Showing posts with label colour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label colour. Show all posts

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Colour Therapy

Hi! I am still recovering from the onslaught of colours since Holi last week-end. Though I myself am no great practitioner of it now,I enjoy watching others from my balcony. Also it is fun to watch small boys splashing in the sea next to my home to wash off their colours. I do have many fond memories of childhood and youth, associated with this festival of colour! And am immensely enjoying pictures, especially of young nephews and nieces, put up on facebook, covered in all hues of the nature! It also reminds me as to how my husband and I had also encouraged and helped our daughter, when she was a child, to fill balloons with coloured water, as she prepared for the D-day!!  

I am sure many of you had appreciated Janelle's vibrant home in my last post. So in continuation of the celebration of colour, I present some more colourful room ideas…



A fresh but unusual green living room
 
A bold Turquoise

A bright yellow

A green kitchen
A romantic pink




 
Red cabinet showcasing blue cermaics

A soothing lavender for sweet dreams

A bathroom in navy blue

A warm foyer welcomes the guests

A room in scarlet



Friends, I will be away for a fortnight.See you after that! Meanwhile, be happy and colourful!

Images courtesy: House Beautiful, redonline.co.uk,nehomemag.com, Apartment Therapy.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Riot of colours

Hi friends, Holi-- the festival of colours and romance is just round the corner. Considered to be one of the major festivals of India, Holi is celebrated by applying colours and offering sweets to one another. Janelle's vibrant studio apartment below is just apt for this post.

Holi has several mythological and social significance. Of the several mythological stories associated with it, the most popular is that of Krishna, his consort Radha and his other admirers Gopikas or Gopinis.  


Krishna playing Holi with Radha and Gopinis


      In many parts of northern India, Raasleela, a dance form depicting life and romantic episodes of Lord Krishna, is performed on this occasion. According to myths, Radha had fair complexion while Krishna was dark. One day He asked his mother, Yashoda, why He was dark and Radha was fair. His mother jokingly asked Him to take some colour and apply it on Radha’s face to darken her as well. Krishna then approached Radha quietly and applied the colour on her face. It is believed that since then, playing with colours on the day of Holi became a tradition. It is also considered a romantic occasion for young lovers.
     On this day, several temples are decorated with flowers and lights and idols of Krishna and Radha are placed on swings while singers sing folk songs associated with Holi and play with colours and flowers. Many Bollywood films have also romanticised the festival. There are thousands of songs on the theme of love-relationship between Radha and Krishna, which are sung during Holi.

     Holi also signifies friendship and brotherhood as people visit one another on this day to play with colours.

 Basant Utsav in Shantiniketan
      Popularly known as Vasantotsav, this festival, celebrated in Spring every year, attracts thousands of tourists in Shantiniketan, the abode of poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Here the festival is celebrated in a dignified manner -- not only with colours but also through dance, music and chanting of hymns while it is more boisterous in most other parts of India. The month of Phagun marks the advent of spring and ripening of crops in Northern India. It is considered a season of romance and excitement, folk songs and dances. 

      So to signify this energetic festival, I felt that it would be ideal to show you Janelle's brilliant and iridescent Washington DC home-- full of colours.

Cheerful entrance sets the mood

Vibrant Living-dining area

Green chairs take their cue from the green kitchen

        This apartment will show you how several shades can co-exist in a harmonius manner and can even heighten the aesthetics. Her house was among the five finalists from the US in the BEHR Room for Color Contest.

Riot of colours

 "Go big. Go bold. Commit, but be sure to take the time to test drive colors", advices Janelle.

  



Very posh purple bedroom

Walk-in closet


"Aspiring color comrades, I suggest you never fear, do your homework, and wear sunglasses if ya need to!" this is Janelle's parting shot. 

That is the idea behind Holi as well. So enjoy the weekend. Happy Holi to you all!! May all the hues of nature touch your life and make it colourful. Do remember to leave a comment!! 



Holi images courtesy The Hindu, www.4to40.com

Janelle apartment images via Apartment Therapy


Monday, January 17, 2011

Home Office


       When I was doing a regular job, my homemaker cousin often used to say that it is fun to dress up and go out everyday. Yes, to some extent it is true. But now that I work from home and at my own pace and pleasure, I am enjoying the benefits of  a freelancer. Though working from home also needs a tremendous amount of self-discipline, it is also great to watch the world rush by at office time when I do not have to worry about the traffic on the road,the train timings or the weather!  And yeah, a modest Home Office adds to the charm!

    First identify a place where to set up your office. If possible, avoid your living room or media room as you will get easily distracted or disturbed.



A study in crimson


             
  


Black and grey

      If one is lucky enough to have a spare room for office, there are lots of advantages! But many have small offices in their bedrooms, dining rooms or study. If you expect clients at home, you may consider setting up the meeting area somewhere in the living room as it would not entail taking them inside your bedroom. 
    Since I find space management a very exciting concept, I marvel at attractive small home offices that retain their individuality as well as blend with the decor of that room.
     
     Have a look!

An interior designer's office



An interesting desk

Aesthetic look

Modern look

Soft Look
A French style office

Floral Design
   

  Therefore, an office need not look boring and all serious! When you are designing a home office, experiment with colours, textures, prints and decor styles. A cheerful office will drive away the Monday blues.
          
  Images via Elle Decor, Style at Home, Ideal Home, Living Etc, House to Home.
 

Monday, October 25, 2010

It is time to Act

For long I have been following various blogs and wanting to host one my of own.  Finally, I decided to take action. First, I would thank everyone who have really inspired me with their colourful and lively blogs, though I am just learning the tricks of decorating my blog. 
            India has a great reserve of art and craft of its own. Each region is unique in its design forms and techniques. But for a true connoisseur, it is perhaps essential to appreciate true art forms, irrespective of the region it belongs to.