Private Cloud, Sleep like a Baby...

A bed that rocks you to sleep, lets you enjoy your reading or television time in the ultimate comfort and looks chic enough to make guests drool over…..How cool is that? I simply fell in love with the concept of a 3-in-1 bed, Private Cloud when I stumbled upon it on Inventor Spot.

The bed by Manuel Klois is designed in such a way that it can transform itself on demand. It’s flexible feet comes with an elastic band and a lock to keep it secure. So, you just tilt it enough when you want to read or watch television, unlock it when you want to use it as a rocker and lock it up for a good-night’s snooze.

On the serious note, I wonder if one really has the patience to go through the entire process of locking and unlocking the bed when all you want to do is hit the pillow after a hard day’s work. Your wallet gets lighter by $7,000 if you want this one.

Wall tattoos: Recreate your space without spending a fortune!

Remember the earlier post on wall tattoos? The easiest way to give a facelift to a dead wall without spending a fortune is a decal. I received a mail from Terri Boidman of Suface Collectives to check out their new decal collection. Guess what, I even stumbled upon some Indian themed decals on the site.


Here’s what they say...“SURFACE Collective encourages you to think outside the frame when it comes to decorating your space. Our mission is to enable people across the globe to visualize the flat surfaces in their space in ways never before imagined. Unlike pricey art installations, you can change your SURFACE Wall Tattoo at whim.”

I think these are cool. What do you think?
Thanks: Surface Collective

X'mas cards for you to make and gift at your traditional X'mas lunch.

Often, we give expensive presents to our family and friends, but forget to tell them how special they are. This X'mas make these beautiful X'mas cards for each person who will sit at your table for the traditional X'mas meal, and watch their faces light up with joy. Don't forget to pen sweet thoughts inside!

This tutorial is lovingly put together by Nirmitee Raorane. The idea is hers too. Thanks Nirmitee!


What you will need
- White Art Card (folded size 8” x 6”)
- Green Colored Velvet or Crepe Paper
- Brown Colored Poster Paper
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Glue
- Colorful Chocolate Wrappers

Method:

• Cut out triangular shapes in five different sizes (as shown in the picture below) from the green crepe or velvet paper.

• On the broad base of the triangles, make small cuts with scissors.
• Cut out shapes of a pot and stem from the brown colored paper and stick them on the front side of the folded art card.
• Now biggest piece of the green triangular piece and apply glue on the tip of the triangle leaving the cut edges free and paste it on the bottom side of the Christmas Tree.
• Next take the triangle smaller than the first and paste it above the bigger triangle.
• Similarly paste the other triangles.
• Decorate the card with small squares of colorful chocolate wrappers.

Your card is ready :)

Pretty potpourri X'mas pouches

Make beautiful potpourri pouches for your X'mas trees.
They will not only look interesting, but will smell good too! Many thanks to Cristina and her niece Inês who have worked really hard putting this tutorial together for us.


To make these beautiful potpourri pouches you will need:

-2 pieces of fabric (organza has been used here)
-one piece made of crochet
-a thin golden string
-a crochet string to close the bag



Begin by putting the crochet piece and the pieces of organza together using 2 pins, then sew the crochet piece on the fabric with the thin golden string. Refer to the pictures above.

That done, put the 2 pieces of organza close, both of them reverse. Then iron the superior tips, turning them back to back.


Use a sewing machine to sew both the organza pieces (still kept reverse) together. Then sew again with a zig-zag line. Make a fold and iron again.

Now sew the fold tip around the pouch with the thin golden string, and repeat a little above, so that between them you have made a space to insert the string to tie the pouch.


With the bag turned the right side out, use a needle to make a hole where the strong sting can fit in. Insert the strong string inside the hole and pass the string around the bag.

Fill in the potpourri inside the pouch and tie the string to finish. Use your newly made pouch to pretty up your X'mas tree!

Organic veggies at your doorstep for free!?

Imagine each one of us growing veggies in our own backyards, balconies, window sills and bartering them with neighbors and friends instead of making daily trips to supermarket or bargaining with the pushcart vendor. Sounds too good to be true? Not quite….

I was invited for a presentation on soil-less cultivation with a promise of growing my own pesticide free veggies in my backyard. Sure, I am no green thumb, but the thought of growing my own organic produce without soil did excite me.
What was it all about? The presentation by Prakash, the brain behind the petbharo project was on Hydroponics, the art of cultivation of plants in nutrient solution rather than in soil. Basically, you are providing all the nutrients found in the soil in the solution thereby eliminating the need of soil as the medium.

