An Indian Summer

DIY's For A Rainy Day

2013-06-17T18:23:00.000+05:30

An Indian Summer's DIYs are in Grazia!

The Makeover: Reclaimed Bottles

The Senior Features Writer at Grazia, Spardha Malik, reached out to me last month, to put together three easy and quick DIYs for Grazia readers. It was after a really really long time that I got my craft supplies out, and then scouted the home for things that could be reclaimed or up-cycled or re-purposed or generally beautified. Not only did I have to Do the It-Yourself's, but also style and photograph each step of the process. And what fun it was to do it all; industrial strength glue sticking my fingers together notwithstanding! All the three DIYs can be easily done within ten to twenty minutes, and you don't really need any special supplies to make them.

The 2 Minute Cake Stand

I upcycled old glass bottles, made cake stands and prettied up a lamp :)

Baubles On A Wire: The Lamp Updo

Grab the June 2013 issue of Grazia India, for step by step instructions on all three DIYs. You can buy the online copy of the mag on zinio or magzter.

Click to Enlarge

Do tell me if you try any of these on a rainy day, or a non-rainy day :)

[All images: An Indian Summer]

Color me tender..

2013-06-12T18:37:00.000+05:30

Color me true

All my dreams fulfilled

For my darling

I love You

And I always will

[Elvis Presley, just for you]

This, I imagine, is what these rooms and corners must have been singing, as Rikki Snyder photographed them. Such bright colors and hues, straight out of a summer garden. See more of Rikki's brilliant portfolio right here!

Precisely what I needed today. That song, and all this color :)

[All images: Rikki Snyder]

Needless To Say

2013-06-07T19:31:00.000+05:30

I have missed you!

For I haven't spoken to you in a month

For I have been away too long

But I know you'll forgive me

For

I have been traveling

With my favorite people

To beaches and mountains

Experiencing life

And making and collecting beautiful memories

Over the last month

I spent some blissful days in Khao Lak, Thailand

And then did a road trip to Kotgarh, Himachal Pradesh

And now I am back

To you

For you!

Starting next week

Get ready for your dose of prettiness

For

An Indian Summer is back, folks! :)

[All images copyrighted: Moi. aka An Indian Summer. aka Bhavna Bhatnagar]

You and I

2013-05-09T21:38:00.000+05:30

Putting together some recent room love I found for my favorite folks, and humming this song :)

I am sorry, I have been on and off the blog for the past few months. There have been too many things happening and I have also been traveling quite a bit. This week, I have been busy with a very interesting DIY article for a magazine - will tell you more about it next month!

There are many unread emails in my inbox and I will get to them soon - hang in there folks! Many thanks for your patience.

I am off to Khao Lak, Thailand next week. Any tips for and around the area would be much appreciated!

You and I, we'll see each other soon :)

[Images: This, That]

House Of Wandering Silk

2013-04-29T21:42:00.000+05:30

Katherine Neumann, the lovely lady runs House Of Wandering Silk, and I have been chatting for some time now. I chanced upon her work at the Red Earth Design Mela, and I knew that I had to share her beautiful products with you.

House of Wandering Silk is based out of New Delhi, India. Katherine works with marginalized women, to create luscious textile products, encouraging empowerment for these women, and also supporting weavers and artisans. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each product goes towards the education of tribal and minority children in rural India, through the Adharshila school. You can browse through the collection of stoles, scarves and fabric necklaces right here.

The GiveAway!

Katherine and I had been planning to do something special for An Indian Summer readers for some time, and here we are! A fabulous giveaway, just for you! You get to pick a stole of your choice, from the luxurious collection at The House Of Wandering Silk! Yes, you heard it right - Your choice! The giveaway is open to readers from across the globe :)

Here's how you enter the giveaway:

1. Tapping into your inner poet, leave us a rhyme or two, making sure the rhyme contains the words "Wandering" and "Summer". Leave your verse/haiku/pun - whatever your inner creative comes up with, on facebook right here by leaving a comment. (Make sure you are logged into facebook to do so)

2. To double your chances, leave a comment on this post too

3. That's it! Wait for result to be announced on facebook on May 6th :)

[All images: House of Wandering Silk and An Indian Summer]

When the bug bites..

2013-04-26T20:47:00.001+05:30

..you surf!

