A Spanish Love Affair

Hello! My Spanish obsession continues........I cannot help it :) I tend to gravitate towards these gorgeous homes in Spain. Most of them are come alive after extensive rehabilitation and reconstruction of rural properties......and in this case an old barn.

 

All the homes that I have featured here have a consistent theme that I am drawn to. They are all bright and airy and have rustic chic vibe! This is just what I need to to shake off my Monday blues......a home that makes me smile :)

I have an exciting week planned at MDC. I will be taking you to the home of one of MDC's readers based in the UK and introducing you to a new blog. You don't want to miss it :)

 

Have a great week ahead!!

Images: via

Friday Happiness at Home

Hello there!! Fridays is a fun day because that is the day you get to plan for the weekend :) Weekends may not always be exciting...... but for me the best part is that we all get to stay home :) Well, it maybe only for a few hours! Weekends also come with various other commitments that need to be managed.

Having a meal together, chatting endlessly about mundane stuff........ my kids giggling and laughing......... the TV blaring.......it is all this craziness that makes it perfect :) Sometimes I can't hear myself think.... and that is when I retreat with my cup of tea.

So what are the things you love the most about your weekend?

 

 

Image: My Home

 

 

The Grounds (Coffee The Australian Way)

I have lived in the Pacific Northwest for the past six and a half years. I am now passionate about my cup of coffee!! The endless rain in this area does that to you :) My Dad and Mom were visiting me this summer. It was an early morning ritual for my Dad to hand me a cup of coffee as soon as I woke up. Yes......I know what you are thinking....I am spoilt :) I do miss him... and the coffee now that he is back home :)  The weather here has managed to convert my mom as well. She now likes coffee........ finally...... at the age of sixty four!!

You can imagine my excitement when I saw the images of this coffee store based in Australia! Located in an old pie factory from the early 1900’s, The Grounds of Alexandria is the flagship venue for its specialty coffee. The site hosts a coffee research and testing facility and a cafe which opens into a garden filled with vegetables and fragrant herbs. I agree it is quite a distance for me to travel to get a cup of coffee:) However, I can enjoy it virtually and share it with you. Australia always makes me nostalgic. I made numerous work related trips to Oz many years ago. I have fond memories of my time there!

This cafe has  been short listed for the Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) in hospitality in Australia.  Click here to visit the Grounds.

I am off to brew my own cup of coffee in a less glamorous setting:) Have a beautiful day.

Images: via

Fabulous Finds Architectural Pillar Holders

This week's Fabulous Finds on MDC are these unusual architectural pillar holders from Pottery Barn. I like them because they are different from the usual metal, wood and glass pillar holders you see everywhere.

The pillars are made out of mango wood. I like the carving and the weathered and distressed finish. I think the white candles give it a classy look. However, I might use a different shade just to add a pop of color.......warm earthy tones would be my choice:)

Click here to visit Pottery Barn. They are having a huge sale and these pillar holders are on sale too:)

Images: via

A Fall Day at Home

There are good days and  then there are days like today! My sinuses are really bothering me (: It was an effort to get out of bed!! However.....the day looms large with a million things to do. Sometimes a cup of tea and a short post on MDC helps brighten my day:)
This is really an online diary for me. I am thankful that even after nearly three years I feel the urge to write almost everyday:) A big thank you to all of you  for making it such a happy place for me!
I am working on a few new things in terms of the content on MDC. It is still a work in progress but I am looking forward to it. I would be happy to hear your suggestions as well. Please feel free to email me! 

I am rushing off to tackle my day now.....as you can clearly see this was a very large mug of caffeine:)

 

 

Image: My Home

Anthology Magazine, A Rug and An Heirloom

 I recently spotted a lovely image of a black and white Shyrdak felt rug in Anthology. If you have not seen this magazine then you have certainly missed out!! Click here to view the current issue.  

I love how the rug has been used  behind the bed. The entire room looks very global and chic with the Moroccan lantern and blanket.........the Indian style chair and of of course the the rug.

 

Click here to read my earlier post about these felt rugs. These felt rugs come from Central Asia, possibly from Kyrgyzstan. Rugs of this type are called Shyrdak rugs. They were made traditionally by women for the nomadic tribes to keep them warm in the winter. 

 

 

Here's a beautiful image that I have been wanting to share with you via Morning Star Fiber. The lady in the picture is an artisan from Central Asia. She makes shyrdak rugs out of merino sheep that her husband raises. She works with her daughter and granddaughter to felt these rugs year around.

The colors are stunning.......

I own a Shyrdak rug myself. A couple of years ago I discovered this rug in my parents home. It belonged to my Great Grandfather. The rug is pretty worn out as it is very old. According to my mom it dates back to the 1920's.

 

I apologise for the really bad image. I need to pick it up from my parents home and hopefully take better pictures. I have been spending a lot of time thinking about what to do with this rug. I guess the possibilities are endless........

 

I need to restore its frayed edges first but I guess that is part of the fun:)

 

 

Image 1 : via, Image 2 via, Image 3 : Mine

Come Fly With Me (Turkey)

 

I have been enamoured by the interiors of Nisanyan Hotel for a while now. "Come Fly with Me" to Turkey to rediscover this marvelous place. I have featured this property before on MDC and you can click here to read about it. As you can clearly see my fascination for this place continues. 

 

It is the delightful photographs by Pauline Joosten that captures the real essence of this beautiful place. I have said this before........my first impression on discovering Nisanyan House was one of happiness. This place gives me the feeling that you are entering some one's well loved home. It has a laid back old world charm that compels you to leave your worries behind.