The advantages as Prakash puts it is that you do away with the weeds thereby reducing the time and labor. There are no worries of soil-borne diseases and you are doing yourself and the world a favor by using recycled materials such as disposable packaging material, coconut husk, wood, etc as the medium.

Well, to be honest....I was awestruck at the thought of growing veggies to cater to my daily needs in limited space. Check out this hydroponics blog for better ideas.

Want to know more? Participate in training course in Hydroponics / Soil-less cultivation by The Institute Of Simplified Hydroponics, India commencing from mid Jan 2009 to end Feb 2009 in Bangalore.

Images:hydroponics-fine

Drool: Vintage lights for your classic decor

Remember the classic vintage lights that we featured earlier? Vintage lights are a sure-fire way of giving your décor the classic feel. Take a look at these Early 20th Century Cage Lights from rewire. The lights caged in metal wire springs look great in dining, terrace gardens or just any cozy corners.
The classic lights are impressive no doubt, but wonder if it’s worth the price quoted for. Your purse gets lighter by $1000-$1200 if you want to own them.

DIY: Make these fun X'mas wreaths with your kids.

Pat, the 'Wreath witch' makes some really fun wreaths. She has been kind enough to share a tutorial on how to make them here. Happy wreath making and let me know how they turned out:)

Window dressing with a twist!

Image credit: Ginsky
I have a fascination for wide window sills. This has to do with some of my fondest childhood memories of my summer vacations spent reading comics and playing on a wide window sill for hours at my cousin’s house. They had an unusual window sill which was a kind of mini-room with grills on either side of the wide sill with a beautiful pink bougainvillea creeper covering up the outer side of the grill, creating a virtual green wall. So much for my nostalgic memories....

Image credit: LisbethSalander
A window could be a favorite spot for reading, day-dreaming, coffee-time, bird watching, moon gazing, star-counting…..Oh whatever! It does mean something to most of us and beyond this for creative souls.

Image credit: Zedbee
It’s just not the sheers, drapes and blinds that are used to dressing up a window, a bit of imagination and everyday objects you find around you will do the trick.I am sure each of these window sills will have a story to share with fond memories attached to it.

Image credit: rainycity
Re-arranging knick-knacks is another interesting idea
Image credit: satjiwan
Grouping similar colored objects looks great on the sill.
Image credit: Kat Coyle
This idea shows that you don't need expensive things to do up your window
Image credit: Evaben
How about a kitchen garden to spruce up your window?
Do you like these ideas? Watch out for more windowsill ideas in the future posts.

Handmade stuffed ornaments to pretty up your tree

Those ornaments will look just perfect on your X'mas tree. If you are wondering how to get hold of them, well, you can make them right at home.

Constança Cabral makes these beautiful Christmas ornaments by hand. When I saw her work, I requested her for a tutorial, to share with my blog readers, and she readily agreed. She has put up the tutorial on her blog, so go get it! Also visit Constança's etsy shop here.

Happy holidays! :),
Sharon

Enhance the Asian decor in your home with creative Rangolis

As promised in this blog post on how to decorate your home in the Indian style, here is a handy guide to creating a Rangoli in your home. Rangolis are often referred to as Painted Prayers. They are traditionally linked to a religious event such as a puja in India, but of late, they have also become an easy way to pretty up spaces. Indian homes also create colorful rangolis at their doorstep as a symbolic welcome to guests. Believe me, one does feel honored and wanted when entering a home with a doorstep rangoli.

A colorful corner rangoli Picture courtesy:paulancheta

So why not learn this creative and easy peasy art, make your home look colorful, and welcome your guests (it need not be on your doorstep, but on your living floor, or wherever your Indian decor is arranged) with a rangoli? If you are planning a party with the Indian theme, read the post below for a grand idea on how to do the "aarthi" for your guests too.

Coming back to Rangolis, they can be as simple or complicated as you wish. For a simple Rangoli like the one below, all you need is a piece of white chalk.

Picture courtesy: mr prudence

The above deign will look great on dark floors and wooden floors. If you are working on a light colored floor, then substitute white with a dark colored chalk.

That was a very basic rangoli design. How about making a more colorful one now? Check this out. Picture courtesy: mr prudence

Much better, right? But still very basic.

