At home...

I love how the peonies from Pike Place market brighten my home. Its so nice to buy flowers for special occasions or when you are entertaining. However, for me whats even better is to wake up to see flowers on an ordinary day :-) They do make those dull and grey days in Seattle seem brighter. We are gearing up for a sunny weekend to celebrate the July 4th holiday and I can hardly wait.

I am getting a start on the weekend by having a dinner for my friends tomorrow. Its going to be a lot of fun and laughter. My neighborhood friends are my lifeline. I am not sure what I would do without them....

There have been some tiny changes around my house and I shall put up the pictures soon............

Finally, I have found a frame and a place for my vintage map of India. I have been wanting to do this for a long time. I like to surround myself with things that have a special meaning for me............hence the India map,  a table lamp that says Paris, to remind me of my honeymoon, a clock my parents bought me from an antique store......and the silver candlesticks that belonged to my great - grandfather completes the picture.

 

Images: My home, Please do not reuse without permission.

Linking up to A Beach Cottage.

Images that make me smile!

These are simply a collection of rooms that I love. They all make me smile :-) The room are very different. They have varied design aesthetics and yet they all appeal to me! Sometimes it's hard to pin-point exactly what you like in a room - yet, somehow everything comes together and it looks perfect.

Hope your week is going well? Here in the US we have a long weekend and a major holiday coming up. So its going to be fun!

Image 1 : via, Image 2, via, Image 3 : via, Image 4, 5 & 6 : Unknown

Rie Elise Larsen

Rie Elise Larsen is a home decor brand based out of Copenhagen and their Spring/Summer 2011 collection is gorgeous. I really like the bright, bold and vivid patterns. I am in love with these beautiful lamp shades. Just the fresh and new look you need to welcome summer!

Image: via

Summer in Provence??

I am making a virtual trip to Provence today and I am taking you along with me! This stunning home was built in a hill-top village in the early 17th century. The Château de Moissac-Bellevue was a residence dedicated to relaxation and was owned by a noble family from Provence.


A residence built for relaxation............that sounds  heavenly, does it not? Now I really don't have a residence for relaxation....... but I am going to go on a mission to  find a quiet corner in my home that I can retreat to :-)

Step into the world of elegance and grandeur......

Image : via

A lovely DIY!

Wow, this is absolutely brilliant!! I would love to do something like this to organize my stuff. This chest of drawers had a worn out white finish. By using some chalkboard paint this chest has been completely transformed. Labelling the drawers gives it such a practical yet lovely twist!!

Image via

My Weekend and a New Week...

Hello there!! Hope your weekend was fun? Mine was busy, fun and sunny......yes we are a bit obsessive about the weather here at My Dream Canvas :-) Hubby got back from a business trip, we saw glorious views of Mt Rainier, I bought fresh flowers from Pike Place Market, enjoyed mom's delicious cooking and spent time with family visiting from California........that was my weekend in a nutshell!

Here's wishing you all a good week ahead!

Image: my home

Weekend wishes

Its going to be a busy weekend for me. I shall see you back here on Monday! Here's wishing you a fun filled and relaxed weekend!!

This chair looks like an ideal spot for me to unwind.......so goodbye for now and see you later!!

Image: Unknown

Summer....

Summer is here!!!! The Pacific Northwest has a very short summer, and yet we know how to make the most of it. Art fairs, flea markets, outdoor movies, barbeque's by the lake, gorgeous views of the mountains in the distance, yachts dotting the coastline......I could go on and on.........what can  I say.......it is a lovely time of the year!

My son is out of school .......and summer means also means that the noise level in my house increases by leaps and bounds:-) Its amazing how the sound of two brats squealing and running around the house can be both frustrating and delightful at the same time :-) My parents are here, the kids are home and it promises to be an exciting summer. I am trying really hard to focus on the endless list of chores and errands I need to tackle but its hard and I am easily distracted! I guess the summer needs to be enjoyed and I should shove the work aside and enjoy the days ahead.........