Well, atleast till the time you actually travel

That is exactly what I did today

Surfed and wandered virtually

To far off destinations

And cozy places

Casa Da Bela, an original house, lovingly restored and renovated, is in South Bahia, Brazil. It's well traveled owner, who has a background in fashion and interior design, has done a great job of combining local architecture and furniture, with interesting pieces from all over the world.

Sigh. Another beautiful place bookmarked and added to the travel wishlist. The bug has bitten, folks...expect more unique places to stay at, in the coming days. Let's wander together, virtually :)

[All images: Casa Da Bela]

Pure Eye Candy Day

2013-04-22T21:24:00.001+05:30

From one of my favorite sites

Skona Hem

Sigh. Such prettiness.

[All images: Skona Hem]

P.S: The winner of the Jaypore giveaway has been announced! Is it you? Check right here!

Jaypore and An Indian Summer Give Away!

2013-04-12T22:09:00.004+05:30

Jaypore is one of my favorite haunts when it comes to shopping for exquisite and one-of-a-kind treasures from all over India. Launched last year, initially as an ipad application, Jaypore is now an online store, shipping worldwide, including India.

I love how the site has evolved and each time that I browse through Jaypore, their collection only seems to get better! From handpicked crafts to quirky products from young designers, to classics that withstand changing trends and styles gracefully, Jaypore has it all!

I was delighted when Team Jaypore reached out to host a giveaway on An Indian Summer. And what a fabulous lineup they have! Three beautiful products, to one lucky reader of An Indian Summer. Here's what is in the booty:

~ A set of carved wooden boxes

~ A ikat embroidered cushion cover in silk

~ A 3" by 2" mughal jaali rug

Yaay!

And here's how you can enter the giveaway:

1. Browse through the Jaypore site and tell us the name of your favorite product/s. Tell us about it on facebook right here by leaving a comment. (Make sure you are logged into facebook to do so)

2. To double your chances, leave a comment on this post too

3. That's it! Wait for result to be announced on April 19th :)

All the best!

[All images: Jaypore and An Indian Summer]

The Rose

2013-04-08T22:25:00.002+05:30

The Rose is an immaculately put together, pristine small hotel in the heart of New Delhi's bohemian art and design neighborhood - the Hauz Khas village. It opened last year, and I was immediately drawn to its beautifully put together, minimalistic, light and airy interiors. Owned and run by Frenchman Pio Coffrant, The Rose also runs a cafe, an art gallery and various events on weekends.

Pio also runs another guest house in New Delhi, known as Colaba House. A quirky combination of Indian and French design elements, with odds and ends from various parts of the world, makes Colaba House another great place to stay at in Delhi.

Don't such lovely hotels make you wish that you were a tourist in your own city? What fun it would be if we got an opportunity to stay in such interesting places and a chance to view our city with a completely fresh perspective!

[All Images: The Rose, Colaba House. Layout: An Indian Summer]

Psst: The winner of the Lila Giveaway has been announced. Click right here to know if it's you!

Featured!

2013-04-04T19:56:00.000+05:30

Femina

I am thrilled to be a part of the special Made By You issue of Femina this month! I was asked to contribute a feature on Interiors and Homes and, there I am, with the story on how the husband and I did up our home over the years. I shared with you the pics I had taken when the photoshoot happened; take a look now at a full visual tour of my home in the feature. :)

A big thanks to Anuradha, the Chief Copy Editor at Femina and Manpreet, the excellent photographer who did the photoshoot!

You can get a copy of this issue right here, and/or get it online on Zinio.

Hindustan Times Live Mint

And, my ideas on how to design and style transitional spaces were featured in HT Live Mint, last Saturday. I had superb company - Chandan and Rajee's design advice and examples from their homes were part of the article as well.

Thanks Komal for getting the three of us together on Live Mint :)

Take a look at the article online right here!

[All pics: Me]

Lila and a Giveaway

2013-03-30T00:53:00.000+05:30

What a lovely weekend this is turning out to be! I am thrilled to share such brilliant talent in the last two posts, and now, a lovely giveaway from an eclectic indie boutique store in New Delhi - Lila!

Lila was set up in Late 2011 by Shruti Narayan, an architect - as a design lab based in Shahpur Jat, New Delhi with a vision to be experimental using the simplest of ingredients with a desire to create a series of designs that are both minimalistic in appearance as well rich in craftsmanship. Lila strives to use only pure and natural materials that are locally sourced and fabricated.