This next one is really colorful, and the medium is rangoli powder (available in Indian stores), chalk and diyas. Quite a combination. It was clicked by photographer Naim Shaikh at his office in Mumbai last Diwali.

Picture courtesy: Naim Shaikh

You will be happy to know that Rangoli is not just about drawing designs with a chalk. There are various other media - colored powder (like the one above), flowers, diyas (small Indian earthen lamps, like the kind used during Diwali), grains and dried legumes. The most attractive designs use a combination of these media. Chalk is usually used as the base, to draw outlines of the patterns. The picture is then filled in and accented with the medium of your choice.

Rangoli designed, created and photographed by kamerakrazy

Rangoli with pulses and grains clicked at the YUMI Festival 2006
by food chain consultant Rose Bridger

Mixed Media rangoli/ Picture courtesy paulancheta

In my quest for beautiful and original rangolis, I came across this very simplistic, yet eye catching and thoroughly original design by Nirmitee. She uses flowers and leaves to make her unique rangoli. Check it out.

Rangoli designed, created and photographed by Nirmitee Raorane

And now, hold your breath, because nothing will prepare you for these awesome designs. Created by Sujata, these are true masterpieces.

The peacock below is done with rangoli powder and chalk, while the one on the left is done with fresh flowers.

Rangolis designed, created and photographed by sujata

I asked Sujata for some tips and this is what she had to say, "Yes, I do sketch sometimes on paper first but mostly its spontaneous. For a big rangoli, it's better to plan out the design, the colors and the medium out first. However, if you just want to create something fun, innovate as you create. Blend styles and mediums, and don't restrict yourself to the typical traditional styles.I love to explore and encourage those who are interested, so I hope these pictures help out the 'creative kind' who read your blog".

To get you started, here are links to sites that offer rangoli design pictures for download.
Aspex Design
Journey Through India
DiwaliFestival.org

So there you go, add some color to your home and life. Make rangolis with flowers, grains, legumes, beads, bottle caps, sand, anything! The possibilities are limited only by your imagination!

How to: Give your guests a traditional Indian welcome

I hope you enjoyed the rangoli post. Now, if you are planning on having an Indian-themed party, try incorporating an Aarthi welcome for your guests.

Pic courtesy Sandeep

The Aarthi is the traditional Indian welcome extended to guests. It is a very simple gesture, but can make any guest feel welcomed, wanted and special!

Before the guest arrives, decorate your doorstep with a rangoli as per my previous post. Then, keep the following items ready:

• A garland for each guest.
• Lighted diyas. If one member of the host family is doing the aarthi, then use just one diya. If 2 of you are doing it, use 2.If you find it difficult to get your hands on diyas, use a simple T light in a small holder.
• If you have some vermilion powder, place some in a small decorative box, and arrange it on a brass plate or a decorative thali with the diyas around it. Also place a flower on the plate. Special aarthi thalis like the one shown in the pic are available here.
  
• Wear Indian attire, and a big warm welcoming smile.
  

When the guests arrive, greet them at the door. Since they might not be expecting a traditional Indian welcome, ask them to pause a moment.

Then garland each guest, and request him or her to wait at the threshold.Proceed to do the aarthi as follows:-

• Wave the aarthi in front of the guests in 5 clockwise circles.
• Then apply the vermilion on their foreheads with the tip of your thumb.

Remember to wear a smile throughout the welcome, and gently usher in your guests after the ceremony.

Guest with garland and vermilion tikki
pic courtesy: Don

Out-of-the-box Ideas

I would rather own an out-of-the box creation that makes a conversational piece than a designer product with an absurd price tag. Take a look at the three designs I picked up from Idealist, a cool platform for designers to share ideas, concepts, sketches, designs and new products.

East Meets West
Inspired by Aladdin’s flying carpet and aptly called ‘East meets West’, the sofa designed by Tonio de Roover reminds you of the flying carpet literally.

Light emitting wall-paper
I couldn’t think of a better idea than this one when it comes to creating a dual effect for the décor. Designed by Jason Samson, these wall papers are just what they are meant to be in the day and transform the decor by the night by illuminating the room.

Flybrary
No space to stack your favorite books? Check out Flybrary, a cleverly designed wall mounted book shelf by Satina Turner. The shelving unit consists of a metal strip held together by a common strip. You just hang the books on the strips creating a 'floating books' effect once you cover up the strips with books.
via:idealist