 

The furniture around this place actually reminds me of my grandmother's home.  I am very drawn to this place:) I hope you had fun visiting this lovely hotel set in a remote rural village in Turkey.

 

Have a beautiful day!

 

Images: via

Red Hues in Decor

These images have been sitting in my inspiration folder for a while. Today seems like the perfect day to share them with you. With all this talk of Fall in the blog world............this lovely home with all the delicious red hues seems perfect for this season.

What are your thoughts? Are you loving it as much as I do :) It is all so rustic, warm and cosy........

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images: via

Marching Towards The Festive Season With A Sale!

Let there drums roll as we march towards the festive season :) The Shop at My Dream Canvas is having a sale that will run till the end of October. All the Brass Diyas from our limited edition collection are on SALE till stocks last!!! So grab them while you can :)  

Email anuseattle@gmail.com for prices and shipping within the United States. Click HERE to visit the Shop!

Image : Shop at My Dream Canvas

Fall Hues At The MDC Casa :)

Hello to the new week. We are welcoming Fall in my neck of the woods. Now, you may call it a cliche but for me Fall means...... orange, reds, rust and gold :)  My way to decorate for the season is to bring the Fall colors indoors! It makes my home home look warm and cosy and ready for winter!

I am still working on the makeover but here is a sneak peek...........notice the colors :)

Have a great week my lovely readers.

The beautiful autumn sun falling on my Grandmother's silver tray!

I made a quick trip to World Market this weekend and found these really cute gift tags on clearance. I love them. They are perfect for the festive season. I am getting ready to ship some stuff with the new tags :)

Coming up soon........the Festival Collection at The Shop at My Dream Canvas.

Images : Mine.

For The Love of Tea

Raise your tea cups and let us toast to a simple and uncomplicated weekend :)

Remember to keep that smile on your face!

 

 

 

Image: 1 via, Image: 2 via

Friday Musings and My Home

I am very glad I took this picture yesterday of my living room. Today we are finally back to how I remember Seattle. Yes, it is nippy, dull and grey :) It has truly has been a glorious few months with absolute no rain and high temperatures. However, I am looking forward to the new season. I love Fall......there is something so beautiful about seeing the leaves change color.

Are you excited about the weekend? I have something fun planned for this Saturday and  I am looking forward to it. Next week at MDC brings another Home Tour that I am eager to share with all of you.

Have an awesome Friday and a Fabulous Weekend!!

Image: My Home

A Beach Bungalow

When a well known interior designer saw this house and its location, this is what he had to say. " He said that the painting was outside the window and that whatever happened inside shouldn’t compete with it."

This advice struck with the lady of the house who did the interiors of this beach bungalow herself. The owner Cathy loves a good bargain. She sewed simple slipcovers for her couches and chairs, fashioned side tables out of old wine-barrel lids, used hopsack for her curtains and gave her existing furniture a fresh coat of paint.

There is something so laid back and beautiful about this home on the beach in Cape Town, South Africa. This to me is the perfect place to spend a lifetime by the sea.......the craggy mountains add to the drama and beauty of the place.

 

 

Images: via

Slow Down and Smile

 

I am in the mood to slow down. The days seem to be flying by and I need to catch my breath. I want to savor my cup of  tea, read a book without getting distracted.......laze in bed..................you get the drift :)

 

It is good to daydream a wee bit before reality sets in and the day begins:)

 

Here's wishing you a beautiful day. Do slow down and remember to smile!

 

 

 

 

 

 Image: via

Treasure Hunting with The Shop at My Dream Canvas

Whenever I get the chance I go treasure hunting........ whether I'm halfway around the world or just around the corner from home :) I love a good find and thus began the journey of the Shop at My Dream Canvas.

This is where I share my finds with the readers of My Dream Canvas. My Shop is a collection of Global treasures and Eclectic Finds. These are my personal picks for your lovely home. The products at the Shop get updated a few times a year and run until items are sold out. Thank you all for your support and appreciation.


Click HERE to visit the Shop and my Facebook Page for regular updates about the products available. Please email me at anuseattle@gmail.com if you have any questions.

 

Images: Shop at My Dream Canvas

A Pop of Color in my Living Room

Every time I cross my living room I smile:) I cannot help it!! Yes, I am quite aware that I have posted images of this chair here before:) What can I say......guess you can call it new love :) For someone who has always liked subtle earthy tones....... the bold look of this Suzani chair is a shift for me:)  I love the pop of color in my living room. This chair adds the right amount of color to contrast my cream couch and wooden chair and bench.

I am on the look out for a end table to place next to this chair. The current table is not a favorite therefore I have this fabric draped on it. I usually prefer end tables without a tablecloth:) I love the way a home evolves over the years just like we do:) I recently read something that so aptly describes what I feel about my home......

"Rooms are albums that provoke memories. What you decorate with should remind you of a street you wandered down or an experience that made you happy.”— Amy Hase, Designer."

Have a beautiful day.

 

 

Image: My Living Room

 

 

 

Kitchen Crush

Every once in a while you come across a room that makes you gasp! This is one of those moments :) I am falling for this spacious, bright and airy kitchen. The lanterns, the lighting, the subtle splashes of color and the beautiful green plants!! This is where I could spend a lifetime........ yes, I could be inspired to turn into a gourmet cook :)

Tell me if you like this space as much as I do???

 

 

 

 

Images : via