As a design philosophy - Lila celebrates solid colors and develops textures and patterns through a play of these solid colors resulting in vibrant tones draped in bold silhouettes – giving not only a laid back vibe but a sense of quiet sophistication.

Give Away!

Lila would like to giveaway this perfect-for-summer-evenings wrap blouse to one lucky An Indian Summer reader. Lila would ship worldwide, so everyone is free to participate in the giveaway.

To enter:

1. Think of what you would pair this wrap-around blouse with, or, what summer event would you like to wear it to. Tell us about it on facebook right here by leaving a comment. (Make sure you are logged into facebook to do so)

2. To double your chances just leave a comment on this post too

3. That's it! Wait for result to be announced on April 6th :)

Thank you Shruti for the giveaway!

[Images: Lila and An Indian Summer]

More design goodness

2013-03-30T00:08:00.001+05:30

I couldn't have left you this Friday, without sharing some more of brilliant design goodness. And that's not all! Wait for the next post for a fabulous giveaway. But first...

~ Ira ~

Reviving and reinventing traditional craft practices that are considered anachronistic, Ira creates and products that synthesises Indian crafts with a contemporary design style - drawing inspiration from hand-beaten vessels in copper and brass. Manasa Prithvi, the designer behind Ira, collaborates directly with master craftsmen in Southern India, and the products are then finished in London, adding values of both classic and contemporary design making.

Take a look at Ira's exquisitely crafted products right here.

~ Rayden Design Studio ~

Rayden Design Studio is a multidisciplinary studio working at the intersection of Art, Design and technology. Founded by Parul and Mooshir Vahanvati, Rayden Design Studio, uses inspiration from material, processes. experiences, context and people, to create objects and experiences which lean towards the minimal aesthetics, are emotionally evoking and use precisely engineered construction.

Take a look at Rayden's cutting edge designs right here.

~ Graphic Design + Architecture by Richard Poulin ~

I received a copy of Richard Poulin's Graphic Design + Architecture - A 20th Century History in December last year. Between work, travel and everything else, I finally managed to finish this very interesting book earlier this month. It is a fascinating read, through the history and evolution of environmental graphic design, in (primarily) western countries, during the 20th century. As described in the book synopsis, Graphic Design and Architecture, A 20th Century History closely examines the relationship between typography, image, symbolism, and the built environment by exploring principal themes, major technological developments, important manufacturers, and pioneering designers over the last 100 years.

Strongly recommend this book for students and graphic design/architecture practitioners. You can get your copy right here.

[All images: An Indian Summer]

Of beautiful fabrics...

2013-03-29T23:23:00.000+05:30

...and talented women

It's showcase time folks! Time to bring to you a selection of design goodness that I have been getting in my inbox. And what better day to present these to you than a friday? Browse through these lovely designs and stores, in this post and next, at your leisure over the weekend!

~ Taan Bann ~

Saumya Nagar, a consultant textile designer and a long time reader of the blog, shared with me the wonderful design studio she is currently working with. Taan Baan is a brand started by Rta Kapur Chishti, the author of the immensely popular 'Saris of India'. Taan Baan works to promote handspun and handwoven textiles by developing scarves, sarees and home furnishings. Taan Baan has also started the innovative Sari School, where the traditional sari wearing styles are taught and promoted.

[Connect with: Taan Baan; The Sari School]

~ Saffron Hue ~

What began as a casual conversation between two friends, Ruchi Sharma and Pinal Maniar, Saffron Hue brings a fresh new perspective to the traditional textiles and techniques of India by using them for baby bedding and accessories. Saffron Hue's products reflect the changing times and are an amalgamation of skilled craftsmanship, tradition and modern design sensibilities.

Ruchi is a corporate-refugee-turned-entrepreneur holds an undergraduate degree in Finance from University of Houston and has more than seven years of extensive experience in both ﬁnance and marketing. Pinal has an advanced diploma in Textile Design from the prestigious National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. Backed with a sound design studio experience she has been working as an independent textile and surface designer and consultant since 2003 exploring different avenues and techniques in the ﬁeld of home furnishings, handicrafts and quilting.

