Fabulous Finds : Etsy Shopping From Around The World!

 Like so many other designers and bloggers, I too have a great weakness for vintage fabrics and textiles from all over the world. I love browsing Etsy for unique and unusual finds. This week I am bringing you a collection of home decor products and accessories with a tribal and bohemian flair. Here are my picks for this week with products from different parts of the globe!

 SiameseDreamDesign is a store specializing in hmong pillows and other accessories for the home and for you! Based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, this store is a visual treat. I really like these striking purple hmong pillows. The second set of pillows are beautiful Naga tribal pillows in deep red with peach and brown! Visit the store to view their entire collection!

How can I resist these vintage Suzani hobo bags :) These are made out of vintage fabrics sourced from Uzbekistan. The store Jane Eastan is based here in the States. Each bag is one of a kind and the store has many designs to chose from! Happy browsing :)

AYLIDESIGNS is based in Turkey. These handmade ipad/tablet cases look so smart and functional. I love the bold kilim design. Makes quite a statement! Visit the store to know more the designs, prices and their shipping policies!

So do you have a favorite among the products featured here? I would love to know???

Image 1 : SiameseDreamDesign, Image 2 : Jane Eastan, Image3: Aylidesigns. and subject to Copyright!

Backyard Love and A Busy Day

I have an extremely packed day today! As I head out, I can't help but post this :) After I am back running my endless crazy errands, I would love to have a delightful looking drink in this utterly beautiful backyard!

I invite you guys to join me! Anyone else having a hectic week out there? Slow down and enjoy this virtual party :)

Image1 : via, Image 2 : via

Anek Designs on Etsy

I am a cushion/ pillow hogger :) I absolutely adore cushion/pillows and simply cannot resist them. My cream couch in the living room is an ever changing canvas. I  try and change the pillows on them as often as I can. In my opinion, mixing up pillows in a myriad hues on a neutral backdrop can make a room come alive!

Kanika Bahl of Anek Designs is a gal who gets me :) Her designs seem to speak to me the instant she updates her store!! I have blogged about Anek Designs before on MDC. What can I say there is a connection :) I have bought stuff from her store before and plan to do so in the future!!

Stop by Anek Designs on Etsy and prepare to be tempted. Her new collection of Kantha bedspreads are gorgeous as well! Kanika ships international from India.

Images: Copyright Anek Designs!

The Breakfast Nook

Every home has a corner that is used and abused :) What I mean by that is, that it gets the maximum traffic!! In my home my breakfast nook is the nerve center of all the activity! We eat here, my kids study here, they color here, they fight here, they spill and make a mess here :) I am forever cleaning this space and its extremely rare to find this spot tidy! 

This evening I cleaned it up a bit, sat down with a cup of tea and realized how different this place looks without papers strewn all over!! The light was perfect and I manged a moment of solitude in my crazy spot!!

What is that one corner in your house that is used and abused on a regular basis? I would love to know :)

Its been a late start to the week at my end after a nice long weekend. I am recharged and ready for an action packed week at My Dream Canvas! Have a great week!!

Images: My Dream Canvas via Instagram!

Long Weekend Bliss

It is a long weekend here in the States.....yippee!!! To celebrate we jumped into the car and went for a hike close to home. The trail takes you to a lighthouse along the water. Ferries, Yachts, Kids squealing in delight, birds chirping in the distance, a limo parked along the side waiting for the bride and groom to return from the photo shoot completed the picture :)

We loved the hike and my little one went crazy seeing all the wildflowers :) Happy Weekend everyone!!

Image: a picture from my phone on my walk!!

Vintage Inspired Treasures

One of my favorites at the Shop at MDC is this vintage inspired paandaan. This is a true treasure! This box has a traditional Indian design that has been handcrafted  and intricately carved to replicate an antique paandaan ( betel box). The box can be used to store your trinkets. You can also place it on a coffee table/side table in your living room just the way I have!!  It is a great conversation starter :)

There are things that transport you to a different era and this is one of them! I do love this quote from this designer Charlotte Moss " There are two things that make a room timeless: a sense of history and a piece of the future."

To purchase this one of a kind box click HERE! The price and specifications for this product are available on the site. You can also inbox me with any questions you might have!

Image: Shop At My Dream Canvas!

Summer Dreams are Made of These

There are some homes that simply take your breath away and this one is one of them! This Spanish home is the definition of the perfect summer home for me :) Located in Spain, every aspect of this home appeals to the dreamer and decor enthusiast in me!! 

Come with me on the grand tour!!

I could picture myself waking up here and then lazing around the entire day :) 

Ah! A splash in this gorgeous pool is a must!! A mimosa after would be quite nice :)

A lunch out on this lovely porch with family and friends would be just perfect!!

I do love a pretty table setting and this one is stupendous!!

Now for some serious business, welcome to the office space in this house. Yes, this will do as the new blogging headquarters for My Dream Canvas. A girl can dream can't she :)

Hope you enjoyed this first home as part of my series on Summer Homes at MDC!!

Images: via

Frida Kahlo and a Pretty Cafe

Are you a fan of Frida Kahlo? She is certainly an international sensation and its hard to ignore her fascinating portraits. In Mexico, her face appears on postcards, books, posters, paintings etc. I saw this lovely mural in a small cafe in the art district in San Jose Del Cabo. I was immediately drawn to it and we ended up spending quite some time there!

I loved the cafe's ambiance. It was small,cozy and simply perfect.  My children sat there drinking their mango smoothies, while my husband and I sat quietly and chatted! Somehow this cafe and our time there has stayed with me. While I sat there, I could see myself living this life :) Its places like these that make me daydream! I think of my dream of owning a cafe cum book shop filled with my collection of eclectic treasures and Global finds :)

Life seemed simpler, less complicated and not so stressful as I sat there with my thoughts. It was a special place indeed!!