So lets dream a little together shall we..... and step away from reality. Do you dream of a summer home? Where would it be...... and what would it be like. I am very fickle and keep changing my mind about where this idyllic home might be. However, I am certain about a few things.....I need my family and friends around me, books, music, good food and of course my blog:-)

This summer house in Cantabria, up on the Northern coast of Spain looking out to the Cantabrian Sea seems almost perfect doesn't it??? I love the splash of color against the white walls. It has a happy and warm vibe to it. I would love to hear about your idea of a summer home........ and where it would be ??? So do drop me a line....I will be waiting!!

Images: via

Nimli ( Natural and Organic Lifestyle)

The online store Nimli has an interesting selection of stylish and Eco- friendly home decor items. Nimli's website states that they offer an array of ecologically friendly products that are natural, organic, recycled, sweatshop-free, and cruelty-free. Nimli was founded in New York City in 2005 by entrepreneur Rajat Arora. You can get more information about Nimli from their website.

I particularly like the cute and colorful step stools and Bohemian kids chairs and table set. Despite the hefty price tag....they are certainly unique and worth admiring!

All images: via

A Gorgeous Find.....

A very good morning and a Happy Monday to all of you!

Now for a little story.........about an unexpected stop at an antique mall where I found a little treasure :-) My parents had to stop by a store to buy a jacket. I noticed a sign for an antique store next to it and I could not resist going in. After meandering through endless stuff some nice and some not so nice.....I stopped to take a call on my cell phone. When my call got done, I noticed that I was standing right in front of  a set of gorgeous brass leaves on stakes. They looked lovely and the best part of it all.....the one I bought cost me only 3 bucks!! I could not believe my luck. I have stuck it into my pot at the entrance with my lotus tea light holders. Since the stake can come out it can also be used as a centerpiece on the dining table.

What do you think ......did you enjoy my story?? Now I have a  pretty yet inexpensive addition to my home and I am one happy gal!!

 

Images: My home

Linking up with Colours Dekor Weekend Wrap Up and Enchanting Entrances.
Sumos Sweet Stuff
Between Naps on the Porch 126th Metamophosis Monday
Good life Wednesday's at A Beach Cottage.

A New week and Giveaway winner!

Hello there! I  hope you enjoyed your weekend and Father's Day! I have had a hectic yet fun few days. Having my Dad with me on Father's day made it extra special. This weekend we had a large family gathering followed by a trip to an art fair and a quick stop at an antique mall. More details on the antique mall coming soon:-)

Today is the deadline for the Mixbook Photo book giveaway. A big thank you to all those who participated in this giveaway and for your lovely comments. I picked the winner using the Random Number Generator. The winner who gets to design her very own photo book is Melanie from Lucky 7 Design. Congratulations Melanie! I shall be contacting you soon with the giveaway details.

Have a wonderful week!!

Image: via

Hello Wednesday and an update!

Hi! I am popping in to stay a quick Hello!! Here, its wet, cold and dreary and summer seems very far away. Hope your day is brighter than mine!! However, on another note.....I am elated!! My parents are visiting from India and very little bothers me these days. I am being pampered and spoilt silly, so I have no complaints :-) My mom is cooking up a scrumptious meal as I type away.....and as you can see I am distracted :-) We have some fun road trips planned this summer and I am praying for some better weather.


Now for an update on the "Shop" at My Dream Canvas. Its not a figment of my imagination :-) I have been procrastinating the last few months but now I plan to get it up and running soon. Do wish me luck....... I promise you a preview in a few weeks!!


Have a great day!! Here are a few flowers from my home coming you way :-)

All images : Mine

With love from Portugal ( Home Tour)

Summer is here!! For us in Seattle, since its June.......we like to believe its "summer" but its actually still not warm at all in my part of the world :-) Its a lovely Monday here at My Dream Canvas and today, I am delighted to present a very special home tour. This beautiful home is Susana's haven in Porto in the north coast of Portugal. I am totally in love with her bright and cheerful home.