Saffron Hue would love to offer An Indian Summer readers a whopping 30% discount till April 7th, 2013. Just use the code SPRING at checkout while shopping here.

[Connect: Saffron Hue; On facebook]

~ 11.11 ~

Based in Delhi, Paris and Berlin, 11.11 is strongly rooted in the Indian heritage of techniques and textile aesthetics. This eclectic fashion brand was started by Shani Himanshu and Smitha Singh Rathore, who graduated from Domus Academy in Milan in 2003. Having worked with Italian brands and being exposed to their craftsmanship, they strongly believe in cross over of cultures and aim to retain and enhance the inherent quality of fabric and craft in their designs.

11.11 is available at The Grey Garden, located at the Hauz Khas village in New Delhi. Just mention An Indian Summer at the studio to get a 5% discount on purchases above INR 10k.

[Connect: 11.11; The Grey Garden]

~ Pappadum ~

Pappadum is a cozy little children's store in Chennai conceptualized and run by Priyanka Raghunath and Harini Lakshminarayan. Harini and Priyanka collaborate with independent artists and designers, who specialize in sustainable alternatives for families with children between the age of 0 & 5. Their store houses a mixed bag of products that range from clothing to room decor, bed linens, accessories and the likes. Since a majority of these designers are parents themselves, they're inspired to make their products as eco-friendly, organic and fair-trade as possible. They also take great pride in their book section that is painstakingly put together by researching children's authors, illustrators and independent publishers, whose creativity amazes and inspires them, everyday.

Priyanka Raghunath is an Architect by profession. She, admittedly, draws her inspiration from Bijoy Jain, Kevin Mark and Geoffrey Bawa amongst other architectural greats. Professionally and personally, she likes things simple and has a green thumb that is some thing of a legend! Harini Lakshminarayan comes from an Advertising & Film background. Is a BIG design, graphic novel and indie cinema buff and can, predictably, be found indulging in one of the aforementioned pursuits when not at Pappadum.

Harini and Priyanka would love to offer a 15% discount specially to An Indian Summer readers. Just mention An Indian Summer when you walk into their store in Chennai to avail the discount!

[Connect: Pappadum on facebook]

~ Ichcha ~

The concept of Ichcha, a wish to encourage conscious living, was conjured in 2010 by sisters Ruchika, Rachna and Monika. Leaving their corporate careers, the three launched into the off beaten path of India, striving to forge friendships with the people closer to the land.

Ichcha, as a result, is a combination of aspirations to explore and the idea of sustainable living. The three founders aspire to work with good people, aspire to encourage the traditions of the land, aspire to do justice to earth and it's offerings. Their products are a direct offspring of their design values, merged with the hands who know the bends of each thread, the fold of each fabric, the color of each flower. Ichcha works to continue the age old tradition of block printing with natural dye, and also working with inspirational women whose hands know the importance of each stitch that contributes to the beauty of a whole design.

[Connect: Ichcha, Ichcha on facebook]

[All images: An Indian Summer]

Through the lens of

2013-03-25T21:59:00.000+05:30

Thiru S

One of the best things about writing a blog is that you get to know and meet exceptionally creative and interesting people. Thiru and I connected late last year and he shared his impressive portfolio with me. I was thrilled to see many of my favorite images from various residences and boutique design resorts in his portfolio - Thiru has been photographing for some of the top design and travel magazines for years now. His photography portfolio not only covers interiors but a wide array of editorial, travel, food, street and personal photography. Apart from photography, Thiru also runs the creative design agency, White Light Design, that he co-founded in 2004.

In Thiru's own words:

There are certain places and moments in life, which transcend beauty, as we know it. Most of my photos are grounded in these instances. I look for the unguarded moment, the inner beauty. My genre of photography intends to show different spaces within the world, sometimes vast and unending, and at other times microscopic. I’m excited about life, travel and photography. I have been taking pictures for the past 12 years. In all these years there were times when I thought I had something extraordinary. Sometimes I was fooled that what I thought was great turned out to be not so great and there were other times when the not so great pleasantly surprised me.

Photography has taught me to be patient but more importantly to apply myself. The more I applied myself and interacted with the world around me, the better I got. It has taught me to let go of the preconceptions of what I was expecting to get, or want to get, and just react to the natural world. In other words to let those things that are on the inside come out. To me photography draws upon who we are and the life views that we hold. It’s an interpretation of our sensibilities and our relationship with the world. It is a mirror to what we love and fear, and it provides opportunities to explore subjects one might be too timid to explore without the excuse of a camera.