What are some of your favorite travel memories apart from the obvious tourist attractions of course ? I would love to know your story?

Image: My Dream Canvas and subject to copyright.

Peony Love at My Dream Canvas

 Hello Monday! The days are whizzing past as we slowly march towards summer in my part of the world! Summer in the Pacific Northwest is what I live for. I love the fifteen hours of sunshine, blue skies, endless mountain views and the sparking waters of the lake and ocean. You might think that I am making this up, but its true.....this is a pretty part of the world :)

This weekend for me went by exactly the way I like it. Dinner with friends on Friday, some errands and some housework ( I am working on fixing my loft upstairs and I shall share pictures soon), we grilled in our backyard, indulged in afternoon siesta.....yes we manged that too :) and I loved listening to my kids chatter incessantly with their Dad while I cooked a nice dinner for them on Sunday!! 

What about you? Is there any special weekend activity you like to do with your family? What makes your weekend almost perfect?

Last but not the least I made a trip to the Farmers market and picked up these stunning Peonies. I do think that Peonies are the prettiest flowers in the world! I usually find them in a pale pink color but this was the first time I saw them in this color. I could not resist these beauties :) They somehow remind me of the color ashes of roses, I know that is not exactly true, but I like the thought of it :) What can I say I love Thorn Birds!!

Here's wishing you a beautiful week ahead! 

Images: My Dream Canvas and subject to copyright.

Happiness and Flowers

Friday is here and the weekend beckons. Hope you have a lovely weekend in store for you! 

Happiness and Flowers coming your way from my home to yours :)

Image: My Dream Canvas

Brass Beauties!

Hello there!! The Shop At My Dream Canvas has been updated with new products. Click Here to visit the store! Happy Shopping :)

Image: My Dream Canvas and subject to copyright.

Restoring Old Pictures at My Dream Canvas

For those of you who read my blog regularly know that I love taking pictures and preserving family memories. It has been a fascinating journey for me as I collect old family pictures for a wall in my home! The stories and history behind each of these images makes it all so worthwhile.

These pictures are extremely special for me. The two ladies in the photographs below are are my Grandmothers ( Nani) and her sister( Mausi Nani). My Mom and these two ladies have been my pillars and the greatest influence in my life. They have shaped me to be the person I am today!

I am trying to restore some of these images for my home. Some of them are frayed and not in good condition. I have a question for my readers today. Do you know of a good way/place to restore these images? Have you had any experience in doing this. Do write in with any suggestions you might have?

I like to think of My Dream Canvas ( my home) as a place to live with memories, that has a sense of authenticity, a feeling of happiness and is a journey of my own experiences!

Image: My Dream Canvas and subject to copyright.


An Update: The Shop at My Dream Canvas has some new products. Click HERE to visit the online store!

Timeless Elegance : Brass Artifacts From The Shop At My Dream Canvas

The Shop At My Dream Canvas presents a unique collection of Brass curios and artifacts. Please join me on Facebook to view the products. The stock is very limited so grab them while you can :)  Please email me for prices and any questions you might have!!

Thanks

Anu!

Monday Flowers and A Cup of Tea :)

Hello to the new week. We have a forecast of endless sunshine this week and that makes for a beautiful Monday morning :) Hope you had a fun weekend? Mine was fun, but exhausting...... so Monday has got off to a slow start. I shall be back here with some interesting posts.....till then hope you have a great Monday and a happy week!

Image: Chai by my window this morning!

Hello Friday and Happy Mother's Day Weekend

Its Friday once more and the weekend beckons. I have a super crazy weekend ahead of me. As I had mentioned before, I have taken up a booth at a local event here. The Shop At My Dream Canvas will be there to present my handpicked collection of unique home accessories . I am looking forward to this event as this is a first for me. The past two years my little store has only had an online presence so this should be exciting :)

Here's wishing all the mom's out there a Happy Mother's Day!  Mom's are simply the best......aren't they :) 

I am heading out of the door now to begin my action packed day!!

See you around and have a wonderful weekend!!

Image: via

My Take On Effortless Style

I am instantly drawn to spaces that seem to have an effortless style. Spaces where you can see yourself relaxing! For me, some spaces appear too overdressed. It's almost like someone forgot to tell them when to stop:)

I think the beauty of a room or space does not always have to be judged by how it looks. For me, its more important to get a feel for it and to sense the mood it sets :) What do you feel about this, I would love to know??

Today, I am enjoying looking at these spaces, they bring a smile to my face :)

The flowers look like they have just been picked from the garden and bunched up into this vase! They don't seem over stylized, if you know what I mean!!

Images: via

Shop At My Dream Canvas

Hello to the New Week. I was some exciting news to share. The Shop At My Dream Canvas is making its first ever debut at a local event here in Seattle. I am taking a booth at an event being held on Sunday, May 11th to celebrate Mother's Day :) As you can imagine I am both excited and nervous. 

Here are some click as I get ready to pack up my collection of home accessories for the Global Home! Wish me luck my lovely readers as all this would not have been happening without your encouragement and support :)

For my local readers please email me if you can make it for the event this coming Sunday in Bellevue! I shall be delighted to forward you the details of the venue etc! Today is also Mr MDC's birthday so its a great start to the work week :)

These are wooden handcrafted vases. hey come with glass test tubes and make the most adorable vases!

My personal favorite...handcrafted paisley wooden hanging tea light holders.

Tribal silk photo frames............

There is lots more being packed up including our signature brass curios :) I got to run as there is tonnes to be done!! See you around!


Images: Copyright My Dream Canvas