In Susana's words, " I'm close both to the sea and to the biggest city park - so we have lots of trees and greenery around us! My home is a small 2 room apartment, with a little garden (we're actually on the process of looking for a bigger house) and we live on a nice neighborhood. These buildings won an international architectural prize, as they are low cost houses, but very well built. I am a mother of two lovely girls (one is 8 and the other is 1) and I work in a bank (corporate clients) - I am an economist. I love decor and interior design, so I dedicate my spare time to my blog and re-decorating my home."

Susana is extremely talented and her creativity is visible in every corner of her lovely home. Welcome to her world......

Her bright and airy dining room. I love the colorful buntings........

Lovely corners from her home....

Her yellow fondue set and the tablecloth looks fresh and pretty.....

Her bed of roses.....

Vintage tea cups....

Lovely outdoor spaces...

Susana's table setting and a yummy cake......stunning!!

Susana's world looks warm and inviting and brings a smile to my face. I do hope you have enjoyed a peek into her life. Thank you Susana for sharing your home on My Dream Canvas. Susana is also a fellow blogger and you can visit her blog here.

All images: Susana's flickr photo stream.

Have a wonderful week my friends and don't forget to sign up for my Giveaway which ends June 19th.

Its Friday!

Its Friday, and here's wishing you a fun filled and relaxed weekend. My parents are visiting me for a few months........and I am enjoying being a kid again :-) Don't forget to enter my photo book giveaway before you leave. I shall see you back here on Monday with a home tour and much more!!

Image: via

Nina Indset

Hello all! I am having a busy week at home........therefore I might not be very regular with my posts. However, I am hosting an exciting Giveaway so do stop by and enter to win you very own photo book from Mixbook.

I am so in love with fellow blogger's Nina Indset lovely home. Her home was featured in the Norwegian Bolig Pluss magazine. I think Nina's home has such an interesting vibe to it. This Scandinavian home is warm, cosy, romantic and utterly chic.....................don't you think?

Images: via

Hello Monday and a Giveaway!!

Hello Monday to you all!! A new week begins with a fun and exciting giveaway at My Dream Canvas. The giveaway is a chance to win your very own photo book from Mixbook. Photo books are such a lovely way to preserve your memories. Kids, family events, travel pictures, and more......it's a wonderful way to store your favorite digital images.

Mixbook is a great place to create your photo book. I have used other digital scrapbooking sites, however Mixbook is one of the best. You can create the book using their fabulous templates and the book can be created  in minutes with ease. I have another photo book with some travel pictures.  So this time I decided to create a photo book about my home and my blog. I took some of my favorite images from different posts. I have to say that I love the final look. The images look lovely in print and way better than I ever expected.  I have included images of my photo book below so you can see what I mean:-)

I am delighted with my photo-book. It's kept in my family room with some other coffee table books.

Now for the exciting part! Mixbook has kindly offered one of my readers a complimentary 20-page, 11x8.5 landscape, hardcover photo book with free US Ground shipping. 

Your photo book is just a few clicks away so enter the giveaway to create everlasting memories. The Giveaway is open to readers in the US only. However, there is another one coming up for everyone soon :-)

1. If you like what you see, become a follower of my blog on the sidebar and follow My Dream Canvas on Facebook. Please let me know in a comment.

2. For a second entry, announce this giveaway on your blog and let me know in another comment.

3. If you are already a follower, then just leave me a comment.

4. If you don't have a blog, please leave your email address in your comment.

I will pick the lucky winner on Father's Day, Sunday June 19th.

As an added bonus, Mixbook has also extended a generous 20% off discount for the readers of My Dream Canvas. Just used the code - ANUMX20 when you checkout!  There is no expiration date on the discount offer, but it can only be used once per customer.

Have a great week and good luck with the Giveaway!

Linking up to the party at Verry Merry Vintage Style and the party at Tatertots and Jello.