View more of Thiru's beautiful images right here. Also, take a look at the brilliant, The Deconstruction Project, a spatial experiment using photo art installations, designed and curated by Thiru and Vikrant Sharma.

Thanks Thiru, for sharing your work with us!

[All Images Copyright: Thiru S, Elle Decor India]

Coming up later this week and next, showcase posts featuring new designers and stores, and a bunch of lovely giveaways!

Keep reading An Indian Summer!

One fine day in March

2013-03-12T22:44:00.002+05:30

At An Indian Summer's home

On a beautiful spring day last week, there was a photoshoot at my home, for an iconic women magazine. It was a fun day and I had a great time styling the home and discussing angles and frames with the excellent photographer. When the team left, I took advantage of the late afternoon sunlight filtering in and took some pictures, just for you :)

Southern light in the entry foyer

The mellow bedroom

A corner in the living room, with marble urlis and madhubani painting

By the bedside

My boy cat finally finds the time to sit and relax after a hectic day of knocking off flower heads, pawing little knick knacks off the shelves, streaking across rooms to creatively (dis)place rugs and other such sundry activities. He ensured that I do, and redo, and then again do up a room, till the time he got bored of the room and sauntered away!

Will let you know when the magazine hits the stand next month folks! Do pick it up for more pictures from our home and a story feature on how I went about doing it up.

[All images taken by me. Kindly credit and link back to this post if you use them anywhere]

Beautiful Chobhi and a giveaway

2013-03-01T20:21:00.000+05:30

A picture speaks a thousand words. And now a picture also keeps you warm and fashionable! Meet Chobhi - the creative collaboration between two friends, who have come together to capture the form and patterns found in nature, blending photography and fabric made from organic and natural fibres, into absolutely gorgeous wearable art.

Chobhi, a bengali word that means 'picture', features their own photography onto scarves made from natural and organic fabric. Using the beautiful colors and patterns found in nature as inspiration, Chobhi's woolen scarves are handwoven by artisans from the northern part of India.

Both Indo-Canadian founders, Ronjiny and Tanima, always dreamed of doing something creative together. Ronjiny loves art from the Renaissance period, Russian literature, traveling the world and anything to do with design in India. Her MBA in Luxury & Fashion inspired her to team up with best friend Tanima to share her love for nature and photography. Tanima had always wanted to express her creativity, and now she loves looking at her photos in a new way - thinking of them as rectangles of fabric, adorning a person's neck!

GiveAway!

If you love Chobhi's ethereal scarves as much as I do, take a look at their collection - Prakriti (nature) right here. And, enter this giveaway to get a chance at winning, one of my favorites from the collection, the lovely Pakhi scarf! The ultra soft, handwoven wool and silk blend scarf, is adorned with eye catching silhouette of birds in trees, and will add to any outfit that you pair it with! The giveaway is open for everyone - Chobhi will ship the scarf anywhere in the world.

Here's what you need to do to enter:

1. Think of the one thing in nature that inspires you the most and tell us about it on facebook right here by leaving a comment. (Make sure you are logged into facebook to do so)
2. To double your chances just leave a comment on this post too
3. That's it! Wait for result to be announced on March 8th :)

Do connect with Chobhi on facebook, twitter and pinterest!

Saira Wasim

2013-02-28T21:24:00.000+05:30

I chanced upon Saira Wasim's work via Yuti, the creative powerhouse behind Udd. I am fascinated by the miniature painting tradition and am always on the look out for the original, and the more contemporary takes on the art form. I found Saira's work very engaging as it not only draws inspiration from the miniature art form, but the theme is current - politics and world drama. Her witty and satirical take has been feted by international galleries and in numerous exhibitions around the world.

Take a look at Saira's portfolio right here. Also see her recent project for Vogue India's 5th anniversary issue.

[All images and art work copyright: Saira Wasim]

The Good Peeps..

