformation Thursday at Shabby Chic Cottage.

Joining Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage.

Come Fly With Me To Turkey

2013-04-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

I am back this morning with another edition of the "Come Fly With Me" series. I do realize that this long overdue :-) Turkey is the featured destination of this edition. Turkey has been on my must see list for several years. I hope to be heading there next year. My plan is to see the sights in Istanbul, shop at the Grand Bazaar, and stay at the lovely Hotel Macakizi. Of course, this is still an idyllic dream at the moment. We'll see if I can translate this dream into reality next year.

I am mesmerized by the sweeping Bougainvilleas and the endless expanse of the sea below. Maçakızı was established in 1977 by Ayla Emiroğlu as a pension and a private beach located in Bodrum town. The aim was to create an inspiring environment for writers, painters, and intellectuals. This sounds like my kind of place :) Today, Maçakızı has been transformed from a bohemian bed & breakfast into a beautiful boutique hotel with a private beach and a world-renowned restaurant.

I can certainly see myself holidaying in Turkey or even living there:) If you do decide that you want to make Turkey your permanent home, you can always look at www.spotblue.com/turkey-real-estate.

Sigh! A few months in Turkey sounds heavenly :)

Images: Copyright Hotel Macakizi

Fabulous Find : Non Perishable Goods

2013-04-23T14:15:00.000-07:00

I am on a mission to preserve vintage fabrics in my home.......fabrics that have been in my home for years that are now faded, torn and generally not in good shape. However, their beauty remains intact and I want to restore them and use them as part of my everyday décor.

While researching for vintage textiles on the net, I came across a site called Non Perishable Goods. This is a venture started by Shay Carrillo based in Portland, Oregon. NPG was born out of a love for textiles, hand-crafted goods, and a desire to make useful products for the home.

All the products are entirely hand-crafted using only natural fiber materials including linen, wool felt, vintage wool, vintage textiles, recycled cotton/hemp, re purposed denim, leather, cotton & paper.

Limited edition Laotion pillows.......

Images: Copyright Non Perishable Goods

Sale at The Shop At My Dream Canvas

2013-04-22T16:37:00.001-07:00

I am here to announce a sale at my little boutique. I only have a few pieces in stock of the products featured here. So grab them while you can :) The Shop At My Dream Canvas has been a dream come true. I owe it all to those lovely people who have made something from my collection a part of their homes! I hope to continue this journey and bring you a collection of global treasures and eclectic finds handpicked by me for your home!

Please visit my Shop Here or Email Me for prices and shipping within the United Stares!

Presenting the Sale at The Shop At My Dream Canvas................

Images: Shop at My Dream Canvas and Subject to Copyright.

Flowers, Sunshine and A New Week

2013-04-21T18:27:00.004-07:00

Hello my lovely readers! Are you all set for the new week? I was not, but then the skies cleared this afternoon. The rain stopped and then............. there was sunshine:) Its is amazing how the weather affects my mood. Does that happen to you? The sun rays played peek-a-boo as the clouds hovered above! However, it certainly lifted my spirits and my camera clicked away:) I need to work on a photo shoot at home for a brand I love. Its going to be my first and I am really looking forward to it.

Here's wishing you a great week ahead, stay tuned for an action packed at My Dream Canvas :)

Images: My Home and subject to copyright.

Inspiration : Outdoor Living

2013-04-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

With spring upon us , I have had some requests for backyard inspiration. My plan was to work on my own neglected backyard and share a few images. However, the incessant rain and cool temperatures have made that impossible! Hopefully someday.....but for now I can share some images that will hopefully make you smile :)

Happy Friday my lovely readers!!

Images: via