2013-02-28T19:54:00.000+05:30

..at GoodHomes Magazine

Set up a pretty pretty lunch

The gorgeous editor and her super team

Graciously invited me and some fabulous fellow bloggers

We met, we ate, we drank, we laughed

We ooh-aahed

We got inspired by each others' amazing blogs

And left after those few charmed hours

With happy memories and new friends

And a heartfelt Thanks on our lips

For the Good Homes team!

Ronitaa, Simrat, Dipti, Vanita and Rajavi: Thank you for organizing a lovely get together and inviting us!

Rajee and Prachi: So good to meet again :)

Shalini, Lakshmi, Priti, Misha, Aarti: It was such a pleasure meeting you and hope we meet again soon!

Shiro and Parul: Thank you for hosting all of us!

[Pics courtesy: Priti and GoodHomes]

And while I am talking about good peeps

I do need to mention the ones at

Elle Decor

Mrudul and Karishma: Thank you so much for featuring An Indian Summer as part of your feature on Indian design blogs! Much appreciated!

Take a look at the brilliantly put together anniversary issue of Elle Decor, if not done so already. You will find An Indian Summer, and three of my favorite blogs and their authors, on Page 138 :)

[Image: Clicked by me. Additional accessory: The Owl]

Cochin. Sigh.

2013-02-26T20:15:00.000+05:30

You know that when I haven't posted in a bit, it means one of two things. Or one of three things actually. But for now, let's just go with two. One, I am neck deep in work and the other shiny things and twinkling peeps that keep me on my toes. Two, that I am traveling. These last two weeks, it has been both. The first bit - the work and the twinkling peeps bit - was good, but the excellent bit was the travel! A friend and I hopped onto a flight (ok boarded a flight to be less hop-py) and went to one of my quickly-becoming-favorite cities - Cochin. We had a brilliant brilliant time and I am back with happy photos and a desire to go back as soon as that first bit, that bit that I mentioned above, allows me to :)

And you do know what I do when I am a chirpy bird back from a lovely trip, right? I share my favorite pictures with my favorite people - You! A bunch of you (my aforementioned favorite people) have sent me emails and messages - just a quick note to tell you that I am gradually getting over my Cochin hangover and getting back to those shiny emails. Within a day or two you will hear back from me :)

Oh, did I mention that I went to Cochin for the Kochi Muziris Biennale? And the day we landed, the entire country went on a strike? And almost all galleries and venues that were holding the festival had to be closed? Well yes, that's what happened. But I was just so happy to be in Kochi, that we made the best use of the time we had there. The Biennale? Am already booking my tickets for the next one :)

Kochi Tips: We stayed at the lovely Old Harbour Hotel - will go back there happily any day! We lunched and dined at three other fabulous places - Eight Bastion, Malabar House and Brunton Boatyard. All three places have been done up beautifully and I highly recommend them for a stay or a meal.

I hope you, my favorite people, have been happy and chirpy. I shall be back tomorrow, and day after, and then on days that follow, with many pretteh posts and some luscious giveaways. Keep reading, An Indian Summer!

[All pics: Taken by me. Kindly credit and link back to this post if you share. Many thanks!]

Best Friends

2013-02-05T23:06:00.000+05:30

Is what you can call these room pairs

They are alike

But not exactly the same

They enjoy similar aesthetics

But have their idiosyncrasies

They complement each other

Yet have a distinct personality

Yes,

Best friends they would be

If they were people :)

Warm and cozy, is what these rooms are. Comfortable, lived in, soft pillows and cushions; they invite you in with open arms.

Pink and Mauve. A hint of femininity. The idea of animated conversations over endless cups of tea and coffee. Shared laughter and secrets.

Rugged, sturdy and comfortable. These rooms mean business, have no extra frills, and they know that they look good!

Ah! A sense of repose and calm emanates from this pair. A night of deep sleep or a leisurely siesta during the day. Put-your-feet-up kind of rooms.

Quirkiness, the need to do-and-redo-your-own thing and experimentation is what inspired these rooms to be best friends

Elegant style and laid back luxury brings these two spaces together. The calm of indoors and the lightness of being outdoors complements each other

Hope you liked these best friend pairs

And, if you did

Just make sure you take the time out to say a big hello! to your best friend today :)

[Images from Espacio Vital]

P.S: The Aalamwaar giveaway winner has been announced! Click right here and scroll to the bottom of comments section to know if it's you!

Aalamwaar and a GiveAway!

2013-01-25T22:28:00.002+05:30

I heard from Jenny of Aalamwaar Textiles some time back, one of my favorite go to places for block print and kalamkari furnishings on the world wide web. Aalamwaar textiles has been conceptualized and is run by Viji Reddy, an award winning multi-media artist who is a painter, a ceramist and also a textile designer. Viji works with artisans in India to design and create exquisite products for contemporary living. I love their range of block prints, and their hand painted kalamkari fabrics are really like works of art. Take a look at the range right here...

If you liked what you saw, you would absolutely love what is coming next! Aalamwaar and An Indian Summer would like to welcome all you fabulous readers into 2013 by sponsoring and hosting a lovely giveaway! You get a chance to win this exquisite 20 by 20 silk pillow that has been hand painted using natural dyes. Yaay!

This gorgeous pillow has been named Rainbow Fish :)

To enter the giveaway, here's what you need to do:

1. Leave a comment on facebook right here! Just make sure that your comment includes these two words: Rainbow and Fish :) Leave a poem, leave a limerick, leave a haiku, a little note - anything that comes to your mind, with Rainbow and Fish in it!

(make sure you are logged into facebook to do so)

2. To double your chances just leave a comment on this post too

3. That's it! Wait for result to be announced on 1st of February.

See ya next week folks! Make sure to leave that comment!

[All images: Aalamwaar]

Just in case you forgot

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It's 2013 folks!

Just how have you been, my dearest lovely readers?

I missed you

And then I missed you some more

So I ordered my mojo to stop gallivanting and report to me pronto

And the moment it did..

I sprinted, zipped, galloped

Back to you!

I am back, my fabulous readers

Hope the year has kicked off well for you

I'll be seeing you

Frequently, regularly, often, and every other day! :)

Do drop in to say hello!

[Images from: Here and There]

Happy Holidays!

2012-12-24T23:54:00.001+05:30

Hello my dear dear friends! I am sorry, I have been missing the past few weeks - family, friends and travel had taken over and I happily gave in. Also, in the last couple of weeks, tragic world and local events left me disturbed, and frankly, too angry to blog. I try not to vent on this blog, but such senseless acts of violence, such inhuman behavior - makes it very difficult to remain aloof and not get impacted. I just hope the coming new year sees more sense and humane order, and people understanding and internalizing the very basics of right vs. wrong..

Well,

I had to drop in before I sign off for the year. I have been missing you too, you guys! Personally, this year, has been a lovely year, and I look back fondly at all the travel I did, the fabulously creative people I met and the incredible friends I made. The last images on this blog for this year had to be my favorite images from two of my trips this year - the trip to Ladakh and the vacation to Kerala. I am again off to a tiny Himalayan village tomorrow, and shall duly report back with another set of visual travel memoirs :)

As I sign off for this year

Wish you, my fabulous readers, a wonderful wonderful holiday season

Here's hoping that the new year is

Peaceful, progressive and happy for all of us!

See you in Jan 2013, folks

Be good :)

[Images: Taken by me]

For the love of God!

2012-12-03T20:20:00.000+05:30

For God is in the details

It's the little things that have caught my eye today

Not the room

Not the ambiance

But the styling

This painting here

That arrangement there

This decor piece

Those flowers

Hope these tidbits inspire you

As much as they inspired me :)

[All images from the fabulous Lonny]

As December Approaches..

2012-11-28T21:01:00.001+05:30

...my wanderlust increases!

Not that it EVER abates

But the holiday season

Coupled with the cheer in the air

And the possibilities of vacation and travel

Makes me hop skip, if only virtually for now

To lands far away.

I dropped into Spain this morning

And brought for you some cozy rooms

From one of my favorite mags

Elle

Ah those months when that fireplace would be lit up, and someone would be curled up on the couch, with one of those many books

Love the zen and symmetry of this room

Mmm...such a warm bedroom! Love the idea of the painting behind the bed, though it won't be very convenient, right?

Feels like a gentleman's bathroom this :)

The charm of mismatched dining chairs..

What a lovely way to wake up, with sunlight streaming in!

Brilliant use of crates. So re-cr(e)atable! :D

Just so you know, I am lusting after that bed spread

That looks like an antique cloth on the wall. Or is it a painting?

You can never go wrong with pink and blue. Sure shot way to prettiness.

[All images from Elle]

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